Chapter Books for Early Elementary Kids

When I was in 2nd or 3rd (probably 3rd), we read The Hobbit in class.

Narnia?  It can be kinda heavy in the Christian world view though, if they are (or aren't) into that.

Wizard of Oz?  There are 14 books by Baum.  But all the populist and political allegories will probably be over their heads - enjoyable anyway.

Alice's Adventures in Wonderland and Through the Looking Glass?

Sorry, for him to read.  Thanks.

We have the Dragon Breath series and Amulet as well.  If your son likes graphic novels, the Bones books a great!

I think "read aloud" chapter books are great for kids of this age.  Kids at my school really like the Junie B. Jones books.

The Read Aloud Handbook by Jim Trelease is a wonderful resource for parents.  I highly recommend it to all parents.

TRA-LA-LAAAAA!

CAPTAIN UNDERPANTS!!!

Kyle started reading them at 6 and loved them all!

My son just turned 9 and over the past few years he went through many of the ones already mentioned:   Diary of Wimpy kid (a favorite), Capitain Underpants, Amulet (very easy Graphic Novel), Geranimo Stilton.  A few not yet mentioned:  

• The Rover Adventures - very funny, silly and perfect for 6-9 y.o. boys (by Roddy Doyle)
• Artemis Fowl series (typically 8+)
• Harry Potter (typically 8+)
• My Father's Dragon (nice story for 6-7 year olds)
• The Dragon slayers Academy series

3rd grade boy (8 year old) :

loves the Beast Quest series by Adam Blade.  They're short enough, and must have some good adventure in them because he always asks me, "Guess what just happened?!?"

I'm still looking for a series I like... 

Tons of good suggestions here and I won't repeat them all.   It's really hard when you've got a good reader (my son is 8 and has been reading at a 9th or 10th grade level for a couple years) to find books that are challenging and interesting and still age-appropriate.

I will add the "Wrinkle in Time" series by Madeline L'Engle.  The boy just finished the first one and loved it. 

"The Mouse and the Motorcycle"

the one about the rats and mice that was made into a movie, I think.  I believe there was a "Mrs." in the title.  He loved that one.

"Wind in the Willows"

"Indian in the Cupboard"

My daughter just loves Cam Jansen.   She's 6 as well.  She's also a gigantic fan of the "ABC Mysteries"

Thanks to everyone for the excellent suggestions.  I imagine this will keep him occupied for some time.  Thanks.

The Boxcar Children,

books from the The Classics Starts series (abridged versions of Tom Sawyer etc)

Cam Jansen,

Weird School,

The Littles,

Dragon ???,

Ralph Mouse Collections,

Cynthia Rylant:  Henry and Mudge, Mr. Putter (short chapters, lots of pictures)

I just spent a lot on Amazon for my first grade daughter. She reads a chapter book every couple of days.  The library never has the next number in our series and she insists on going in order!  

And don't forget the power of reading to kids still when they are old enough to read on their own.  My fourth graders LOVED when we would read together.  Their favorite was doing a "Choose you own adventure" book together.   I'd let them vote on what option to do.  It was really funny, they'd get disappointed if we kept living.

Noted.  Thanks again.

Are kids still reading the Goosebumps series?  And what about A Series of Unfortunate Events?

The above are probably a bit old for a 6 year old.  Goosebumps aren't really readable for an adult but Unfortunate Events is.

For adult reads for young kids who read at that level: Watership Down, My Family and Other Animals (and any other of Gerald Durrell's books), Bless Me Ultima and How Angel Peterson Got his Name. I had nine year olds reading on that level and it was a challenge to find appropriate high level books.

Other good young adult: Johnny Tremain, Witch of Blackbird Pond, A Single Shard, Hatchet

I just read The True Diary of a Part Time Indian - really, really good!  Has anyone read it?  I wouldn't recommend it for an 8 year old at all but would recommend it to teenagers.

The Rats of NIMH (aka Mrs Frisby (sp?) and the Rats of NIMH)?  I loved that book. 

Another not to forget it The Phantom Tollbooth.  Maybe better in another yr or two in order to understand the double entendre but that was another of my favorites.

Another thank you for all the suggestions.  My 6 yo son is has only 1 more book in the Magic Treehouse series and we were also wondering where to go next.