The Best Children S Books By Age A Guide To Great Reading

Find below a guide to children’s books by age. We’ll go from birth through 8th grade, offering a selection of titles per age, along with links to lengthier booklists for those age groups.

The Ultimate Guide to Children’s Books by Age, From Birth To Age 14

Books For Babies and Books for 1-Year-Olds

Sure, babies aren’t independent readers, but reading to babies and working to develop their literacy skills is essential. Begin by learning some early literacy strategies and the resources available to develop those skills, and then seek out some of the following books for them. Board books are gold for babies. They’re durable in construction and are image-heavy, perfect for developing eyes. Board books tend to be affordable, too, whether purchased new or used. Among the 50 must-read board books for babies are: Note that you may need to toggle your selection to “board book” on each link to access that specific edition.

Find 50 of the best board books for babies here « Another great option for introducing books to babies and toddlers is through soft books. Soft books offer crinkly pages made of fabric, but they might also include other sensory features to them that make the books equally interactive as toys for young readers. Among the 25 best soft books for babies are: Find 25 of the best soft books for babies here « For even more great books for babies, check out the following:

Science books for babies Books for newborns Baby sign language books Board books for 1-year-olds Baby shower books

And of course, some helpful tips for how to find free baby books.

Books For Toddlers

Ah, the toddler years! Here are some of the best books for 1-year-olds, best books for 2-year-olds, and best books for 3-year-olds. Depending on your child, they may be ready to enjoy picture books on their own, but even if they’re not yet there, reading picture books with your toddlers is vital for literacy, for developing a love of books, and for bonding with your little one. These are some of the best books for toddlers:

Find 30 of the best book for toddlers here. « For even more of the best books for 1-year-olds, best books for 2-year-olds, and best books for 3-year-olds, check out:

Read aloud books for toddlers Board books about food Dinosaur books for kids Spanish-English board books

Another way you can encourage your youngest ones to read is giving them a special space in which to do it. Check out how to make a toddler reading nook (and it’s okay if you as an adult want one for yourself!).

Books for Preschoolers

Finding books for preschoolers is so much fun. Books for 3-year-olds and books for 4-year-olds range from board books — so anything above — to picture books that make great read-alouds, as well as picture books that encourage independent reading. Whether your preschooler is able to read each word or simply admire the art, now is a perfect time to introduce your readers to this wealth of reading options. Here are some of the best must-read preschool books:

Find 50 must-read books for preschoolers here. « Famed author bell hooks brings us a tight, exuberant story that captures the essence and energy of what it means to be a boy.” For more outstanding books for 3-year-olds and books for 4-year-olds, check out:

Rhyming picture books Audiobooks for preschoolers Books for 4-year-olds Read-aloud books for preschoolers Books about shapes for preschoolers Children’s books about colors

Books for Kindergarteners

Seeking books for 5-year-olds and books for 6-year-olds? These books for kindergarteners are the perfect way to encourage more independent and shared reading.
Kindergarteners are the perfect age for read-alouds, so start with sharing some of these outstanding books:

Find the best kindergarten read-alouds here. « And never fear. There are boatloads of awesome books for 5-year-olds and books for 6-year-olds still to discover:

Picture book biographies of Black people creating and leading Nonfiction books for kindergarteners Interactive books for children Children’s books about animals Picture books for nervous kids

If you’ve been wondering how to get your young reader excited about books, get to know the 1000 books before kindergarten program, too.

Books for 1st Graders

As you seek out book for first graders, keep in mind that picture books are perfect no matter the age. Often, books for 6-year-olds and books for 7-year-olds can focus on beginning chapter books or stories which feature more text than images, but picture books are always developmentally appropriate and make for excellent read-aloud choices. Here’s a look at some of the best books for 1st graders:

Find the best books for 1st graders here. « First grade is such a fabulous and fun time for many readers, and it’s reflected in the wide range of books available to them:

Best books for beginning readers Funny books for kids Dragon books for kids Children’s books about the immigrant experience Best historical fiction picture books

For the parents and caretakers out there helping emerging readers work toward independence and strengthening literacy skills, here are some reading tips for parents.

