Chapter Books- Are you ready for something longer than Dr. Seuss?

What is a chapter book? Lots of books have chapters of course so this is a designation that makes little sense to parents. Most often, children and their teachers refer to a book as a chapter book if it is a short novel, a book that suits many 2nd and 3rd graders. Of course 2nd and 3rd graders are themselves as diverse as the 'chapter books" that they like to read. I would not call HENRY AND MUDGE a chapter book even though the book is divided into several short chapters. The following list is of books that might appeal to young readers, children who are accomplished enough to face books that don't have art on every page. Children who can keep track of a story that continues thorugh several chpaters. Some of the books on this list will also appeal to older children (For example, THE HUNDRED DRESSES deals with such universal and important themes that I would happily share it with 6th graders if they had not already read the book!)

Mr Popper’s Penguins by Atwater
The Search For Delicious by Babbitt
Twenty and Ten by Bishop
A Lion to Guard Us by Bulla
The Adventures of Jimmy Skunk by Burgess
Katie John by Calhoun
Julia’s Magic by Cameron
The Stories Julian Tells by Cameron
The Family Under the Bridge by Carlson
Ramona the Pest by Cleary
Muggie Maggie by Cleary
Sadako and the Thousand Paper Cranes by Coerr
A Case For Jenny Archer by Conford
No Dogs Allowed by Cutler
The Courage of Sarah Noble by Dagliesh
Amber Brown is Not a Crayon by Danziger
Thee, Hannah by DeAngeli
The Twenty-One Balloons by DuBois
Half Magic by Eager
The Hundred Dresses by Estes
Understood Betsy by Fisher
McBroom’s Wonderful One-Acre Farm by Fleishman
My Father’s Dragon by Gannett
Stone Fox by Gardiner
The Doll’s House by Godden
Love You, Soldier by Hest
Sophie’s Snail by King-Smith
Rasmus and the Vagabond by Lindgren
In the Year of the Boar and Jackie Robinson by Lord
Mrs Piggywiggle by MacDonald
Sarah Plain and Tall by MacLachlan
Seven Kisses in a Row by MacLachlan
Rats on the Roof by Marshall
Grandmother Bryant’s Pocket by Martin
Maybe Yes, Maybe No, Maybe Maybe by Patron
The Littles by Peterson
Fat Fanny, Beanpole Bertha and the Boys by Porte
The Best School Year Ever by Robinson
Ahyoka and the Talking Leaves by Roop
Keep the Lights Burning Abbie by Roop
A Cricket in Times Square by Selden
The Song of the Giraffe by Shannon
The Real Thief by Steig
Go Fish by Stolz
Gemma and Her Sisters by Streatfield
All-of-a-Kind Family by Taylor
Hugh Pine by Van de Wetering
Stuart Little by White
Little House in the Bog Woods by Wilder
Scooter by Williams