2024 Blogging A to Z Challenge: Chapter Books

Letter “C” is for chapter books! This is probably one of the most misunderstood terms in children’s literature, so let me explain. While most people use this term for any book with chapters in it that is geared toward kids, it’s actually a specific term. Unfortunately, it’s often misused online and in articles which makes it difficult to find what you’re looking for, when it’s actually chapter books. And yes, it does mean books with chapters in them, but it’s for a specific level of reader, typically in an age group.

Chapter Books

Chapter books are for kids who have graduated out of easy readers and nare now looking for the next step in reading “levels.” These books have chapters, but continue to have a lot of white space between text (think double-spaced papers), limited vocabulary (not to the extent of easy readers, but still limited), are usually under 100 pages, and often have illustrations to help support the text. While not a hard and fast rule, many kids will begin to transition to this level of reading around seven or eight. And if you see them described on Amazon or another online bookstore they’re often geared toward ages 7-10.

Middle Grade

Most people will lump chapter books and middle grade novels together. And as I mentioned, they both have chapters, but middle grade novels are geared toward ages 8-12, often leaning more heavily on the 11 and 12 year old side. The text most likely fills the pages, with limited to no illustrations, and often have 100-400+ pages.

When people come into the library looking for chapter books, often my first question will be, “how old is the reader?” to help me get a better sense of whether we’re looking for actual chapter books or something for a bit of an older reader, middle grade novels. I hope this quick description helps you to understand the publishing world a little more and may help you to find even more great books for whatever type of reader you have!

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2024 Blogging A to Z Challenge: Chapter Books

The Adventure Friends: Treasure Map by Brandon Todd

Clarke is new to town and ready to explore. Miguel loves meeting new people and going on adventures. With their walkie-talkies and compass in hand, these new friends map out their neighborhood and search for hidden treasure!

Bug Boys: Adventures and Daydreams by Laura Knetzger

These two best friends are ready to explore beyond Bug Village and also, try new things together. Between sleepovers, and a cooking contest, these beetles have their hands full of exciting activities! Though they might save the haunted house adventure for last. . . .

The Creature of the Pines by Adam Gidwitz

Elliot Eisner isn’t exactly thrilled with the first day at his new school. His class is going on a field trip to a creepy forest called the Pine Barrens. The trip is being led by Professor Fauna, the weirdest teacher
Elliot has ever met. And the only kid who will talk to Elliot, Uchenna Devereaux, isn’t afraid of danger. She likes danger.

Elliot and Uchenna are about to become part of a secret group of adventurers, The Unicorn Rescue Society, whose goal is to protect and defend the world’s mythical creatures. Together with Professor Fauna, Elliot and Uchenna must help rescue a Jersey Devil from a duo of conniving, greedy billionaires, the Schmoke Brothers.

Dory Fantasmagory by Abby Hanlon

As the youngest in her family, Dory really wants attention, and more than anything she wants her brother and sister to play with her. But she’s too much of a baby for them, so she’s left to her own devices—including her wild imagination and untiring energy. Her siblings may roll their eyes at her childish games, but Dory has lots of things to do: outsmarting the monsters all over the house, escaping from prison (aka time-out), and exacting revenge on her sister’s favorite doll. And when they really need her, daring Dory will prove her bravery, and finally get exactly what she has been looking for.

Dragons in a Bag by Zetta Elliott

When Jaxon is sent to spend the day with a mean old lady his mother calls Ma, he finds out she’s not his grandmother–but she is a witch! She needs his help delivering baby dragons to a magical world where they’ll be safe. There are two rules when it comes to the dragons: don’t let them out of the bag, and don’t feed them anything sweet. Before he knows it, Jax and his friends Vikram and Kavita have broken both rules! Will Jax get the baby dragons delivered safe and sound? Or will they be lost in Brooklyn forever?

