Here is a list of some of Jillian's favorite chapter books for young children, first through third graders. All can be found on the fiction shelves of the J room where they are sorted by the author's last name.
Byars, Betsy. The Seven Treasure Hunts.
Jackson and his friend Goat set out on a series of treasure hunts armed with maps and clues, trying to outsmart each other. Jackson's older sister Rachel adds some hilarious twists to the adventures.
Byars, Betsy. Little Horse.
A tender yet spine-tingling adventure-fantasy.
Cameron, Ann. The Stories Julian Tells.
Julian and his brother Huey get into the kind of mischief young boys do. They are fortunate to have an imaginative father and a resourceful mother and together comprise a truly Short, episodic tales that one can return to over and over Look for other titles about Huey and about Gloria.
Cowley, Joy. Agapanthus Hum and Major Bark.
Agapanthus Hum is "full of beans" and quite endearing. With typeface and format similar to beginning readers but with more substantial text and chapters, these provide a seamless bridge between readers and more challenging beginning chapter books.
Denslow, Sharon Phillips. Georgie Lee.
Georgie Lee is a sweet, smart, funny cow who lives on Grandmother's farm. It takes a few adventures before the boy J.D. learns just how special Georgie Lee really is.
Fine, Anne. The Jamie and Angus Stories. Britain's children's laureate relates six charming, gentle, and genuinely amusing stories about a boy and his little Highland bull. The illustrations are particularly expressive.
Hurwitz, Johanna. Russell and Elisa.
This is one of many books by this author who provides warm glimpses of childhood and family life.
Jennings, Patrick. The Weeping Willow: An Ike and Mem Story. One of several early chapter books about an older brother and younger sister, with typical childhood tension and resolution.
Johnson, Crockett. Ellen's Lion. Twelve whimsical stories of Ellen and her stuffed lion, a classic from the Harold Purple-Crayon family reissued.
Lowry, Lois. Gooney Bird Greene. Gooney Bird is lively second-grader who is the class's unanimous choice each day to tell stories about her own life. Through Gooney Bird and her extravagantly imaginative tales, Lowry introduces the concepts and elements of storytelling.
Nixon, Joan Lowry. Beat's Me, Claude. One of several yarns about Shirley and Claude, a likeable mis-matched couple on the Texas frontier.
Pearce, Philippa. Here Comes Tod!
Six read-aloud stories about six-your-old Tod, told with charm and humor by a Carnegie Medal winner.
Porte, Barbara Ann. Taxicab Tales. Abigail and Sam's father is a taxicab driver. At night, he often tells them tales of his adventures during the day. Their mother, an artist, sometimes paints pictures of the adventures. Abigail and Sam are lucky to have such engaging parents.
Stoltz, Mary. King Emmett the Second.
The move from New York City to Ohio makes Emmett sad and angry, but in five short chapters he rediscovers happiness.