[Katie211 Posts: 32 Status: Offline Happy Writing! WWW]

Does anyone have recommendations for a chapter book series that I can pass along to a parent of one of my students? The student just started first grade, but the child's independent reading level is around a third grade reading level. I gave them my suggestions, but this child is an avid reader and will probably buzz through the books very quickly. I thought some of you would have great suggestions I didn't think about.

Thanks so much, fellow BlueBoarders!
Katie M.

[wendy-kasten Posts: 4 Status: Offline I love kids' books!]

I can help there. I am not sure if you want books that some proficient first graders can read on their own, or book that might be read to them. Here are some favorites:

Junie B. Jones - this is a series, and little girls love them.
Ann Cameron (author) - There are two or three titles: Stories Julian Tells is the first one. They are well written, lighthearted, funny.

[Artemesia Posts: 3,830 Status: Offline WWW]

The Scholastic Branches more advanced line might fit. (They have 2 formats, one is 80 pages and 700-2500 words for ages 5-7, and the other is 96 pages and around 5000-6000 words for ages 6-8). The Notebook of Doom, Lotus Lane, Eerie Elementary, Looniverse, Monkey Me, and Dragon Masters are in the more advanced line.

http://www.scholastic.com/branches/index.htm

[mariwho Posts: 165 Status: Offline twitter: @MarilouReeder]

I just love the Ivy and Bean series. I think they are perfect for 1st graders who are proficient in reading. If you are looking for something more difficult, though, I recommend the Clementine series.

[susan-griner Posts: 5 Status: Offline I am a writer of middle grade and YA books WWW]

The Magic Tree House is written in chapter format and is probably the upper edge of what the student is capable of. I've heard from many teachers about "close reading." In other words a student can read the same text for different meanings and context. There are teachers who use picture books for fourth graders based on that idea.

[Kell Posts: 1,202 Status: Offline On the other hand WWW]

What kind of stories does the child like, aside from reading level?

[AnneB Posts: 3,498 Status: Offline]

If he hasn't read Kung Pow Chicken yet http://bit.ly/1wbbAar and the rest of the series he might enjoy them even though the stated grade level is K-2.

I know I certainly enjoyed it...

[Artemesia Posts: 3,830 Status: Offline WWW]

Aw, thanks Anne.  :

[Katie211 Posts: 32 Status: Offline Happy Writing! WWW]

Thanks so much for all the great ideas. : The student is female and the parents are very particular about what she reads (sadly, no Junie B. allowed....although I loved Junie B. and we still quote from her all the time at my house!).

The parents liked the Princess Posey series, so maybe the Ivy and Bean and Clementine series would be okay to them. Duh - don't know why I didn't think of those. I knew posting here would help. Once I realized how particular the parents were, my brain just kind of shut down.

On another note, I think I need to read the Kung Pow Chicken series for myself!

[Kell Posts: 1,202 Status: Offline On the other hand WWW]

The Nancy Clancy books would be perfect -- Jane O'Connor's Fancy Nancy chapter books. The Never Girls and Fairy Bell Sisters are two Peter Pan chapter book spin-offs for fantasy lovers.

[olmue Posts: 3,425 Status: Offline WWW]

I love Kung Pow Chicken. And I love Junie--even my boys did. But if she can't do that one...yeah, maybe the Ivy and Bean books? They're a bit longer, but is she up to Ramona or other Beverly Cleary? It's been so long since I've read them that I don't remember the reading level. Series my kids have liked have tended dangerously close to Junie B. Jonesland (the Droon series, but the girls' parents might think they're too scary?)

[kwlarson Posts: 175 Status: Offline Books for curious kids WWW]

I LOVE all the series mentioned so far. Here are a few more:
Judy Moody and Stink should make the parent cut (Megan McDonald)
My Weird School (Gutman) - The parents probably won't like it though.
Boxcar Children (oldie but a goodie)
Cam Jansen (Adler)
Bink and Gollie (DiCamillo)

Good luck!

Kirsten

[Laura Manivong Posts: 585 Status: Offline WWW]

Maybelle In The Soup
Maybelle Goes To Tea
Maybelle And The Haunted Cupcake

http://www.amazon.com/Maybelle-Soup-Goes-Tea/dp/0312535988/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1409924931&sr=8-1&keywords=maybelle+in+the+soup

[DianaM Posts: 968 Status: Offline Writer, rhymer, runner, punner. WWW]

If that's the sort of thing they're looking for, the DAISY DAWSON series is adorable and so well done.

I looked it up and the text is closer to grade 4, but I swear, it felt very young and sweet.

[DianaM Posts: 968 Status: Offline Writer, rhymer, runner, punner. WWW]

Oh, yes, the Maybelle books were great, too! Very funny. And my daughter enjoyed them.

[darshana Posts: 298 Status: Offline WWW]

My older daughter is is an advanced reader, though she didn't hit her stride until 2nd grade.
Here is a list of books I have recommended for 1st-2nd graders to other parents and teachers.

Early Chapter Books
Princess Posey series
Heidi Hecklebeck series
Mermaid Tales series

Chapter Books
Cam Jansen series
Magic Tree House series
Box Car Children series
A to Z Mystery series
Nancy Drew and Clue Crew series
American Girl series
Clementine series
Ivy and Bean series
Marty McGuire series
Ramona series
Just Grace series
Never Girl series
Thea Stilton series
Like Pickle Juice on a Cookie - in verse, there are now 2 more books in the series.
Stella Batts series
Marty McGuire series
Toys Go Out/Toy Dance Party/Toys Come Home
Year of the Book - multicultural, Chinese-American, there are two more books in the series now.
Anna Hibiscus series - multicultural, takes place in Africa
The No 1 Car Spotter series - multicultural, takes place in Africa
Spiderwick Chronicles
The Trouble with Chickens - mystery, multiple POV
Stink series
The One and Only Stuey Lewis series
Invisible Inkling series
The Buddy Files series - mystery
Gone Fishing: a novel in verse

[Katie211 Posts: 32 Status: Offline Happy Writing! WWW]

Wow... Excellent ideas, everyone! Thank you so much. I am certain that the parents should find many of these ideas appropriate and at the right reading level. Love to all the blue boarders 

[laura-hunter Posts: 26 Status: Offline]

Another excellent series is Tashi by Anna and Barbara Fienberg.

[aileenstewart Posts: 24 Status: Offline I love kids' books! WWW]

My daughter was fond of the Junie B. Jones books :0)

[aileenstewart Posts: 24 Status: Offline I love kids' books! WWW]

I almost forgot Amelia Bedelia as well :0)

[Sue KC Posts: 4 Status: Offline]

The KATIE KAZOO, SWITCHEROO series is another option.