Looking for the best read aloud chapter books to enjoy with children ages 6-12 years? Look no further as today we are sharing 50 great chapter book read alouds!
As I shared in our previous list, 150 Best Kids Picture Books to Read Aloud, I recently asked friends of the Childhood 101 community to share their favorite read aloud book titles – both picture books and chapter books or novels.
This post shares 50 best chapter books to read aloud from that same survey, with titles that are suitable for children from kindergarten through middle grades, we suggest ages 6 to 12 years of age. I love that these are books that have been actually recommended by parents and teachers – making them great suggestions as classroom or family read aloud books!
Obviously those of you with children within this age range may have competent, independent readers and it’s possible that reading aloud to your child isn’t something that you spend a lot of time doing any more. With a voracious 10 year old reader in our home I completely understand but I would encourage you to consider continuing to read aloud together when you have the opportunity.
Why read aloud with older children?
Put simply, because books are full of words! Research has demonstrated that a well developed vocabulary has been linked to better school performance.
A child listen and understands at a higher level than they can read independently right up until they reach high school. Reading aloud allows your child to listen to and engage with texts that are beyond their own reading level, and this is great for vocabulary development.
Beyond that, books teach. Books invite conversations with children around important social issues and personal challenges, so when you are reading a book like this together you have a perfect opportunity for talking with your child around what can be tricky topics – like friendship, prejudice, bullying or homelessness.
Reading aloud with your child makes reading, and the relationship your child has with books more enjoyable, which will hopefully help to make books a place they turn to at times when they are in need of rest and relaxation. The magical escape into a great book can be a fabulous stress reliever.
We read with our daughters even once they developed into independent readers, the way we spend our read aloud time has changed but it’s still an important part of our day.
For me it’s an important time for connection. Whether I am reading – or she is – spending the time being physically close together – we usually hang out in her bed or mine – is important. It’s an easy way to maintain connection with an older child.
RELATED: Make read aloud time your favorite part of the day with these read aloud tips.
And so onto our list of the best chapter books to read aloud! Obviously the titles in this collection include books suitable for a broad age range and so each title is linked to Amazon (these are affiliate links) where you can find reviews and age recommendations for any you are not personally familiar with.
50 Best Read Aloud Chapter Books for Children Aged 6-12
The Adventures of the Wishing Chair by Enid Blyton
This was our first chapter book to read aloud with our eldest (now 16) fell in love with. It tells the story of Mollie and Peter and their discovery of a magic wishing chair that has the power to grow wings and fly. The chair takes on many fun adventures, introducing them to a host of magical folk along the way.
The Animals of Farthing Wood by Colin Dann
The story of a group of animals who must band together when bulldozers enter their home, Farthing Wood. Will they all make it to the nature reserve at White Deer Park? A story of strength, endurance, compassion and love for all animals.
The BFG by Roald Dahl
An orphan named Sophie is snatched from her bedroom one night by The Big Friendly Giant – a giant who likes to collect dreams rather than eating people (which is what all the other giants do!) The BFG and Sophie make a plan to rid the world of the bad giants once and for all.
Charlie and the Chocolate Factory by Roald Dahl
Willy Wonka’s famous chocolate factory is opening but only five lucky children will be allowed inside! Will the kind and honest Charlie Bucket be one of them? And what wonders will the children discover inside the gates of this wondrous factory?
Charlotte’s Web by EB White
Some Pig. Humble. Radiant. These are the words in Charlotte’s spiderweb as she shares her feelings for a pig named Wilbur. A pig simply looking for a friend and the love of a girl named Fern, who saved his life.
The Chronicles of Narnia series by CS Lewis
One of our favorite read aloud chapter books for nine year olds and up, Narnia if full of epic battles between good and evil, fantastic creatures, betrayals, heroic deeds, and friendships won and lost in an unforgettable world. The Chronicles of Narnia series of seven books has been enchanting readers of all ages for over sixty years.
Danny the Champion of the World by Roald Dahl
Danny thinks his dad is the most wonderful and exciting father any boy ever had but Danny’s dad has a secret. This secret leads them both into the strangest adventure of their lives, and a daring plot that makes Danny the champion of the world.
The Eighteenth Emergency by Betsy Byars
Benjie likes practical jokes but he’s a good kid who never meant to harm anyone. The same cannot be said for Marv Hammerman – he’s as big as a high schooler with the temper of a 2 year old. And Benjie has upset Marv with is practical jokes!