Books for 2nd Graders

Finding books for 7-year-olds and books for 8-year-olds can get a little tricker, as some readers are eager to dive into longer and more complex chapter books. Others are still most comfortable with beginner chapter books, as well as lengthier picture books. Consider the best books for 2nd graders a mix of titles that challenge the young reader, as well as those that may be “easy” for them to read but which challenge them to slow down, evaluate the text and images, and consider some of the book’s literary elements (rhyming, foreshadowing, etc., are all age appropriate).
There are so many great books for 2nd graders. Here are a few to start with:

Find the best books for 2nd graders here. « Genre books become increasingly prevalent (and awesome!) as children grow, so in addition to the books above, there are myriad options of books for 7-year-olds and books for 8-year-olds. Note that many of these links lead to lists that encompass children age 6–12, so use these to introduce growing readers to even more books.

Mystery books for kids Girls of color for beginning readers Dog Man books The best nonfiction books for kids Fantasy books for kids

Best Books for 3rd Graders

Seeking the perfect books for 8-year-olds and books for 9-year-olds? Look no further. Again: picture books are outstanding choices for any age, even by the time a reader is completely independent and, perhaps, starting to dip their toes into middle grade reads (middle grade encompasses roughly 3rd grade to 6th grade, depending on the reader!). Books in the earlier categories would make great choices, as would the following. Start with these books for 3rd graders:

Find the best books for 3rd graders here. « Never fear a lack of options when it comes to books for 8-year-olds and books for 9-year-olds. Here is just a sample of possibilities:

LGBT children’s books Children’s books about space The best historical fiction for kids The best fairytale books and fairytale retellings for kids Funny books like Dog Man

Best Books for 4th Graders

Although it’s not universal, many 4th graders are now in their final year of elementary school and preparing for the transition to intermediate or middle school. Many are ready to transition to longer chapter books, are finding their groove in middle grade books, and are familiar and comfortable with genre fiction and the sorts of stories they love. Finding the perfect books for 9-year-olds and books for 10-year-olds at this point can be so much fun as young readers explain what it is they love in a story (“I want an adventure set on the high seas with a dog!” — chances are there is the perfect book for that 4th grader!). Dig into these great books for 4th graders:

Find the best books for 4th graders here. « The Seven-Headed Fairy must help them, but will she come in time? A story of friendship for children of all ages.” As it turns out, Ma just might be a real witch who must return three dragons to their magical realm. This is an enthralling city-based fantasy for kids.” Any of the resources listed in the previous sections would make for great places to find books for 9-year-olds and books for 10-year-olds. But don’t miss out on these tremendous resources in your search for books for 4th graders, either:

The best chapter books for kids Funny poems for kids Manga for kids 50 must-read scary books for children Books about young heroes

Best Books for 5th Graders

In what can often be a big time of transition, books for 10-year-olds and books for 11-year-olds can provide comfort, enjoyment, and a space to work through changes. Many 5th graders are starting or are in the midst of physical and biological changes, while others are navigating new changes to friendships, as well as changes to their schooling. Whatever the case may be, these books for 5th graders can be a way to help them traverse this tricky time of their lives. And for those 5th graders who aren’t experiencing upheaval of some sort, these books can help them empathize and understand others who are, as well as prepare them for the future. Here are some ideas for where to begin with books for 5th graders:

Find the best books for 5th graders here. « There are so many incredible options when it comes to books for 10-year-olds and books for 11-year-olds. Fifth graders are a prime audience especially for middle grade books, so take a gander at a bevy of options:

Middle grade books about friendship Middle grade books by Black authors Outstanding middle grade graphic novels Horror books for middle grade readers LGBTIA+ books for middle graders Excellent middle grade fantasy books

Best Books for 6th Graders

Let’s take a look at books for 11-year-olds and books for 12-year-olds in this roundup of children’s books by age. Eleven- and 12-year-olds are, depending on one’s community, either finishing up intermediate school and preparing for middle school/junior high, or they’re entering their first year as a middle schooler or junior high student. Again: while any of the books in the above categories make for great reading for 6th graders — especially readers who may be less eager to pick up a book on their own or who may struggle with immersing themselves deeply with literature — middle grade books and some YA books will likely make up the bulk of books for this age group. Begin with these books for 6th graders:

