25 Early Chapter Books for Boys
by Dena McMurdie
One of the questions I’m frequently asked by other moms is if I have early chapter book recommendations for boys. My answer is always an enthusiastic “Yes!”
These 25 early chapter books are great choices for boys, though any young reader, boy or girl, is sure to love the humor, adventure, and heart in these fantastic stories.
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Here's Hank Series
Available from:This New York Times bestselling series from Henry Winkler and Lin Oliver is beloved by kids. Hank is an endearing protagonist, always making his classmates (and his readers) laugh with his funny antics and adventures. His struggles with math, and reading, and spelling, and, well, school in general are relatable, and his efforts to try his best and save the day are quite admirable.
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Miles Lewis Series
Available from:Boys will love this upbeat series with STEM-focused storylines. Miles Lewis is a young boy obsessed with science, sports, and learning new things. From science fair disasters to bake sale fiascos, Miles finds a way to overcome each hurdle he faces.
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EllRay Jakes Series
Available from:EllRay Jakes is a small kid who often finds himself in big trouble. From fighting bullies to friendship drama, kids will easily relate with EllRay as he deals with the many ups and downs of growing up.
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Bug Boys Series
Available from:This early graphic novel series follows bug friends Rhino-B and Stag-B as they explore the natural world. Simple, episodic stories expertly tackle complex topics like anxiety, war, and spirituality in sweet, funny, and wacky ways. An irresistibly joyful read, kids will fall in love with these beetle buddies and their many adventures.
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Stitch Head Series
Available from:Read before you watch! Kids love this humorous and not-so-scary series about a mad scientist’s creation. Whether he’s rescuing his beloved creator from pirates or thwarting a monster hunter’s evil plans, Stitch Head comes through for his friends again and again. Keep an eye out for the movie coming fall 2025!
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George Brown, Class Clown Series
Available from:George Brown wants nothing more than to be a normal, responsible 10-year-old kid, but his efforts tend to land him in big trouble thanks to his super burps. Those magical and pesky belches promise disaster for George Brown and a whole lot of laughs for readers.
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Tech Crash! (DC Metal Force #1)
Available from:Superhero lovers and manga enthusiasts will enjoy this action-packed chapter book. With the earth under attack from aliens, Superman, Batman, and Wonder Woman must join forces with other superheroes and supervillains to tackle the threat.
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Humphrey’s Tiny Tales Series
Available from:Perfect for readers just starting chapter books, Humphrey’s Tiny Tales follow the happy hamster who lives in Room 26 at Longfellow School. Growing readers will appreciate the large text, funny illustrations, and familiar classroom setting.
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Stink Series
Available from:Readers may recognize Stink as Judy Moody’s little brother. Funny characters, wacky escapades, and sibling shenanigans make this a perfect series for budding readers to dive into. Cartoon adventures drawn by Stink himself definitely add to the hilarity.
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Elvis Is Missing #1
Available from:On an ordinary Friday night, three kids and their babysitter see their dog disappear into a portal in the backyard. With no choice but to follow him, the kids dive headlong into an out-of-this-world adventure filled with aliens, spaceships, and asteroids. Don’t miss the sequel to this highly illustrated chapter book, Grunthar’s Revenge.
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The Zach and Zoe Mysteries Series
Available from:Sports AND mysteries? Yes, please! Sports journalist Mike Lupica has created two charming characters in 8-year-old twins Zach and Zoe. Full of action, friendships, and important life lessons, this approachable series covers all its bases.
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Beyond the Game: LeBron James
Available from:Young sports enthusiasts will love this series spotlighting incredible athletes. In this book, they’ll learn about LeBron James’s childhood, influences, and how he makes a difference in the world. Whether your kid is interested in basketball superstars or football heroes like Pat Tillman, the books in this series will capture their interest.
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Nate the Great
Available from:Budding mystery fans will enjoy diving into this first book in the illustrated Nate the Great series starring a kid detective. Nate the Great is super serious about his detective work — comically so — and he’s pretty good at it too. Follow along as the mini-Sherlock Holmes takes on a new case, collects clues, observes his surroundings, and, ultimately, solves the mystery of his friend Annie’s lost painting.