Ella Enchanted by Gail Carson Levine
A fairy tale like no other, Ella is ‘gifted’ the gift of obedience. Ella must obey any order, whether it’s to hop on one foot or chop off her own head! But strong-willed Ella does not accept her fate and sets off on a quest to change her destiny.
Escape from Mr Lemoncello’s Library by Chris Grabenstein
This one also tops our best chapter books for 8 year olds! When Kyle learns that the world’s most famous game maker, Luigi Lemoncello, has designed the town’s new library and is having an invitation-only lock-in on opening night, he’s determined to be there. But once they are in, the kids have to get out and that is proving harder then they thought!
Fablehaven series by Brandon Mull
Siblings Kendra and Seth have no idea that their grandfather is the caretaker of Fablehaven – a refuge where mystical creatures gather together to prevent their own extinction. Inside the gated woods, ancient laws keep the peace between trolls, satyrs, witches and fairies. However, when the rules get broken powerful forces of evil are unleashed.
The Fairy Realm by Emily Rodda
The first in a series of ten books following the adventures of Jessie whose grandmother happens to be a fairy queen who ran away to the human world to marry a human. The series chronicles Jessie’s travels into the magical world of the Fairy Realm.
The Famous Five series by Enid Blyton
This is on of our family’s picks for best read aloud books series! Julian, Dick, Anne, George and Timmy the dog find excitement and adventure wherever they go in this exciting, classic series by Enid Blyton.
Fantastic Mr Fox by Roald Dahl
This classic chapter book shares the story of Mr Fox, his adoring wife and their four small children as they continually outsmart three nasty, not so bright farmers who have teamed up to try to stop them stealing their livestock.
Flat Stanley by Jeff Brown
Stanley Lambchop is an ordinary boy with an extraordinary problem. One night, a giant pinboard falls on top of him leaving him completely flat.At first it’s fun but then Stanley realises that it’s not always easy being different and he wishes he could be just like everybody else once again.
Gangsta Granny by David Walliams
Ben’s granny is the boringest granny ever – she just wants to play Scrabble and eat soup. What Ben doesn’t know is that his granny is an international jewel thief and she needs his help!
Harriet the Spy by Louise Fitzhugh
Harriet is a spy. She writes down everything she knows about (or think she knows) about everyone, even her classmates and her best friends. Then Harriet loses track of her notebook and it ends up in the wrong hands. Now Harriet must find a way to put her life and friendships back together.
The Harry Potter series by JK Rowling
On his eleventh birthday Harry Potter finds out he is a wizard with a place at Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry. An incredible adventure is about to begin!
I Am David by Anne Holm
David’s entire life has been spent in a prison camp in Eastern Europe. He knows nothing of the outside world. But when he is given the chance to escape, he seizes it. Does he know enough to survive?
The Indian in the Cupboard series by Lynne Reid Banks
When Omri receives a plastic Indian figure for his birthday he is disappointed and puts it into a metal cupboard, locking the door with a mysterious key that once belonged to his great-grandmother. The cupboard is magical and transforms his plastic warrior into a real man.
James and the Giant Peach by Roald Dahl
After James Henry Trotter’s parents are eaten by a rhinoceros he goes to live with his two horrible aunts, Spiker and Sponge. Life there is no fun until James accidentally drops some magic crystals by the old peach tree. The peach at the top of the tree grows as big as a house. Inside James meets a bunch of oversized insects and the great adventure begins!
The Land of Stories series by Chris Colfer
This fabulous fantasy book series begins with The Wishing Spell and an introduction to Alex and Connor, twins who are about to discover that their grandmother is really the Fairy Godmother in an alternative, fairy tale world called The Land of Stories.
The Magic Faraway Tree series by Enid Blyton
Joe, Bess and Fanny move discover an Enchanted Wood on the doorstep of their new home. Within the forest they find the Magic Faraway Tree and their many magical adventures begin!
The Magic Pudding by Norman Lindsay
The classic Australian story of a magic pudding which, no matter how often it is eaten, always re-forms to be eaten again. It is owned by three companions who must defend it against the Pudding Thieves who want it for themselves!
The Magic Tree House series by Mary Pope Osborne
This classic chapter book series takes children on an new adventure to an alternative time and place with each book – from prehistoric dinosaur times to ancient Egypt and everywhere in between. Great for children new to chapter books, start with book one, Valley of the Dinosaurs.
