There is something so reassuring for children about reading books in a series.  It gives just the right balance of predictability and novelty.  We have included the titles of many books in a series.  Most of them are just right for second or third grade readers and many are fine for younger readers as well.

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The Secrets of Droon, by Tony Abbott.  Two friends Find a secret passage to a magic world in this series for children who are not yet ready for Harry Potter.

Cam Jansen, by David Adler.  Cam solves mysteries with her photographic memory.  This is best for second graders, but younger readers should try the Young Cam Jansen series.

Tales of a Fourth Grade Nothing, Super Fudge, etc. by Judy Blume.  These are a little harder and longer than some of the books on this list, but kids love the adventures of Peter and his trying little brother Fudge.

Flat Stanley, by Marc Brown.  This is short funny series of three books in which Stanley becomes flat as a pancake, invisible, and encounters a genie.

The Stories Julian Tells, by Ann Cameron . These connected short stories relate episodes in seven-year-old Julian’s life and the adventures of his warm, fun loving, modern family.  As the series goes on we get to hear things from the perspective of his younger brother and his best friend.

The Dog That Pitched a No-Hitter, and many, many more by Matt Christopher.  There is something by Matt Christopher on virtually every reading level.  They are perfect for a reader trying to move from non-fiction sports books into fiction.

Henry Huggins, Ramona, Ellen Tebbits or anything by Beverly Cleary.  Children never tire of any of these books about the realistic but funny adventure of Cleary’s cast of characters.

Space Brat, by Bruce Coville.   The first in a silly series about Blork, the biggest brat on the planet Splat.  These are a great choice for children who might want to read science fiction but need a shorter, easier text.

Amber Brown, by Paula Danziger.  We follow Amber through all sorts of real life problems, from hating her name to her parent’s divorce.

EEK, Stories to Make you Shriek, by Margaret Frith.  Best for younger readers, this is a popular I-Can ?Read series with scary stories that are just not too scary.

The Zack Files by Dan Greenburg.  Nine-year-old Zack has many unusual adventures in each book: from stepping into an alternate universe, to finding his great-grandfather reincarnated as a cat! Also try the Maximum boy books by the same author.

B is for Betsy, by Carolyn Haywood.  This is the first book in an old-fashioned series of books about the day to day adventures of a group of children.  Children love them as much now as they did 60 years ago.

The Mystery of the Pirate Ghost, and other Otto and Uncle Tooth books by Geoffrey Hayes.  These are longer I-Can-Read books, perfect for the fluent reader whose attention may not hold through a longer book.

Bunnicula, by James Howe. In the first book narrated by the household cat and dog, they realize something is strange about the new pet rabbit…and why are all the vegetables suddenly drained of color?

Herbie Jones, by Suzy Klein.  The funny, but true to life adventures of third grade friends Herbie and Ray.

Judy Moody, by Megan MacDonald.   A new series about a third grader and her moods–perfect for those who are tiring of Junie B. Jones.

The Magic Treehouse series by Mary Pope Osborne.  This is a very popular series about a brother and sister who find a treehouse that lets them travel through time.

Key to the Treasure, Clues in the Woods, etc. by Peggy Parish.  Three young children visiting grandparents stumble upon coded clues that will unravel a secret more than one hundred years old.  Readers can follow along and unravel the clues along with the children.

M and M, by Pat Ross.  These are very short chapter books about the adventures of best friends Mandy and Mimi.

A-Z Mysteries, by Ron Roy.  Dink, Josh and Ruth Rose continue to encounter mysterious situations.  Also try  a newer series by this author, The Capital Mysteries, which take place in Washington D.C

Cobble Street Cousins, by Cynthia Rylant..  A very sweet, quite old-fashioned series of short chapter books for girls.

Henry and Mudge, by Cynthia Rylant.  This is a great I-Can-Read series that is best for younger independent readers (K-2) about a boy and his loyal dog.

Marvin Redpost, by Louis Sachar.  Things never seem to go quite right for this third grader in this funny collection of his adventures.

Nate the Great, by Marjorie Sharmat.  Fun, short mysteries for first or second graders.

The Time Warp Trio, by John Sczieska.  Three boys find a magic book that transports them back in time.  These are a little sillier and more irreverent than the Magic Treehouse books.

The Boxcar Children, by Gertrude Warner.  The first book is a classic about a family of orphans living in an abandoned boxcar. The seemingly endless series continues as the children solve many mysteries.

Commander Toad, by Jane Yolen.  This I-Can-Read series is a spoof on Star Wars, where all the leading characters are amphibians on the ship “Star Warts”.