10+ Best Chapter Books for 7-Year-Old Girl w/ Exercises (2024)

Are you on the hunt for the perfect chapter books for a 7-year-old girl? Finding engaging and age-appropriate reading material can be a delightful adventure into the world of words and imagination. Whether you're a parent, guardian, or educator, you know how crucial the right book can be at this stage of her reading journey. Keep reading as we explore various lists of chapter books that are sure to captivate and inspire young readers. Let's dive in and discover her next favorite read!

Fun Chapter Books for 7-Year-Old Girl

• Charlotte's Web by E.B. White, illustrated by Garth Williams
  • Genre(s): Fiction, Children's Literature
  • Synopsis: This beloved tale follows a young girl named Fern who saves a piglet named Wilbur from being slaughtered. Wilbur befriends Charlotte, a wise spider, who spins words into her web to convince the farmer to keep Wilbur alive.
  • Why we recommend this book: It's a heartwarming story that teaches lessons about friendship, love, and the cycle of life, making it a great introduction to more complex themes for young readers.
  • Perfect for: Animal lovers and children who appreciate stories about friendship and loyalty.

• The Magic Tree House Series by Mary Pope Osborne, illustrated by Sal Murdocca
  • Genre(s): Fantasy, Adventure, Historical Fiction
  • Synopsis: This series features siblings Jack and Annie who discover a tree house filled with books that can transport them through time and space on various adventures.
  • Why we recommend this book: Each book provides a fun and educational journey through different historical events and cultures, encouraging a love for history and reading.
  • Perfect for: Young adventurers and curious minds who enjoy time travel and learning about different eras.

• Junie B. Jones by Barbara Park, illustrated by Denise Brunkus
  • Genre(s): Humor, Realistic Fiction
  • Synopsis: Junie B. Jones is a kindergartner (later a first grader) who navigates her way through the trials and tribulations of school life with a unique perspective and vocabulary.
  • Why we recommend this book: Junie's hilarious misadventures and candid narration are perfect for keeping young readers entertained and engaged.
  • Perfect for: Kids who love laughter and can relate to the ups and downs of elementary school life.

• Ivy + Bean by Annie Barrows, illustrated by Sophie Blackall
  • Genre(s): Fiction, Humor
  • Synopsis: This series explores the unexpected friendship between two opposite girls, Ivy and Bean, who find that they can have a lot of fun and adventures together despite their differences.
  • Why we recommend this book: It's a fun series that celebrates friendship and the joy of discovering common interests with someone who might not be just like you.
  • Perfect for: Young readers who enjoy stories about friendship and mischievous adventures.

• The Princess in Black by Shannon Hale and Dean Hale, illustrated by LeUyen Pham
  • Genre(s): Fantasy, Adventure
  • Synopsis: Princess Magnolia has a secret—she's also the Princess in Black, a superhero who fights monsters. This series follows her adventures as she balances her royal duties with her secret identity.
  • Why we recommend this book: It introduces young readers to a strong female protagonist who tackles challenges with wit and courage, proving that you can be both a princess and a hero.
  • Perfect for: Young readers who love stories about princesses and superheroes, and anyone looking for a strong female lead.

Educational Chapter Books for 7-Year-Old Girl

• Ada Twist, Scientist by Andrea Beaty, illustrated by David Roberts
  • Genre(s): Fiction, Science, Children's Literature
  • Synopsis: The story follows Ada Twist, a very curious girl who embarks on fact-finding missions and conducts scientific experiments to understand the world around her.
  • Skills and subjects this book improves: Scientific inquiry, problem-solving, perseverance
  • Why we recommend this book: It promotes curiosity and the importance of asking questions, making it a fantastic introduction to scientific thinking for young readers.
  • Perfect for: Budding scientists and curious minds who love to question how things work.

• Rosie Revere, Engineer by Andrea Beaty, illustrated by David Roberts
  • Genre(s): Fiction, STEM, Children's Literature
  • Synopsis: Rosie Revere dreams of becoming an engineer. Alone in her room at night, she constructs great inventions from odds and ends. The story highlights her journey to overcome fear of failure and realize that every failure is a step closer to success.
  • Skills and subjects this book improves: Creativity, engineering principles, resilience
  • Why we recommend this book: It encourages resilience and innovation, showing that "perfect failures" can lead to success.
  • Perfect for: Young inventors and creators who are learning to embrace their creativity and not fear failure.

• The Chicken Squad by Doreen Cronin, illustrated by Kevin Cornell
  • Genre(s): Mystery, Humor, Adventure
  • Synopsis: This series revolves around a group of young chicken detectives. The chicks are not afraid to tackle the big mysteries in their backyard and go on various adventures.
  • Skills and subjects this book improves: Problem solving, teamwork, critical thinking
  • Why we recommend this book: It's filled with humor and adventure, making it an engaging read that also teaches valuable lessons about working together and solving problems.
  • Perfect for: Young detectives and readers who enjoy a good mystery with a dash of humor.

• Narwhal: Unicorn of the Sea by Ben Clanton
  • Genre(s): Graphic Novel, Fantasy, Humor
  • Synopsis: This graphic novel series features a happy-go-lucky narwhal and a no-nonsense jellyfish. The books are a collection of three stories that follow the pair on underwater adventures.
  • Skills and subjects this book improves: Friendship, imagination, reading confidence
  • Why we recommend this book: It combines delightful visuals with charming stories, ideal for engaging reluctant readers and encouraging a love for reading.
  • Perfect for: Young readers who love animals, fantasy, and exploring the magic of underwater worlds.

