English Chapter Books

David Levithan

Fifth-grader Donovan leaves his assigned book, The Adventurers, on the table, and his mom reads just the beginning and end—and panics that the two main characters might be gay. Soon the whole town is arguing about banning the book. At the same time, the story weaves in two other tales—a friendship in the past, and parts of the adventure book itself—showing how stories can help us speak up, find courage, and stand up for what’s right.

Richard Ayoade

Ever think a book might be sad or lonely? This one is—until it meets you! Narrated by the book itself, it tells its own quirky, smart, and funny story of waiting for a reader, hoping someone will pick it up. Then it meets YOU—and everything changes. It’s a playful, imaginative story about courage, friendship, and giving things (and people) a chance. 

Jasmine Warga

Rami loves spending time in the museum where his mom works. One day, a painting goes missing, and suddenly Rami and his mom become suspects. Things get even weirder when he sees a ghostly floating girl in the gallery—looking just like the missing painting! With a mysterious turtle as a secret helper, Rami races to solve the mystery before time runs out.

Angela Cervantes

Rafael loves telling ghost stories, even the spookiest ones—but when he tells a scary tale during a blood moon, his ghostly story starts coming true! With strange, scary happenings around him, Rafa must race to stop the ghost called “The Caretaker” from harming his friends and family—all while he’s also dealing with his mom coming home from jail. Creepy, thrilling, and full of heart. 

Katherine Applegate and 

Gennifer Choldenko

Chance is a real dog who’s been dropped off at Dogtown, a shelter for stray dogs, misbehaving pups, and even robot dogs. Mouse, a brave little mouse, leads the shelter and wants to help both Chance and a robot dog named Metal Head find loving homes. Their adventures are full of heart, laughs, and lots of doggy surprises. 

Pari Thomson

Eleven-year-old Daisy Thistledown is running from danger when she opens a magical door into Greenwild—a world where the land is filled with powerful living magic. Her mother is missing, and someone from London is hunting her. Now Daisy must use courage and the magic of nature to discover the truth and help protect this secret and magical place.

Nicole D. Collier

Jillian is a smart fifth-grader who loves school but stays quiet—especially when her classmate Rashida is always the first to answer. After her teacher gently encourages her to enter a school competition, Jillian starts to open up. With her grandmother’s memory guiding her, she works up the courage to speak up, be herself, and shine. This gentle and inspiring story shows how friendship, family, and confidence can help you find your voice. 

Sabine Adeyinka

Jummy at the River School follows Jumoke—nicknamed Jummy—a bright girl who wins a spot at the finest girls’ boarding school in Nigeria. She's excited by the idea of new friends and adventures, though she’s a little nervous about starting school without her best friend. But when her friend Caro arrives too, everything changes in unexpected ways. This warm story mixes the excitement of boarding-school life with the sights and sounds of 1990s Nigeria, giving readers a feel for friendship, courage, and new beginnings. 

Colm Field

Kyan Green stumbles into an extraordinary universe where he becomes a stunt driver competing for a prize worth a fortune. Hoping to help his family, he races through different worlds—sometimes as a space pilot or even a thief in a police car! But he soon learns that racing through infinite universes is even more thrilling—and dangerous—than he ever imagined.

Louis Stowell

Loki is a mischievous Norse god who’s been punished by being sent to Earth as an eleven-year-old kid. He’s got one month to prove he can behave—or risk being banished from Asgard forever. Doodles and cartoons fill his diary, making the story funny and full of personality as Loki learns how being kind isn’t as easy as it looks. 

Christina Soontornvat

Young Plum is surprised to be accepted into the Guardian Academy on Lotus Island, a magical school where students learn to become Guardians—magical protectors of nature. There she and her new friends learn how to communicate with animals, meditate, and even fight to defend the world around them. It’s a fast-moving tale of magic, friendship, and finding your inner strength.

Chanel Miller

Meet Magnolia Wu, a ten-year-old “sock detective” in New York City. She has a special mission: return lonely, unmatched socks left behind in her parents’ laundromat to their owners. Along the way, she finds friends, humor, and belonging in surprising places. It’s a charming illustrated story full of heart, laughter, and community—perfect for kids who like mystery, friendship, and finding wonder in everyday life.

Evan Griffith

Peter and his best friend Tommy are spending their last summer before middle school completing their Discovery Journal—a list of 100 wild animals in their Florida town. They almost reach their goal until they find an injured manatee in a canal. Suddenly, Peter has to care for his sick grandfather, rally to protect the manatee, and face a hurricane, all in one unforgettable summer. 

Dan Gemeinhart

This is the story of a group of runaway kids who settle in a quiet town and build a kind of family together. Among them is a boy who has felt like an outcast—but here, he starts to feel like he belongs. It’s a heartfelt tale about finding your voice and discovering that family can be the people you choose.

Lisa Yee and Dan Santat

Olive Cobin-Zang is sent to a boarding school on an island, where she’s never quite felt like she belongs. But when a sneaky thief steals a royal treasure—like gems, cats, and fancy decor—the “Misfits,” a team of funny misfit students, spring into action to solve the mystery. It’s a silly, action-packed adventure about finding your place and working together.

Antony Elworthy

Gramps has lived what he calls a “chequered career”—he’s been everything from a stuntman to a deep-sea diver. But his most exciting (and strangest) job was as a world-famous magician known as The Astounding Alfredo. His greatest trick involved his dove, Montgomery—the Mysterious Bird of Mystery. But Montgomery wasn’t just mysterious… he was jealous, ambitious, and maybe even a little dangerous. As Gramps shares his wild tales with his grandson, it becomes clear that fame can change both people and birds in the most unexpected ways.

Zanni Louise

Queenie calls Peachy, her little house, home—but one day she must move away when her house is sold. Leaving behind everything she knows is hard, but through music, new friendships, and finding her own voice, Queenie learns that home isn’t a place—it’s the people you love and the song you carry in your heart.

Akiko Miyakoshi

Little Shrew lives a quiet, routine life—but he doesn’t mind one bit. He’s tidy, hard-working, and follows his schedule closely. Yet even in a day-by-day life, small surprises happen: he solves a tricky puzzle, enjoys the smell of fresh bread, and hosts a lovely visit with friends. Told in three gently magical stories and illustrated in soft black-and-white with bursts of color, this book reminds readers how wonderful everyday moments can be. 

Crystal Sung

In a bustling street called Spellcroft, four friends discover they can channel magical powers passed down from their ancestors. Together, they use their magic to protect their community from danger. With exciting illustrations and stories of girl-power magic, this action-packed series is full of adventure, heart, and friendship.

Michelle Kadarusman

This is a collection of short stories about kids living on different islands around the world. Each child meets a sea turtle—and those turtles help them feel brave, connected, and full of hope, even when the world around them is changing in scary ways. These stories show how animals and nature can help us find our courage.