Children’s Chapter Books I Read & Loved in 2023

Want some recommendations for engaging, well-written children’s chapter books for the kids in your life? Check out this mega-list of favorites I read last year!

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Last year, I began a new practice that has brought me tremendous joy – I started reading children’s chapter books for fun on my own. I’d been reading a steady stream of them to my kids for several years (here are some of our favorite read-aloud chapter books!), but I wanted to expand my children’s literature repertoire faster than I was progressing through our read-aloud list.

I wanted to become a “kidlit connoisseur” for three reasons: 1) to fill my own kids’ TBR lists with engaging, high-quality books, 2) to recommend books to other parents for their kids, and 3) to nurture a love for reading in kids in my community by playing literary matchmaker, pairing them with books they’ll love. (That last one’s still a future dream, but I’m preparing myself for when the day comes!)

What started as a discipline to help kids, though, has also turned into something rich and rewarding for me, personally. I’m discovering I’m actually quite a big fan of children’s literature! Not all of it, of course… there’s a fair amount out there that is not my taste. But in general, I really enjoy good, well-written children’s chapter books. They’re often captivating, insightful, and heartwarming, but without all the junk that’s in a lot of adult fiction.

If you want some recommendations for engaging, well-written children’s chapter books for the kids in your life, check out my favorites from the past year.

My Favorite Children’s Chapter Books I Read in 2023

Between family read-alouds and my own reading, I read 82 children’s chapter books in 2023. And most of them were fantastic! Here were my top favorites from the year. (And yes, it’s most of them, but I couldn’t leave off any of the ones I truly loved!)

Note: RA denotes it was a read-aloud.

(RA) My Side of the Mountain trilogy – Jean Craighead George

We read all three of these chapter books as a family, and we loved the first two. (So much that I included them in my list of Books For Kids Who Love Outdoor Adventure.) I will say, we didn’t enjoy the third one nearly as much as the other two, but it was still nice to finish out the trilogy.

(RA) Stowaway – Karen Hesse

Aidan loved this one, and since he is a HUGE map enthusiast, we enjoyed tracking the ship’s course on the map.

(RA) Gooney Bird Greene – Lois Lowry

If you’re not familiar with the Gooney Bird Greene series, by Lois Lowry, you MUST put it on your list. It is delightful! Fans of Beverly Cleary’s Ramona series will love these books.

The Vanderbeekers of 141st Street series – Karina Yan Glaser

I included these books in my list of must-read chapter book series and chapter books with strong family relationships. They are absolutely charming.

The Mysterious Benedict Society – Trenton Lee Stuart

This one is also on my list of must-read chapter book series. I read the first two books on my own, but I enjoyed them so much, I’m waiting on the others to read with my kids!

The Moffats – Eleanor Estes

This is another darling series with strong family relationships. The books are simple, but sweet, and include charming, entertaining tales of family relationships and childhood escapades.

The Hundred Dresses – Eleanor Estes

This is a wonderfully touching story about bullying, peer pressure, and the regrets that come from not doing the right thing. It needs to be read to every child and in every classroom.

Ella Enchanted – Gail Carson Levine

This book was delightful. I’m definitely going to read it to my daughter at some point, or recommend she read on her own.

The War That Saved My Life & The War I Finally Won – Kimberly Brubaker Bradley

The War That Saved My Life was a beautiful story that was both heart-breaking and moving, and the historical context of the evacuated children of Britain during World War II was interesting. And I liked the sequel even more! The storyline was equally rich, and there were several lines I had to write down, they were so profound.

My one caveat is that there are some pretty heavy thematic elements – such as physical, verbal, and emotional abuse, some strong language, and a hinted-at romantic relationship between main character Susan and her late “friend,” Becky (though that will likely go right over most kids’ heads).

Mr. Lemoncello’s Library series – Chris Grabenstein

These books are super fun, and I loved all the riddles, book references, and research skills scattered throughout.

(RA) Pollyanna – Eleanor Porter

I read this classic with my kids, and we all LOVED it. If your kids like Pippi Longstocking (which we did), they’ll love Pollyanna!

(RA) The Cricket in Times Square – George Selden

Another classic, this is such a charming little story that is perfect for all ages.

