Each year I share the favorite books that my oldest son has enjoyed over the past year. They have become some of the most popular book lists on Growing Book by Book. Here is this year’s list- Best Books for 7-Year-Olds.
When it comes to sevens, keep in mind a few things.
- Keep reading picture books. Kids are never too old to enjoy a great picture book.
- Many sevens enjoy listening to a fluent reader read aloud chapter books with engaging plots. This is a great opportunity to introduce kids to different genres.
- If you haven’t tried audiobooks, give it a try. Many kids love to listen to them in the car or while drawing or playing with LEGO. They provide an extra dose of vocabulary and modeling of fluent reading.
- Introduce series books to developing readers. Some 7-year-olds are just learning to decode and some are ready for early chapter books. Series books help build confidence and connection to characters.
- Let kids read and listen to books about topics they are passionate about or interested in learning more about. Yes, this past year I have read loads of Minecraft and Star Wars books that I personally had no interest in, but it has helped my son fall in love with reading.
Now, let’s get to the list of books my 7-year-old recommends to other sevens.
Best Books for 7-Year-Olds
Full Disclosure: This post contains affiliate links.
The books on this list cover picture books, chapter books, and beginning reader books. Seven-year-olds are ready to explore the vastness of the reading world.
Picture Books
How to Trick the Tooth Fairy by Erin Danielle Russell is full of mischief. The tooth fairy meets a cunning little girl named Kaylee who loves to pull pranks. The two try to outwit each other until they eventually become great friends.
And, by the way, how much did the tooth fairy leave you when you were little. I used to get a quarter and not my kids get $2 bills.
Patricia Polacco is an amazing storyteller and has always been a favorite author of my son. We have read My Rotten Redheaded Older Brother (including watching it on Storyline Online), Tucky Joe and Little Heart (one of my favorites,) and The Mermaid’s Purse countless times. But a favorite this past year has been Ginger & Petunia.
Goldenlocks and the Three Pirates by April Jones Prince is a variation of Goldilocks and the Three Little Pigs. Goldenlocks climbs aboard ship while the pirates are out waiting for their gruel to cool. She proves to be very useful. So useful that the pirates ask her to join the crew.
Other fairy tale variations we enjoyed were The Three Horrid Little Pigs and The Runaway Tortilla.
The next two are a bit hard to categorize as picture books.
Bolivar is more graphic novel than a picture book. In fact, if you haven’t introduced your seven-year-old to graphic novels, now is the time.
Bolivar is a dinosaur that goes unnoticed in NY city day in and day out. But, Sybil does notice him and she is out to get the evidence she needs to show others he exists.
Also, check out Castronauts and Binky the Space Cat. Two favorite series of the year for my 7-year-old.
Baby Monkey, Private Eye by Brian Selznick and David Serlin is part picture book, part early reader, part graphic novel, and has an outside look of a chapter book. I love how the team cleverly thought outside the box.
So the book makes a great read-aloud because you can do a great baby monkey voice, an Italian chef accent, a clown voice and more.
Plus, early chapter book readers will feel so accomplished that they can work through the text with the help of nice large font (my 40 something-year-old eyes appreciated that too.)
Chapter Book Read-Alouds & Audiobooks
We listened to The Wild Robot and The Wild Robot Escapes by Peter Brown as audiobooks and they were the favorite chapter books of the year for every member in our house. A robot washes up on an island and learns to not only how to live in a remote area, but how to love.
A series full of laughs is the Fudge series by Judy Blume. Older siblings can find younger siblings to be annoying at times and that is highlighted in the Fudge series. Plus, there is mischief and fun involved too. Start with Tales of a Fourth Grade Nothing. One little warning- if your kids still believe in Santa Claus watch out for chapter 10 in the Superfudge book. Highly recommend this one on audiobook as it is read by the author.
When a good friend recommends a book, it really sparks a desire to get it. Heartwood Hotel: A True Home by Kallie George came from a peer recommendation and both my 6 and 7-year-olds loved it. It’s the story of a young mouse who finds an amazing tree hotel for forest creatures. The young mouse finds work and family in this special hotel and in the process helps a lot of animals. If the kids enjoy the book, there are more in the series.
Did you know that James Patterson writes books for younger readers too? We thoroughly enjoyed Word of Mouse. Isaiah is an electric blue mouse who escapes the laboratory. He wants to reunite with his family, but he must free them. Luckily, he has the help of new friends. For another mouse centered book, check out Ragweed by Avi.
My son made his way through every available audiobook of the I Survived…series by Laura Tarshis. Along the way, he was introduced to many events in history from the attacks of 9/11 to the grizzly bear attacks of 1967. Some sensitive readers/listeners may find some of the topics disturbing so be aware.
Books for New and Growing Readers
Beginning readers will feel confident reading Dude! by Aaron Reynolds. Say the same word over and over but watch the punctuation.
Dav Pilkey is a gift to young growing readers, especially boys. Yes, some parents don’t like the potty humor in Captain Underpants, but Pilkey gets youngsters. Millions of kids are becoming readers because of his series from the Ricky Ricotta Mighty Robotseries, Captain Underpants, and the favorite in our house- Dog Man.
Zoey & Sassafras was on the Best Books for 6-Year-Olds list last year, but it definitely deserves a place on this list especially since more books were released in the series (The Pod and the Bog and Unicorns and Germs) this year. This science-themed fantasy series is great as a read-aloud or for growing readers ready for chapter books.
Get a Printable List of Favorite Books for 7-Year-Olds
Printable List of Best Books for 7 Year Olds
Grab a copy of the book list to take to the library or bookstore below. You can also order the books from Amazon by clicking any of the book links above.
Hopefully, this list will inspire you to find books for the 7-year-old in your life. Let us know which ones you enjoy the most.
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Sarah says
Love this post – thank you!! Have a 7 year old boy, and so fun to see what your son is reading.
Jodie Rodriguez says
Aww, thank you Sarah!
Terry says
I can see why it is so popular! What a wonderful, diverse collection. And you can’t ever get a better endorsement than the intended audience!thanks, Jodie.
Jodie Rodriguez says
Thank you Terry!