Terrific Chapter Book Series for Kids

Discovering a terrific chapter book series is the gold at the end of the rainbow. For kids who struggle to find a book that will get them reading, a good book series is the answer! Once they’re hooked, then they don’t have to worry about what to read next. (At least for awhile.)

Beginning Reader Book Series

All Paws on Deck (Haggis and Tank Unleashed #1) by Jessica Young
2 book series so far (ages 6 – 8)
In a word: HILARIOUS! These two dog friends with opposite personalities (and intelligences?) sail on a fun and silly pirate adventure. You will fall in love of Tank and Haggis.
If you like this, try Lulu and the Brontosaurus by Judith Viorst.

Waggit’s Tale by Peter Howe
3 book series (ages 6 – 8)
Waggit is abandoned in the park. Fortunately, a group of dogs takes him in and helps him survive. He lives with them for many months, including a hard winter, but when a friendly woman feeds him and gives him a home, he finds his forever home.
If you liked this, try Dogs of the Drowned City by Daya Lorentz.

Here’s Hank by Henry Winkler & Lin Oliver
8 book series (ages 6 – 9)

Middle-Grade Book Series

 

The Baby-Sitter’s Club Graphix by Ann M. Martin, illustrated by Raina Telemeter
(ages 8 – 12)
This classic chapter book series is now retold in cartoons! Four best friends work together to handle all sorts of issues — from babysitting to emergencies, to competition from other babysitters. Your kids will love these excellent, addictive stories.
If you like this, try Sisters by Raina Telgemeier.

Chasing the Falconers by Gordon Korman
6 book series (ages 8 – 12)
Aidan and Meg Falconer are their parents’ only hope. The Falconers are facing life in prison — unless Aidan and Meg can follow a trail of clues to prove their innocence. The problem? Right now they’re trapped in a juvenile detention center. Until they escape one night — and find themselves on the run, both from the authorities and from a sinister attacker t who has his own reason to stop them. The Falconers must use their wits to make it across the country … with plenty of tests along the way. GREAT series for reluctant readers!
If you like this, try  Running Out of Time by Margaret Peterson Hadix.

Dragon Slippers trilogy by Jessica Day George
3 book series (ages 8 – 12)
Young and brave Creel wants nothing more than to own her own seamstress shop but in her pursuit of this dream, she encounters and befriends a few dragons which will change the course of her life. Especially because she’s given a pair of magical dragon slippers that can help her speak and control to her most esteemed dragon friend. If these get into the wrong hands, the dragons will be used for war.
If you like this, try Wings of Fire by Tui T. Sutherland.

Ghost by Jason Reynolds
ages 8 – 12
Ghost accidentally gets on a track team and it’s life changing. His coach becomes a mentor and father figure who pushes Ghost to take responsibility for his mistakes (stealing sneakers) and to start dealing with the ghosts of his past. Well-written and hopeful about growing up and growing into yourself.
If you like this, try Okay for Now by Gary D. Schmidt.

The Kicks by Alex Morgan
5 book series (ages 8 – 12)
Finally, a fantastic book (series) for soccer girls! Written by Olympic Gold Medalist and U.S. Soccer team member (among other things), Alex Morgan, these are realistic stories of life, friendship, and playing soccer.
If you like this, try Liberty Porter by Julia DeVillers.

 

Tunnels series by Roderick Gordon and Brian Williams
4 book series (ages 9 – 12)
In pursuit of his missing father, Will finds a crazy, cult-like subterranean group (“The Colony”) controlled by frightening leaders who will stop at nothing to maintain control and order in their colony below the surface.
If you like this, try Vampirates by Justin Somper.

Spy Camp series by Stuart Gibbs
3 book series (ages 8 – 12)
12-year old Ben accidentally is recruited for a secret spy school. Which he kind of loves. Even though people are trying to kill him. And even though he’s not an encryption wizard. This is a fantastic, fast-paced and hilarious adventure series.
If you like this, try School for  S.P.I.E.S. Playing with Fire by Bruce Hale.

Nightmares! by Jason Segel and Kirsten Miller, illustrated by Karl Kwasny
2 book series (ages 8 – 12)
Now with a second book that is JUST as amazing as the first book, I can say this is a superbly written and conceived series. Charlie lives in a purple mansion with a portal to the world of nightmares. Charlie, his little brother, and his friends must learn to face their fears in order for the nightmare world not to have access to the real world.

H.I.V.E. (Higher Institute of Villainous Education) by Mark Walden
10 book series (ages 8 – 12)
Otto is a prime candidate to become a supervillain says the school H.I.V.E. that kidnaps him, enrolling him unwillingly in their island school for villains. Otto and his classmates plan a daring break-out. Plus they need to stop the mutant flesh-eating plant that’s attacking everyone in the school. A great adventure series!
If you like this, try Alex Rider by Anthony Horowitz.

The Books of Elsewhere: The Shadows by Jacqueline West
5 book series  (ages 8 – 12)
Olive’s house contains paintings that lead to other worlds and mysteriously cryptic, talking cats. Olive soon learns that the previous owner’s trapped many people in the paintings, including a boy Olive befriends who is now a 2D painting. The plot’s twisting kept me wondering what was happening, and I loved the main character’s gumption and her supportive side-kick cats.
If you like this, try Inkheart by Cornelia Funke.

