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15 Comments

  1. Thank you so much! We are in dire need of new books, as the dog days of winter drag on and we are still under pandemic restrictions… I placed a dozen holds at the library today!

    1. Kelly Holmes says:

      I’m so glad to hear this list found you when you needed it, Tavia! I’d love to hear which ones you and your family end up enjoying most. :-)

  2. Lisa Walbridge says:

    We love the Zoey and Sassafras series! It’s magical, has excellent examples of perseverance, problem solving, and the capability that kids have to be independent. It also teaches kids about the scientific method and how to think and solve problems using experimentation. My daughter is 6 and I read them to her.

    1. Kelly Holmes says:

      Thank you for sharing that recommendation, Lisa! We’ve heard great things about that series, so we’ll definitely check it out. :-)

  3. Alicia N. says:

    This is a fantastic list Kelly! Thank you for putting so much work into this. Some I know and others are new.

  4. Kaytee Cobb says:

    Kelly! You are a book whisperer! I love this collection so much. Thanks for sharing your love of reading and this amazing list. ?

    1. Kaytee Cobb says:

      That question mark was an emoji. Apparently comment threads don’t like that. Ha!

  5. Thanks for sharing these! Some of our favorite series: the Mabel Jones trilogy, Half Upon a Time and its followers, Story Thieves, The Menagerie (Tui Sutherland)

  6. I was so happy to see so many of our favorites on this list and canโ€™t wait to check out so many from this list!! My 10 year old son and I have just spent weeks staying up too late reading The Greenglass House series out loud together. I didnโ€™t enjoy childrenโ€™s literature as much as a child as I do now. Here are a few more:
    The Penderwicks (aka a modern day Little Women we have read and re-read and listened to these for years)
    The Imaginary Veterinary series
    The Heartwood Hotel
    The Lemonade Wars (great one for empathy)
    Wings of Fire (excellent listen on Audible and now a graphic novel)
    Fortuneโ€™s Magic Farm
    Wedgie and Gizmo
    When Stars are Scattered
    Zoey & Sassafras

  7. Love this list, thank you!!
    Some of our recent favourites that both my 7yo girl and 10yo boy have enjoyed have been as follows, probably all fall into your 8-12yo sensitive category as I’ve been reading them aloud, mostly.
    -the Upside Down Magic series
    -Tuesdays at the Castle (and sequels)
    -Sky Song by Abi Elphinstone
    -anything by Katherine Rundell
    -Astrid the Unstoppable
    -The Impossible possible express
    -The Polar Bears Explorer Club
    -Castle of Tangled Magic

  8. Katherine Hancock says:

    My daughter loves the hotel flamingo book series. Brilliant chapter books

  9. I just want to say thank you so much for posting this. I have been struggling with finding appropriate books for my 8 year old as Iโ€™m discovering the content in the books I read as a child is not appropriate (ex. James and the Giant Peach). I really appreciate you noting which books are good for children that are more sensitive.

  10. Linda Lea says:

    Thank you so much for this list! I wanted to add, if your kids are avid readers that can handle “more”- ANYTHING by Lauren Wolk. She is my absolute favorite new middle-age author- I’d describe her as Barbara Kingsolver for kids- haha. Her work is historical fiction and I read them with my 7 year old (some of the subject matter is heavy) but older kids could read and enjoy on their own. Start with Beyond the Bright Sea- incredible story!

  11. Blair Skinner says:

    You are missing one of the best ever: Mrs. Piggle-Wiggle (series of 4). Written by Betty MacDonald, first published in 1947, but just as much fun today as then.

  12. This is a wonderful list! Thank you! Every few months I search for new chapter books. Thank you for including books for sensitive kids! Canโ€˜t wait to try some of these.
    We also love Zoe and Sassafras, Critter Club, Lily Dog, and Missy Pigglewiggle