When it comes to helping your child select a book, the question is two-fold: "What is my child interested in?" and "What is their independent reading level?"
Whether it's for their required weekly reading log, a book report or just for fun, helping your child pick a book that will nurture their own drive to keep turning the pages could be the nudge they need to keep reading or create a bonding experience over something they've already grown to love.
After all, a book a child is interested in reading will be one that is hard to pry from their hands. Here's a list of the most common kid-friendly library check-outs these days (and some classics dug up from the past) to help keep your child reading!
Older Readers: 5th to 8th Grade
Diary of a Wimpy Kid series by Jeff Kinney: This is a popular series about middle school as told by a reluctant, but prolific young middle school writer in words and comic-style pictures. There are a total of 16 books in the series. (Reading Level: 5.2-5.8)
Wings of Fire series by Tui T. Sutherland: This series includes dragons, mystery and prophesies to fulfill. This fantasy series of 17 books will have young readers turning the pages, book after book! (Reading Level 5.0-5.5)
Warriors series by Erin Hunter: Another fantasy series, Warriors is written by an author who undoubtedly has a love of animals (cats especially) and nature. This eight-book series will keep your young reader who loves the natural world turning the pages. (Reading Level 5.4-6.3)
Dork Diaries series by Rene Russell: This parallels the style of the Diary of a Wimpy Kid series. It's another journal entry filled with a series of stories that illuminate the troubles of middle school. This time, though, it's from the perspective of a young girl. This series contains 17 books. (Reading Level: 4.3-5.5)
A Series of Unfortunate Events by Lemony Snicket: A group of siblings who stick together through difficult times solve the mystery unfolding before them (and have a deep vocabulary to boot). There are 14 books in the series. (Reading Level: 6.2-7.1)
Harry Potter series by J.K. Rowling: While it's hard to have missed this enchanting wizarding world, it's impossible to create a kid-friendly reading list without it. There are seven books in the series. (Reading Level 5.9-7.2)
Percy Jackson & the Olympians series by Rick Riordan: This five-book series is about monsters and mythology, and chronicles the adventures of a demigod (half-human, half-god). (Reading Level: 4.1-4.7)
A Wrinkle in Time Quintet series by Madelien L'Engle: These books fall into the science fiction genre but have a big heart. Recently turned into a movie, the first book in the series caught the world's attention, but with three more in the works, it's worth a read through all of them! (Reading Level: 4.7-5.2)
Middle Readers: 2nd to 5th Grade
Dog Man series by Dav Pilkey: This is a kid- and parent-approved series that follows the half-man, half-dog crime fighting hero through his world-saving adventures! There are eleven books in this action-packed series. (Reading Level: 2.3-3.0)
The Fudge Books series by Judy Blume: Nothing can get a child laughing like the hijinks of Superfudge! Stories from the perspective of an older brother, this series accounts the sweet, humorous adventures of siblinghood and childhood all at the same time. There are five books in the series. (Reading Level 3.1-3.4)
Magic Tree House series by Mary Pope Osborne: This fictional series that relates students to actual historic places and events has expanded to also include a nonfiction series where the two main characters find themselves in each of the original books. (Reading Level of original series: 2.0-3.3)
The Rainbow Magic Book series by Daisy Meadows: This is a heroic series in which the fairies must work to reunite and keep fairyland from losing its color! There are seven books in this series. (Reading Level: 3.3-3.9)
Big Nate series by Lincoln Peirce: Written in the popular comic book style, this series follows a wild sixth-grader and his best friends through their many adventures (and misadventures). There are 47 books in this series. (Reading Level: 2.4-3.3)
Beginning Readers: K to 2nd Grade
Babymouse series by Jennifer Holm: A series recognized with multiple Children's Choice Book Awards, this 20-book series keeps children reading with humor and style. (Reading level: 1.8-2.6)
Fancy Nancy series by Jane O'Connor: A series with a history on the New York Times best seller list, and over 80 books to date, these tales center around the main character who is all pizzazz and personality! (Reading Level: 1.9-2.4)
Pete the Cat series by Eric Litwin and illustrated by James Dean: If your young reader loves music, trying new things and exploring their world with optimism and acceptance, then the Pete the Cat books are worth jumping into. There are over 60 books in this series. (Reading Level: 1.2-2.2)
Biscuit series by Alyssa Satin Capucilli: This is the perfect series for any dog-loving young reader. From meeting his neighbors to visiting farms and attending his first day of school, the adventures of Biscuit have captured young readers ages three through six. There are over 40 books in the series. (Reading Level: 0.7-1.4)
Fly Guy by Tedd Arnold: Described as "an easy read full of fun," this account of a friendship between a boy and a fly tells adventurous tales with slapstick comedy, exaggeration and puns. (Reading Level: 1.3-2.8)
Dr. Seuss (author): A timeless, classic author with books ranging in familiarity and popularity, Dr. Seuss has captured generation after generation with not only his rhyming but his deep and simple themes. His wide reading range allows young readers to follow this author well into their older years. (Reading Level: 0.8-3.9)
Amelia Bedelia series by Peggy Parish: This series is an endlessly entertaining introduction to figurative language that will keep you and your young reader laughing as a housekeeper who takes all instructions literally learns many lessons the hard way. There are 29 books in the series. (Reading Level: 1.6-4.3)
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