Finding the right chapter books that could help in increasing your students vocabulary and reading comprehension, especially for young first graders, can be challenging! There are so many more choices out there. This can make it tough to determine which series are really worthy of sharing with your students.
That’s why I have explored and researched all the appropriate and engaging chapter book series for your first graders and come up with a comprehensive list below.
These chapter book series are great for reading aloud with your little ones or assigning for silent or take-home reading. I hope you find this list helpful and it inspires you to start sharing some of these series with your first-graders!
Although this list is geared towards first-grade readers, we all know that many different reading levels can exist within a single grade level. These chapter book series can be used with students in grades other than first as well.
What do you do with the books after your students have read them?
Are you on the hunt for follow-up activities to the books your students read? I have a TON of no prep comprehension activities on Education to the Core Premium you can print and pass out to your students.
Draw images of story elements on polaroid snapshots, identify the main idea and relevant details by filling in the ice cream scoops, and discuss the problem and solution of a story by filling in the thought bubbles. Head over to ETTC Premium and start downloading these activities today.
1. The Jackson Friends Series by Michelle Edwards
The Jackson Friends series by Michelle Edwards currently has 4 easy reader chapter books with multicultural characters. In Pa Lia’s First Day, the readers meet a HMONG female character as she faces first day nerves at school, easily relatable for all students facing first day jitters.
The Talent Show introduces a young, African American girl who initially is thrilled to perform in the show until the time approaches where she actually needs to be in front of others on stage. Readers will enjoy seeing how these characters work through their nerves and overcome their fears.
2. Henry and Mudge Series by Cynthia Rylant
Cynthia Rylant’s Henry and Mudge Series
will warm the hearts of your kids as they join Henry and his 182-pound English Mastiff, Mudge, through all of the trials and tribulations of life! This series not only beautifully illustrates the bond between a child and their pet but also shows readers that there are many different types of friendships in the world.
Try out the first book in the series before purchasing the collector’s set above with Henry And Mudge First Book
.
3. Lulu by Hillary McKay
In the Lulu series by Hillary McKay, readers meet Lulu, a 7 year old bi-racial girl with an enormous love of animals. Through the 6 chapter books in the series, readers experience all of the adventures Lulu has with her best friend and cousin Millie and some animals along the way.
4. Mr. Putter and Tabby Series by Cynthia Rylant
Mr. Putter & Tabby Series by Cynthia Rylant
is an endearing series that features an elderly man, Mr. Putter, who has been feeling lonely. He decides that getting a cat will help his loneliness and finds, Tabby, an older shelter cat, to help his loneliness!
The series follows the elderly pair through all of the adventures that they get into. A series about friendship and companionship, your students will love the heartfelt nature and the hysterical situations that Mr. Putter and Tabby get involved in!!
Try out the first book in the series before purchasing the collector’s set above with Mr. Putter & Tabby Pour the Tea
.
5. Junie B. Jones Series by Barbara Park
Junie B. Jones’s Series by Barbara Park
is adored by students of all ages. The series follows a witty, strong-willed little girl who is constantly getting herself into all kinds of mishaps and slapstick situations! Your kids will love following Junie B. Jones through the crazy adventures of her life with school, family, and friends.
Try out the first book in the series before purchasing the series above with Junie B. Jones and the Stupid Smelly Bus (Junie B. Jones, No. 1)
6. Poppleton Series by Cynthia Rylant
The Poppleton Series by Cynthia Rylant
is a great way to introduce chapter books to your first graders! This beloved series is about Poppleton the pig, with each book featuring three sweet stories about kind-hearted Poppleton and the animal friends and characters in his life. The easy-to-read short stories will definitely help to build your new reader’s confidence and keep them engaged!
7. Sam and Charlie by Leslie Kimmelman
Sam and Charlie series by Leslie Kimmelman follows the friendship of two new neighbors, now best friends, and a little sister too. The fact that the characters are Jewish is woven into the stories as the two friends have big adventures such as going to camp, while they bond over their love of various Jewish traditions.
8. Ramona and Beezus Series by Beverly Cleary
I’ve been a fan of this series since I was a kid, and I’m sure your kids will love The Complete Ramona Collection by Beverly Cleary
as much as I did. The series follows the life of funny, charismatic third-grader Ramona as she experiences all the ups and downs of life in elementary school. Ramona’s curiosity and spunk will have your students begging you to read every single book in this heartwarming series.
