When a child turns seven, it’s a big moment in their reading journey. This is the age when many kids move from learning how to read to reading more on their own. They start to enjoy stories and choose the kinds of books they like. This is a great time to help them love reading for life.
At age seven, reading isn’t just about learning new words. It’s also about how children see themselves. When they move from picture books to chapter books, they often feel proud and more grown-up. One expert said, “Chapter books show kids they’re becoming grown-up readers.” Another said that this is the age when children become “true readers.” So, it’s important to give them books that are not only at the right level but also make them feel good and confident.
The list of the 10 best books for 7-year-olds in this guide is carefully put together by looking at many trusted sources. These include book experts, award-winning books like the Newbery and Caldecott Medal winners, popular bestsellers that kids love, and books with fun stories and important messages.
List of 10 Best Books for 7-Year-Olds
This list includes a mix of chapter books, picture books, and non-fiction, carefully chosen to match what 7-year-olds love, what helps them grow as readers, and what supports their learning and imagination.
| Book Title | Author | Genre/Theme | A Caldecott-winning book about finding calm. A story told mostly through pictures. |
|---|---|---|---|
| Charlotte’s Web | E.B. White | Classic, Animals, Friendship | A beautiful story about love and loyalty. Great for reading aloud or advanced readers. |
| Frog and Toad Are Friends | Arnold Lobel | Early Chapter Book, Friendship | Gentle lessons and simple words perfect for new readers. |
| The Princess in Black | Shannon & Dean Hale | Early Chapter, Fantasy, Girl Power | Fun, fast-paced, with a brave girl hero. Easy for kids to enjoy. |
| Mercy Watson to the Rescue | Kate DiCamillo | Early Chapter, Humor, Animals | Funny story with colorful pictures. Builds reading confidence. |
| The One and Only Ivan | Katherine Applegate | Chapter Book, Animals, Empathy | Beautiful picture book that gently introduces important history. |
| Born on the Water | Hannah-Jones & Watson | Non-Fiction, History, Social Justice | Gentle lessons and simple words are perfect for new readers. |
| Hot Dog | Doug Salati | Picture Book, Emotions, Nature | A touching story based on a real gorilla. Great for discussion or advanced readers. |
| Ivy and Bean | Annie Barrows | Early Chapter, Friendship, Humor | Fun stories about two opposite girls who become best friends. |
| Who Was…? Series | Various Authors | Non-Fiction, Biography | Easy-to-read facts about real people. Great for curious kids. |
| The Wild Robot | Peter Brown | Chapter Book, Sci-Fi, Nature | A robot learning to survive in nature. Full of adventure and big ideas. |
Charlotte’s Web by E.B. White
A classic story about a pig named Wilbur and a wise spider named Charlotte who tries to save him. It’s gentle, emotional, and introduces big ideas like friendship, life, and change. Great for reading together or for stronger readers.
Frog and Toad Are Friends by Arnold Lobel
Short and simple stories about two best friends. The easy language and sweet lessons make it ideal for children learning to read on their own. A great first chapter book series.
The Princess in Black by Shannon & Dean Hale
Princess by day, monster-fighter by night! This action-packed early chapter book has fun pictures, simple words, and an exciting story. Perfect for kids who want adventure and humor with a strong girl lead.
Mercy Watson to the Rescue by Kate DiCamillo
Mercy the pig loves toast and gets into silly trouble. These funny, short books are great for kids who are still building reading confidence. The pictures and humor help keep them hooked.
The One and Only Ivan by Katherine Applegate
Told from the view of a gorilla, this emotional story talks about friendship, freedom, and hope. Although it’s a chapter book, the writing is simple enough for advanced 7-year-olds or to be read aloud together.
Born on the Water by Nikole Hannah-Jones & Renée Watson
A touching picture book that explains Black history in America in a way kids can understand. Told like a poem, it teaches empathy and the importance of knowing our past. A thoughtful, moving book for shared reading.
Hot Dog by Doug Salati
This beautifully illustrated book shows how a little dog gets overwhelmed in a busy city and finds peace at the beach. Great for talking about feelings, stress, and how nature can help us feel better.
Ivy and Bean by Annie Barrows
Two very different girls become best friends and go on fun adventures. The stories are funny and real, with short chapters that help kids move into longer books with ease.
Who Was…? Series (Various Authors)
Easy-to-read biographies about famous people from history, science, sports, and the arts. These books answer curious questions and show kids how people made a difference in the world.
The Wild Robot by Peter Brown
A robot washes up on an island and must learn how to live with animals in the wild. It’s a smart and heartwarming adventure, full of ideas about nature, family, and what it means to be alive. Kids love the story—and the series continues!
Reading Milestones for 7-Year-Olds
At age seven, most children are getting better at reading words quickly and smoothly. They can now read longer stories, understand harder words by using clues in the sentence, and think more deeply about the characters and events in a story. They don’t just remember facts—they also start to understand things like why characters do certain things, how one event leads to another, and the deeper message of the story. This means they’re ready for more meaningful and exciting reading experiences.
Moving from Picture Books to Chapter Books
Around this age, many kids begin reading early chapter books. These books make them feel like “grown-up” readers. But it’s important to know this change doesn’t happen all at once. Seven-year-olds still enjoy—and learn a lot from—picture books. The pictures in these books help explain big ideas and emotions and make reading more fun.
Early chapter books for this age are made to be easier to read. They have big letters, more space on the page, and pictures to help with understanding. These features make reading less tiring and more enjoyable. Kids still need support as they move into chapter books, and that’s okay.
Parents can use something called the “5-Finger Test” to see if a book is a good fit. If a child finds more than five hard words on one page, it might be too difficult right now. Finding books that are just right helps build confidence and keeps reading fun.
Trying Different Types of Books
Seven-year-olds are curious about many things. That’s why it’s good to give them different kinds of books—funny stories, magical adventures, real-life stories, and even non-fiction books about science, history, and people’s lives. Graphic novels are also great at this age.
Giving kids choices in what they read is very important. When they get to pick books that interest them, they enjoy reading more and are more likely to keep reading as they grow. There’s no single “best” type of book for everyone—what matters most is that kids find books they love.