Ready to move on from the Early Reader section but not quite ready for Percy Jackson? We’ve got you covered! Check out the Beginning Chapter Books, perfect for readers who are taking that next step. These books feature shorter chapters, fewer pages, plenty of white space, and often include illustrations to support growing readers.
You’ll find this new collection at the beginning of the Juvenile Fiction section—or ask at the Youth Desk. We’re always happy to help! Look for call numbers that begin with JBC with a blue dot on the spine. They are shelved by the author’s last name.
Wallace and Grace Take the Case by Heather Alexander
Owl detectives Wallace and Grace solve the mystery of the spooky garden.
Llamas, Iguanas, and My Very Best Friend by Janet Costa Bates
With her best friend moving away, Rica Baptista needs a pet so she won’t get lonely, but her parents are against it until she proves she is ready for the pet of her dreams.
Bulldozer’s Big Rescue by Elise Broach
Bulldozer overcomes his anxiety and befriends two human siblings.
The Haunted Library by Dori Hillestad Butler
When ghost boy Kaz’s haunt is torn down and he is separated from his ghost family, he meets a real girl named Claire who lives above the town library and can see ghosts.
Henry Heckelbeck Gets a Dragon by Wanda Coven
Future spy Henry discovers that he has magic, like his big sister, Heidi, when he accidentally creates a tiny dragon, which definitely does not belong at Brewster Elementary School.
Hotdog! by Anh Do
Hotdog and his friends are going on a mad adventure to help a baby bird find his missing mom! They’ll climb to crazy heights to find her! But can they handle dirty diapers and karate-chopping roosters along the way?
Kingston the Great Dane by Debbi Michiko Florence
What do you do with a gentle Great Dane who’s the size of a cow but acts like he’s no big- ger than a mini dachshund?
A New Friend by Poppy Green
Eight-year-old Sophie Mouse is excited to return to school after the long winter break, but there is a new student—a snake—and Sophie and the other animals are afraid to sit near him, much less ask him to play with them, because they have heard snakes are awful.
How to Test a Friendship by Theanne Griffith
When Pablo, Violet, and Deepak discover a magical makerspace, they can’t wait to check it out! The Maker Maze has cool science games and puzzles behind every door. When they enter the portal, they will find a wacky scientist who will be their guide, giant puzzles to test their skills, holograms of animals, plants, and more—and a friendship challenge.
The Case of the Strange Splash by Henry Winkler Willow
Feathers McBeaver, aka Detective Duck, is a crime-solving duck who can crack any case—no matter how hard-boiled! Even though she’s still just a little duck, there’s no problem too big or too fowl for her to figure out.
