Chapter Book Series for Kids who Love (or Hate) Harry Potter

Art is subjective. While one beholder might find a Picasso painting inspirational, another may view it as cartoonish. Such is the case with books, as well. Many kids (and grownups) think the Harry Potter series is the most amazing collection of fiction they have ever laid eyes on… But that does not mean every child is going to adore the half-blood prince and his acquaintances.

This is perfectly fine, because as you know, millions of other books exist, so chances are quite good that there is a chapter book out there for your kiddo if they’re just not that into Harry Potter (or even if they love him!).

Kids are going to read tons of stuff because they have to. It is vital that we, as parents, show them the joy of reading because they want to. Giving them the first chapter book in a series that they simply cannot put down lets children experience a passion for reading.

When choosing a chapter book series for your kiddo, consider several factors. First, think about their interests. Look at the cover, scan through the table of contents and browse through the pages to see if a title matches up with the sort of things they’re into. Next, consider their abilities. If your child will be reading the books on their own, make sure they can easily read and comprehend the text so that they don’t feel frustrated or overwhelmed. Finally, look for books that will engage your child’s imagination.

To help you get started, we have assembled a few exceptional chapter book series in a range of themes with a variety of characters and settings. Perhaps one of them will be your child’s new favorite:

Spirit Animals

By Various Authors

In the world of Erdas, children endure a coming of age ceremony at age 11, which determines whether they have a spirit animal. Those who do have one gain a special connection with the specific beast, which gives them special powers.
There are currently 11 chapter books in this series, focusing on four kids who must combine their powers to fight a dark force from the past. Conor, Abeke, Meilin, and Rollan live in the four corners of the land, but now they have come together in order to find their talismans and battle the Conquerors.

The 39 Clues

By Various Authors

This series of adventure novels was written by some of the top contemporary children’s book authors, such as Rick Riordan (of the Percy Jackson and the Olympians books), Patrick Carman (who wrote The Land of Elyon series) and Peter Lerangis (known for the Drama Club series).

There are 11 books in the primary series, with other spinoff series (three so far) in this collection. The initial series centers on Amy and Dan Cahill, orphaned siblings who discover that their family has had a hand in shaping most of the world’s history. Together, along with their au pair Nellie, the brother and sister team hunt for historical clues while trying to evade dangerous saboteurs.

Percy Jackson and the Olympians

By Rick Riordan

Kids who have an interest in mythology will be instantly drawn into the Percy Jackson series of chapter books. This collection includes five primary titles, followed up by five supplementary books, which include a handful of graphic novels that reluctant readers will love.

Percy Jackson might look like a normal kid, but he is actually a demigod. His mom may be mere mortal Sally Jackson, but his father is the Greek god Poseidon. Percy deals with loads of normal stuff, like ADHD and dyslexia, but he can also create hurricanes and breathe underwater. In these books, he fights mythological monsters to protect his family and friends.

A Series of Unfortunate Events

By Lemony Snicket

This collective volume of 13 chapter books follows the stormy lives of three siblings – Violet, Klaus and Sunny Baudelaire—whose parents perished in a fire that destroyed their family mansion. The now orphaned children must go to live with their third cousin four times removed, the deceitful Count Olaf.

Olaf and his associates want nothing more than to acquire the vast Baudelaire fortune, so it is up to the children to thwart them. Olaf tries everything from marrying 14-year-old Violet, who will inherit the fortune at age 18, to disguising himself and committing arson, attempting to frame the children for his supposed murder and other crimes. Eventually, they begin to unravel the mysterious circumstances of their parents’ deaths.

As you gain an idea about each collection, consider your child’s personal tastes and skills to help you pick the perfect one. If there is a favorite non-Harry Potter series that your kid loves, please share the details with us!

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