The best chapter books about animals (for kids ages 6-10) are also some of the cutest stories you’ll ever read! These books often feature pet-loving kids, animal detectives or superheroes, or animals figuring life out — just like kids are. For this list, I’ve rounded up some of the best animal-centered chapter books aimed at kids in K-5 grades. Many of these will work for beginning readers and others for stronger readers. If you’re looking for animal stories for middle schoolers, check out my list of middle grade dog books, middle grade horse books, and middle grade animal books!
Review | As If on Cue
In As If on Cue, sworn frenemies Natalie and Reid are forced to work together on a musical to save their school’s art programs after a prank by Natalie goes wrong. Reid is a band kid while Natalie is a scriptwriter, who used to play the clarinet (even before Reid). Natalie prefers to do the arts as a “fun hobby” — or so she tells herself — whereas Reid is serious about his music and wants to become a composer. The two are close family friends, their tween sisters are best friends, and Natalie’s dad teaches Reid how to play the clarinet. But as they work as co-directors, Natalie’s years-long resentment of Reid and his bond with her dad continues to rear it’s ugly head. Will their musical see the light of day?
11 Books Like Dog Man
So you read Dav Pilkey’s popular book (or the whole series) and loved it — now you’re on the hunt for books like Dog Man? Welcome! Recommending readalikes can be a tricky process, but I enjoy the process of finding…
26 Best STEM Middle Grade Fiction Titles
Often I find that people looking for STEM middle grade books receive a ton of non-fiction recommendations, but not nearly enough STEM middle grade fiction. This list is here to change that! If your kids are fascinated by science, technology, engineering or mathematics — and enjoy a side of those topics in their fiction, these are picks you should check out. This list features kids who code, science fans, tweens who love robotics, and kids who see the world through a math lens.
Review | Give and Take
Maggie and her family are recovering from her Nana’s death when Maggie’s mom announces that they’ll start fostering babies temporarily. Maggie was traumatized by her Nana’s Alzheimer’s, marking the first day Nana did not recognize her as “Forgot-Me Day.” As a result, she holds on to objects as a way to preserve memories, becoming enraged when anyone tries to touch her stuff. Although knowing that Izzie, the new baby her family gets is only theirs for a short time, Maggie secretly hopes the baby will stay and her hoarding tendencies also begin to worsen. Can Maggie learn a new way of keeping her memories safe?
21 Best STEM Chapter Books for Kids Ages 5-8
STEM chapter books and STEM books for kids in general are close to my heart because of my STEM background. I love how accessible and possible they make that field for kids. In case you didn’t know, STEM stands for Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics! So, you’ll find on this list, stories about kids who love science, coding, math, robotics, and the like. Although these STEM chapter books are geared toward younger readers, there’s no reason older kids can’t enjoy reading them too.
