This post is sponsored by the Johnson County Library.
Wild adventures, relatable characters, important life lessons and unforgettable adventures can be found in wonderfully written modern chapter books meant especially for young girls. They are filled with strong female leads, an important aspect in demonstrating to these impressionable minds they are capable, brave, imaginative, smart and resourceful.
In an increasingly digital age, encouraging a child to invest in the written word feels both important and necessary. This guide lists some tried and true titles meant to inspire and the future powerhouses you are raising, compelling them to begin or continue their love of reading.
For more recommendations, ask a librarian at the Johnson County Library for their expert guidance!
Best Chapter Book Series for Girls by Grade
Although girls are bound to connect with the following stories of friendship, adventure, heart and suspense, any reader (boy or girl) will be drawn to the compelling characters these authors bring to life!
Early Elementary Chapter Book Series (Kindergarten-2nd Grades)
Books within this category are supposed to foster a love of the written word, enticing children to reach for the next one in the series. They can be read alone or with parents, but all within this list are easy to consume.
Dory Fantasmagory Series by Abby Hanlon
If “wildly imaginative” describes your little girl, then she is sure to connect with Dory Fantasmagory. She has a penchant for landing herself in a little trouble but her wacky personality and fun adventures are hilarious and heartwarming.
Junie B. Jones Series by Barbara Park
A long-time favorite, Junie B. Jones has been entertaining children for decades. Little girls can easily imagine themselves as Junie, as the descriptive writing helps keep the reader engaged from the first to the last page. Since the series revolves around the early elementary years, it is also easily relatable.
Mermaids Rock Series by Linda Chapman
The name itself may lure in mermaid loving girls, but the exciting escapades of the main characters will convince them to keep reading. Stories of environmentalism, science and girl power are woven throughout the pages.
Princess Pulverizer Series by Nancy Krulik
This eight book series is about a princess who wants to become a knight. To achieve her dreams, she has to complete a quest of kindness. She proves to be fearless in the face of danger and villains, and overcomes all obstacles with humor and heart.
Secret Spy Society Series by Veronica Mang
A book about great friendship, three brave girls become detectives in an action-packed series of adventures after they stumble across a secret society of spies. It has great lessons in resilience and the importance of female bonding.
The BFG by Roald Dahl, illustrated by Quentin Blake
The book itself is not part of a series, but this author has written a multitude of titles for children. They are all full of fantastical scenarios children love to follow. The BFG is a story of a little girl befriending a gentle giant, and they work together to stop scary, child-eating giants. The main character is sharp, beyond brave and has tact beyond her years. Make sure to follow up the book with a viewing of the movie afterward!
The Secret Explorers Series by DK and SJ King
If your child loves the Magic Tree House Series, this will be the next books they’ll want to read. It follows a group of gifted kids around the globe and through time. Their travels take them in to outer space, the ocean and so much more.
Middle Elementary Chapter Book Series (3rd-5th Grades)
As reading comprehension increases during the middle elementary years, the characters and plots of the stories become richer and more complicated. This makes it easier for girls to connect with the stories told, creating a desire to always see what happens next.
Anne of Green Gables Series by Lucy Maud Montgomery
This was my absolute favorite series as a child, and it still holds up as a compelling read of resilience from an unapologetically smart and relentless coming of age girl navigating her new found world. If it becomes your child’s new favorite, several spinoffs of the original story are also full of superb stories of Anne.
Front Desk Series by Kelly Yang
This is a story of Chinese immigrants who arrive in America, but have anything but an easy transition or life. Mia, the main character runs the front desk of a motel for a cruel owner. With the help of a new friend, the motel “weeklies”, her parents and a lucky pencil she sets out for a better life. A beloved character with a heart of gold and a strong will makes this series an important read.
Girls Who Code by Stacia Deutsch
The main character, Lucy, uses coding to help her uncle. In the meantime, she uncovers a mystery to be solved. She’s smart, tenacious and a character kids will love to follow. Thirteen books are in this series.
Harbor Me by Jacqueline Woodson
Not a series, but an important book for your child to read alone or together with a parent. It is about six diverse kids who come together to share their secrets and find healing in the process. Topics such as bullying, immigration, race and forgiveness are issues approached, making it a great choice to spur further discussions in your home about empathy, friendship and identity.
Ryan Hart Series by Renée Watson
When her family has to deal with tough financial struggles, a little girl makes the best of a hard situation. She learns how to believe in herself, be a better person and love who she is throughout her trials and tribulations.
The Babysitters Club Series by Ann M. Martin
Graphic novels often entice weary readers because they are quick to get through and full of colorful illustrations that make it easy to follow the story. An age old title, these books solve modern problems with humor, bravery and female companionship.
The Catwings Series by Ursula K. Le Guin
Four sibling cats are born with wings, much to their mother’s surprise. She believes its a blessing and a reason to flee the dangerous city to find refuge in the countryside. The books follow the kittens along all of their ups and downs to a new land and back again.
