Looking for funny chapter books for kids ages 6-9 that are clean, easy to love, and actually get finished? This list is for you. Whether you have a brand new reader, a kid who says reading is boring, or you just need the next great read aloud, here are 55 of the best chapter books for 1st, 2nd and 3rd graders, all in one place.
Every book below links straight to Amazon so you can peek inside. Want the whole list on one page for the library? Grab the free printable checklist.
1. Lulu Lilly Books by PJ King
Best for: reluctant readers, kids who love to laugh, and families who want books that teach kindness without preaching. Ages 6-9.
Lulu Lilly is brave, hilarious, and completely unable to leave a problem alone. She has one very unusual superpower: she can hear a sad heart go thump thump. When she hears one, she sets off on a funny, messy, glitter-covered mission to make it better. She is a Heartache Hero.
Kids come for the laughs and all the pictures. Parents love that every story plants something good: kindness, empathy, gratitude, and saying thank you. Each book is tied to a holiday, so there is always a perfect time to read the next one, and they can be read in any order.
- Short chapters and lots of black and white illustrations, perfect for new chapter book readers
- Funny first, heartfelt always
- Extras in the back, like crafts and Lulu’s Official Rules
- Free Lulu Lilly games and printables on lululillybooks.com
Lulu Lilly The Great Lemonade Strike
Labor Day chapter book, ages 6-9
Lulu Lilly fired the cat. The cat did not even work there. A lemonade stand, a crew that goes on strike, and a boss who learns the biggest lesson of all: saying thank you with your words.
Lulu Lilly Valentine's Day Heartache Hero
Valentine’s Day chapter book, ages 6-9
Lulu Lilly can hear when somebody's heart is hurting. With Valentine's Day coming, that is a lot of hearts, a lot of glitter, and one big lesson in kindness.
Lulu Lilly The Great St. Patrick's Day Leprechaun Chase
St. Patrick’s Day chapter book, ages 6-9
There's a leprechaun in town. Probably. Almost definitely. Traps, shamrocks, glitter, and a discovery that true luck comes from friendship and kindness.
Lulu Lilly The Bunny Boss
Easter chapter book, ages 6-9
Somebody has to be in charge of Easter. Lulu volunteers. Egg hunts, a goose named Mildred, and the real reason for Easter: the surprise of Jesus' love.
Funny Chapter Books Kids Actually Finish
2. Mercy Watson by Kate DiCamillo
A pig who loves hot buttered toast and causes cheerful chaos on Deckawoo Drive. Color pictures and short chapters. (Ages 5-8)
3. Tales from Mercy Watson's Deckawoo Drive by Kate DiCamillo
The next step up from Mercy Watson: stories about Mercy's neighbors, each one its own book. (Ages 6-9)
4. Mia Mayhem by Kara West
An ordinary girl finds out she is a superhero and heads off to superhero training. A great pick for fans of Lulu Lilly. (Ages 5-9)
5. Stink by Megan McDonald
Judy Moody's little brother gets his own funny series, full of facts kids love. (Ages 5-9)
6. Clementine by Sara Pennypacker
A spirited third grader with big ideas that do not always go as planned. (Ages 6-10)
7. Nancy Clancy by Jane O'Connor
Fancy Nancy grows into chapter books, with mysteries and fancy words to match. (Ages 6-10)
8. Amelia Bedelia Chapter Books by Herman Parish
Young Amelia Bedelia takes every word literally, and the mix-ups are laugh-out-loud funny. (Ages 6-10)
9. Galaxy Zack by Ray O'Ryan
Zack moves to a brand new planet and has to make brand new friends. Perfect for kids who love space. (Ages 5-9)
10. Jasmine Toguchi by Debbi Michiko Florence
A determined girl who wants to do things her own way, starting with making mochi with the grown-ups. (Ages 6-9)
11. Sofia Martinez by Jacqueline Jules
Everyday adventures of a girl in a big, loving family. (Ages 4-8)
12. Juana and Lucas by Juana Medina
Juana lives in Bogota, Colombia, with her dog Lucas and is learning English. Sweet and funny. (Ages 5-8)
13. Anna Hibiscus by Atinuke
Anna lives in Africa with her whole big family under one roof. Warm, gentle stories. (Ages 5-9)
14. Ada Twist and the Perilous Pants by Andrea Beaty
Ada the girl scientist asks why, then finds out. From The Questioneers chapter book series. (Ages 6-9)
15. The Year of Billy Miller by Kevin Henkes
One boy's second grade year, told with lots of heart. A Newbery Honor book. (Ages 8-12, great read-aloud)
16. Toys Go Out by Emily Jenkins
Three toys and their big adventures in a little girl's room. (Ages 6-9)
17. Bink and Gollie by Kate DiCamillo and Alison McGhee
Two best friends, one tall and one short, who do not always agree. (Ages 6-9)
18. Ling and Ting by Grace Lin
Twin sisters who look alike but are not exactly the same. Short, funny and perfect for new readers. (Ages 6-9)
19. Houndsley and Catina by James Howe
A gentle dog and cat who are the best of friends. (Ages 5-9)
20. The Stories Julian Tells by Ann Cameron
Julian, his little brother Huey, and the big stories they tell (some of them true). (Ages 6-9)
Have a reluctant reader? Start with Lulu Lilly. Funny, short chapters and lots of pictures.
