Bridging the Gap VII: Even More Early Chapter Books

Here are two more beginning chapter series which are right in the reading level range and right on target for ready for chapter books readers, especially those of the guy persuasion.

The Horrible Harry series, by Suzy Kline, features a mischievous second (and later third) grader nicknamed "Horrible Harry," his best buddy Doug, his lady love Song Lee (who has a series-within-the-series of her own), and all the varied kids in Miss Mackle's classroom. Harry loves anything squirmy, creepy-crawly, or slimy, and if he can be front and center of the classroom with any of the above, he's a happy camper. Accelerated Reader levels vary from Horrible Harry and the Drop of Doom at level 2.8. to Horrible Harry and the Mud Gremlins at level 3.5. There are enough Horrible Harry and Song Lee books to keep most readers busy for months!

Suzy Kline has also written another series, Herbie Jones, which ranges from level 2.6 for Herbie Jones Sails into Second Grade to 3.5 for Herbie Jones and the Dark Attic. Herbie's quite funny adventures take place in school and around his community and make great readalouds for second and third graders.

Louis Sachar, the celebrated author of Holes and the wacky Wayside School series, has a worthy contender in the beginning chapter genre in his Marvin Redpost series. Marvin's adventures tend to be a bit more of the weird and wacky style than Herbie Jones', but still feature an average kid who tries to have fun while he's busy growing up. This series is also right in the reading range, from Why Pick on Me? (Marvin Redpost 2) at AR at level 2.7 through Super Fast, Out of Control: Marvin Redpost at level 3.6.

Both of these authors have proved that they can keep a story moving and readers zooming through their series with success!