Are you constantly searching for the perfect chapter book read for your student book clubs? Whether your students are just diving into the world of chapter books, or are seasoned readers, there are sure to be books that are a perfect fit. Let us end the search with our top picks for engaging chapter books your 1st and 2nd graders will love.

Book Clubs vs Reading Groups
You might be thinking, what is the difference between reading groups and student book clubs? Both serve amazing purposes in the classroom, and can be interwoven. Many teachers have moved over to the student book clubs format, using high interest and engaging reads to review literacy skills.
Let's lay this out:
Book Clubs | Reading Groups |
Focused on building a love of reading through discussions of books read. (More of a socializing feel.) | Skills focused: fluency, comprehension, phonics, etc. |
Encourages students to share their opinions likes/dislikes and connections with books. (Deeper connection to reading.) | Usually driven by curriculum to meet specific needs. |
Student or teacher led, with open discussion format. | Teacher led with structured lessons and skill review. |
Books are chosen to match with student interests. | Often passages, leveled readers or articles chosen for a specific reading level. |
Ultimate goal: foster a love or reading and expressing ideas. | Ultimate goal: further develop select literacy skills. |
Emerging Readers
Emerging reader books are perfect for students who are just dipping their toe into the chapter book world. Filled with simple vocabulary, engaging illustrations and short chapters (perfect for those short attention spans).
1-Mercy Watson to the Rescue by Katie DiCamillo
Reading Level: 2.7

Mercy, a fun-loving pig with a big appetite for buttered toast, finds herself in the middle of a hilarious adventure while trying to save the day!
2-Frog and Toad Are Friends by Arnold Lobel
Reading Level: 2.9

Frog and Toad share funny, sweet, and sometimes silly adventures that show just how special friendship can be.
3-Henry and Mudge: The First book by Cynthia Rylant
Reading Level: 2.3

Henry finds the perfect best friend in Mudge, a big, lovable dog who’s always there for adventures and cuddles.
4-Amelia Bedelia by Peggy Parish
Reading Level: 2.5

Amelia Bedelia, a quirky housekeeper, takes everything literally and turns everyday tasks into hilarious adventures.
5-Mr. Putter and Tabby Pour the Tea by Cynthia Rylant
Reading Level: 2.5

Mr. Putter feels lonely until he adopts Tabby, a sweet old cat, and together they share cozy, heartwarming moments over tea.
Advanced Readers
These books have deeper plots and more explorable themes. There may also be fewer illustrations, which allows students to develop their mental imagery.
1-Charlotte's Web by E.B. White
Reading Level: 4.4

Wilbur, a lovable pig, and Charlotte, a kind and clever spider, form a special friendship as Charlotte weaves amazing webs to save Wilbur’s life.
2-Dinosaurs Before Dark by Mary Pope Osborne
Reading Level: 2.6

Siblings Jack and Annie discover a magical treehouse that takes them back to the time of dinosaurs for an exciting and sometimes dangerous adventure.
3-The Boxcar Children by Gertrude Chandler Warner
Reading Level: 3.9

Four siblings create a cozy home in an old boxcar and work together to solve mysteries and take care of each other.
4-Bink & Gollie by Kate DiCamillo
Reading Level: 2.5

Best friends Bink and Gollie may be opposites, but their quirky adventures and love for each other make them an unstoppable duo.
5-Sarah, Plain and Tall by Patricia MacLachlan
Reading Level: 3.4

Sarah, a kind and independent woman, joins a family on the prairie and helps bring love and laughter into their lives.
Interest-Based Picks
A great way to get your students hooked on reading is introducing them to books aligned with their interests. Here are some engaging, themed reads.
Animal Lovers
What kid doesn't love animals? Use this high interest topic to foster reading love.
1-Owl Diaries by Rebecca Elliott
Reading Level: 2.8

Eva, a creative little owl, plans a big festival for her friends and learns how teamwork can make dreams come true.
2-Humphrey's Really Wheely Racing Day Betty G. Birney
Reading Level: 4.0

Humphrey, the classroom hamster, joins a fun-filled race day and shows that even the smallest racers can have the biggest adventures!
3-The Critter Club by Callie Barkley
Reading Level: 3.0

