We’ve put together a list of our top chapter book series for kids. They’re wholesome, beautiful, and your family won’t be able to put them down!
My love for reading is clearly contagious. It seems as though we cannot have enough books to satisfy in our home. Most of my kids can be found on a given afternoon or evening curled up with a great book.
One way I’ve encouraged this love for reading is to get my kids hooked on a chapter book series. You get hooked on the first one and simply can’t wait to come back for more!
Reading a series is such a great way to connect ideas and pique further interests. Plus, it is easier to trust the content of subsequent books once we have read the first one.
I’ve done some of the leg work for you to hopefully save you a bit of time in searching for the best chapter book series. Here are our top 11 favorite series. I hope your kids love them!
Our Favorite Wholesome Chapter Book Series for Kids
1. Little House on the Prairie and Little Britches
I doubt the Little House series needs much explanation, but if you happen to have forgotten about it…don’t miss this opportunity to teach your children about what life was like in early America. The family values and references to God are a refreshing and welcome part of this series. Little Britches is a similar series, but perhaps with a more masculine spin. Both would make excellent family read-alouds for almost any age, which is why they are number one on our favorite Christian books for kids list.
2. All-of-a-Kind-Family
Written in the 1950s, this series is a rare find. Rich vocabulary and wholesome values are just a few of the reasons why this series is sought after. The family’s charm and adventures will captivate your heart!
3. Grandma’s Attic
In these stories, a young girl delights in the stories her grandmother tells. It’s a wonderful treasury of faith, adventure, and timeless life lessons. They are great for middle elementary-aged kids.
4. Imagination Station
Written by the folks from Adventures in Odyssey, Imagination Station promises young readers (ages 7-12) adventure and mystery. This series is much like the popular Magic Tree House series, minus the magic and wizardry. There are more than 9 volumes of excitement.
5. Moody Family Series
If you are looking for a series that makes life beautiful, the Moody Family series will not disappoint. So far, Sarah Maxwell has written 7 books detailing the pleasures of the good life…following a simple homeschooling family as they help others, learn to love God, and enjoy time as a family. This series makes a great family read-aloud or a trustworthy independent selection!
6. Cul-de-Sac Kids
Perfect for your new chapter book reader, the Cul-de-Sac Kids enchant with tales of friendship, teamwork, and faith as they explore the neighborhood. These books are short, making them perfect for building confidence.
7. Rod and Staff Chapter Books
I fell in love with Rod and Staff books at my very first homeschool convention. With books on every level, they are perfect for read-alouds or independent reading. The books share stories of simple families living lives that honor Christ. Farming, homemaking, and missions are just a few of the topics covered. My 8-year-old cannot get enough of these books, so I had to include them even though they aren’t exactly a series.
8. Sugar Creek Gang
Promising adventure and excitement, the Sugar Creek Gang has been captivating children for more than 50 years! These chapter books are relatively short, but packed with fun.
9. Sisters in Time
Another great historical fiction series told from a child’s point of view. Sisters in Time has a clearly Christian perspective as the characters rely on God for protection, grace, and provision during some of history’s most difficult times. Perfect for family read-alouds.
10. Christian Heroes Then and Now
Last, but possibly my favorite is Christian Heroes Then and Now. With over 25 volumes, there is a story for every time period and region. From your living room, you can relive the stories of the heroes of our faith as they share the gospel with the world. If you like missionary stories, here’s a list of our favorite missionary books!
11. The Kingdom Series
I may have saved the best for last. This is a chapter book series that our entire family has fallen in love with. It’s a complete allegory of the Bible set in medieval times. There are knights, sword fights, warriors, and ladies.
But even better than that, the lessons in this series as well as the other three chapter book series written by Chuck Black are inspiring and faith-building! Check out the Kingdom Series here.
Your turn –> What are your favorite chapter book series for kids? Inquiring minds want to know!
Dawn says
Along with the Little House series, the Caroline years books, about Ma Ingalls as a child, are some of my favorites!! Such rich detail in them.
