Middle Grade Chapter Book Series to Keep Your Kids Hooked All Summer Long

Looking for the best Middle Grade Chapter Book Series to keep your kids reading? Here are some of our favorites, plus why getting kids hooked on a series is so good for their reading!

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One of the easiest ways to keep kids reading, especially during the summer, is to get them hooked on a great book series.

When I was eight, I spent an entire summer flying through The Boxcar Children. Each day, I’d settle into my blue bean bag chair and I would emerge an hour or two later triumphant that I had solved the mystery alongside the Alden siblings.

After that, it was The Babysitter’s Club (any other Mary Anne fans?) and Nancy Drew. I loved the feeling of walking out of the library with a stack of books, knowing I had days of adventures ahead.

There was something comforting about finishing a book and already knowing exactly what I’d read next. I didn’t have to say goodbye to my favorite characters; I just had to keep reading to see what they’d do next.

Now, I see the same thing in my own kids. They’re drawn to book series just like I was—and they’re not the only ones. There’s a reason series are so appealing to young readers…and why they’re such a powerful tool for growing a love of reading.

Why Book Series are so Good For Kids

Reading is hard work—especially for struggling readers and young kids who are still building their reading skills. A good book series makes reading easier and more enjoyable by giving kids something familiar to return to again and again.

Here’s why book series are such a powerful tool for growing readers:

Increases comprehension
Reading a novel means keeping track of a lot—characters, settings, plots, and themes. But with a series, once kids are familiar with the world of the first book, they don’t have to start from scratch each time. They can carry over what they already know, which makes it much less intimidating to start a new book.

Develops fluency
The more kids read, the better readers they become—and research shows that kids who read series tend to read more books. When a child enjoys the first book, they’re often eager to dive into the next…and the next. This repetition strengthens word recognition, builds vocabulary, and supports overall reading fluency. (Bonus tip: audiobooks are also a great way to boost fluency!)

Builds confidence
Reading a full book—let alone several—feels like a big win to a kid. When they can say, “I read all five books in this series,” they feel proud and see themselves as capable, confident readers.

Gets them hooked on reading
Book series are kind of like Pringles. Once you read one, you just can’t stop! We want to know what is going to happen next to these characters that we’ve come to know and love! And that’s exactly what we want where reading is concerned.

So, whether you’re looking to keep kids reading this summer or you’re stocking up for the school year, here are some of our favorite middle grade chapter book series.

Middle Grade Chapter Book Series Kids Love

A note about age recommendations: I’ve included minimum age recommendations for the books below, but they are simply that…recommendations. You know your child and what they can handle regarding content and complexity, so feel free to disregard them as you see fit. My seven-year-old has enjoyed a lot of the books below as read-alouds, but I think some younger kids like him may struggle to read them independently.

Fantasy

Alright, what did I miss? What are YOUR family’s favorite book series? Share in the comments below!

Want more book recommendations? Try these!

• Easy-to-read chapter books that kids in the “early reader” stage will love
• Favorite short chapter book series for kids that will keep them reading
• 20 chapter books I read with my kids in 2024
• Fabulous chapter books to read-aloud to your kids