Growing Reader

Tween

The Best Chapter Books
To Read as a Family

by Miranda Rosbach

What’s your family culture around reading? Did you grow up in a home with lots of books and regularly visit the library and bookstore? Was it common to receive books as presents? If not, is that something you want to prioritize with your kid(s)?

When my daughters look back on their childhood, I want books to be one of the key happy associations they have with growing up. Books in the car, books strewn throughout the house, books shared over snacks and snuggles — basically books for every occasion.

At the beginning of last school year, I started a new tradition of pairing after-school snacks with a chapter book read-aloud series, and it created a bonding experience that I will forever cherish. What did we read? Hint: the series is on this list and features a prominent New England author/illustrator.

Need to jumpstart your family’s read-aloud routine? These books for ages 8-12 (the first two are geared toward a younger audience) are the perfect starting point!

An Anne Chapter Book Series

An Anne Chapter Book Series

adapted by Kallie George, illustrated by Abigail Halpin

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The book that made me a reader was Anne of Green Gables. My dad gave me a hardback leather-bound copy when I was nine. It also had Anne of Avonlea and one other book in the compilation.

I squealed with pure delight when this easily digestible version of Lucy Maud Montgomery’s timeless books came on the scene in 2019. It promised endless enchantment to a new generation of Anne lovers. Each book, lavishly illustrated, is an excerpt of one of the many predicaments Anne faces. From tea parties gone awry to schoolhouse skirmishes, the ever-dramatic Anne copes with help from her bosom friend, Diana, and the loving, if not continually bemused, care of Marilla and Mathew Cuthbert. It’s an ideal series for newly independent readers but absolutely charming as a read-aloud.

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King & Kayla Series

King & Kayla Series

by Dori Hillestad Butler, illustrated by Nancy Meyers

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King is Kayla’s dog. Kayla is King’s human. Together, they make a dynamic sleuthing team. From finding lost library books to reuniting missing pets with their families, the two friends solve one case after another. With four chapters in each book, an entire book takes about 15 minutes to read. Plenty of illustrations and dialogue keep young readers engaged as they move from picture books to beginning chapter books.

I started reading these books to my children when they were four years old, which, for my dog-obsessed youngest, was a delightful experience.

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Flora and Ulysses

Flora and Ulysses

by Kate DiCamillo, illustrated by K. G. Campbell

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Flora (a somewhat cynical preteen) finds Ulysses (a somewhat magical, softhearted squirrel) in her backyard. Unsurprisingly, the two connect over a matter of shared occurrences. Meanwhile, Flora’s parents are figuring out the dynamics of a trial separation. With catchy phrases and a sensitive, philosophical angle, this coming-of-age story is a treat for all ages. Anything written by Kate DiCamillo is an instant classic in our house. Also, the recent film adaptation of this book makes for a great movie night pairing. If you love this book, check out Because of Winn-Dixie and The Magician’s Elephant.

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26 Fairmount Avenue Series

26 Fairmount Avenue Series

by Tomie dePaola

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This seven-part chapter book series starts when Tomie is four years old and moves houses within the same neighborhood. It follows him into kindergarten and throughout the years of WWII. We see his early determination to become an artist and watch as Tomie (spelled Tommy in the books because his teachers said that was the correct way to spell his name) learns to dance, gets a baby sister, visits his grandparent’s store, grapples with bullies, and struggles with the uncertainty and sacrifices of wartime. My initial hesitation to read the last few books in the series was unfounded, as each book handles the complex topic of war with age-appropriate care. I cannot recommend this series enough! With over 200 children’s books to his name, Tomie dePaola might be one of the last century’s most beloved children’s book authors.

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Maizy Chen's Last Chance

Maizy Chen's Last Chance

by Lisa Yee

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Maizy Chen and her mother leave California for Last Chance, Minnesota, to care for her ailing grandpa. They help Maizy’s grandmother run the family’s restaurant, The Golden Palace. As part of the only Asian American family in town, Maizy takes pride in her family’s heritage and works hard to make the restaurant thrive while still connecting with her sick grandpa. Soon Maizy is thrust into a mystery as she tries to uncover who stole the restaurant mascot and wrote a racist slur. As Maizy interviews suspects, she learns of her family’s past and connection to paper sons (Asians that immigrated to the United States illegally, claiming relationships to family already in the United States) and is even more determined to protect her family’s legacy. We listened to this award-winning title as an audiobook, which became one of my favorite reads of 2023.

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The Tía Lola Stories Series

The Tía Lola Stories Series

by Julia Alvarez

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Miguel and his sister move from New York City to Vermont when their parents separate. As they adjust to rural life, Tía (Aunt) Lola comes from the Dominican Republic to help ease the transition for everyone. With vibrant dresses and a moving beauty mark, Tía Lola’s larger-than-life presence and big Dominican personality are endearing. Throughout the series, we see Tía Lola learn English and befriend all the neighbors. We watch as she wins over the cranky landlord and cooks Dominican dishes with flair. With Spanish words scattered throughout (always with English translations), these books sweep readers into an enormous Dominican embrace.

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The Infamous Ratsos Are Tough, Tough, Tough! Three Books in One

The Infamous Ratsos Are Tough, Tough, Tough! Three Books in One

by Kara LaReau, illustrated by Matt Myers

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In this book, readers meet two brothers, each trying to be tough. Tough guys do tough things, and these two hooligans think that means making trouble for others. However, each of their attempts ends in unintended acts of kindness. They accidentally return a stolen hat, shovel snow, and provide a sandwich for the new kid at school. These misfits can't seem to get it right; or wrong, rather. Foiled time after time, this humorous series is formulaic in its approach, which can be helpful to young readers. In the end, the concluding pages affirm that life is tough enough and that more kindness is needed.

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Before the Ever After

Before the Ever After

by Jacqueline Woodson

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As a bona fide non-sports person, I was surprised by how gripping this realistic fiction (or “real,” as ZJ would say) novel captivated us from the get-go. From his early memories, ZJ’s dad has been a football hero to everyone that knows him. But to ZJ, his dad is not a hero, but simply his dad. Luckily, ZJ has friends who support and see him for him and not his famous dad. Everything changes when the great sports legend starts to forget things, yells at ZJ and his friends, and experiences unrelenting migraines. How can this insightful protagonist navigate his father’s new reality (for which doctors have no answers) while still holding on to happier times? This brief — but poignant — read is a remarkable read-aloud or audiobook listen.

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