Find the best books for 6th graders here. « Number 1: She lives in a motel, not a big house. Every day, while her immigrant parents clean the rooms, 10-year-old Mia manages the front desk of the Calivista Motel and tends to its guests. Number 2: Her parents hide immigrants. And if the mean motel owner, Mr. Yao, finds out they’ve been letting them stay in the empty rooms for free, the Tangs will be doomed. Number 3: She wants to be a writer. But how can she when her mom thinks she should stick to math because English is not her first language? It will take all of Mia’s courage, kindness, and hard work to get through this year. Will she be able to hold on to her job, help the immigrants and guests, escape Mr. Yao, and go for her dreams?” One day, Magnus learns that someone else is trying to track him down — his uncle Randolph, a man his mother had always warned him about. When Magnus tries to outmaneuver his uncle, he falls right into his clutches. Randolph starts rambling about Norse history and Magnus’s birthright: a weapon that has been lost for thousands of years. The more Randolph talks, the more puzzle pieces fall into place. Stories about the gods of Asgard, wolves, and Doomsday bubble up from Magnus’s memory. But he doesn’t have time to consider it all before a fire giant attacks the city, forcing him to choose between his own safety and the lives of hundreds of innocents… Sometimes, the only way to start a new life is to die.” As he makes the daily trip from his Washington Heights apartment to the upscale Riverdale Academy Day School, Jordan soon finds himself torn between two worlds — and not really fitting into either one. Can Jordan learn to navigate his new school culture while keeping his neighborhood friends and staying true to himself?” Once the above books for 11-year-olds and books for 12-year-olds are finished — or your 6th grader reader is looking for even more options — you’ve got a treasure trove to explore:

Adventure books like Percy Jackson Middle school mystery books Excellent nonfiction books for middle school Historical fiction books for middle school Books for readers between middle grade and YA

Best Books for 7th Graders

Now deeply entrenched in middle school/junior high school, books for 12-year-olds and books for 13-year-olds will cover a wide range of middle grade and young adult titles. As always, books for 7th graders can include outstanding picture books, and some readers may even be ready for adult books —they may not grasp every concept or nuance, but many middle school readers are eager to dig into stories and areas of interest written with adults in mind, and by all means, let them explore. How many young readers have discovered Stephen King around this time? The answer is a lot, as many of his horror stories feature younger protagonists. Here are some of the best books for 7th graders:

Find the best books for 7th graders here. « For even more outstanding books for 12-year-olds and books for 13-year-olds, explore the following:

Middle grade graphic novels for fans of New Kid and Smile Books for reluctant readers age 12 to 13* Nonfiction about girls for tweens and teens Middle school books with happy endings Books for 13-year-olds Read aloud books for middle school

*Note: the phrase “reluctant readers” is a loaded one. Consider this particular list, as well as other lists aimed at readers who may be less enthusiastic for reading or who may be challenged by reading for any number of reasons (English isn’t their first language, they have anxiety about their reading skills, they haven’t been given choice in the kinds of materials they consume, among others) a powerful tool for inviting a wide array of more accessible books into the lives of emerging readers.

Best Books For 8th Graders

Last, but not least, it’s time to explore the best books for 13-year-olds and books for 14-year-olds. By now, middle schoolers are preparing for the next big stage in life: high school. But it’s worth remembering that this age group might also be one of the most divergent in terms of what they are — and are not — ready for. Some 8th graders would gladly rent their own apartment and strike out independently, while others are still very much eager to continue being children. Neither is right or wrong, but it’s worth keeping in mind when helping choose the right reading material for 8th graders. Begin with these books for 8th graders:

Find the best books for 8th graders here. « These lists of books for 13-year-olds and books for 14-year-olds will capture just about any and all interests, passions, and reading interests under the sun:

The best middle school books Book series for middle schoolers Middle school mystery books Books for reluctant readers age 14 and 15* Fantasy and science fiction short stories for middle school students Antiracist middle grade books

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