by Sara Voigt (@meaningfulmadness)
After I became a mom, I was always looking for books to pique my kids' interests. As they got older and were moving on to early chapter books, I realized I had two reluctant readers on my hands. What I love about series books for reluctant readers is that once a child loves one book in a series, it is easy for him/her/them to find their next read--the next book in the series! Here are some of the series that my kids have enjoyed over the years:
Rebecca Elliott's The Owl Diaries series (Amazon | Bookshop.org)
From the publisher:
"This series is part of Scholastic's early chapter book line called Branches, which is aimed at newly independent readers. With easy-to-read text, high-interest content, fast-paced plots, and illustrations on every page, these books will boost reading confidence and stamina. Branches books help readers grow!
"This owl-dorable, collectible boxed set includes paperback editions of books 1-5 in the series: Eva's Treetop Festival, Eva Sees a Ghost, A Woodland Wedding, Eva and the New Owl, and Warm Hearts Day. This series is written as Eva's diary -- with Rebecca Elliott's full-color illustrations throughout!"
Judd Winnick's Hi-Lo series (Amazon | Bookshop.org)
From the publisher:
"Take off on an epic adventure with the biggest, greatest HILO box set yet! Dog Man meets Big Nate in this hilarious New York Times bestselling graphic novel series that kids love!
"Six times the FUN! Six times the LAUGHS! Six times the ACTION! Follow the EPIC battle between Hilo and Razorwark from BEGINNING to END in this collectible box that includes the first SIX books in the New York Times bestselling series: Hilo: The Boy Who Crashed to Earth; Hilo: Saving the Whole Wide World; Hilo: The Great Big Boom; Hilo: Waking the Monsters; Hilo: Then Everything Went Wrong; and Hilo: All the Pieces Fit."
Kyla May's Diary of a Pug series (Amazon | Bookshop.org [does not stock the box set])
From the publisher:
"Pick a book. Grow a Reader! This series is part of Scholastic's early chapter book line, Branches, aimed at newly independent readers. With easy-to-read text, high-interest content, fast-paced plots, and illustrations on every page, these books will boost reading confidence and stamina. Branches books help readers grow! Baron von Bubbles, a.k.a Bub, is the self-proclaimed cutest pug on the planet! Things he loves: fashion, peanut butter, and his human, Bella. Things he does NOT love: Nutz the squirrel, baths, and the rain. When Bella enters the Inventor Challenge, Bub helps her craft the best project ever. But what happens when Nutz gets on Bub's nerves and makes him ruin Bella's project? If Bub wants to make it up to Bella, he'll have to stand up to Nutz -- and the rain -- once and for all. "
Jeffrey Brown's Jedi Academy Series (Amazon | Bookshop.org [does not stock the box set])
From the publisher:
"Star Wars Jedi Academy Series 7 Books Collection Set (Books 1 - 7) by Jeffrey Brown:
"Jedi Academy:
Perfect for fans of Star Wars or comic-book fiction such as Captain Underpants. Story and illustration are combined within this fun graphic novel. Roan’s dream is to leave home and attend Pilot Academy like his older brother, father and grandfather.
"Return of the Padawan (Jedi Academy):
Story and illustration are combined within this fun graphic novel. After surviving his first year at Jedi Academy, Roan thought his second year would be a breeze. He couldn't have been more wrong.
"The Phantom Bully:
Star Wars: Jedi Academy! It's hard to believe this is Roan's last year at Jedi Academy. He's been busier than ever learning to fly (and wash) starships, swimming in the Lake Country on Naboo.
"A New Class:
Victor Starspeeder is excited to be starting school at the Jedi Academy. His sister, Christina, is NOT, in fact, she's horrified that her annoying brother will be there to cramp her style.
"The Force Oversleeps:
Victor Starspeeder is back at Jedi Academy for year #2, but it's not going the way he'd planned. He was excited about Drama Club and hoped to get the lead in this year's musical... But a new kid got the role.
"The Principal Strikes Back:
As told through a mix of comics, doodles, and journal entries, it's Victor Starspeeder's third year at Jedi Academy! It's also his first year EVER without his sister, Christina.
"Revenge of the Sis:
An all-new adventure at an all-new Jedi Academy campus! The first ever Jedi Academy story to be narrated by Christina Starspeeder. As told through a mix of comics, doodles and journal entries."
Barbara Park's Junie B. Jones series (Amazon | Bookshop.org)
From the publisher:
"Get ready to go back to school with the World's Funniest Kindergartener, Junie B. Jones, in this four book boxed set! The #1 New York Times bestselling chapter book series has been keeping kids laughing—and reading—for more than twenty-five years. Over 65 million copies sold!
"Laugh yourself silly with Junie B. Jones as she starts kindergarten! Read the first four of Junie B. Jones' hilarious classroom adventures, now together in one perfectly giftable box set. Perfect for the first day of school, preschool or kindergarten graduation, or a great gift any time of year!"
Dave Pilkey's Dog Man series (Amazon | Bookshop.org)
From the publisher:
"A paw-some box set of the first six Dog Man books by worldwide bestselling author and artist Dav Pilkey.
"Dog Man is the crime-biting canine who is part dog, part man, and ALL HERO! This deluxe boxed set includes the first six books in the Dog Man series: Dog Man, Dog Man Unleashed, Dog Man: A Tale of Two Kitties, Dog Man and Cat Kid, Dog Man: Lord of the Fleas, and Dog Man: Brawl of the Wild. Dav Pilkey's wildly popular Dog Man series appeals to readers of all ages and explores universally positive themes, including empathy, kindness, persistence, and the importance of being true to one's self."
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