25 Great Read Aloud Chapter Books
I loved to read growing up. I can remember spending hours on end getting lost in a book. As I’ve grown up, it’s harder to find the time to curl up on the couch and get lost in a good book, but I always enjoy reading once I start a book. We can have a big impact on our children and their learning by reading with them and to them. One great way to spend time with our kids is to read chapter books aloud. This list includes 25 of great聽read aloud chapter books that our family has come to love!
This post is sponsored by Savers. All opinions are my own.聽
25 Great聽Read-Aloud Chapter Books
- Babe: The Gallant Pig, by Dick King-Smith
- The Borrowers, by Mary Norton
- The Boxcar Children, by Gertrude Chandler Warner
- Charlie and the Chocolate Factory, by Roald Dahl
- Charlotte’s Web, by E.B. White
- The Chronicles of Narnia (Series),聽by聽C.S. Lewis
- Fudge-a-Mania, by Judy Blume
- Ginger Pye, by Elanor Estes
- The Giver, by Lois Lowry
- The Hardy Boys (Series), by Franklin W. Dixon
- Hatchet, by Gary Paulsen
- Henry Higgins (Series), by Beverly Cleary
- The Hobbit, by J.R.R. Tolkien
- James and the Giant Peach, by Roald Dahl
- Magic Treehouse (Series), by Mary Pope Osborne
- Matilda, by Roald Dohl
- The Mouse and the Motorcycle, by Beverly Cleary
- My Father’s Dragon (Series), by Ruth Stiles Gannett
- Mrs. Piggle Wiggle, by Betty MacDonald
- Pippi Longstocking, by Astrid Lindgren
- Ramona Quimby (Series), by Beverly Cleary
- The Saturdays, by Elizabeth Enright
- Shiloh, by Phillis Reynolds Naylor
- Stuart Little, by E.B. White
- Watership Down, by Richard Adams
When my son started back at school this year as a second grader, his teacher requested parents send in any chapter books they would like to donate. She was looking to add to her reading group books and needed to collect groups of 7 books of each title to have enough copies to create a reading group. When I thought about sending in books, I immediately thought of Savers! I buy books second hand all the time because you can find so many great titles for really inexpensive and build a library pretty easily that way. Plus, to find several copies of the same book isn’t impossible.
I headed to Savers with the hopes of finding common titles that other parents might also send in and came out with a whole basket full (and super cute basket, might I add,聽that was just $2!) of great books! They have a great promotion where when you purchase 4 books, your 5th book is free! We found three copies of Charlotte’s Web and a few duplicate copies of the other titles on our list. I picked up all the most common titles we could find and sent them in with my son to donate to his classroom. We did keep a copy of the ones we didn’t have already in our own library, too.
Here’s a peek at some of the favorite titles we found! We picked out over 30 books including a Big Nate book, which is聽my son’s absolute favorite series! I also found two different National Geographic Kids early reader books. I love those books as they are fact filled and based around learning, but the kids still love to read them because of all the big interesting pictures and fun fact bubbles and jokes that line the pages.
The best part of all was letting my son bring in books to donate to his classroom. He felt like he was helping out and his teacher was so appreciative of the books. She聽started reading Charlotte’s Web aloud to the class after he brought in a his book donations and told my son that it was her very favorite book!
Savers is a great place to find books for your own home collection or to donate to schools! They also have loads of games, clothing, home decor, and more. When you’re ready to unload some of your own excess and no longer needed items, they gladly accept donations. All donations help support local community non-profit organizations! In the Phoenix valley, donations made at Savers supports Big Brothers Big Sisters of Central Arizona! It’s an easy way to clear up out the unused clutter in your home and be giving back to your community!
My third grader and I spent all of second grade reading every Narnia book in order, and over the summer we read The Hobbit. He wants to spend this year reading all of the Harry Potter Books. It is a very special time in the evening right before bed with freshly brushed teeth and clean body for he and I to snuggle on his bed reading 15-20 minutes every night.
I remember doing this with my mom, and I am very glad to share this with him.
I was such a bookworm growing up! There is nothing like a real book (not a tablet)…oh and I was in LOVE with Judy Blume books! Classic!
This is an awesome list. I think I’ve read most of them myself. My son is only in first grade but maybe we should start this as a new evening tradition.
I have always loved Judy Blume books! Now, I love listening to my kiddos reading her books to me.
These are some great titles. Beverly Clearly books were popular even when I was kid.
Runaway Ralph brings back so many childhood memories! I can’t tell you how many times I read that book!
Great list! There are a few we haven’t read yet. We’ll have to check them out. Our family loves to read!
Beverly Cleary anythign is wonderful to read aloud! I have fond memories of these books
Charlotte’s Web for sure! What a great list.
I have always adored Beverly Cleary books growing up! I still do!
one our favorites is Where do Balloons Go by Jaime Lee Curtis. It’s a great story and the illustrations are so colorful
Such a great round up! So many classics!
I’m going to start off by saying Runaway Ralph has been a favorite of mine for years. I used to have students come back to sit and listen to me read it again, even though they were in another class. Savers is a great spot for getting books. They have one day a week where they give military discounts.
Pinning for later! My son is just starting to get into chapter books!
That is a great list of books. I wish ,y son would read more. It’s a struggle here
What a great list of books! And for such a great deal!
You have some great books there. Reading is so important for kids. I like to read too when I get the chance.
These would be perfect for my younger daughter. She can read shorter books on her own, but would love the stories in chapter books if we read them together.
I see so many from my own childhood from your list. My oldest is 4 and we have been reading to him since he was 4 months. It won’t be long until we can build our own basket full of chapter books. I know I will add Runaway Ralph, Charlotte’s Web, and Judy Blume’s Fudge books!
These are all definitely great books for reading aloud! My kids both LOVED The Boxcar Children.
I used to love Ramona and Beezus books. My daughter is into them now, and it’s nice that she is enjoying something that I loved as a child myself!
My kids love to read. I will put this list to great use. Thanks so much.
I love reading! I would love to have more time. My son has never been big on reading, unfortunately. I’m so glad you can donate the books!
Love anything by Judy Blume. I still read it! Bought a lot of them for kiddo. I started reading Tolkein myself when I was about 9 along with Stephen King. I loved reading and was really advance for my age. I am thankful for that because I would not have pushed forward to be an author along with my accounting career and I wouldn’t of been a blogger!.
Hi Janel,
One of our favorites, especially nearing Thanksgiving, is the Sign of the Beaver by Elizabeth George Speare. My kids have never been so involved in a story before this one. The kids would pile up on the couch and I would read a chapter…. or more, until it was finished. There were nights I would have a few children still awake listening and I would have to stop because another child had fallen asleep and I didn’t want that child to miss out on the story – it is one of our fondest homeschooling memories.
Best,
Victoria
Mom Does Reviews
I haven’t heard of them until now. I am glad you got such a good deal. That basket alone would cost more than $2 (lots more). 馃檪
Charlie and the Chocolate Factory was one of my favorite books when I was a kid. I should get it for my kids!