Matilda by Roald Dahl
Matilda is an exceptional young girl but her parents think she’s just a nuisance and the kid-hating headmistress at her new school despises her (and all of the children). Matilda discovers her own inner strength with which to fight back and make life much more pleasant for all.
The Midnight Fox by Betsy Byars
Tom is horrified when his parents tell him he has to stay on Aunt Millie’s farm while they are away. He finds country life every bit as strange as he feared until he discovers a fascinating, rare black fox with green eyes. When her life -and that of her cub- is in danger Tom knows exactly what he must do.
The Midnight Gang by David Walliams
Midnight is the time when all children are fast asleep, except for the Midnight Gang! That is when this group of five hospitalised children begin their quest for adventure.
Mr Stink by David Walliams
When Chloe hears that the local tramp is to be driven out of town she decides to hide him in the garden shed. It’s true, he smells a bit but there might just be more to Mr Stink than people think.
My Father’s Dragon by Ruth Stiles Gannett
A young boy, Elmer Elevator, runs away to Wild Island to rescue a baby dragon. This award winning novel is the first in a trilogy – followed by Elmer and the Dragon and The Dragons of Blueland.
The One and Only Ivan by Kathryn Applegate
The story Ivan is an easy-going gorilla who has spent his life performing for the crowds at a shopping mall. He rarely thinks about life in the jungle until everything changes when a baby elephant called Ruby arrives and Ivan realizes he must find a new life for them both.
The Pinballs by Betsy Byars
The story of three foster children (pre-teen/early teens), each from difficult circumstances, who learn to work together to solve problems instead of feeling sorry for themselves.
Pippi Longstocking by Astrid Lingren
Tommy and Annika have a new neighbour. Her name is Pippi Longstocking and she has crazy red pigtails, no parents to tell her what to do, a horse that lives on her porch, and a flair for the outrageous that leads them on one adventure after another!
Roll of Thunder, Hear My Cry by Mildred Delois Taylor
This is the first in a trilogy about an African American family in Mississippi during the Great Depression. It explore the importance of family ties, prejudice and racism, told through the voice of a nine year old girl.
The Secret Garden by Frances Hodgson Burnett
The story of spoiled orphan Mary Lennox who is sent to live in a lonely mansion in Yorkshire where she discovers a magical world on the other side of a locked garden door. Mary decides to bring the abandoned garden she finds there back to life and, in doing so, changes her own forever.
Tales of Fourth Grade Nothing by Judy Blume
The first in the Fudge series of five books, introducing Peter and his annoying little brother, whom everyone calls ‘Fudge.’ Everyone likes Fudge because he’s the cute one but Peter just finds him and his antics downright annoying!
The Three Doors trilogy by Emily Rodda
In the walled city of Weld lives Rye and his family. They know well to shelter from the dangerous world outside the wall of the city, until one day a reward is offered to to anyone who will go and defeat an enemy beyond the walls. When Rye’s brothers try and and fail, Rye begins a quest to find his brothers and reunite his family.
Tuesdays at the Castle by Jessica Day George
The first in a fantasy adventure series featuring Princess Celie, her family and their rather unusual castle. On Tuesdays, the Castle Glower often adds or re-configures the rooms of the castle and Celie loves the challenge of attempting to map her enchanted home. But when Celie’s parents disappear, Celie’s knowledge of their castle could be what saves the kingdom and her family.
The Wild Robot by Peter Brown
When robot Roz opens her eyes for the first time, she discovers that she is alone on a remote, wild island. She has no idea how she got there or what her purpose is–but she knows she needs to survive.
Wonder by RJ Palacio
Auggie is starting fifth grade. He has never been to regular school, and he has a facial deformity. Auggie wants to be treated like a normal boy but must constantly deal with the reactions to his unusual appearance – from both peers and adults. Wonder also makes a great family read aloud, providing a wonderful opportunity to discuss empathy, compassion and acceptance together.
Why the Whales Came by Michael Murpurgo
Living on a remote island during World War I, Gracie and Daniel have always been warned to stay away from the Birdman. But then, they find a message in the sand and discover the Birdman is not who they thought. A story about war and perceptions and prejudice to get children thinking.
For those who are on the hunt for picture books to read aloud, be sure to check out the picture books version of our list – 150 Best Kids Picture Books to Read Aloud.
More Best Read Aloud Books for Kids
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