I’ve already written about popular Beginning Reading Series, but now that Luke has finished up first grade {I’m NOT okay with that, btw!} I thought I’d share some series that he has loved as he’s developed into a confident reader this past year.
What I love about a series is that once you get hooked, you want to keep reading. I’ll be honest, I share this same idea over on my own adult reading list, too. I’m a sucker for a series because it feels comfortable – like I’m visiting an old friend!
As kids become stronger readers, finding books they genuinely want to read becomes so important. Reading starts to shift from something they have to do to something they choose to do. That’s where a great series can make all the difference.
These books are geared toward readers who have moved beyond simple early readers but aren’t quite ready for long middle-grade novels. Many include illustrations, graphic novel elements, or shorter chapters that help build reading stamina without feeling overwhelming.
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Investigators
If your child loves silly humor, mysteries, and action, the Investigators series is hard to beat. These graphic novels follow Mango and Brash, two alligator detectives who somehow manage to solve crimes while getting themselves into hilarious situations.
Luke laughed out loud throughout these books. The illustrations keep readers engaged, but there’s still plenty of text, making them a wonderful bridge to longer books. They’re packed with puns, visual jokes, and enough excitement that kids can’t wait to see what happens next.
We can’t wait for more books in the series! There is a sub-plot set of books called Agents of S.U.I.T. for an extended version {but Luke isn’t a huge fan of that series!
The Truth About Your Favorite Animals
If your child is constantly asking questions about animals, this series is a fantastic choice.
Written by Maxwell Eaton III, these books blend real science with plenty of humor, making nonfiction feel just as entertaining as fiction. Each book focuses on a different animal and is packed with fascinating facts, funny illustrations, and engaging comic-style layouts that keep kids turning the pages.
What I especially love is that readers don’t even realize how much they’re learning. The conversational style makes complex animal facts easy to understand, while the illustrations break up the text so it never feels overwhelming. It’s a wonderful option for curious readers who love nonfiction or for kids who want a break from traditional chapter books without giving up independent reading.
Sports Illustrated Kids Graphic Novels
For sports-loving readers, these graphic novels will be a huge hit!
Whether your child enjoys basketball, football, soccer, baseball, or another sport, these books combine exciting stories with colorful illustrations that keep pages turning. Even reluctant readers often find themselves eager to pick up another book when it centers around something they already love.
They’re also a great way to introduce kids to teamwork, perseverance, and good sportsmanship through stories they’ll actually enjoy reading.
Diary of a Wimpy Kid
There has to be a reason the Diary of a Wimpy Kid series has remained so popular for so many years.
The combination of journal-style writing, cartoons, and laugh-out-loud moments makes these books feel much less intimidating than a traditional chapter book. Kids feel like they’re getting away with reading something funny, while they’re actually building vocabulary, comprehension, and confidence.
If your child hasn’t discovered Greg Heffley yet, this series is definitely worth adding to your bookshelf.
We are also BIG fans of the audiobooks {which you can find on Hoopla through your library or even on a Yoto card!}
Diary of a Pug
This series has been such a sweet surprise. Luke was very reluctant to pick up this series for some reason.
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The books follow Baron von Bubbles, an adorable pug with a big personality and an even bigger imagination. The chapters are short, the illustrations are charming, and the stories are full of humor and heart.
These books are perfect for readers who still appreciate colorful illustrations but are ready for more text than a typical early reader provides.
Mister Shivers Scary Stories
If your child enjoys spooky stories without anything that’s truly frightening, the Mister Shivers series is so much fun!
The stories include just enough mystery and suspense to keep kids completely engaged, but they’re written with younger readers in mind. Luke loved trying to figure out what would happen next, and the shorter stories made it easy to squeeze in a chapter before bed.
They’re especially popular with kids who like a little bit of creepy mixed with plenty of adventure.
Honorable Mention Books
Before you head to the library or Pango Books, I have a few more honorable mentions!
If your confident reader is flying through books, you might also want to check out The Bad Guys, Dog Man, Dragon Masters, The Last Firehawk, The Notebook of Doom, Press Start!, The Questioneers Chapter Books, and The Kingdom of Wrenly.
These series all have a TON of books! Every child connects with different characters and storylines, so don’t be afraid to let them explore until they find a series they can’t put down.
Why Book Series Work So Well
One of the biggest challenges after children learn to read is simply figuring out what to read next.
When they find a series they love, that decision disappears. They already know the characters. It’s easy for them to understand the format. They feel successful reading each book, which makes them excited to grab the next one.
That momentum is incredibly valuable. Every finished book builds confidence, strengthens fluency, and reinforces the idea that reading can actually be fun.
Looking for More Great Books?
If your child is still transitioning from beginning readers, be sure to check out the following posts
Graphic Novels for Beginning Readers
And if you’ve already worked your way through the books on this list, I’d love to hear your family’s favorites.
After all, I’m always looking for the next great series for Luke…and maybe one for myself, too!
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