“What book can I read next?” was a common question around here. Finding great children’s book series was a huge help in reducing decision fatigue. Here are some of our favorites!
If your kids are voracious readers where you can’t get to the library often enough, great children’s book series may be your best friend. Once you start the first one, you can start borrowing or scouting the next few in the series so you’re equipped when you hear, “I’m done!”
With a wide range of ages, we have compiled a short list of some favorite children’s book series. Some for the early readers all the way to those who love the beefy chapter books.
Let’s get you armed with an arsenal of book titles to reference for the future. Then, get your library card ready for some action!
This post is all about great children’s book series.
Children’s Book Series: Primary Grades
I’m no expert at when kids should read any particular book, and I’m not sure if that is even a thing worth listening to if that exists. You know when your kids are ready for certain stories, themes, genres, and lengths. So, I’m just going to list them as when my own children fell in love with them.
1. The Berenstain Bears
Classics from my childhood by Stan and Jan Berenstain, my kids have read the actual books from my childhood. This classic collection of 12 books brings back so many memories about junk food, too much TV, learning about strangers, and no girls allowed. They also have this 8 in one book with faith based stories with the same special Berenstain touch.
2. Magic Tree House
The Magic Tree House series is written by American author Mary Pope Osborne. The first Magic Tree House book was published in 1992, introducing the world to Jack and Annie, a brother and sister who discover a magical tree house filled with books.
3. The Boxcar Children
Originally written by American teacher Gertrude Chandler, The Boxcar Children series follows the story of four orphaned children, Henry, Jessie, Violet, and Benny. They create a home for themselves in an abandoned boxcar in the forest. They eventually meet their grandfather, who is a wealthy and kind man (although the children were not sure at first). The children decide to live with the grandfather, who moves the beloved boxcar to his backyard so the children can use it as a playhouse. Last time I checked, this series had over 150 books in the series! So, if you’re looking to stock up, this may be the series for you.
4. The Adventures of Sophie Mouse
This collection is so dear to my daughter. Join Sophie Mouse in Silverlake Forest as she makes a new friend, looks for special emerald berries, learns to swim at Forget-Me-Not Lake, builds a fort at Butterfly Brook with her forest friends, and more! As of now, there are a total of 19 books in the collection, all complete with sweet illustrations.
5. Billy Blaze
The Billy Blaze collection is written by C.W. Anderson, and includes nine books. Billy was a little boy who “loved horses more than anything else in the world.” Imagine how happy he was when he got his very own pony for his birthday! From that day on, Billy was seldom seen without his new friend, Blaze. Sweet illustrations and easy-to-read words capture the warmth and gentle understanding between a boy and his horse.
6. The Tuttle Twins
Connor Boyack has a 12-book series called The Tuttle Twins. It provokes critical thinking and are recommended for ages 6-12. My 2nd grader describes the series as a fun way to learn about government, and how the law affects us everyday.
Children’s Book Series: Elementary + Middle
1. Secrets of the Hidden Scrolls
This series by M.J. Thomas is on some kind of rotation here. My 10 and 7 year old kids have been pulling this series out on repeat for the past couple of years. I remember purchasing the first book because I heard it was based on Biblical stories from children’s eyes. It was the first book I can remember my son enjoying reading independently. So, you bet I went to get the next book. Here is the description from Amazon:
The Secret of the Hidden Scrolls is an adventure-packed chapter book series for readers ages six to nine. The series follows siblings Peter and Mary and their dog, Hank, as they discover ancient scrolls that transport them back to key moments in biblical history. There they find a world filled with wonder, adventure, and danger. They must search for clues to solve the secret of the scrolls . . . or they will be stuck in time forever.
amazon
2. The Chronicles of Narnia
The Chronicles of Narnia series has us on the edge of our seats! We paired this with the Kind Kingdom curriculum, and it was a lot of fun to do as a family. Although we used it as family read alouds, my kids will select them during their independent reading time. The Magician’s Nephew and The Lion, The Witch, the Wardrobe were particular favorites.
[RELATED POST: How We Use The Kind Kingdom as Morning Time Curriculum]
3. All of a Kind Family
All of a Kind Family is based on Sydney Taylor’s recollections of her youth growing up in Manhattan’s lower east side. The family migrated from Eastern Europe, and continue their cultural traditions. It’s neat to learn about different Jewish feasts through this series.
4. Percy Jackson
My middle schooler read the Percy Jackson book series by Rick Riordan on her own while we were studying Ancient Greece and Ancient Rome. It was rewarding when she would light up during a read aloud to share a connection she made with our reading to something she read in Percy Jackson. She loved learning about Greek mythology, and found the stories captivating.
5. The Book Wanderers
Another favorite book series from my middle schooler is The Book Wanderers by Anna James. If your child is well read of the classics, this will be super entertaining for them. Each book contains fun references to other popular children’s books and poems. She described this series as both mysterious and exciting.
Children’s Book Series: Notable Mention
My kids would not let me publish this post without mentioning these children’s book series that they also really enjoyed.
- The Little House series
- Harry Potter
- Wonder
- Warriors
- Dragon Masters
- YWAM Christian Heroes
- Among the series (these are free on Kindle; love doing this alongside CM Simple Studies)
[RELATED POST: 5 Reasons to Read Missionary Biographies]
This post listed out great children’s book series for your voracious readers.
Other Posts You May Like:
[…] Living Book Series for Voracious Readers […]