Growing Reader
11 Excellent Early Chapter Books With Diverse Protagonists
by Laurie Espino
Graduating from picture books is a great accomplishment but can be a little intimidating for developing readers. To make the transition easier and a lot more fun, here are 11 early chapter books growing readers will enjoy from cover to cover.
Best of all, these books feature diverse protagonists. Readers need to identify with the characters in their stories at such a crucial point in their reading development. From fun and hilarious to profound and inspirational, your kids will have a blast reading these titles.
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The Magnificent Makers Series
Also available from:Written by neurologist Theanne Griffith, The Magnificent Makers series blends adventure with science. Follow best friends Violet and Pablo as they open magic portals to learn everything from robots and 3D printers to how the brain works. Kids will enjoy the problem-solving stories, and parents will love that their little ones are working on their STEM skills.
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EllRay Jakes Series
Also available from:Just because EllRay Jakes is the smartest kid in his class doesn’t mean he's not a troublemaker. It seems like all he ever does is get into trouble. EllRay Jakes's fun and humorous stories will keep even reluctant readers entertained as he navigates through everything from school bullies to helping his little sister fight dragons.
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The Unicorn Rescue Society Series
Also available from:Welcome to Pine Barrens, where unicorns are real, and there’s a secret society to protect them! Elliot and Uchenna are the two newest members, and they’re ready to defend the mythical creatures no matter what. Written by New York Times bestselling and Newbery Honor-winning author Adam Gidwitz, The Unicorn Rescue Society series is the type of fantasy adventure young readers crave. Exciting stories and an abundance of illustrations make this series the perfect choice for developing readers.
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The Secret Explorers Series
Also available from:Calling all adventure seekers! From stopping tomb robbers in Ancient Egypt to time-traveling back to when dinosaurs roamed the Earth, The Secret Explorers series has a story for everyone. Best of all, each book bursts with fun facts, illustrations, and activities that will keep even the most reluctant readers entertained and educated.
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She Persisted: Harriet Tubman
Also available from:In this chapter book biography, Harriet Tubman's heroic story gets told by New York Times best-selling author Andrea Davis Pinkney and features an introduction by Chelsea Clinton. Even though she was born into slavery, Harriet’s courage carried her to freedom. She then dedicated her life to helping others do the same. Check out other books in the She Persisted early chapter book series to learn about other fierce females in history.
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Planet Omar Series
Also available from:An NPR Best Book of the Year winner, the Planet Omar series tells the tales of a young Muslim boy named Omar. Follow along as Omar navigates through the ups and downs of life, from making friends to saving his family’s beloved mosque. Jam-packed with artwork by Indonesia-based illustrator Nasaya Mafaridik, these books are the perfect way to diversify your middle grader’s library.
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Juana and Lucas
Also available from:Juana lives in Bogotá, Colombia, and has started to learn English in school. But Juana would much rather be drawing than learning a new language. When her Abuelo promises to take her on a trip to Spaceland in Florida on the condition that she become proficient in English, she’s ready to take on the challenge. Sweet and lighthearted, this book’s unique format illustrates how the main character is learning English while readers are simultaneously learning Spanish words weaved into the text!
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Dragons in a Bag
Also available from:Do you have what it takes to babysit a dragon? That’s what Jaxon finds himself doing one day with his best friends. But these are just baby dragons, so it’s not that bad—until the kids break the two most important rules of caring for the mythical creatures. Now Jaxon and his friends have to get the dragons back where they belong before they’re lost for good! Full of imagination, joy, and humor, Dragons in a Bag is the perfect illustrated chapter book for growing readers. And for more dragon adventures, check out book 2 in the series, The Dragon Thief.
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Make Way for Dyamonde Daniel
Also available from:Between her parents’ divorce and moving to a new school, Dyamonde Daniel has had it rough lately. But her positive attitude helps her look on the bright side and see a neighborhood full of possibilities. Make Way for Dyamonde Daniel introduces a brilliant and lovable new character for transitioning readers while tackling everything from race and income to divorce and finding new friends in just over a hundred pages!
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J.D. and the Great Barber Battle
Also available from:Third-grader J.D. has managed to turn his unfortunate bad haircut into a thriving business! But not everyone is a fan of his new at-home barbershop, especially the local barber. J.D. may be good at cutting hair, but is he good enough to keep his new business open? Hilarious and fun, J.D.’s story will not only keep growing readers entertained, but it’ll also spark an entrepreneurial bug inside of them!
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Bea Garcia Series
Also available from:When Bea’s best friend moves away, a family with a boy (or is he a monster?) moves in next door. Bea uses her creativity and love of drawing to help get her through the challenging transition of losing a friend and making a new one. Growing readers will fall in love with this Hispanic main character’s whimsical stories and feel inspired to try their hand at doodling.
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