The Endling Series by Katherine Applegate
From the author of the One and Only Ivan, The Endling is a MUST READ! Our family’s favorite set, that is perfect for individual or parent/child read-aloud time together. It captivates audiences with a unique setting, one-of-a-kind animal characters and an action packed story.
The Magical Reality of Nadia Series by Bassem Youssef and Catherine R. Daly
This exciting series is all about the complexities of growing up. There’s important lessons of prejudice and racism, and they help readers to understand the complicated issues using empathy.
The Wild Robot Series by Peter Brown
There’s two books within this series, making it a quick read. A kind robot is stranded on an island filled with only animals, and the only way to survive is if she convinces the animals she is not a monster. It’s also a really great read-aloud option for families!
Middle School Chapter Book Series (Grades 6-8)
Middle school girls navigate a lot of tricky situations, and finding a book to either help them escape their reality or provide a character in which they can identify deeply can be transformative.
A Song Called Home by Sara Zarr
A Song Called Home is about a girl who is dealing with the obstacles associated with divorce and navigating a new blended family. Throughout this realistic story, she begins to understand what “family” truly means as she overcomes trauma from an alcoholic parent. Not a series, but touches on important issues teens of today may be trying to overcome.
City Spies Series by James Ponti
A twelve-year-old girl named Sara is caught within the confines of the foster system in Brooklyn, New York. She is also a hacker working hard to expose her parents as criminals in order to be freed from foster care. She wins and joins a team of kid spies, and that is only the beginning of her adventures.
Merci Suárez Series by Meg Medina
Merci Suárez is a sixth-grader facing common challenges of those entering middle school: family, friendships, adolescent ups and downs and school work. There’s important discussions on cultural identity with a humorous spin which makes it fun and easy to follow.
The Last Kids on Earth Series by Max Brallier
For kids who still appreciate graphic novels, this is a step up from ones they read in elementary school. A boy and his friends are the only kids left on earth and they must find new ways to fight the zombies who have overtaken the world. The story is shown through written text and black and white illustrations.
The Liars Society by Alyson Gerber
The Liars Society is fast-paced for those who love thrilling and suspenseful plots. It is told from two perspectives, making it interesting but yet still easy to understand. It is a perfect series for girls who are suckers for a good mystery, but are not quite old enough for young adult content.
The Mysterious Benedict Society Series by Trenton Lee Stewart
Readers will help to solve puzzles as they follow four gifted orphans on a mission where only the most enlightened children can compete.
The Love Report By BeKa
This book is about two best friends who begin a project to study love. Their research reveals a lot of truths around infatuation among tweens and teens, stereotypes and different types of people. It touches on tough subjects in an approachable and age appropriate way. Most importantly, it talks of female friendships and how solid relationships can get one through life’s ups and downs.
High School Chapter Book Series (Grades 9 -12)
Teenagers are faced with lots of societal and social pressures. If we, as parents, can convince them to turn away from screens and dive into a great series, we can create a space for relaxation and decompression. This list of compelling books are interesting and thought provoking.
Brooklyn Brujas Series by Zoraida Cordova
Alex, the eldest of three Latinx sisters, is a witch who resents her magical powers. When she tries to rid herself of the powers it results in the disappearance of her family. The first book follows along as she tries to retrieve them, and subsequent books allow for more fantastical stories.
Charlotte Holmes Series by Brittany Cavallaro
A new and reimagined female Sherlock Holmes is how this series can be described. It’s the perfect mystery series for those who love a thrill.
Divergent Series by Veronica Roth
A New York Times bestseller, Divergent is a science-fiction adventure in post-apocalyptic Chicago centering around morality and choice. It is a conversation starter everyone can partake in after watching the movie based on the series!
Heartstopper Series by Alice Oseman
A book on LGBTQ+, mental health and realistic depiction of teenage life melds together for a best selling graphic novel turned Netflix show. The author covers tough topics in a heartwarming way.
March Series by John Lewis and Andrew Aydin
Congressman John Lewis co-created a trilogy of nonfiction graphic novels for teens describing his life and efforts during the Civil Rights Movement. From his childhood to the Selma/Montgomery March, it details in a very compelling way the key moments of his life and why it made him the man he became. It is beautifully illustrated and a fascinating look in to a great public servant’s life.
The Hunger Games Series by Suzanne Collins
Led by strong females, this series of books takes readers through a dystopian world where characters have to complete a series of life-threatening challenges in order to live. It kicks off with Katniss taking her younger sister’s place in order to save her life.
To All the Boys I’ve Loved Before Series by Jenny Han
This wildly popular series (turned movie) is about a girl writing love letters that are meant for her eyes only. When they are accidentally sent out in the mail, she is faced with an out-of-control situation and chaos ensues. The main character, Lara Jean, is a responsible, quirky and smart girl who you are rooting for the entire time.
