Must-Read Chapter Books With Strong Family Relationships

In my efforts to nurture close family bonds and a positive family culture, I’ve started seeking out children’s literature that exemplifies those values. Here’s a list of must-read children’s chapter books with strong family relationships.

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Historian and author David McCullough once said, “Some of the most influential people in our lives are characters we meet in books,” and I couldn’t agree more. I fervently (and vocally) believe in the power of books to shape and change lives. That’s one of many reasons I so passionately advocate for children’s literacy and encourage the reading of quality children’s literature. Not only is it beneficial for kids’ brains, it’s good for their souls! I would go so far as to assert that there’s not a character trait we could hope to instill in our children that cannot be initiated, nurtured, and supported by good books.

As I’ve been reading through my (ever-growing!) TBR list of children’s literature – both as family read-alouds and on my own – there’s one particular value that always thrills me to see:

Strong family relationships.

Because strong family bonds are such an important part of the family culture I’m building, I have started intentionally seeking out books that exemplify them. That’s not to say the characters live harmoniously together all the time and never have any conflict – just the opposite, in fact! But their relationships are marked by unconditional love, respect, and support for each other — three values I purposefully seek to foster in my own family.

Must-Read Chapter Books With Strong Family Relationships

What we regularly read (and hear and view) becomes the model for our expectations, words, and actions. For that reason, I love to find children’s literature that exemplifies the kinds of values I want to cultivate in my kids. In my efforts to nurture close family bonds and a positive family culture, I’ve started a list of children’s chapter books with strong family relationships.

**Important note: I want to be clear that this doesn’t mean I ONLY choose books with strong/healthy families. There is great benefit in exposing kids to (an age-appropriate amount of) brokenness and dysfunction, both to stir compassion for others and to encourage gratitude for what they have. So, I try to include a mix of both in my family read-alouds. This particular list, however, represents the “positive example” end of the spectrum.

Here are the ones I’ve compiled so far:

The Vanderbeekers of 141st Street
Karina Yan Glaser

I absolutely adore this series about five children in modern-day Harlem. It is delightful! The children get into all kinds of (mostly harmless) shenanigans, but through it all, they pull together as a family and always have each other’s backs.

The Penderwicks
Jeanne Birdsall

This series tells the heartwarming tale of four sisters navigating life and childhood together. It was full of laughs, tears (ok, just mine), and family fun. And just because it’s about sisters doesn’t mean it’s just for girls! My boys loved it, too. (Except for the last book – none of us were big fans of that one.)

The Moffats
Eleanor Estes

This classic series by the superb Eleanor Estes (her book The Hundred Dresses is another must-read!) is a delightful depiction of how even the most ordinary of events can be extraordinary with a little imagination, a dash of mischief, and a whole lot of family love. I’ve only read the first two so far, but I loved them both!

Tales of Magic series
Edward Eager

We are currently working our way through the third book in this collection, and it has become one of our favorite chapter book series. The kids love the zany magic and exciting adventures, and I love the strong family relationships. Definitely add this one to your list of family read-alouds, if you haven’t already!

All-of-a-Kind Family
Sydney Taylor

This timeless classic by Sydney Taylor is a beautiful portrayal of a Jewish American family living on the Lower East Side of New York City at the turn of the twentieth century. I’ve only read the first book so far, but I’m eager to read the rest of the series!

The Boxcar Children
Gertrude Chandler Warner

This series about four orphaned children continues to delight children year after year after year. Sadly, it failed to charm my boys, but I remember loving this series as a kid, so I still have hope for my daughter!

YOUR TURN: What chapter books would you recommend with strong family relationships? I’d love to get new ideas and add to my TBR list, so tell me in the comments!

Must-Read Chapter Books With Strong Family Relationships

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