I, Q. series by Roland Smith
6 book series (ages 10+)
Step-siblings Q and Angela are being followed and in danger while touring with their rock star parents. Is Angela’s deceased mother’s past catching up with them? And is she really even dead? These are thrilling books filled with adventure and intrigue that will mesmerize readers.
If you like this, try Crime Travelers\ by Paul Aertker.

Lockwood & Co The Screaming Staircase by Jonathan Stroud
4 book series (ages 9 – 12)
In historical London, dangerous ghosts and spirits aren’t just stories — they’re real and murderous. But, only kids can see and fight these sectors. We follow the perilous adventures Anthony Lockwood who owns his own agency (with no adults in sight) to combat the supernatural with his teen team of Lucy and George. Creepy and exciting!
If you like this, try The Clockwork Scarab by Colleen Gleason.

The Five Kingdoms by Brandon Mull
5 book series (4 published so far) (ages 8 – 12)
Cole and his friends are trapped in another world, a world of dangers and magic rules by an evil High King. But Cole doesn’t know where his friends are. This series follows Cole’s adventures through the kingdoms as he searches for his friends, his new friendships, a quest to topple the High King, and more. It’s exciting, it’s unique, and I highly recommend it.
If you like this, try The False Prince by Jennifer Nielsen.

Keeper of the Lost Cities by Shannon Messenger (series)
3 book series (ages 8 – 12)
In this riveting series, a telepathic girl must figure out why she is the key to her brand-new world—before the wrong person finds the answer first. When Sophie meets Fitz, a mysterious (and adorable) boy, she learns she’s not alone because he’s a Telepath too. Fitz opens Sophie’s eyes to a shocking truth, and almost instantly she is forced to leave behind her family for a new life in a place that is vastly different from what she has ever known. But Sophie still has secrets, and they’re buried deep in her memory for good reason: The answers are dangerous and in high-demand. What is her true identity, and why was she hidden.
If you like this, try The Cloak Society by Jeramy Kraatz.

The Friendship Code #1 Girls Who Code by Stacia Deutsch

ages 8 – 12

Lucy joins coding club so she can make an app for her uncle to remember his medications. But the class is moving TOO slow. Then, a mysterious letter arrives on her locker with instructions in code:

if (you_want_to_learn_code) {

 do_everything_I_tell_you ();

}

The subsequent messages in code put her back in touch with old friends and help her build a new friendship. But who is sending her messages? Whoever it is, they’re teaching Lucy and her friends about input/output, conditionals, loops, and variables. To solve the mystery, the girls decide to write their own code . . . This series is off to a great start with an intriguing mystery, friendship dilemmas, and tangible coding knowledge. I’m impressed.
If you like this, you might also like Elements of Genius: Nikki Tesla and the Ferret-Proof Death Ray by Jess Keating.

The Iron Trial (Magisterium) by Holly Black and Cassandra Clare
2 book series so far (ages 8 – 12)
Even though Callum tries to fail the entrance trials, he is admitted the school his dad says is evil. But the Magisterium school is not as bad as he expects. Call learns about his elemental powers, he forges bonds of friendship with his teammates and rescues a wolf puppy who is infused with the evil magic of Chaos. I couldn’t put this book down — especially after the surprise twist of who Callum really is!! The second book, The Copper Gauntlet, is now out and just as excellent as the first.
If you like this, try The Paladin Prophecy by Mark Frost.

The Paper Magician by Charlie N. Holberg
3 book series (ages 13+)
In a world where magicians specialize in a specific magic (metal, paper, and so forth), magician-in-training Ceony is assigned to learn from Magician Emery Thane. When his ex-wife tries to kill him, Ceony animates a magical heart to save Emery’s life then leaves to fight the evil magician Excisioners. As the story develops, so does the attraction between Emery and Ceony. Great character development and fast-paced action.
If you like this, try The Agency by Y.S. Lee.

Jackaby by William Ritter
3 book series (ages 13+)
Desperately needing a job, Abigail hires on with R.F. Jackaby, an unusual private detective who observes details like Sherlock Holmes just like Abigail does. This combines the history of New England plus mystery and magical elements.
If you like this, try A Darker Shade of Magic y V.E. Schwab.

Air Awakens by Elise Kova
4 book series (ages 13+)
Vhalla, a former librarian-in-training, learns she is the only air elemental in the kingdom and becomes a slave to the king’s army and his wishes. She’s conflicted by her friendship (and possible romance) with the crown prince, Aldrik and the limited choices she has — to fight or die.  I love this magical series!
If you like this, try Poison Study by Maria V. Snyder.

The Grisha Shadow and Bone by Leigh Bardugo
3 book series (ages 13+)
When Alina’s powers reveal themselves, surprising even her, she’s taken to the magical leader, the Darkling, to train with the Grisha and serve the Darkling in his fight against the Shadow Fold. This is a unique and compelling fantasy series.
If you like this, try An Ember in the Ashes by Sabaa Tahir.

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