Christian Chapter Books for Kids
21. Cul-de-sac Kids by Beverly Lewis
A group of friends who live on the same street, from a Christian publisher. (Ages 6-10)
22. The Imagination Station by Marianne Hering and co-authors (Focus on the Family)
Cousins Patrick and Beth travel back in time to Bible and history events. (Ages 6-10)
Mystery Chapter Books for Kids
23. Nate the Great by Marjorie Weinman Sharmat
A boy detective who loves pancakes and always solves the case. (Ages 6-9)
24. Cam Jansen by David A. Adler
Cam has a photographic memory and uses it to crack mysteries. (Ages 7-10)
25. A to Z Mysteries by Ron Roy
Three friends solve a mystery for every letter of the alphabet. (Ages 6-9)
26. Calendar Mysteries by Ron Roy
A younger mystery series with one book for every month of the year. (Ages 6-9)
27. Jigsaw Jones by James Preller
A kid detective who takes cases for a dollar a day. (Ages 6-10)
28. The Boxcar Children by Gertrude Chandler Warner
Four siblings who make a home in an old boxcar, then go on to solve mysteries. (Ages 7-10)
29. Encyclopedia Brown by Donald J. Sobol
A boy detective, and the reader gets to try solving each case first. (Ages 8-12, great read-aloud)
Animal and Adventure Chapter Books
30. Owl Diaries by Rebecca Elliott
Eva the owl's diary, full of color pictures. A favorite first chapter book series. (Ages 6-8)
31. The Critter Club by Callie Barkley
Four friends who care for animals in their town. (Ages 5-9)
32. The Puppy Place by Ellen Miles
A family that fosters puppies until each one finds the right home. (Ages 7-10)
33. The Adventures of Sophie Mouse by Poppy Green
A kind little mouse and her woodland friends. (Ages 5-9)
34. Zoey and Sassafras by Asia Citro
A girl scientist and her cat use science to help animals in need. (Ages 6-10)
35. Humphrey by Betty G. Birney
Stories told by a classroom hamster, starting with The World According to Humphrey. (Ages 8-12, great read-aloud)
36. The Kingdom of Wrenly by Jordan Quinn
A young prince and his best friend have adventures in their kingdom. (Ages 5-9)
37. Magic Tree House by Mary Pope Osborne
Jack and Annie travel through time and learn real history along the way. (Ages 6-9)
38. Flat Stanley by Jeff Brown
Stanley gets flattened and discovers being flat can be very useful. (Ages 6-10)
39. The Littles by John Peterson
Tiny people who live secretly inside the walls of a family's house. (Ages 7-10)
First Chapter Books for 6 Year Olds
40. Katie Woo by Fran Manushkin
Short everyday stories about a cheerful girl and her friends. (Ages 5-7)
41. Pedro by Fran Manushkin
Katie Woo's friend Pedro gets his own series. (Ages 5-7)
42. Henry and Mudge by Cynthia Rylant
A boy and his very big dog. (Ages 5-7)
43. Mr. Putter and Tabby by Cynthia Rylant
A kind old man and his old cat. (Ages 4-8)
44. Poppleton by Cynthia Rylant
A pig and his friends, full of kindness and gentle humor. (Ages 5-8)
45. Annie and Snowball by Cynthia Rylant
A girl and her pet rabbit, Snowball. (Ages 5-7)
46. Cork and Fuzz by Dori Chaconas
Two friends who are very different: a muskrat and a possum. (Ages 5-8)
47. Princess Posey, First Grader by Stephanie Greene
A first grader who wears her tutu when she needs to be brave. (Ages 5-8)
Classic Read Aloud Books for Kids
48. Ramona series (start with Beezus and Ramona) by Beverly Cleary
Ramona Quimby has been making kids laugh for generations. (Ages 8-12, great read-aloud)
49. The Mouse and the Motorcycle by Beverly Cleary
A mouse named Ralph learns to ride a toy motorcycle. (Ages 8-12, great read-aloud)
50. My Father's Dragon by Ruth Stiles Gannett
A boy sets off to rescue a baby dragon. (Ages 8-12, great read-aloud)
51. Mr. Popper's Penguins by Richard and Florence Atwater
A house painter ends up with a house full of penguins. (Ages 8+, great read-aloud)
52. A Bear Called Paddington by Michael Bond
A polite bear from Peru and his many mishaps. (Ages 8-12, great read-aloud)
53. Winnie-the-Pooh by A. A. Milne
Pooh and his friends in the Hundred Acre Wood. (Ages 8-12, great read-aloud)
54. Charlotte's Web by E. B. White
A pig named Wilbur and the spider who saves him. A classic about true friendship. (Ages 8-12, read-aloud; note: a sad part near the end)
55. The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe by C. S. Lewis
Four children step into Narnia and meet Aslan. A beloved Christian allegory. (Ages 8+, read-aloud)
How to Pick the Right Chapter Book for Your Child
- Ages 6-7 and brand new readers: start with the First Chapter Books section. Short chapters and big pictures build confidence.
- Kids who say they hate reading: go funny first. Lulu Lilly, Mercy Watson, and Mia Mayhem are quick wins.
- Ages 8 and up: the mysteries and classics are a great next step.
- Read alouds: the classics marked “read-aloud” are best enjoyed together, a chapter a night.
Every family draws its own lines, so it is always a good idea to take a quick look inside a book before handing it over.
Free Printable Checklist: All 55 Books
Take this list to the library! Get a free one-page printable checklist of every book on this list. Kids can check off each book as they finish it. For parents, teachers and grown-ups only.
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Looking for more? Play the free Heartache Hero kindness game, or print free Lulu Lilly coloring pages and bookmarks.
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