• Zoey and Sassafras by Asia Citro, illustrated by Marion Lindsay
  • Genre(s): Fantasy, Science, Adventure
  • Synopsis: Zoey discovers she can see magical creatures and, with the help of her cat Sassafras, uses science to help them with their problems. Each story features a new magical animal and a scientific concept.
  • Skills and subjects this book improves: Scientific method, problem-solving, empathy
  • Why we recommend this book: It uniquely blends fantasy with scientific inquiry, encouraging critical thinking and a systematic approach to solving problems.
  • Perfect for: Young readers who enjoy magical adventures and have a budding interest in science.

Challenging Chapter Books for 7-Year-Old Girl

• Matilda by Roald Dahl
  • Genre(s): Fantasy, Fiction
  • Synopsis: Matilda is a brilliant and sensitive child, but her parents mistreat her and the school headmistress, Miss Trunchbull, is a terrifying bully. Using her intelligence and telekinetic powers, Matilda devises clever ways to overcome her challenges.
  • Why this book is challenging: The book features complex characters and themes of justice and personal empowerment, which are advanced concepts for young readers.
  • Why we recommend this book: It celebrates the resilience and ingenuity of a young girl, encouraging readers to believe in their own abilities to overcome obstacles.
  • Perfect for: Young readers who enjoy stories of triumph over adversity and those who appreciate clever, resourceful characters.

• The BFG by Roald Dahl, illustrated by Quentin Blake
  • Genre(s): Fantasy, Adventure
  • Synopsis: A young orphan girl named Sophie meets the Big Friendly Giant (BFG) who, unlike other giants, does not eat children. Together, they embark on an adventure to stop the man-eating giants.
  • Why this book is challenging: The unique language invented by the BFG, known as "gobblefunk," presents a delightful linguistic challenge for young readers.
  • Why we recommend this book: It's a fantastical story that sparks imagination and teaches kindness and friendship in a world of giants.
  • Perfect for: Children who love whimsical tales and exploring new, imaginative words and worlds.

• Pippi Longstocking by Astrid Lindgren
  • Genre(s): Adventure, Humor
  • Synopsis: Pippi Longstocking is an unconventional, super-strong, and fiercely independent young girl who lives alone with her horse and monkey, having adventures and fending for herself against bothersome adults.
  • Why this book is challenging: Pippi's adventures and the way she challenges societal norms provide material for advanced readers to explore themes of independence and non-conformity.
  • Why we recommend this book: Pippi's spirited antics and strong personality make for an entertaining read that also encourages discussions about independence and self-reliance.
  • Perfect for: Independent thinkers and any young reader who enjoys stories about strong, quirky characters who defy expectations.

• The Tale of Despereaux by Kate DiCamillo, illustrated by Timothy Basil Ering
  • Genre(s): Fantasy, Adventure
  • Synopsis: This story follows Despereaux Tilling, a small mouse with big ears, on his quest to rescue a human princess named Pea. It intertwines themes of bravery, forgiveness, and redemption.
  • Why this book is challenging: It weaves together multiple narratives and deals with complex themes such as betrayal and forgiveness.
  • Why we recommend this book: The narrative's depth and the moral questions it raises make it a profound reading experience that can help develop empathy and moral reasoning.
  • Perfect for: Readers who enjoy fairy tales with depth and those who are not afraid to explore darker themes in a child-friendly context.

• Alice's Adventures in Wonderland by Lewis Carroll
  • Genre(s): Fantasy, Adventure
  • Synopsis: Alice falls through a rabbit hole into a fantastical world where she encounters various peculiar creatures and experiences numerous surreal and often nonsensical adventures.
  • Why this book is challenging: The play on logic and the abstract nature of the story challenge young readers to think beyond the literal.
  • Why we recommend this book: It's a classic that encourages imagination and creativity, offering a unique narrative style that differs from typical children's books.
  • Perfect for: Creative thinkers and young readers who enjoy puzzling through bizarre and whimsical scenarios.

Exercises to Develop a Good Reading Habit

Hey there! If you're looking to help your 7-year-old girl develop strong reading habits through chapter books, here are some fun and effective exercises you can try together. These exercises are designed to make reading a more engaging and beneficial experience.

• Create a Reading Nook
  • What it is: Set up a cozy, dedicated space for reading.
  • How it helps: Provides a comfortable and inviting environment that encourages regular reading.
  • Tips: Let her personalize the space with her favorite cushions, lights, or decorations.

• Book Selection Day
  • What it is: Have a day where she picks out her next book to read.
  • How it helps: Gives her a sense of control and excitement about reading.
  • Tips: Visit a library or bookstore together, or browse online for new titles.

• Read and Discuss
  • What it is: Schedule regular times to read together and talk about the book.
  • How it helps: Enhances comprehension and makes reading a shared, social activity.
  • Tips: Ask open-ended questions about the story, characters, and what she thinks might happen next.

• Story Map Creation
  • What it is: Draw or write out maps of the story’s events.
  • How it helps: Helps with understanding plot and the sequence of events.
  • Tips: Use large paper and colorful markers to make it more engaging.

• Character Diary Entries
  • What it is: Write diary entries from the perspective of a character in the book.
  • How it helps: Develops empathy and deeper understanding of characters.
  • Tips: Encourage her to express what the character might be feeling at different points in the story.

• Reading Challenge Chart
  • What it is: Create a chart that tracks the number of books or chapters read.
  • How it helps: Motivates continuous reading and setting goals.
  • Tips: Offer small rewards for reaching reading milestones.

• Book-Themed Creative Projects
  • What it is: Engage in a craft or project related to the theme or setting of the book.
  • How it helps: Extends the reading experience and makes it more memorable.
  • Tips: You could make costumes, draw scenes, or build something from the story.

By incorporating these exercises into her reading routine, your little girl will not only improve her reading skills but also develop a lifelong love for books. Remember, the key is to keep the activities fun and light, so she always looks forward to her reading time! Enjoy exploring new chapters together!