Grade 1 reading books
Recommended reading books for elementary school children in First Grade ages 6-7
Encourage your first grader’s growing love of reading with this list of recommended books designed to inspire and challenge emerging readers. These selections aim to boost your child’s confidence in reading independently while still offering opportunities for enjoyable shared reading experiences.
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At this stage, many children will begin to enjoy newer adventures and less repetition of their favorite books. First graders may therefore be able to read a greater number of books than in their previous years, and parents may find they can introduce their child to a wider variety of genres and topics. Adults should select diverse reading content including everyday social interactions and STEM topics.
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Yasmin the Builder
Saadia Faruqi
Yasmin the Builder is a delightful story about Yasmin, a creative second grader who is surrounded by a supportive community of family, friends, and teachers. One day, Yasmin’s class is challenged to build something for their school’s Makerspace. At first, Yasmin is unsure of what to create. But inspired by her class friends, she uses her imagination and perseverance to design something truly special with everyday materials.
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The Yasmin series follows the relatable second grader through everyday adventures and social experiences, and along the way introduces readers to her Pakistani culture.
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Ingenuity, Positive Behaviors, Diverse
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Owl Diaries: Eva's Treetop Festival
Rebecca Elliott
Owl Diaries: Eva's Treetop Festival is the first book in the Owl Diaries early chapter book series. The series is written using a diary format following the everyday adventures of Eva Wingdale, a creative and enthusiastic young owl who attends Woodland Owl Elementary. Each book beautifully blends graphic novel-style dialogue with Eva's diary entries, making the stories visually appealing and accessible to newly independent readers. Despite the unique format, each book maintains a high standard of writing that parents and educators will appreciate. Boys and girls will love and relate to Eva's experiences through the engaging storytelling. Meanwhile adults will feel assured that each story is told through positive messaging and sound writing.
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Positive Behaviors, Endearing, Relationships, Print Quality
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Ada Twist, Scientist
Andrea Beaty
Ada Twist, Scientist by is a fantastic picture book for encouraging children to wonder about the world around them. Ada starts a young girl with a natural curiosity who endlessly asks "why". As she gets older, Ada grows in character and at thinking critically to understand how things work. By book's end, she has even learned to hypothesize and structure her own investigations.
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Ada Twist, Scientist is part of a series that includes other inspiring characters like Rosie Revere, Engineer and Iggy Peck, Architect, making it a great choice for kids who love exploration and imaginative thinking. The series also shows girls and boys the power of growth and initiative.
Inspirational
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Heidi Heckelbeck Has a Secret
Wanda Coven
Heidi Heckelbeck Has a Secret is the first in a series of beginner chapter books for early readers. Heidi, an ordinary girl—or so it seems—who is starting school for the first time after being homeschooled. She faces the usual challenges of fitting in, making new friends, and dealing with a school bully. However, as the title suggests, Heidi has a magical secret: she's actually a witch!
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Kids will follow Heidi as navigates new social experiences, and the fun twist of magic, making it especially appealing for young readers. It is written in well constructed language, perfect for advancing first grade readers.
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Relatable, Humor
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Rumple Buttercup: A Story of Bananas, Belonging, and Being Yourself
Matthew Gray Gubler
Rumple Buttercup: A Story of Bananas, Belonging, and Being Yourself is a heartwarming story about self-acceptance and friendship. With crooked teeth and mismatched feet, and green skin, Rumple Buttercup has feelings of insecurity. To avoid rejection, he hides away in a sewer, thinking he won’t be accepted by others. Only as the story unfolds, Rumple learns that his differences are what make him special.
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Rumple Buttercup may be presented as a quirky picture book, but it's profound message of individuality and acceptance is best shared as a thoughtful discussion with an adult.
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Endearing, Self-Discovery
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