(RA) Rascal – Sterling North

We read this one as a family, and it was very reminiscent of other “country life” books we’ve read and loved, such as Where the Red Fern Grows, Summer of the Monkeys, and Misty of Chincoteague. Levon and Aidan definitely liked it the most out of the five of us, but we all enjoyed the endearing, entertaining tale.

Book Scavenger – Jennifer Chambliss Bertman

Fans of Escape from Mr. Lemoncello’s Library will also love this one. Full of intriguing mystery, curious ciphers, and even a little bit of danger, this book is perfect for middle grade readers who enjoy adventure, puzzles, and books.

(RA) The Phantom Tollbooth – Norton Juster

The thing I love about this book is that there’s something for everyone – the youngest readers/listeners will enjoy all the wacky adventures, older kids will pick up on a lot of the hilarious wordplay, and adults will appreciate the subtle-yet-profound life truths sprinkled throughout the book. This is a must-add to your family read-aloud list!

The Wishing Spell (The Land of Stories #1) – Chris Colfer

This was the author’s first novel, and I was beyond impressed. Not only was it highly entertaining, but the writing was (for the most part) surprisingly excellent. I plan to read this to my kids at some point, or recommend it for their own personal reading.

(RA) The Water Horse – Dick King-Smith

This story of the Loch Ness monster and the human family that raises him is short but sweet. It would be a perfect read-aloud for preschoolers or first novel for early independent readers.

The Westing Game – Ellen Raskin

I devoured this book. It was suspenseful, the characters intrigued me, and all the puzzles and wordplay challenged my brain.

Refugee & Prisoner B-3087 – Alan Gratz

My niece introduced me to author Alan Gratz, and I was immediately hooked. Both of these books would be excellent for older kids who are ready for heavier content.

The Magician’s Elephant – Kate DiCamillo

The characters in this book are intriguing, the ending is beautiful, and I just adore Kate DiCamillo’s unique, lyrical writing. I’ve read several of her books to the kids, and they’re captivating! I’m definitely adding this one to our list of future read-alouds.

Esperanza Rising – Pam Munoz Ryan

This book (based on the author’s own grandmother!) was both heartwarming and thought-provoking. It would be a perfect book to prompt discussion in families and/or classrooms, while also being an enjoyable pleasure read.

The View From Saturday – E.L. Konigsburg

I ADORED this book. From the Mixed-Up Files of Mrs. Basil E. Frankweiler may be E.L. Konigsburg’s more famous book, but as much as I enjoyed that one, I loved this one even more. The first couple of chapters were a bit slow for me, as they set up how all the characters are connected. But after that, it was a lovely, well-written book about the power of courage and kindness. I highly recommend this one as a read-aloud for all families and classrooms.

(RA) Tales of Magic series – Edward Eager

This chapter book series instantly became one of our favorites. The imaginative stories are full of delightful fun and zany adventures. As soon as we finished one book, the kids immediately asked for the next. (Once we got to the fifth book, however, their interest waned, and it ended up being a rare DNF.)

Theater Shoes – Noel Streatfeild

This is actually the fourth book in her Shoe Books series (anyone else first learn about these books from You’ve Got Mail??), but it’s the only one our library had, so I didn’t realize it wasn’t the first until I was already a few pages into it. But it was fine! It worked as a stand-alone.

Everything on a Waffle – Polly Horvath

Touching, charming, and funny from beginning to end, this would be a perfect family read-aloud, as it’s the kind of book that appeals across ages. Younger kids will enjoy Primrose’s shenanigans (and the idea of everything served on a waffle), while older kids will appreciate more of the deeper themes and issues.

When You Reach Me – Rebecca Stead

I read this one in two days, partly because it’s a fairly quick read, but mostly because I didn’t want to stop reading! It was creative and captivating, and I had to find out what in the world was going on. I continued to mull it over even after I’d turned the final page (the sign of a great book!). Fans of A Wrinkle In Time (or kids who aren’t quite ready for that depth and intensity) will love this book.

