The Ivy + Bean series by Annie Barrows is a popular early chapter book series featuring two friends, the goofy and spunky Bean and the quietly creative Ivy. Their amusing adventures reel in young readers but what do these newly independent chapter book readers turn to, once they've read the entire series (currently 12 books) several times over?
This list of books like Ivy + Bean are sure to delight and keep kids flexing their reading skills. So if your kids liked Ivy + Bean pick up one of these series featuring appealing characters having rowdy, and sometimes not-so-rowdy, adventures.
Note: this list contains Amazon and Bookshop affiliate links. Purchases made through these links may earn a commission for this blog. Bookshop also supports independent bookstores.
CLEMENTINE (series) by Sara Pennypacker
This is a wonderful book similar to Ivy + Bean. Clementine is the perfect 21sh century heroine. She's super-spunky and determined to enjoy life despite constantly getting into scrapes. She's been compared to Ramona many times, but I think I like her even better.
MORE: Early Chapter Book Series featuring Girl Protagonists
MAKE WAY FOR DYAMONDE DANIEL (series) by Nikki Grimes
Dyamonde is one of the most optimistic characters in early chapter books! She has a single mom, lives in a small apartment and is starting a new school. Yet through it all she is a go-getter, a can-do gal. This is the first book in the series and as the new kid in school, Dyamonde sets out to make friends with the other newbie, despite his grouchy attitude.
DORY FANTASMAGORY (series) by Abby Hanlon
Dory is a highly imaginative 6-year-old. Her older brother and sister invent a "Mrs. Gobble Gracker" in order to scare Dory into "not behaving like a baby," but Dory grabs onto the idea and her imagination manifests Mrs. Gobble Gracker in all sorts of scenarios. The way Dory's imaginary world and real world overlap is hilarious.
MORE: Early Chapter Books with Diverse Characters
ROXIE AND THE HOOLIGANS (2 book series) by Phyllis Reynolds Naylor
The bullies at school tease Roxie mercilessly, but when they are all trapped on a desert island with some cut-throat criminals, Roxie draws upon the survival skills knowledge she learned from Lord Thistlebottom's Book of Pitfalls and How to Survive Them. A very clever book with well-rounded characters (the bullies turn out not to be stereotypes), a bit of comedy and a lot of adventure.
ALVIN HO: ALLERGIC TO GIRLS, SCHOOL AND OTHER SCARY THINGS (series) by Leonore Look
Alvin suffers from anxiety over many things and this leads him to become mute at school. Nevertheless, his family life, antics and tales of how he navigates "scary things" never fail to charm. This series makes a great book set for readers who enjoy character driven stories with a lot of humor.
MY HAPPY LIFE (series) by Rose Lagercrantz
Dani is so excited and nervous to start school but then she meets Ella, who becomes her best friend right away. The narration of this Swedish import is gentle and thoughtful, allowing Dani to experience both the small happy moments of life (making friends, finding a place in school) and the sadness (friends moving away, losing one's mother). The overarching feeling of the books is one of balance, and represents children as having deep, complex emotional lives.
MORE: Best Chapter Books for 2nd Grade
JOJO MAKOONS (series) by Dawn Quigley
JoJo is a clever, spunky heroine and she makes lots of mistakes–but she's learning! JoJo's narrative voice is irresistible, and Quigley includes wonderful word play and sly humor throughout. The story centers around JoJo's experiences at school and with her friend, Fern, with whom she's having some difficulties. A wonderful series!
PLANET OMAR: TROUBLE MAGNET (series) by Zanib Mian
Omar is an appealing and relatable protagonist. His family is British-Pakistani and having just moved to London, Omar is feeling nervous about starting a new school and meeting new friends. In a funny-bone-tickling narrative, author Mian weaves in important issues about diversity, Islam and the power of standing up for yourself.
MORE: 1st Grade Reading List
AVEN GREEN, SLEUTHING MACHINE (series) by Dusti Bowling
I adored Bowling's middle grade novel, Insignificant Events in the Life of a Cactus, and its heroine, Aven Green, is now the star of her very own early chapter book series! Green is a third-grader born without arms, and has a penchant for solving mysteries. A funny series with a unique and tremendously likable protagonists.
J.D. AND THE GREAT BARBER BATTLE (series) by J. Dillard
This is a sweet and very funny series! J.D.'s mom has given him a terrible haircut, and when J.D. tries to remedy the situation he discovers that he is actually a hair-cutting genius! But when the town barber gets fed up with losing all his clients to J.D., it's time for a show-down!
MAYBE MAYBE MARISOL RAINEY (series) by Erin Entrada Kelly
Marisol Rainey is trying to be brave enough to climb the magnolia tree in her backyard but she has a fear of falling. Her friend, Jada, climbs the tree and Marisol hopes that this is the summer in which she will get over her fears. This is a lovely chapter book about friendship, courage and family relationships.
DEFINITELY DOMINGUITA (series) by Terry Catasus Jennings
This is a great chapter book series with an indomitable, book-loving heroine. In the first book of the series, Dominguita's abuela has just moved away and Dom loves reading Don Quixote, abuela's favorite book. It makes her feel closer to abuela. Dom attempt to set out on some knightly adventures of her own and prove to the class bully that girls can be knights.
Liza says
Thank you so much for your amazing lists! I am a classroom teacher and use your lists all of the time to order books for my classroom library. I am constantly recommending your site to my teacher friends and my parents.
Erica says
Thanks for the lovely comment. I'm so glad you've found the book lists useful.