Gift Guide: Chapter Books (Fiction)

After compiling this list of chapter books, I see that the girls read a lot more series books than non-series books. Even some of the books on this list are books 1 of 3, which makes them technically series chapter books. But we’ll leave them here for now. :p Melody wrote a little snippet about the books, so check them out and let her know your thoughts about them.

Holes – This book is about Stanley Yelnats being wrongly accused of a crime he didn’t do. He is sent to Camp Green Lake, where boys are sent to dig holes five feet wide and five feet deep. Stanley knows the Warden, the camp director, is looking for something….but what?

The Secret Garden (Classic Starts) – After Mary Lennox’s parents die, Mary is unwillingly sent to her Uncle Craven’s house in England where she finds it quite mysterious. She hears screams, shadows, frightened people….what’s next? What secrets will she reveal? Find out in The Secret Garden.

Charlotte’s Web – Wilbur is sent to Fern’s Uncle Homer’s barn, where his life is chaotic, but he loves every minute of it. He even makes a spider friend named Charlotte! They go through times of joy, love, and laughter together. Join him and Charlotte as they learn from their bonds of friendship from each other along the way.

Because of Winn-Dixie – India Opal Buloni moves to southern Florida, where she and her father, pastor of Open Arms Baptist church, adopt a lovable mutt named Winn-Dixie, named after the place where he was found. Join Opal and Winn-Dixie as they make new friends in their new town.

Alice in Wonderland (Classic Starts) – Alice jumps into a hole one day, and finds herself in another world, Wonderland, where animals talk and where playing cards are palace gardeners. Alice even changes from three feet tall to seven feet tall!

Black Beauty – Black Beauty is sent from master to master until he finds the best one. His life is perfect…until it is torn apart. His master has to move, and he is forced to move. Again. Finally, he finds his master he always wanted. Join Black Beauty as he has a perfect, despairing, and loving life, year after year of his life.

One Crazy Summer – Delphine, Vonetta, and Fern are sent to Oakland, California to live with their crazy mother, who abandoned them, for twenty-four days. Join Delphine, Vonetta, and Fern as they feel the joy and sorrows of being sisters. (There are two other stories about the Gaither Sisters.)

The One and Only Ivan – Ivan, the gorilla, lives in the Exit 8 Big Top Mall and Video Arcade. His best friend, Stella, lives with him. Stella has had an injury from many years ago from her circus days, where they forced her to do tricks. Little does Ivan know that will change his life forever.

Ruby Lu, Empress of Everything – Ruby Lu’s life changes forever when her Chinese cousin Flying Duck immigrates from China to her very own house! At first, she thinks immigration is a little bit scary. Flying Duck and Ruby play together. Now everyone thinks she isn’t scary anymore, except for Emma. They’ve always been sort-of friends until now. Can they fix their friendship before the summer ends?

Begin – Growly, a bear cub, is off to be a grown-up bear cub. But first, he has to prove his worth by setting out beyond his village. He ends up looking for his grandfather’s long-lost friend who disappeared over the Precipice many years ago. Can he find the friend (C.J.) and get back in time to receive his rightful place in his village? (There are two more stories about Growly.)

I’m sure we’ll be adding to this list, but two other chapter books we like to read are Harriet the Spy and Stuart Little.

Coming soon will be a gift guide for non-fiction books, early readers and picture books, Christmas books, and books on our to-read list! I already share the books I have enjoyed reading each month (although I still need to give an update for this month), so check out the complete book list HERE and some of the monthly updates HERE.

What chapter books do your children enjoy reading? What did you enjoy when you were in elementary school?

Other Gift Guide Posts:
– Series Chapter Books (Fiction)
More to come!