We love Narnia, the Betsy Tacy books, Puppy Place, and my older children who have studied Ancient History this past year have devoured the Percy Jackson series. (I know it may be a controversial series for some, so use your own judgment and read it first. Just like we don’t do the Dear America books for their graphic nature, some may be uncomfortable with the Percy series.)
The old original Bobbsey Twins are always a winner; along with the Happy Hollisters. Anything by GA Henty is usually enjoyed by my boys and adventure loving girls.
Many of the books published by Lamplighter are actually free online, and there are great audio adaptations too. The Lamplighter; A Peep Behind the Scenes; Teddy’s Button; Hedge of Thorns; and A Wide Wide World parts 1 and 2 for the olders; Mary Jones and Her Bible…those are our personal favorites.
My children INHALE books so I could list a thousand, but I will refrain!!
Joy says
Thank you! My daughter (7) has been reading since 3 and has just become recognized as a “gifted” reader. She is flying through books – some not so terrible… but still I’d like to avoid SO MUCH magic! She is reading a series of fairies. The fairies are trying to do good. But I’d rather have her reading these! So helpful. Thank you! (The reason she’s reading the fairy books is that they are the thickest books in the class and she’s getting bored with them though – she’s done with one in an hour.) I certainly need to find her wholesome books to feed on!
Emiliy says
I have an 8 year old son who sounds a lot like your daughter as far as flying through books. I’ve had to put a lot of thought into finding books that are a bit more involved, but still appropriate for his age range. Here’s a list of some of what I’ve come up with:
Misty of Chincoteague and other books by the same author
The Littles (made of creatures, but not magic)
My Side of the Mountain
Hatchet (not girly, but still compelling for some girls, maybe a bit much yet for her, though, read it first)
The Pony Club
Babysitters Club (not all are appropriate–boyfriend stuff–but most are good)
Many Newbery Award winners
Some Roald Dahl books
A Wrinkle in Time (sort of magical, but not your hocus pocus nonsense, more metaphorical images)
Nonfiction can be fascinating
History
Biographies
The Secret Garden
A Little Princess
Classic Starts (very abridged versions of classic literature)
Some unabridged classics–Lassie, Little Women, Little Men
Stuart Little
Charlotte’s Web
The Trumpet of the Swan
A Cricket in Times Square
The original Winnie the Pooh
The Railroad Children
There are many more. If you look up any of these on Amazon, you’ll see a list of similar books to add to it.
Betsy says
This is a terrific list! I am a 60 year old Jesus loving grandmother who raised 3 readers and have begun reading with our three grandchildren. It is helpful to learn about newer series. I would just add a few if I may:
The Chronicles of Narnia
The rest of the Wrinkle in Time Series: wind in the door, Swiftly Tilting Planet and Many Waters. The books gradually “age up,” and tho’ L’Engle’s theology is on the liberal side, it does not take away from the fascinating concepts she provides. Also, many children, myself included, identify hugely with Meg, the misfit kid.
The Mossflower series
The Indian in the Cupboard series,
Encyclopedia Brown
Susan Young’s Silver on the Tree series
Henry Reed series
Mrs. PiggleWiggle books: delighted to say these are available again…I loved them as a child and now one of my grands adores them: amusing, but powerful lessons in getting along with others.
Also, a book which helped me greatly as a mom with a kid who devoured books is now in print again. You may want to look at “Honey for Your Child’s Heart. It gives brief reviews of children’s books and series and warns of stories which stray away from wholesome values.
I believe quite passionately that all children need to be quite familiar with the library and handling real books. This desire is right up there with lots of free play, limited television and computer time, and being outside as much as possible. I also work hard to gift children with basic toys~ no bells and whistles~things which promote imaginative play.
I hope I have been helpful. I really like the fact that I stumbled across this blog!
W Johnson says
Some of the Madeline L’Engle books and the Redwall series (Brian Jacques, I think?) have been favorites of my 10 & 11 year old boys, who seem to devour books. There are also the Terrestria Chronicles and Tales from Terrestria by Ed Dunlop and Matterhorn the Brave series by Mike Hamel that round out or favorite boy series.
