At the end of the year, one of my favorite things to do is look back at see what book lists you — my lovely audience — found useful. What I learned last year is that you love a good chapter book list. I understand that. With picture books, parents can quickly peruse the title and illustrations to see if it is something they want to read. When kids become independent readers we cannot read every book they do. Kids have a variety of tastes no one wants to start a chapter book read aloud just to find out it is a dud!
Below you will find what you consider my best chapter book lists of the year. One of my goals when I make a new chapter book list is to include books you may not have heard about before. There are tons of “best chapter books” lists floating out there: “101 books to read with your child”, “100 books to read before your child grows up”! You know the ones. They all seem to have the same books on them. Those lists are useful, but I think (I hope) parents want to have something in addition to those lists.
MORE: See the index to all my book lists. I have over 100 book lists. (WHOA.)
Don’t miss next year’s book lists. There is a new one every Monday.
These 10 lists were the most popular on the blog this year. I’ve limited this list to posts that were published this year. Many of the book lists that were in the top 10 appeared in last year’s top chapter book lists. Enjoy! (Note: this list contains affiliate links)
Top 10 Chapter Book Lists for Kids
Chapter books to read aloud to 4, 5 and 6 year olds. This is by far my most popular list. It surpassed the previous record holder: 50 chapter books to read aloud to preschoolers, almost immediately. It also contains the most popular book on any of my lists: My Father’s Dragon.
Read aloud books for 3rd graders. I can not tell you how ecstatic I am that parents want to read aloud to their big kids!!!
4th grade summer reading list. This was a list of books I made for my son who is now a 4th grader and still a strong reader. I can’t keep up with him, frankly.
Nonfiction summer reading list. Kids (and boys especially, but not exclusively) love nonfiction books and learning about facts. If you have one of those, this list as well as my list of fact books kids will love will be useful for you.
Books for children not ready for Harry Potter. This list includes early chapter books for children who are not even ready for book 1 of the series, as well as books for children who have read the first 1-3 Harry Potter books but are not ready to move on to the darker-themed books.
Banned books your kids should read. I think this list was popular primarily because we are all so curious about which books would actually be banned and challenged.
Books for 9 year olds. I love sharing the books my sons are reading independently. Look for books for 10 year olds in the near future! You won’t want to miss books for 8 year olds, either!
Multicultural early chapter books. In 2013 I published a very, very popular series of early chapter book lists (ages 5-9, or thereabouts). This list was part of that series, and I’m quite delighted that parents value diversity when it comes to their child’s reading material. I do try to include diverse books on every book list I create, but you can see all my specific diverse book lists here –> multicultural books for kids.
Audiobooks for kids. We have really gotten into audiobooks this year and I’m hoping to make a new list soon of even more favorites. I find a good audiobook focuses my sons’ attentions (especially my youngest) and can often instantly turn chaos into order. (Sounds magical, doesn’t it?)
Funny chapter books to read aloud. I loved reading these titles to my kids and hearing their giggles.
Did you find any of these chapter book lists useful? What kind of book lists would you like me to make next year. I’m busy reading and planning, so let me know!
Stacey says
December 15, 2014 at 9:21 amYour lists are the best! So fun to see so many of them in one spot. I think my library hold list is about to grow 🙂