What Comes After Easy Readers?

Transitional Books!  Transitional books are (usually) a series of books that you may be familiar with that are around 100 pages or less with short chapters and often some pictures throughout the book.  The Magic Tree House series by Mary Pope Osborne is a perfect example of a transitional book.  Transitional books are for children who have learned how to read and are ready for something a little more challenging.  It can be very discouraging for young children learning to read to be given something they struggle through and that’s where transitional books come in.

Children in first – third grade have learned how to read, but still may need help sounding out larger words and are not ready for the mature content in many larger chapter books.  These children like knowing that if they can read one Junie B. Jones book, they can read them all because they are written on the same level with similar vocabulary throughout the series.  Sometimes librarians, teachers, and parents get sick of these series books because of that very reason – they can be very formulaic, but that is exactly what this type of reader needs – something that is interesting and fun to read and allows the child to be successful!

If you’re interested in learning more about transitional books, check out James Patterson’s website Read, Kiddo, Read which offers great information for parents as well as book lists for kids.

Here’s a list to get you started for transitional books, there are many more out there, just ask your local librarian for more suggestions.

Anna Hibsicus ~ Atinuke

Babymouse ~ Jennifer L. Holm

Bad Kitty ~ Nick Bruel

The Bailey School Kids

Bink & Gollie ~ Kate DiCamillo

Captain Underpants ~ Dav Pilkey

Cam Jansen ~ David Adler

Clementine ~ Sara Pennypacker

Frankie Pickle ~ Eric Wight

Franny K. Stein ~ Jim Benton

Gooney Bird Greene ~ Lois Lowry

Horrible Harry ~ Suzy Kline

Horrid Henry ~ Francesca Simon

Judy Moody ~ Megan McDonald

Junie B. Jones ~ Barbara Park

The Magic Tree House ~ Mary Pope Osborne

Mercy Watson ~ Kate DiCamillo

My Weird School ~ Dan Gutman

Rainbow Magic Fairies ~ Daisy Meadows

Ready Freddy ~ Abby Klein

Stink ~ Megan McDonald

The Time Warp Trio ~ Jon Scieszka