Best Books for 1st Graders

Last updated: February 17, 2026

Whether you're looking for books your early readers can devour on their own or fun read-aloud stories, you'll find a great mix of classics and recent titles in a variety of genres on our list, including fantasy, adventure, humor, mystery, poetry, science, and sci-fi, as well as family and animal tales. These picks for the best books for 1st graders are all kid-proven to be engaging and entertaining for 6- and 7-year-olds. Happy reading! For more great picks, check out our Best Book Series for Early Readers and Funny Books for Kids.

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A Bear Called Paddington Poster Image

BOOK

A Bear Called Paddington

age 6+

Delightful classic about a bear adopted by a London family.

Michael Bond Animals (1958)

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Ada Lovelace Cracks the Code Poster Image

BOOK

Ada Lovelace Cracks the Code

age 6+

Inspiring bio of woman who published first computer code.

Rebel Girls Biography (2019)

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Alexander and the Terrible, Horrible, No Good, Very Bad Day Poster Image

BOOK

Alexander and the Terrible, Horrible, No Good, Very Bad Day

age 6+

Kids will love this account of a boy's bad day.

Judith Viorst Humor (1972)

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Bink & Gollie Poster Image

BOOK

Bink & Gollie

age 6+

Friendship flourishes in fun graphic novel for younger set.

Kate DiCamillo , Alison McGhee Friendship (2010)

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Charlie and the Chocolate Factory Poster Image

BOOK

Charlie and the Chocolate Factory

age 6+

Classic morality tale is wildly entertaining.

Roald Dahl Fantasy (1964)

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Dory Fantasmagory: Book 1 Poster Image

BOOK

Dory Fantasmagory: Book 1

age 6+

Funny, relatable tale of 6-year-old with wild imagination.

Abby Hanlon Family Life (2014)

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Dragons and Marshmallows: Zoey and Sassafras, Book 1 Poster Image

BOOK

Dragons and Marshmallows: Zoey and Sassafras, Book 1

age 6+

Girl solves fun mystery with science, magic, and her cat.

Asia Citro For Beginning Readers (2017)

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Good Night Stories for Rebel Girls, Book 1 Poster Image

BOOK

Good Night Stories for Rebel Girls, Book 1

age 6+

Inspiring, kid-friendly tales of extraordinary women.

Elena Favilli , Francesca Cavallo Biography (2016)

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I Am Sonia Sotomayor: Ordinary People Change the World Poster Image

BOOK

I Am Sonia Sotomayor: Ordinary People Change the World

age 6+

Positive messages in engaging bio of Supreme Court justice.

Brad Meltzer Biography (2018)

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I Dissent: Ruth Bader Ginsburg Makes Her Mark Poster Image

BOOK

I Dissent: Ruth Bader Ginsburg Makes Her Mark

age 6+

Inspiring bio of Supreme Court justice empowers girls.

Debbie Levy Picture Book (2016)

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Ivy + Bean, Book 1 Poster Image

BOOK

Ivy + Bean, Book 1

age 6+

Friendship tale a sure hit with kids starting chapter books.

Annie Barrows For Beginning Readers (2007)

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Judy Moody Was in a Mood Poster Image

BOOK

Judy Moody Was in a Mood

age 6+

Funny take on third grade life and friendships.

Megan McDonald School (2004)

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Kitty Book Series Poster Image

BOOK

Kitty Book Series

age 6+

Girl with cat-like superpowers has fun, daring adventures.

Paula Harrison Adventure (2019)

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Little Robot Poster Image

BOOK

Little Robot

age 6+

Sweet, surprising story of friendship and courage.

Ben Hatke Friendship (2015)

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Magic Tree House Series Poster Image

BOOK

Magic Tree House Series

age 6+

Fun, educational chapter books have something for everyone.

Mary Pope Osborne Adventure (1992)

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Mindy Kim Series Poster Image

BOOK

Mindy Kim Series

age 6+

Warm series about Korean American girl's life in new town.

Lyla Lee For Beginning Readers (2020)

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Mr. Popper's Penguins Poster Image

BOOK

Mr. Popper's Penguins

age 6+

1939 Newbery Honor book is both tender and funny.

Richard Atwater , Florence Atwater For Beginning Readers (2007)

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Nate the Great Series Poster Image

BOOK

Nate the Great Series

age 6+

Nate solves neighborhood mysteries in fun new-reader series.

Marjorie Weinman Sharmat For Beginning Readers (2016)

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P Is for Pterodactyl: The WORST Alphabet Book Ever Poster Image

BOOK

P Is for Pterodactyl: The WORST Alphabet Book Ever

age 6+

Wacky alphabet book pokes fun at silent letters and more.

Raj Haldar , Chris Carpenter Alphabet (2018)

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Polly Diamond and the Magic Book Poster Image

BOOK

Polly Diamond and the Magic Book

age 6+

Girl learns words, family matter in fun, imaginative story.

Alice Kuipers For Beginning Readers (2018)

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