Leroy Ninker Saddles Up by Kate DiCamillo

Yippie-i-oh! Leroy Ninker has a hat, a lasso, and boots. What he doesn’t have is a horse—until he meets Maybelline, that is, and then it’s love at first sight. Join Leroy, Maybelline, and everyone’s favorite porcine wonder, Mercy, for some hilarious and heartfelt horsing around on Deckawoo Drive.

Let’s Get Cracking by Cyndi Marko

Gordon Blue transforms into Kung Pow Chicken, an avian superhero who fights crime in the city of Fowladelphia. The first book in the series kicks off when Gordon’s birdy senses lead him to a festival. Suddenly, POOF! Feathers fill the air and shivering naked chickens are everywhere. Why have all these chickens lost their feathers? Forced to wear wooly sweaters, the city itches for a hero. Kung Pow Chicken hops into his Beakmobile to save the day!

Max Meow: Cat Crusader by John Gallagher

RADIOACTIVE SPACE MEATBALL at his best friend Mindy’s SECRET LAB. Then before you can say MEOWZA, Max becomes…The CAT CRUSADER! Being a super hero is fun–but not if you get so cocky, you forget your best friend! Will Max and Mindy make up? And together, can they save Kittyopolis from the evil Agent M and BIG BOSS?!

The Perilous Princess Plot by Sarah Courtauld

This funny fairy-tale adventure from debut author Sarah Courtald is the story of two very different sisters-Eliza, who longs to ride into battle against villains and dragons, and Lavender, who would give anything to be a pampered princess. Before the end of the story both of them have had a chance to fulfill their dreams, though not quite in the way they intended…

Accompanied by their depressed goat, Gertrude, with their granny’s warnings about the Black Death ringing in their ears, they head out into the forest and come face to face with an evil count who definitely does not have their best interests at heart.

Princess in Black by Shannon Hale

Princess Magnolia is having hot chocolate and scones with Duchess Wigtower when . . . Brring! Brring! The monster alarm! A big blue monster is threatening the goats! Stopping monsters is no job for dainty Princess Magnolia. But luckily Princess Magnolia has a secret —she’s also the Princess in Black, and stopping monsters is the perfect job for her! Can the princess sneak away, transform into her alter ego, and defeat the monster before the nosy duchess discovers her secret?

The Secret Explorers and the Lost Whales by SJ King

Meet The Secret Explorers! This group of brilliant kids comes together from all four corners of the globe to fix problems, solve mysteries, and gather knowledge all over the planet – and beyond. Whenever their help is needed, a special sign will appear on a door. They step through to the Exploration Station and receive their mission…

In The Lost Whales, marine life expert Connor needs to use his underwater expertise to help save a pod of humpback whales that have lost their way. Along with space expert Roshni, he sets out in a submarine to search for a way to steer the whales back on track, but encounters unexpected problems along the way, including lost baby whales and a fleet of boats. Will The Secret Explorers manage to succeed in their mission?

Willa the Wisp by Jonathan Auxier

Welcome to the Fabled Stables, a magical building filled with one-of-a-kind creatures. Creatures including the Gargantula, the Yawning Abyss, the Hippopotamouse . . . and Auggie.

Auggie is the only human boy at the Stables, and he takes care of all the other animals. The Fabled Stables have a mind of their own, and every so often, the building SHAKES and SHUDDERS, TWITCHES and SPUTTERS—it’s making room for a new arrival! It’s Auggie’s job to venture out and rescue a new creature from mortal danger. But will he be able to complete his mission before it’s too late?

With some help from Fen (a literal stick-in-the-mud) and his animal companions, Auggie saves the day and makes a new friend in the process.

2024 is my ninth year participating in the Blogging A to Z Challenge. This year, I chose as my theme: Adventurous Readers with a focus on providing book lists focused on all types of adventures for readers from birth to teens. Each letter of the alphabet will focus on different sub-genres or age groups and will provide twelve titles of books. This theme coincides well with the summer reading theme for many libraries which is “Adventure Begins at Your Library” and no matter what type of books the kids in your life like, there is sure to be something they’ll find interesting over the course of the month. Stop by daily to check out the new books and other posts that I’ll be sharing in April.