10 best chapter books for young readers

Our kids’ section is one of the busiest corners of the shop, and the question we hear most is “what’s next for my reader?” Here are ten chapter books and series — roughly ages 7–11 — that turn kids into readers.

1. Charlotte’s Web — E. B. White

The gold standard. Tender, funny, and perfect for reading aloud.

2. The Tale of Despereaux — Kate DiCamillo

A brave little mouse and a beautiful, slightly grown-up fairy tale.

3. The Wild Robot — Peter Brown

A robot learns to survive on a wild island. Gentle, modern, and widely adored.

4. Front Desk — Kelly Yang

A warm, true-to-life story of a kid running a motel front desk. Big-hearted and real.

5. The One and Only Ivan — Katherine Applegate

A gorilla’s quiet, powerful story. Short chapters, huge feelings.

6. Dog Man — Dav Pilkey

Graphic-novel chaos that hooks reluctant readers instantly. Don’t fight it — celebrate it.

7. The Chronicles of Narnia — C. S. Lewis

Start with The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe. Timeless gateway fantasy.

8. Because of Winn-Dixie — Kate DiCamillo

A dog, a new town, and a lonely summer that turns warm. Quietly perfect.

9. The Wonderful Wizard of Oz — L. Frank Baum

Stranger and richer than the movie. A classic adventure that still delights.

10. Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stone — J. K. Rowling

For the reader ready to commit to a series. Still the great gateway to big books.

Come browse the kids’ shelves

Kids outgrow books fast, which is exactly what trade-in is for — bring the ones they’ve finished and swap them for credit toward the next level up. Come browse the kids’ section in person, or let the Matchmaker suggest a next read.