Some more wholesome favorites include:
The Indian in the Cupboard
Five Little Peppers
The Borrowers (a series)
The Battle for the Last Castle
Carry on, Mr. Bowditch
A Nest For Celeste
The Miraculous Jouney of Edward Tulane
The Angel Tree
10 Boys Who Changed the World
Luke 2:52 books (Zonderkids)
Hope this helps parents of older elementary age boys!
Laura says
My four year old has taught himself to read, and we are at the stage where we are moving beyond picture books, but it is so hard to find books that are pure and will not put strange or icky thoughts in his mind! Especially since he is so young. I am going to completely look these up for bedtime read alouds!! THANK YOU!!
Betsy says
You might want to try Nate the Great series. Definitely aimed at younger children, and funny enough to entertain an adult! My third child adored them!
karla says
Thank you for this!! I’ve been researching wholesome Christian books and its difficult to find things without magic and wizardry. I will be buying some of these 🙂 thanks again!
Jaime says
My son wasn’t a super early reader, but he’s a very strong and advanced reader. He (and I) really enjoyed the Melendy quartet, which begins with “The Saturdays”. There are four books in the series, which take place, and were mostly written, in the 1940’s. They aren’t explicitly Christian, but the worldview is solid, and the kids in the series are charming and funny.
Ginene says
Thank you for this list. Can you please recommend some for high schoolers?
Betsy says
I can! These will be older books simply b/c my kids are grown now, but I worked like crazy to give the older kids wholesome books:
All the James Harroitt series: “All Things Bright and Beautifyil, etc.
Christy and Julia by Catherine Marshall
The Hiding Place and Tramp for the Lord by Corrie ten Boom, a friend of my grandmother
Ted Dekker’s Blessed Child and A Man Called Blessed
Anne of Green Gables
The sequel to My Side of the Mountain: ” On the Far Side of the Mountain”
Robert Whitlow’s books, beginning with “The List”
The Space Trilogy by C.S. Lewis
“Honey for your Child’s Heart really helped me find good books as my eldest read through everything I knew about!
Tracy says
Thank you for this list. A series of books that we just adore is The Doll People. There are 4 books in the series: The Doll People, The Meanest Doll in the World, The Runaway Dolls, and The Doll People Set Sail. Another really sweet set is Millie-Molly-Mandy.
Lynn says
Thank you for sharing this list! I am always on the hunt for good chapter books for my daughters. I have already looked the My America series up at our library – that one was new to me! The Betsy-Tacy Books are wonderful, as well. We stopped as a family after the first four because the main character gets older and my daughters aren’t ready for that yet. However, the entire series is a great read – I enjoyed them for myself!
nina bean says
I am currently reading the little house on the prairie series. My children are truly enjoying it. Thank you for this list. Now I know what to read next!
Gina says
I always loved the Mandie mysteries, as well as the Happy Hollister books. The Five Little Peppers books were favorites as well!
myssi says
As a girl I had every single mandie book all 27 and would read one in a day. Loved them. I was so excited to read them to my children. We didn’t make it past the first few books. It’s funny how your perspective changes as a parent. As I read I realized that mandie is ALWAYS disobeying authority figures, which would be okay if she learned a lesson, however, it always works out that Mandie was right in disobeying and it works out better that way. Just my thoughts and how I felt differently abmyssout them as an adult.
M says
My 7 yr old discovered happy hollisters and they have been fun to read together and she rereads them often on her own.
Renee B says
My Son always loved the Box Car Children Series of books. We had at least 70+ books in that series. It was not considered a Christian based series, but was about 4 orphaned siblings who lived in a Box Car. As an adult, Grandma and I both read quite a few of them also. 😀
Lucinda says
I love this list. Two of our favorite series are Henry Huggins and Ramona. They are great and have god morals.
