Chapter books make great read-alouds! The stories come alive when you are reading aloud. Your expressions, inflection, and gestures help the students comprehend the words on the page. Read alouds are also a great way to model reading strategies and the reading process. If you’re wondering what books make good read-alouds at different grade levels, have no fear! I have my top recommendation read-alouds right here for 2nd, 3rd, and 4th grade!
2nd Grade Chapter Book Recommendations
- Tornado by Betsy Byars. A tornado appears in the distance, and the family runs to get into the storm cellar. Pete, the farmhand, knows this is the perfect time to tell his stories about a dog named Tornado. Tornado was no ordinary dog- he played card tricks, saved a turtle’s life, and fought the family cat. Don’t miss this tale about a remarkable dog!
- The Magic Finger by Roald Dahl. The Gregg Family loves to hunt, which horrifies the little girl next door. One day, the Gregg’s go too far, and the little girl unleashes her magic finger on them. Now, the Greggs are birds, living in a nest, with no way to change themselves back! What will they do?
- The Chocolate Touch by Patrick Skene Catling. Like King Midas, John Midas was born with a magic touch. But instead of turning things into gold, he turns them into chocolate! Kids will have a great time imagining what they could do with powers like that.
- My Father’s Dragon by Ruth Stiles Gannett. This Newbery Honor Book features Elmer Elevator, who tells a stray cat about his dream of being able to fly. Then, he learns of a captive dragon on Wild Island. The dragon has been forced by the jungle residents to serve as their shuttle across a wide river. Elmer makes up his mind to rescue the dragon and get a free ride!
3rd Grade Chapter Book Recommendations
- Tales of a 4th Grade Nothing by Judy Blume. Grown-ups think Peter’s toddler brother Fudge is adorable, but Peter and his pet turtle, Dribble, know the truth. Fudge causes mischief wherever he goes, and Peter has had it!
- The Wild Robot by Peter Brown. Roz the Robot wakes up to find herself stranded on an island. In order to survive, she must befriend and learn from the island’s animals. The island starts to feel like home, until, one day, the robot’s mysterious past comes back to haunt her.
- Charlotte’s Web by E.B. White. Charlotte’s Web tells the story of the pig Wilbur, who was saved once by a girl named Fern and once by the messages that Charlotte the spider weaves into her web. Charlotte’s Web is a wonderful story of friendship and loyalty.
- The BFG by Roald Dahl. The BFG stands for Big Friendly Giant, and he definitely does not eat little girls! Good thing for Sophie, who needs the BFG’s help to stop the bad giants. Kids of all ages love this book!
4th Grade Chapter Book Recommendations
- Charlie and the Chocolate Factory by Roald Dahl. Charlie and his family are down on their luck. That is, until one day when Charlie wins a chance to tour Mr. Willy Wonka’s chocolate factory. He meets all kinds of interesting characters and has a bit of luck in the end!
- Because of Winn Dixie by Kate DiCamillo. Opal and her father have just moved to town, and Opal is desperate to make friends. Her life gets turned upside-down when she brings a stray dog home and names him Winn-Dixie. It’s because of Winn-Dixie that Opal begins to make friends, gets closer to her dad, and begins to love her new town.
- Holes by Louis Sachar. Stanley Yelnats and his family are cursed! Nothing is going right for them, and to top it off, Stanley has been sent to a juvenile camp for a crime he didn’t commit. However, being sent to Camp Green Lake just might mean that Stanley’s luck is turning around.
- The Tale of Despereaux by Kate DiCamillo. Meet Despereaux, a mouse who is in love with a princess named Pea; a rat called Roscuro, who lives in the darkness; and Miggery Sow, a serving girl who wishes for only one thing. These three characters are thrust into an adventure- can they survive?
I hope you found some new chapter book recommendations that you are excited to use in your classroom! If you want to save this post, pin the image below for later!