Amy and her friends work together to solve the mystery of a missing puppy and discover how much fun helping animals can be!
4-Dodsworth in New York by Tim Egan
Reading Level: 3.2

Dodsworth and his silly duck explore New York City, turning everyday sightseeing into laugh-out-loud adventures.
5-The Adventures of Sophie Mouse by Poppy Green
Reading Level: 3.2

Sophie Mouse learns that new friends, like shy snake Owen, can bring wonderful surprises and lots of fun!
Adventures
For the thrill seeking students, try these enthralling picks!
1-Flat Stanley by Jeff Brown
Reading Level: 4.0

Stanley Lambchop gets flattened by a bulletin board and discovers all the fun and silly adventures he can have as a flat boy, like traveling through the mail!
2-Nate the Great by Marjorie Weinman Sharmat
Reading Level: 2.0

Nate, a boy detective with a love for pancakes, solves mysteries in his neighborhood with his trusty dog, Sludge.
3-My Father's Dragon by Ruth Stiles Gannett
Reading Level: 4.8

A young boy goes on a daring adventure to rescue a baby dragon, using his cleverness and a bag of tricks to outsmart the wild animals in his way.
4-A to Z Mysteries by Ron Roy
Reading Level: 3.4

Dink and his friends set out to solve the mystery of a missing author who didn’t show up for his book signing.
5-Stink: The Incredible Shrinking Kid by Megan McDonald
Reading Level: 3.0

Stink feels like the shortest kid in his class, but his big ideas and imagination prove that size doesn’t measure greatness!
Sports
1-Pee Wee Scouts: Lucky Dog Days by Judy Delton
Reading Level: 2.9

The Pee Wee Scouts have tons of fun learning how to take care of dogs and work together to get ready for a pet parade, with lots of laughs and sweet moments along the way!
2-Mo Jackson Series by David A. Adler
Reading Level: 2.2

Mo, the smallest kid on his football team, shows that being little doesn’t mean you can’t make a big difference in the game.
3-Jake Maddox: Slam Dunk Shoes by Jake Maddox
Reading Level: 3.0

Devin learns that teamwork and practice are more important than fancy shoes when he tries to help his basketball team win the big game.
4-Pedro's Big Goal by Fran Manushkin
Reading Level: 2.1

Pedro dreams of scoring a goal in soccer and learns that trying his best and having fun are what really count.
5-Soccer Showoff by Jake Maddox
Reading Level: 3.1

Gina loves showing off her soccer skills but learns that being a good teammate is just as important as being a star player.
Friendship & Social
Choose books from this to engage most readers, but also when recess or lunchtime friendship issues are bubbling to the surface.
1-Ivy and Bean by Annie Barrows
Reading Level: 2.6

Ivy and Bean are total opposites, but when they team up, their wild ideas turn into unforgettable adventures and a special friendship.
2-Judy Moody & Stink: The Mad, Mad, Mad Treasure Hunt by Megan McDonald
Reading Level: 2.9

Sibling duo Judy and Stink team up for a swashbuckling treasure hunt, full of laughs, surprises, and plenty of pirate fun!
3-Ricky Ricotta's Mighty Robot by Dav Pilkey
Reading Level: 2.7

Ricky, a small but brave mouse, teams up with his giant robot best friend to save the day and show that heroes come in all sizes!
4-Hilde Cracks the Case: Hero Dog by Hilde Lysiak
Reading Level: 2.8

Hilde, a kid reporter, and her dog Zeus sniff out clues to solve a neighborhood mystery in this fun-filled adventure!
5-Dory Fantasmagory: The Real True Friend by Abby Hanlon
Reading Level: 2.8

Dory's big imagination helps her make a real-life friend while keeping her imaginary ones close by for even more adventures!
Need more book recommendations?
If you are still on the hunt for the perfect read for your student book clubs, we have the posts for you! Hop over to Best Read Alouds for 2nd Grade or Kid Favorite Books for Summer Reading.
AND, join our Facebook groups to get in on the book conversations with our teaching community: 1st Grade or 2nd Grade.
How do you run literacy groups in your classroom? Let us know in the comments!

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