Sioux Baumgartner says
I love all of these – thanks for the reminders! Are you familiar with the Sugar Creek Gang by Paul Hutchens or the Scout series by Piet Prins? They are both awesome also, especially if you have boys (though my 8 year old girls loves them too) . .
Kim Sorgius says
Yes, I am familiar with both. They are actually on another list I have going! My girls and boys love them.
Tara says
Thanks for this list. You sent me down a few rabbit holes looking for some of these, but I’ve managed to buy the All of a kind family uptown book and I have also found some of the Animal Ark ones. We have a huge collection of Pony Pals already, so I don’t have to look for those.
If I could add another series though, it would be the Miller’s series by Mildred A Martin. We absolutely love these books because they have a biblical theme throughout each story based on a Bible verse. The stories are relatable because most of them centre around children. I am about to buy some more of the Millers books in a few weeks, and I can’t wait. 😀
Alexcia says
I am a young reader myself and I love to read!!!! I love The Inheritance Series and Percy Jackson books!! I highly recommend Rick Riordan’s books. I have read many of these and I’m going to be in sixth grade.I have a college reading level and when I was in first grade I was able to read fifth grade level books!!!
Betsy says
The Little Britches series and the Christian Heroes Then and Now are some of our family favorites! Thanks for the great list!
Virginia says
Our grandsons have enjoyed the “Hank the Cowdog” series by John Erickson. Hank and his friends find themselves in all kinds of situations and always wind up solving a mystery around their Texas panhandle ranch. the library should have a supply of these as well as audiobooks for trips.
melissa says
the ramona quimby series, stuart little, flat stanley, rush limbaugh history series and we love christian heroes then and now, they are our go to audiobooks for the car!
Brenda says
Have enjoyed many on your lit and look forward to finding the ones I’ve not read yet. Although not a series, my favorite chapter books are by Patricia St. John. Great stories with Biblical messages
Sharon Allinger says
These are wonderful suggestions. I’m looking for chapter type books with good values for my soon-to-be 9 year old grandaughter. I am shocked at alot of the material that is in so called good books. I have worked in a middle school library for many years so am familiar with many of the titles mentioned here. The Rick Riordan books were very popular at our school. I read somewhere (not sure if it was his books) but the author used actual chants & spells from Egyptian mythology so one has to be very careful when recommending books for our children.
This Summer I came across a series called, “Gooney Bird Greene” by Lois Lowry. There are 6 books in the series & my grandaughter read them all & loved them. Lois Lowry wrote, “The Giver” which most students in Canada read in middle school.
One other author that I’ve just discovered for my grandaughter is Andrea Cheng. One of her books is, “Year of the book.” It’s about friendship. I wanted to write the author & thank her for writing these types of books & was saddened to learn that she passed away in 2015.
Truth in Love Mama says
Thanks for the list! And all the comments have been very helpful, too! I have been reading the Betsy Tacy series to my daughter since she was three (just the first four books, but will read the rest as she grows older like the characters). We also have started the Little House on the Prairie series (still reading aloud to her- she’s 5.) I read Dear America books as a girl and loved them. I can’t wait to try All-of-a-Kind Family Uptown and Sisters in Time as my daughter is very into the historical aspect of stories. Thanks again for all the suggestions!
M says
Where can we get the entire set of the Little Britches books?
Suzanne says
Here is one location I have found that you can buy the set: http://bfbooks.com/Ralph-Moody-Series
Or you can buy them individually from many locations 🙂
Suzanne@NotConsumed
Kim says
Im not finding the Rod and Staff books. All i find when i search is Rod and Staff curriculum which doesnt look like chapter books. Anyone know where to find these?
Suzanne says
You can find the Rod and Staff storybooks on this site 🙂
https://www.milestonebooks.com/list/Christian_Storybooks/
Karyn Haggart says
The Green Ember series by S.D. Smith are beautifully written stories full of adventure. perfect for read aloud or listen to the audio books. Our entire family loves these books. The characters are often discussed and referenced in conversations around our house.