9. Nikki and Deja Series by Karen English
The main characters in the Nikki and Deja series by Karen English are two best friends that explore real-life school situations such as school cliques and disagreeing with your best friend. The main characters are African American 3rd graders who show kids how to manage some tricky social skills while maintaining your friendship.
10. Magic Tree House Series by Mary Pope Osborne
Your students will LOVE The Magic Tree House series by Mary Pope Osborne
. Join siblings, Jack and Annie, as they venture to different historical places and periods in time with a magical treehouse that they find near their home. These chapter books are not only highly entertaining for early readers but the offer a fun spin on history that will have your kids learning how to read while learning about history!
Try out the first book in the series: Magic Tree House, No. 1: Dinosaurs Before Dark
11. Simply Sarah Series by Phyllis Reynolds
The Simply Sarah series by Phyllis Reynolds Naylor follows Sarah, a young girl who is tired of being ordinary. This series takes place in Chicago with several multicultural characters dwelling in an urban apartment building. Kids will enjoy the misadventures Sarah has in her attempts at school, at home, and her community to be seen as extraordinary.
12. Babysitter’s Little Sister Series by Ann M. Martin
A spin-off of one of my personal favorite series as a child, the Babysitter’s Club. Baby-Sitters Little Sister Series by Ann M. Martin,
focuses on seven-year-old Karen Brewer, stepsister to the main character in the Babysitter’s Club series.
The books focus on all of the adventures that Karen and her classmates encounter. Your first graders will not only relate to Karen and her friends but they will be entertained until the last page of every book in this series!
Try out the first book in this series with Karen’s Witch (Baby-Sitters Little Sister, No. 1)
13. The Cam Jansen Series by David A. Adler
The Cam Jansen series by David A. Adler is the perfect chapter book series for all those little detectives in your classroom. The series follows fifth-grade detective, Jennifer “Cam” Jansen, who got her nickname for having a photographic memory!
Each book focuses on a different mystery that Cam and her best friend, Eric, must figure out and solve! Your students will love trying to figure out the mystery as they read each book in this exciting series! Start with book #1 in the series, Cam Jansen and the Mystery of the Stolen Diamonds by David A. Adler
.
14. Amelia Bedelia Series by Herman Parish
The Amelia Bedelia Chapter Book series
, originally written by Peggy Parish, was taken over by her nephew, Herman Parish, after her passing. He reimagined it into a chapter book series focusing on the childhood of the much-loved housekeeper who takes everything literally, Amelia Bedelia.
The young Amelia Bedelia will have readers laughing non-stop with her constant misinterpretation of various word plays. Plus, these chapter books are a great way to get your students familiar with idioms and literal versus figurative meanings.
Try out the first book in the series: Amelia Bedelia Chapter Book 1: Amelia Bedelia Means Business
15. Nate the Great Series by Marjorie Weinman Sharmat
Nate the Great series by Marjorie Weinman Sharat
are wonderful chapter books for emerging readers. The text features simple vocabulary and the various plots revolve around everyday things that kids can relate to such as a missing picture or a lost cat. Students will love trying to solve each mystery with Nate, his dog, Sludge, and all of the other humorous characters that join in on their adventures.
16. Ivy and Bean Series by Annie Barrows
Ivy and Bean by Annie Barrows 
is an award-winning series that both you and your students will adore. The chapter books tell the tale about two very different girls who become friends despite their differences.
You will love the positive messages that these chapter books boast. Your students will love the humor involved with all the mischief these two unlikely friends find. The oversized print and simple illustrations make these a perfect pick for emerging readers.
Try out the first book in the series with Ivy & Bean: Book 1
17. Katie Woo Series by Fran Manushkin
The Katie Woo series by Fran Manushkin
is excellent for young readers thanks to all of the positive messages expressed throughout each book. Katie Woo and her friends are normal kids dealing with everyday life lessons, like not getting the part in the school play or doing poorly on a test.
The concepts are simple, but that makes it really easy for young readers to relate. Plus, the characters featured in the chapter books are engaging and humorous, which will keep your kids wanting to read every book in the series!!
18. Keena Ford
Keena Ford by Melissa Thompson, is an adventurous 2nd grade African American girl who lives with her divorced mom and an older brother. Young readers will enjoy the humor of the sticky situations Keena gets herself into as she settles in to 2nd grade.
19. Judy Moody Series by Megan McDonald
The Judy Moody series by Megan McDonald
has students everywhere relating to main character Judy’s ever-changing moods and hysterical antics. Your class will love Judy’s perspective on life as a third-grader and relate to all of the emotions and obstacles that she faces on a daily basis.