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Alvin Ho Series
Available from:Alvin is frightened of everything. From school to camping trips to birthday parties and crowded tourist destinations — lots of situations are very scary for him, even as he dreams of being a brave superhero who helps people. Slowly but surely, and with the support of his close-knit family, Alvin begins to branch out and try new things, including making friends. Written from Alvin’s point of view, this lovable series will hook kids from the beginning with its compelling characters and show them that anyone can conquer their biggest fears.
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Ready. Set. Respawn! (Minecraft Ironsword Academy #1)
Available from:If you have a reluctant reader on your hands, hand them this book. Set in the world of Minecraft, this series is irresistible to growing readers. Kids will zip through the pages to discover what happens when the Evoker Kid bumbles through the game, depending on his real-world friends to keep him safe.
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A to Z Mysteries Series
Available from:Kids can race their way through the alphabet in this fast-paced mystery series. From Author to Zombie, there's a new mystery to be solved with every letter, and a new story for pint-sized sleuths to savor. The thrill of solving the case, and completing the full alphabet, are both great enticements for early readers.
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Dinosaur Club Series
Available from:Dino-loving kids need to get their hands on this series ASAP! It’s about best friends Jamie and Tess, who discover a cave filled with fossils that can transport them back to the age of dinosaurs! Each book features a new adventure, information about various dinosaur species, and an engaging narrative to keep kiddos turning pages.
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George’s Marvelous Medicine
Available from:Wacky situations and laugh-out-loud moments prevail in this short chapter book from one of the world’s greatest storytellers. It encourages kids to look on the bright side and believe in the impossible.
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Dragons in a Bag Series
Available from:Young readers will love this magical tale of three friends trying their best to return a bag of baby dragons to the world they came from. Plans go awry for Jaxon and his pals, but there’s still time to save the day!
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J.D. the Kid Barber Series
Available from:A bad haircut inspires a young boy to start a business in this unique chapter book series. When J.D. gets a horrendous haircut, he fixes it himself and discovers a hidden talent. Before long, he’s cutting everyone’s hair, winning competitions, and getting rockstar treatment.
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Beasts of Olympus Series
Available from:Eleven-year-old Pandemonious, a.k.a. “Demon,” is half-human and half-god, and he has a special gift: The ability to talk to animals. So he is assigned the job of caring for the mythical beasts who live in the Stables of the Gods on Mount Olympus — which turns out to be no easy feat. A delightful adventure series that interweaves Greek mythology, humor, fun illustrations, and a hint of danger throughout.
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The Underdogs Series
Available from:Their latest case has stumped Barkley and the other dogs at The Underdog Detective Agency. Desperate for a fresh perspective, Barkley hires a cat named Fang as the newest detective. The unlikely duo put their heads together (literally) to solve each case that comes their way. Filled with humor and misadventures, this illustrated series is perfect for kids who love books like Bad Guys and The InvestiGators.
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Max and the Midknights
Available from:The creator of the Big Nate series is back with another dauntless hero in Max, a 10-year-old apprentice troubadour who wants nothing more than to become a knight. Will Max — lowly bard that she is — be able to rescue his uncle from the wicked King Gastley?
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Magic Tree House Series
Available from:The Magic Tree House series has been delighting growing readers for over 20 years now. Centered around the time-traveling adventures of siblings Jack and Annie, the series is packed with history, mystery, adventure, and fun. And some pretty great learning, too. With 40+ books in the series, there's plenty to keep budding readers going.
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Dragonbreath Series
Available from:Danny Dragonbreath and his motley crew are a little bit nerdy, a little bit uncoordinated, and a whole lot hilarious. Alternating between comic-book panels and text, Ursula Vernon brings readers an engaging, thrillingly good series.
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You might also like:
- Books That 6- to 8-Year-Old Boys Say Are Must-Reads
- It’s a Guy Thing: How To Help Boys Become Readers
- Excellent Early Chapter Books With Diverse Protagonists
Editor’s Note: This article was originally published in 2019 and updated in 2025.