The Star of Kazan – Eva Ibbotson

The plot in this book was captivating, the setting (late-19th century Vienna) was intriguing, and the writing was vivid and rich. I would love to do this one as a read-aloud at some point with my kids. There were times the protagonist drove me crazy, and I was disappointed that her character didn’t develop as much as I wanted, but the other characters more than made up for it. This is a timeless classic that I would absolutely recommend to readers of all ages, especially fans of historical fiction.

Wonder – R.J. Polacio

This book is an incredible (and important) story of compassion, kindness, and caring for the marginalized. I am going to recommend it constantly! We watched the movie as a family (it followed the book VERY closely), and everyone loved it. It prompted several meaningful conversations.

All-of-a-Kind Family – Sydney Taylor

This heartwarming tale of a Jewish American family growing up on the Lower East Side of New York City at the turn of the twentieth century is funny, charming, and all-around wholesome. I love how it portrays a close-knit family and shows how, even in the midst of struggle (and maybe even because of it!), they always unite to overcome adversity.

Inside Out & Back Again – Thanhha Lai

Based on the author’s real-life experience, this book tells the story of a young girl’s harrowing escape from Vietnam after the fall of Saigon and her subsequent experience as a refugee in Alabama. Not only was Ha’s story gripping – with its poignancy, humor, and eye-opening perspective – its use of free verse poetry made it even more interesting to read.

Miracles on Maple Hill – Virginia Sorensen

This 1956 classic is a heart-warming story of a family’s move from bustling Pittsburgh to a farmhouse in the woods. Originally seeking respite and recovery for the father, who has come home suffering after-effects of being a prisoner of war, the family experiences many unexpected life lessons… and even a few miracles, as well. Fans of the Little House series will love this one.

Winterhouse – Ben Guterson

I devoured this book. The wordplay and code-breaking throughout this book delighted me, and I was tickled by all the references to books I’ve read and loved. I would heartily recommend this for all my fellow (preteen and older) book and language lovers.

However, I do want to offer a heads-up: there is some magic – both good and evil, a character who gets involved in witchcraft (it’s not described in detail, and is certainly not celebrated), and a few sinister/suspenseful scenes. I, personally, am quite cautious when it comes to my kids and the occult, but I’d be fine recommending this to them once they were old enough/mature enough/discerning enough to handle it. For one thing, it’s not overly scary or fear-inducing (it won’t cause nightmares), and for another, the magic has clear delineations between “good” and “bad” (i.e. the witchcraft is presented as dangerous and evil, not fun or virtuous). As ALWAYS, though, use your own parental discernment and discretion!

Yonder – Ali Standish

Set in a small Appalachian town during WWII, this book beautifully explores themes of courage, prejudice, and what it means to be a hero. While the storyline is moving and powerful, what I loved most about it is that it’s nuanced and multidimensional. It doesn’t hit kids over the head with what they “should” think about the big, complex issues involved, but rather prompts them to think deeply on their own.

Greenglass House – Kate Milford

This was a very fun read. The writing was excellent, the plot was intriguing and unique, and the deepening mysteries kept me engaged from cover to cover. This was a kids book I enjoyed about as much as an adult as I would have as a kid!

The Year of Miss Agnes – Kirkpatrick Hill

This is a “modern classic” and teacher favorite for a reason! It both entertained and inspired me.

Incident at Hawk’s Hill – Allan W. Eckert

This one is going on my list of future family read-alouds, for sure! It’s just the combination of outdoor adventure and heartwarming family moments our family favors.

The Candymakers – Wendy Mass

This book was an absolute treat (no pun intended 😆)! It was so fun! It was like Charlie and the Chocolate Factory meets The Mysterious Benedict Society meets Escape from Mr. Lemoncello’s Library, and fans of any of those will love this one. (All three are favorites of mine, so it’s no wonder I did!)

Mrs. Frisby and the Rats of NIMH – Robert C. O’Brien

I struggled a bit to get into this one at first, but once I did, I devoured it. (So, if your kids don’t take to it right away, encourage them to keep going!) I loved the story, the writing, and the themes of family/friendship, courage, and the power of knowledge.

This is one of those fantastic books that could be appreciated by all ages. Young readers (and/or listeners) will delight in the adventurous tale, and older readers will enjoy mining the deeper themes and messages under the surface.

My Favorite Children’s Chapter Books I Read in 2023

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