Helping Your Child Find Books They'll Love (and Can Read)
This list is designed to help you suggest high-interest books for children across a range of reading levels — from emergent readers just beginning to decode words, to developing readers gaining fluency, to proficient readers ready for more complex plots and language.
Loving a book often starts with feeling confident while reading it. One helpful trick: have your child read a page aloud. If they struggle with more than five words, it might be best to save that book for later — and choose something they can enjoy now. Reading should feel engaging and satisfying, not like a battle.
You’ll notice a wide variety of topics and formats in this list — including graphic novels, nonfiction, and chapter books — so your child can find books that match both their interests and their current skill level. We've included general guidance on which books tend to resonate with emergent, developing, or proficient readers, though every reader is different.
About Reading Levels
To help guide you, we’ve included general reading level suggestions for each book — categorized as Emergent, Developing, or Proficient readers.
- Emergent readers are just starting out, learning to decode simple words and build confidence.
- Developing readers are gaining fluency, able to read longer sentences, and starting to tackle short chapters.
- Proficient readers are more independent and ready for deeper plots, more complex vocabulary, and longer books.
These levels are just a guide — every reader is different, and the best book is the one your child enjoys and can access with joy.
And here’s the best part: Every book on this list makes a fantastic read-aloud — so even if your child isn’t reading independently at a particular level yet, they can still experience the full joy of that book. If something sparks their interest, go ahead and read it together!
All the books we have included on our list were written to spark curiosity, laughter, and meaningful connections. That said, you know your reader best, so we always recommend previewing titles as needed to make sure they feel right for your child.
Now for the fun part — let’s help your child discover a book they can’t wait to dive into!
Fantasy & Magical Worlds
- The Princess in Black by Shannon Hale & Dean Hale (Emergent/Developing) A princess with a secret superhero identity fights monsters while keeping up royal appearances — perfect for early readers ready for action and imagination.
- Zoey and Sassafras by Asia Citro (Developing) A science-loving girl and her cat help magical creatures using observation and experimentation. Great blend of fantasy and STEM.
- Dragon Masters by Tracey West (Developing) A diverse cast of dragon-riding kids embarks on adventures as they learn to bond with their dragons. Fast-paced with short chapters.
- Upside-Down Magic by Sarah Mlynowski, Lauren Myracle & Emily Jenkins (Proficient) A group of kids with imperfect magical powers learns to embrace their quirks in this fun, friendship-centered fantasy.
Graphic Novels & Visual Storytelling
- Narwhal and Jelly by Ben Clanton (Emergent/Developing) A cheerful narwhal and his jellyfish friend explore the ocean and friendship in this charming, silly graphic series.
- InvestiGators by John Patrick Green (Developing) Two alligator detectives solve outrageous mysteries with high-energy hijinks and plenty of visual humor.
- Dog Man by Dav Pilkey (Developing) A part-dog, part-man police hero takes on crime in this hilarious, wildly popular series by the creator of Captain Underpants.
- Bird & Squirrel by James Burks (Developing) An odd couple of best friends — one cautious, one fearless — travel the world and stumble into adventure.
- Pizza and Taco by Stephen Shaskan (Emergent) Best food-friends Pizza and Taco debate the big questions (like who's cooler) in this laugh-out-loud comic format for early readers.
Mystery & Problem-Solving
- A to Z Mysteries by Ron Roy (Proficient) Three friends solve mysteries around their town — one for each letter of the alphabet. Easy to jump in at any point in the series.
- The Haunted Library by Dori Hillestad Butler (Developing) A young girl teams up with a ghost boy to solve spooky mysteries in this gentle, ghostly mystery series.
- Inspector Flytrap by Tom Angleberger (Emergent/Developing) A detective Venus flytrap (yes, really) and his sidekick goat solve bizarre cases in this absurd and clever early chapter book series.
- Cam Jansen by David A. Adler (Developing) Cam has a photographic memory — and she uses it to crack mysteries at school and beyond. Each story is short, satisfying, and clever.
Silly & Laugh-Out-Loud Books
- Judy Moody and Stink by Megan McDonald (Developing) A spunky third-grader and her little brother navigate the ups and downs of childhood with humor and heart.
- Judy Moody and Stink by Megan McDonald (Developing) A spunky third-grader and her little brother navigate the ups and downs of childhood with humor and heart.
