Chapter Books for Grades 1-3: Read Aloud or Independently

I’ve been searching for good chapter books to read aloud to my first grader at home and making myself a list on my phone for future reference. So obviously I need to share that list now with all of you! Here’s a tried and true list of good chapter books for grades 1-3 that can be read aloud over time or independently depending on the child’s reading level. 

Matilda by Roald Dahl This is our current read because the musical featured on Netflix has been on repeat all summer at our house, so obviously we needed to read the book! 

The Magic Treehouse Series by Mary Pope Osborne. Such a classic series and bonus that there are so many books within the series that it’s hard to run out of content. 

A to Z Mysteries by Rob Roy. It’s a kid-friendly mystery series that is perfect for hooking kids in and experiencing that “one more chapter!” feeling. 

Sideways Stories from Wayside School by Louis Sachar. This book is next on our list to read once we finish Matilda. The humor in this book cannot be beaten, no matter your age! 

Charlotte’s Web by E. B. White. This was the chapter book we read last spring. It’s such a classic that it would be wrong to not include it on this list! Of course, I cried my eyes out at the ending, even after reading this book dozens of times. 

Other notable mentions: 

The Boxcar Children by Gertrude Chandler Warner

The Mouse and the Motorcycle, Beezus and Ramona, Ribsy, and more by Beverly Cleary

Frindle by Andrew Clements

Lisa’s Ugly Glasses and Luna’s Rescue by Erica Richardson 

Which chapter books are you going to suggest to your students to read next?