Quick Read Book Summaries of
Must-Read Childrens Books
For Preschoolers (3-5 years old)
Listed in alphabetical order, by book name.
Picture books are special books for kids aged 2 to 7. They have lots of pictures and tell a story with about 1,000 words. Kids can read them alone or with a parent. The pictures help tell the story and teach important lessons about being kind and making friends. These books are also fun and help kids learn to read and understand the world around them.
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A Bad Case of Stripes, by David Shannon
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Oh, the Places You'll Go, by Dr Seuss
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Stone Soup, by Marcia Brown
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The Giving Tree, by Shel Silverstein
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The Lorax, by Dr. Seuss
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The Rainbow Fish, by Marcus Pfister
For Early Readers (6-8 years old)
Listed in alphabetical order, by book name.
Early Reader books are for kids who are learning to read on their own. They have relatable characters and stories about things kids might experience, like making friends or feeling left out. The words are easy, the sentences are short, and there’s lots of action and talking. These books can look like picture books or chapter books and have about 200 to 1500 words. They usually have 48 to 64 pages.
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Charlie and the Chocolate Factory, by Roald Dahl
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Charlotte's Web, by E.B. White
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James and the Giant Peach, by Roald Dahl
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Matilda, by Roald Dahl
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Mercy Watson to the Rescue, by Kate DiCamillo
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Mr Popper's Penguins, by Florence & Richard Atwater
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Nate the Great, by Marjorie Weinman Sharmat
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The Mouse and the Motorcycle, by Beverly Cleary
For Growing Readers (9-10 years old)
Listed in alphabetical order, by book name.
Chapter books are for kids ages 7-9. They're 4,000-15,000 words long, have more content and complex language than kids may have seen before, and are broken into chapters to help readers better understand the material. Chapter books are perfect for kids who are ready for a more challenging read, but not quite ready for a full novel. These books feature short chapters, a simple plot, and are typically between 8.5-12 thousand words.
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Alice's Adventures in Wonderland
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Anne of Green Gables, by L.M. Montgomery
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Because of Winn-Dixie, by Kate DiCamillo
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Crenshaw, by Katherine Applegate
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Mrs Frisby and the Rats of NIMH, by Robert C. O'Brien
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Peter Pan, by J.M. Barrie
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Smile, by Raina Telgemeira
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The Chronicles of Narnia book series, by C.S. Lewis
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The Lemonade War, by Jacqueline Davies
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The One and Only Ivan, by Katherine Applegate
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The Secret Garden, by Frances Hodgson Burnett
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The Tale of Despereaux, by Kate DiCamillo
For Tweens (11+ years old)
Listed in alphabetical order, by book name.
Books for tweens (ages 11+) should have relatable characters and stories that explore themes of identity, friendship, and personal growth. The language is more complex than early reader books, with longer sentences and a wider vocabulary. These books range in length from 150 to 400 pages, and may have illustrations or be entirely text-based. They often have more complex plots and explore deeper themes than early reader books, and may introduce readers to new genres like fantasy, science fiction, or mystery.
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Eragon, by Christopher Paolini
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Holes by Louis Sachar
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Little Women, by Louisa May Alcott
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The Hobbit, by J.R.R. Tolkien
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Warrior Cats - Into the Wild, by Erin Hunter
