Fun for parent to read, newer chapter books for first grader

[Anonymous]

I loved the graphic novel Bea Wolf, which is written in alliterative verse and so fun to read, introduces some poetic concepts, but also very funny (though it does glorify mischief, as many of these books tend to).

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:My Father's Dragon
Mr. Popper's Penguins

+1 to both of these. Also both great on audiobook.

[Anonymous]

Song for a Whale--a great story about a deaf girl's connection to a whale who can't be understood by other whales. We both loved this one. It's probably a 5th grade reading level, so good for you to read to the kid. Great science-oriented girl protagonist.

Magic Misfits--we listened to this series on audio book, but it'd be a great read aloud too. It's by Neil Patrick Harris. There's some silliness, some magic and some mystery. Definitely not dated in terms of gender roles, etc. Probs a 4th grade reading level, but my 1st grader loved the audio book

sophie mouse--a very sweet series for you to read out loud or for the kid to try (it's probably a 2nd grade reading level), but a 1st grader could likely read it at this point

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:The hobbit
The swan and the trumpet
The mouse and the motorcycle
The secret garden
Charlie and the chocolate factory
Junie B. Jones
Little princess

Uh what? The Little Princess is SO DATED and incredibly boring. Same with the The Secret Garden. There is SO much excellent children's literature being written now, there's no need to read things written at the turn of the century.

LIES! The secret garden is a beautiful and awesome book.

[Anonymous]

Ways to Make Sunshine by Renee Watson

It’s a series about a spunky Ramona-like girl. But modern.

[Anonymous]

Birchbark House by Louise Erdrich

It’s a series. Like Little House, but the Native American point of view. Excellent.

[Anonymous]

My first grader loves Pig the pug books and Fancy Nancy books, though neither are chapter books. Princess Cora and the Crocodile is a fun chapter book. We also read and enjoyed one book in the Magical Animal Adoption Society series.

[Anonymous]

Pp here. Oops agency. Not society.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Ways to Make Sunshine by Renee Watson

It’s a series about a spunky Ramona-like girl. But modern.

We love vintage books, and we ALSO love Renee Watson's series. So good.

The Vanderbeekers series would be similar and fun for both a parent and child to read. Maybe a little less accessible for the 1st grader to start reading on her own any time soon than Ways to Make Sunshine.

[Anonymous]

I know you asked for chapter books but I’ve recently returned to the picture book section and am realizing there are tons of interesting picture books that are longer and more involved than what I would have read them a few years ago. These have made for great bedtime books.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I know you asked for chapter books but I’ve recently returned to the picture book section and am realizing there are tons of interesting picture books that are longer and more involved than what I would have read them a few years ago. These have made for great bedtime books.

Definitely keep reading picture books. Many have more advanced vocabulary and sentence structure than early chapter books because they are meant to bee read aloud.

[Anonymous]

My 2nd grade boy can't get enough of Weird School, Dog Man, Amulet (graphic novel), and Captain Underpants. I can't say I was crazy about them though.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:The hobbit
The swan and the trumpet
The mouse and the motorcycle
The secret garden
Charlie and the chocolate factory
Junie B. Jones
Little princess

Uh what? The Little Princess is SO DATED and incredibly boring. Same with the The Secret Garden. There is SO much excellent children's literature being written now, there's no need to read things written at the turn of the century.

LIES! The secret garden is a beautiful and awesome book.

I love the secret garden but I did try to read it to my DD around that age and the beginning is so depressing with the neglectful parents and the cholera and everyone dying and her introduction to England. Like it is BLEAK. We set it aside and I'll see if she wants to try again later or read it on her own when she's ready. I know once you get past the first quarter or so, it hooks you. But unlike other children's books about orphans, it doesn't use humor or fantasy or anything to soften it or make it easier. It's just like "this young child's loses her entire family and her wonderful nanny to disease, is forgotten in her home, and then she's sent to live in a moor with an old man with no social skills." There is no spoonful of sugar.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:My first grader LOVED Howl’s Moving Castle (much to my surprise). He says it’s his favorite book. He did not enjoy the second book in the series and thought the third was okay.

Also liked:
Harry Potter
Wings of Fire
Gregor the Overlander (be warned some death and dark themes, though)
Wind in the Willows
Shadow Weaver series
The Girl Who Drank the Moon
Watership Down (more death and dark themes if your kid can handle it)
Artemis Fowl series

My 1st grader also loved Howl's Moving Castle. We're reading the second book in the series now and are enjoying it.

She also likes the Hobbit, Phantom Tollbooth, Kiki's Delivery Service. Also the first few Harry Potter.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:My first grader loves Pig the pug books and Fancy Nancy books, though neither are chapter books. Princess Cora and the Crocodile is a fun chapter book. We also read and enjoyed one book in the Magical Animal Adoption Society series.

There is a Fancy Nancy chapter book series as well.

Lots of good ones mentioned. I’ll add Toys Go Out, Doll People, and The Wild Robot.