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    You are here: Home / Books / Thanksgiving Chapter Books (Plus Some Thanksgiving Poetry)

     

    Thanksgiving Chapter Books (Plus Some Thanksgiving Poetry)

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    In addition to reading your favorite Thanksgiving picture books, try out some Thanksgiving chapter books this year. These early chapter books are perfect for newly independent readers, ages 6-9, who are starting out with chapter books.

    They also make great read aloud choices as alternative entertainment to football on the big day!

    Thanksgiving themed chapter books for children

    All of these are early chapter books, appropriate for ages 5-10, depending on reading level.  Most of them contain a lot of humor and all will get your kids talking about Thanksgiving traditions and ways of celebrating the holiday. I even included a joyous collection of Thanksgiving poetry.

    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.

    Gobble! Gobble!

    Thanksgiving-themed Chapter Books for Kids

    Zack and the Turkey Attack book cover

    ZACK AND THE TURKEY ATTACK! by Phyllis Reynolds Naylor

    Find it: Bookshop | Amazon

    Is this book about Thanksgiving? Not necessarily... unless you think turkey = Thanksgiving. But it is lots of fun. When a turkey attacks Zack, he decides to build a contraption to keep the bird away from him. But his invention causes further complications and and lots of laughs.

    The Hoboken Chicken Emergency book cover

    HOBOKEN CHICKEN EMERGENCY by Daniel Pinkwater

    Find it: Bookshop | Amazon

    With a knowing nod to my neighbors in New Jersey, you have to admit that any book which couples "Hoboken" with "Chicken" in the title has got to be hilarious. When there are no turkeys to be found anywhere in Hoboken for Thanksgiving dinner, Arthur returns home with a chicken. The problem? The chicken is 266 pounds. Hijinks ensue. I read this aloud to my sons and they loved it.

    MORE: Listen to some of our favorite Thanksgiving audiobooks!

    Turkey Monster Thanksgiving book cover

    TURKEY MONSTER THANKSGIVING by Anne Warren Smith

    Find it: Your Library | Amazon

    Katie lives with her single dad and younger brother. Usually they have pizza for Thanksgiving but this year Katie is determined to have a “real” Thanksgiving with a turkey, homemade decorations and a few guests.

    MORE: Thanksgiving rebuses and printable riddles

    Thanksgiving Books in Chapter Book Series

    Almost every large chapter book series, like The Magic Treehouse and Katie Kazoo, Switcheroo has a Thanksgiving book in it. Here are a few to take note of.

    Katie Saves Thanksgiving book cover

    KATIE SAVES THANKGIVING by Fran Manushkin

    Find it: Bookshop | Amazon

    This is a very easy to read chapter book series, suitable for independent reading for children ages 5 and up. First grader Katie comes to the rescue when it seems like Thanksgiving will be missing several important ingredients—and people!

    Amber Brown is Feeling Blue book cover

    AMBER BROWN IN FEELING BLUE by Paula Danziger

    Find it: Bookshop | Amazon

    Amber needs to decide if she is going to spend Thanksgiving with her mom in Washington or her dad in New York City. Bonus: her new friend is named “Kelly Green.” How can you not love that?

    Nate the Great Talks Turkey book cover

    NATE THE GREAT TALKS TURKEY by Marjorie Weinman Sharmat

    Find it: Bookshop | Amazon

    This is an easy reader series so it's a great short Thanksgiving for very early readers, or kids in kindergarten through third grade. Everyone's favorite detective, Nate the Great, is on the case of a giant turkey.

    The Wishbone Wish book cover

    THE WISHBONE WISH by Megan McDonald

    Find it: Bookshop | Amazon

    Stink and his older sister Judy each have their own chapter book series, as well as this series which features both siblings. In this installment, the pair are training to race in the annual Turkey Trot in order to win a large, juicy turkey for their holiday dinner.

    MORE: Multicultural Winter Holiday Read Aloud Novels

    Thanksgiving Poetry

    MORE: We also have an entire post about the best classic and contemporary Thanksgiving poetry to read–and even memorize–with kids!

    It's Thanksgiving poetry book cover

    IT'S THANKSGIVING! by Jack Prelutsky, illustrated by Marylin Hafner

    Find it: Bookshop | Amazon

    I adore Prelutsky's humorous poetry. This collection is packaged as an easy reader so even young readers can get in on the poetry jam. Have your kids read some aloud to you while you are making the pie.

    MORE: Picture books about gratitude

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    Reader Interactions

    Comments

    1. mamasmilesblog says

      November 14, 2012 at 9:34 pm

      Molly's Pilgrim sounds amazing. I'll be looking for some of your other recommendations, as well.

      Reply
    2. Even in Australia says

      November 20, 2012 at 1:28 pm

      Along the lines of Molly's Pilgrim I'd recommend Rifka's First Thanksgiving and Hannah's Way. THe latter is not explicitly a Thanksgiving book but is about an Orthodox Jewish girl in the midwest and how her classmates help her.

      Reply
      • Mom and Kiddo says

        November 20, 2012 at 5:23 pm

        I reviews Rivka over at Storied Cities, but I don't think I've read Hannah's Way. Thanks.

        Reply
    3. Natalie says

      November 23, 2012 at 10:43 pm

      Dang, I forgot about Molly's Pilgrim. I brought it over from the library earlier in the year and decided to bring it back before Thanksgiving. It's a good book! Turkey Monster Thanksgiving sounds intriguing, I'll be checking it out for the next year (if I don't forget, that is)

      Reply
    4. Kim Vij (@EducatorsSpin) says

      November 18, 2013 at 3:38 pm

      Erica you are such a rockstart with recommending books, I am so thankful for this! You’ve been featured on our After School Thanksgiving Roundup of Activities for School Aged Kids this week. This Chapter Book lists looks like so much fun for the kids to read and enjoy. Just want to tell you that we are so thankful for you and your blog! Happy Thanksgiving! http://theeducatorsspinonit.blogspot.com/2013/11/thanksgiving-activities-for-school-aged.html

      Reply
      • Erica MomandKiddo says

        November 19, 2013 at 8:38 am

        Thank you, Kim. That means so much coming from an educator! I don't have a teaching background, I just love books!

        Reply

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