- Amelia Bedelia Chapter Books by Herman Parish (Emergent/Developing) The classic character known for taking everything literally now stars in early chapter books, getting into well-meaning mischief.
- Lunch Lady by Jarrett J. Krosoczka (Developing/Proficient) A lunch lady who moonlights as a secret crime-fighting hero, complete with gadget-loaded kitchen tools. Graphic novel format.
Animals & Nature
- Owl Diaries by Rebecca Elliott (Emergent/Developing) A young owl named Eva writes diary entries full of forest fun, friendship drama, and problem-solving. Great for fans of cute creatures and visual storytelling.
- The Critter Club by Callie Barkley (Emergent/Developing) Four friends run a rescue shelter for animals and learn about responsibility, teamwork, and empathy.
- Who Would Win? by Jerry Pallotta (Emergent/Developing) Nonfiction face-offs between animals like a shark vs. a killer whale — kids learn fun facts while predicting who’d win in a wild showdown.
- Ranger in Time by Kate Messner (Proficient) A time-traveling golden retriever helps kids in historical emergencies — part adventure, part history lesson.
STEM & Curiosity-Driven Nonfiction
- Ada Lace by Emily Calandrelli (Developing/Proficient) A third-grade scientist and inventor solves neighborhood mysteries using logic, science, and tech.
- The Questioneers by Andrea Beaty (Developing) Featuring characters from Rosie Revere, Engineer and Ada Twist, Scientist, this series blends storytelling with a love of inquiry.
- National Geographic Kids Readers (Emergent/Developing) Nonfiction books on everything from sharks to space to volcanoes, filled with vivid photos and fun facts at various reading levels.
- You Wouldn’t Want To Be… series (Developing/Proficient) Historical nonfiction with a twist — funny, engaging titles like You Wouldn’t Want to Be an Egyptian Mummy bring the past to life with humor.
Realistic & Relatable Stories
- Ivy + Bean by Annie Barrows (Developing)Two unlikely friends (one quiet, one wild) get into trouble and adventures in their neighborhood. Short chapters and lots of laughs.
- Jasmine Toguchi by Debbi Michiko Florence (Developing)Jasmine tackles everyday challenges — from pounding mochi to climbing trees — with persistence and a strong sense of self.
- Katie Woo / Pedro by Fran Manushkin (Emergent)Early readers featuring short stories about school, friends, and family, starring kind, relatable kids from diverse backgrounds.
- Clementine by Sara Pennypacker (Proficient)A quirky and big-hearted third grader with a wild imagination navigates friendship, school, and feelings in this warm series.
Adventure & Survival
- Magic Tree House by Mary Pope Osborne (Developing)Jack and Annie travel through time in a magical treehouse to solve problems and explore history, mythology, and more.
- Survivor Diaries by Terry Lynn Johnson (Proficient)Kids in real-life survival scenarios — like being lost in the Arctic or stuck in a wildfire — must rely on courage and quick thinking.
- Choose Your Own Adventure (Younger Reader editions) (Developing/Proficient)Interactive books where readers make choices that lead to different story outcomes — great for decision-making and rereading.
- Treasure Hunters by James Patterson (Proficient)Sibling treasure hunters travel the world following clues in this high-octane, illustrated adventure series.
Nonfiction That Captivates Curious Kids
- I Survived series by Lauren Tarshis (Proficient) Gripping historical fiction based on real events like the Titanic or natural disasters. Though technically fiction, it's loaded with facts and perfect for curious minds.
- What If You Had Animal... series by Sandra Markle (Emergent/Developing) A fun, fact-filled series that compares human and animal traits — like teeth, hair, and feet — with vibrant illustrations and easy-to-digest science.
- Smithsonian: First Ladies of the United States by Feather Flores (Proficient) Short, compelling bios paired with photographs and fun facts introduce young readers to the lives and legacies of influential women in American history. Beautifully illustrated short biographies of inspiring historical figures that spark conversations about courage and change.
- DK Findout! Series (Developing/Proficient) Each book dives into topics like space, science, and ancient civilizations with stunning visuals and bite-sized facts.
Every child’s reading journey is unique — and it doesn’t have to look like anyone else’s. Whether your reader is just starting out or flying through chapter books, what matters most is that they find stories they love. Keep exploring together, follow their interests, and don’t be afraid to let them move on from a book that doesn’t click. Joy is the engine behind lifelong reading.
Have a favorite title that didn’t make the list? We’d love to hear about it!