Judy’s wit and humor will entertain your students and the interesting facts sprinkled throughout the series on everything from algebra to the American Revolution will teach your kids tons of new things!
Try the first book in the series with Judy Moody Book 1: Judy Moody Was in a Mood
20. Sofia Martinez by Jacqueline Jules
Sofia Martinez is a stubborn, mischievous young girl in the series written by Jacqueline Jules. These stories also imbed Spanish words and phrases, highlighted in pink, that exposes readers to another language while offering esl students an opportunity to feel included. The book also includes some stop and think moments where readers can guess what ideas Sofia may be coming up with as she problem solves through her adventures.
21. Nancy Drew and the Clue Crew by Carolyn Keene
The Nancy Drew and the Clue Crew by Carolyn Keene
are the perfect chapter books for those wannabe sleuths in your classroom. Inspired by the original Nancy Drew chapter books, this series features a younger, third-grade Nancy Drew.
She follows clues to solve mysteries appropriate for your first-grade readers – nothing too scary or complicated. But don’t be fooled by the easy-to-follow and not too scary mysteries, these stories are incredibly interesting and will have your emerging readers captivated right from the start!
Try the first book in the series with Nancy Drew and the Clue Crew: Sleepover Sleuths
22. Alien in My Pocket Series by Nate Ball
Kids will love the silliness and sci-fi feel of the Alien in My Pocket series by Nate Ball
. The series begins when a four-inch-tall alien crashes through Zack McGee’s bedroom window.
The story follows Zack and his new alien friend, Amp, through all kinds of crazy adventures that they face together. Your students will love the illustrations on every page, interesting science facts, and unexpected plot twists as they make their way through each book in this fun series!
23. Jaden Toussaint by Marti Dumas
Jaden Toussaint by Marti Dumas is a series of chapter books following a smart (super smart) 5 year old African American boy bursting with confidence and some ninja dance moves. All kids will love watching him solve real kid problems like convincing his parents he needs more TV time and less time reading.
24. Eerie Elementary Series by Jack Chabert
The Eerie Elementary series by Jack Chabert
is part of Scholastic’s early chapter book line. Which is aimed at new and emerging readers, making it perfect for your first graders! Especially if they love a bit of mystery and spookiness in their reading material!
The Eerie Elementary series features fun illustrations and fast-paced plots. It will keep your readers building their reading confidence as they learn all about the school that comes alive and all the spooky adventures that occur as a result!
25. Jigsaw Jones Series by James Preller
The Jigsaw Jones series by James Preller
is a campy series of Scooby Doo-esque mystery chapter books that your kids won’t be able to put down as they try to crack the codes and figure out the puzzles along with private detective, Jigsaw Jones. With relatable characters and humorous scenarios, it’s no wonder that this series has over 33 chapter books and remains a favorite among new readers.
26. Stink Series by Megan McDonald
If your students like the Judy Moody series, they will love the Stink series by Megan McDonald
that focuses on Judy’s little brother, Stink. Your first-graders will love the hilarious antics of Stink Moody and his friends. Not to mention all of the random facts and cool science adventures that are packed into each book! These are especially appealing for young boys and may just turn a reluctant reader into an avid on!
Try the first book in the series with Stink Book 1: The Incredible Shrinking Kid 
27. The Frog and Toad Series by Arnold Lobel
Part of the I Can Read book list, the Frog and Toad series by Arnold Lobel
is a classic first-grade chapter book series. It has stood the test of time with its beautiful illustrations and life lessons about friendship and loyalty that is inherent to each story. With simple and easy-to-follow plot lines, students will feel accomplished as they finish each chapter book with ease.
Try the first book in the series with Frog and Toad Are Friends
28. The Mercy Watson Series by Kate DiCamillo
Written by acclaimed author Kate DiCamillo, the Mercy Watson series
will entice all those animal-lovers in your classroom. This charming story about a childless couple who randomly end up purchasing an ‘unusual’ pig named Mercy.
The series will entertain your students as they explore all of the hysterical and heartwarming adventures that Mercy gets herself and her adopted parents, the Watsons, into. The series is perfect for beginning readers. It features jovial illustrations and familiar plot lines with a fun pig-centered twist.
29. Amazing Grace by Mary Hofmann
Amazing Grace chapter books by Mary Hofmann pick up with Grace, the same young, free-spirited girl, found in the picture book, Amazing Grace. Definitely enjoyable! This book series does contain some higher, more challenging vocabulary. It would be good for higher readers or as a class read aloud.
By: Emily Garcia
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