first graders who are learning to read and ready for chapter books, usually ages 6 and 7, need the easy chapter books.
This list of chapter books has about 1-5 sentences per page and lots of illustrations, good choices for Kindergarten, 1st and 2nd graders.
You are reading: Chapter books for beginners
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If you’re looking for beginner chapter books that are a little more difficult than these, you’ll find them at Beginner Chapter Books for 7 Year Olds.
If you are looking for easy readers, visit this page.
how do you know if a book is at the right reading level for your child?
1. Take a look at the density and size of the text. look at the illustrations. At this age and reading level, you’ll want to find beginner chapter books that have larger text and lots of illustrations.
2. kids can also do the five-finger quiz to see if the book is correct, too easy, or too hard. remember, if you get a book that is too hard, it will soon be perfect.
3. If you know your child’s DRA or Guided Reading level, use it to help you, the adult, not your child, make book selections. but please do not limit children to specific levels. Remember that children are more than a number or a letter and these levels are not perfect. I only add them to help you find books your child can read.
(note: sometimes it’s okay to read books that are too difficult, but I’ve found that with many beginning readers who are building confidence and effectiveness, difficult books can lead to a lack of confidence and low motivation to read . use your better judgement. if he wants to read a difficult book, help him.)
chapter books for 6 and 7 year olds (first grade)
but there are so many more opening chapter books that I love from other publishers. Here are amazing easy chapter books that kids can’t put down. encourage your children to reread their favorites. rereading increases fluency and confidence. (For more difficult chapter books for beginners, visit this page: Books for 7 year olds in 2nd grade.)
Meet Mo and Jo: The Boulder Brothers by Sarah Lynn, illustrated by Pierre Collet-Derby HUMOR DRA 16 Guided Reading I If your first-grade child likes to laugh, they’ll love these silly stories about two adventurous cave boys. Readers will find a combination of comic bubble dialogue and narrative text. For example, “The skunk liked the stink. Can MO and Jo run faster than the skunk?” is the narrative text while the dialogue bubbles on the same page are “Uh-oh! He mad” and “Run, Mo!” Goofy but it works.
Bug Scouts Out in the Wild by Mike Lowery (graphic novel)Beginning readers will love this exciting and hilarious friendship adventure graphic novel-with incredible art from author/illustrator Mike Lowery! Three bug friends have a super secret headquarters where they get to earn bug badges. The friends start on their first badge-foraging but then they spy a frog!! And frogs EAT bugs! These bug scouts find a great solution- they use the spider’s hammock web to trap the frog. Hmmm…what badge can you earn for that?
scholastic branches easier beginning chapter books
See Also: Top 20 Sites to Read Free Books Online Without Downloading
have you seen the school branch series easy start chapter books? they are very interesting and easy to read with colorful illustrations. Plus, if your kids get hooked, they all have more to the series.
Missy’s Super Duper Royal Deluxe Picture Day by Susan Nees REALISTIC DRA 20 Guided Reading L This is a great easy chapter book for kindergarten or 1st-grade kids just beginning to read chapter books with bright and friendly illustrations to match the fun antics of Missy. (1 – 4 sentences per page.)
All Paws on Deck (Haggis and Tank Unleashed #1) by Jessica Young (series) ADVENTURE DRA 24 Guided Reading M In a word: HILARIOUS! These two dog friends with opposite personalities sail on a fun and silly pirate adventure. You will fall in love with Tank and Haggis. (2-4 sentences per page and lots of colorful illustrations.)
Kung Pow Chicken Let’s Get Cracking! by Cyndi Marko ADVENTURE DRA 24 Guided Reading M Open this early chapter book and you’ll think you’re reading a comic or picture book, it’s that colorful and also full of speech bubbles. Gordon Blue, an ordinary second-grade chicken accidentally developed superpowers in his uncle’s laboratory. (It happens.) When chickens start losing their feathers all in one POOF!, it’s up to Gordon, aka. Kung Pow Chicken, and his little brother, Egg Drop, to solve this catastrophe before everyone in town ends up feather-less. It’s funny, easy to read, and an entertaining story. (1 – 4 sentences per page.)
Owl Diaries Eva’s Treetop Festival by Rebecca Elliott DIARY DRA 24 Guided Reading M This series pops with cute diary entries with colorful illustrations; it’s just right for beginning readers, particularly girls. In this book, Eva writes in a diary all about getting the Bloomtastic Festival put together and how she eventually learns to ask friends for help. (A few sentences per page, lots of picture support.)
Olive & Beatrix The Super Smelly Moldy Blob by Amy Marie Stadelmann FANTASY DRA 24 Guided Reading M It’s science fair time and these twins, one who is a witch and one who is a super smart science nerd, are in it to win it. Except disaster happens when the girls fight and their projects combine to form a huge green blog that absorbs everything. It will take both their skills to fix this slimy problem. An enjoyable book series for 5- and 6- year old readers. (A few sentences per page, lots of picture support.)
Boris Gets a Lizard by Andrew Joyner REALISTIC DRA 24 Guided Reading M Boris is a wildly imaginative boy who wants a pet Komodo dragon. In fact, it’s his wild imagination that prompts him to tell his entire class that he’ll be not only getting a Komodo dragon but that they can all see it. (Which isn’t exactly true. At all.) And, it’s that same imagination that saves the day when there is no Komodo Dragon but many excited visitors who Boris doesn’t want to disappoint. Appealing colorful illustrations accompany this fabulous simple early chapter book for beginning readers. (1 – 4 sentences per page.)
continuation of easy/beginner chapter books for first graders
best nonfiction books for 6 and 7 year olds
Fly Guy Presents Sharks by Tedd Arnold DRA 24 Guided Reading M Visit the aquarium with Buzz and Fly Guy to learn about sharks in this terrific easy non-fiction reader. I LOVE how Arnold combines cartoons with photographs!
Fly Guy Presents Snakes by Tedd Arnold DRA 24 Guided Reading M Fly Guy and Buzz visit the zoo’s Snake House to learn all about reptiles like snakes. The facts are informative yet written in a way that makes them accessible to growing readers. “Scales are made of keratin-the same material as human fingernails.
Fly Guy Presents: Space by Tedd Arnold DRA 18 Guided Reading K
See Also: Dianne Harman – Book Series In Order
National Geographic Penguins! by Anne Schreiber DRA 24 Guided Reading M
Willow The Therapy Dog (Doggy Defenders)adob Willow works as a therapy dog to help people feel better if they are sad — like patients in the hospital and students at a school and retired veterans. And the photos of Willow in her pajamas after a long day of work are absolutely adorable.
Amazing Dogs DK Level 2 by Laura Buller Not only is this nonfiction book relatable because of most kids interest in dogs, but it’s also fascinating. (I learned a few things myself.) Talk about a great high-interest nonfiction book for beginning readers!
I am Martin Luther King, Jr. (Ordinary People Change the World) by Brad Meltzer, illustrated by Christopher Eliopoulos This nonfiction book series is a great choice for growing readers. The text to picture ratio is perfect and the narrative is interesting.
*go to all nonfiction book recommendations for beginning readers.*
Want easy and harder chapter books with more text on the page?
go to best beginner chapter books for 7 year olds
30 opening chapter books with various main characters
good books for kids who like the dog man
books for children who like junie b. jones
more lists of books by age:books for 7 year oldsbooks for 8 year oldsbooks for 9 year oldsbooks for 10 year oldsbooks for 11 year oldsbooks for 12 year oldsya books
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