Hi! I am planning on building a library for my nieces and nephews. My oldest niece is almost 7 and is starting first grade in the fall. She is already a big reader and is almost ready to progress to books that are more 'word' focused than 'picture' focused, if that makes sense.

SOOOO... i was looking for some recommendations on great books for new (independent) readers. She has pretty much every 'baby' book, but little in the way of kids novels. Seeing as how i have no children of my own, i thought this would be a great place to get advice.

Am going to start out with the first 3 Harry Potters - but any other thoughts?

Sidenote - her brother is only 1 year younger, so will be coming into this age soon. Books dont need to be 'female-oriented'

I really enjoyed the Bobbsey Twins series when I was that age. I don't know if they're still in print, though. This series would (probably) lead to Nancy Drew, Hardy Boys, The Famous Five series later on as they are mystery genre books.
I'll try to remember a few more and get back.

The Betsy books by Carolyn Haywood would be perfect for that age (for girls mostly though). I'll have to think of something for boys and post later....

I agree with Bobbsey Twins...and leading into Nancy Drew and the like.

When I was in elementary school I read Baby-Sitters Club and Boxcar Children.

I really liked the American Girl series when I was in elementary school and there was also a series called something like Childhood of Famous Americans that I really liked.

My 7-year old daughter likes the Ramona series. Also Babymouse, but that is a graphic novel. Not sure if that's what you're looking for. She also likes Junie B. Jones by Barbara Park.

How about some of Neil Gaiman's juvenile fiction? Coraline, The Graveyard Book? They might be a little too old for them, or they may be just right.

What about Amelia Bedela books? - I remember they were good for beginning readers of both sexes because kids can really relate to the humor in them.

My kids are in that age group and they really enjoy The Magic Treehouse series,The Adventures of Captain Underpants,Diary of a Wimpy Kid and also someone already metioned Amelia Bedelia Helps Out my kids love that series

oh and I forgot aboutHow to Eat Fried Worms I loved this book when I was in elementary school and they actually made a movie of it a couple of years ago. So she could read the book and then watch the movie.

My seven year old loved Charlotte's Web and he also reads the Ben-10 graphic books. He also really loved the Bunnicula series as well. I don't know if they are still around but they're great books. I even love them!

Great ideas!! Thanks! I remember reading the Bobbsey Twins and Ramona Quimby books when I was little. I totally forgot about them, but I loved them!

Since you've started your list with Harry Potter, here's a selection of some of my absolute favorites, all with children as protagonists, most fantasy or SF, a few not -- Treasure Island, The Chronicles of Narnia, Bedknob and Broomstick, A Wrinkle in Time, The Black Stallion, Black Beauty, The Witches of Karres, Enchantress from the Stars, anything at all by Anne McCaffrey or Andre Norton or Jane Yolen, also The Phantom Tollbooth.

My 8-year old has been reading the Harry Potter series and loves it, but you've got to make sure kids are mature enough for it, as I'm sure you're quite aware. I think the first 3 books, though, are tame enough for younger readers.

He also has been enjoying the 39 Clues series (the first one is The Maze of Bones) and the Percy Jackson series is next on his list.

You may also want to check out Mike Thaler's Black Lagoon books, which easily keep a child's attention - they're really funny. Some are picture books, others are chapter books.

Finally, if you are looking for any "girly" books, Gail Carson Levine is great (I'd start with Ella Enchanted) or maybe even some of the Disney Fairies books (my 11 year old daughter STILL enjoys reading those). Fairy Dust and the Quest for the Egg was her favorite one.

For boys - Nate the Great series of books is good

The Little House books. Charlotte's Web. From the Mixed-Up Files of Mrs. Basil E. Frankweiler. Mary Poppins. Mr. Popper's Penguins. Pippi Longstocking. Charlie and the Chocolate Factory.

I think I read and enjoyed all of those at about seven or eight.

When I was that age I adored The Babysitter's Club (there is also the Little Sister series for a younger audience). They're out of print, but you can find them on ebay and at library book sales and the like. They're definitely geared towards girls, though.

I also loved Goosebumps, but they may be a bit young for those yet?

These may be below her reading level, but I find second graders just love the Geronimo Stilton series.

Brenda wrote: "The Betsy books by Carolyn Haywood would be perfect for that age (for girls mostly though). I'll have to think of something for boys and post later...."

I agree! (Oh I can't wait until my children are old enough to read The Boxcar Children!)

Another good book series would be The Wrinkle in Time series but some of the words might be a little difficult for younger readers.

I have always been a big reader. A lot of my faves from when I was younger (Wrinkle in Time, Piip Longstocking, anything by Roald Dahl) were already mentioned. Some of my other favorite books from that time in my life were:
The Boxcar Children (the whole series - it deserves another shoutout!)
The Secret of the Old Clock (and the whole Nancy Drew series)
The Secret Garden
A Little Princess
Black Beauty
Little House in the Big Woods (and the whole Little House series)

I was big into series... of course, Babysitter's Club, Sweet Valley Twins, and the Goosebumps series were also enjoyed, but the above were more of the more "quality" books I loved. Have fun!

I loved anything by Roald Dahl. Very very funny.
Also, the Lemony Snicket series is great.

When I was younger, I really enjoyed reading poetry, and my favorites where Shel Silverstein and Jack Prelutsky.

I forgot to mention James and the Giant Peach and Matilda both by Roald Dahl. I adored both of those books and they work for both genders.

Lots of good options here!

Oh yes, and the Betsy-Tacy books, by Maud Hart Lovelace. The Wonderful Wizard of Oz (and all the sequels, I think there are 13 of them), by L. Frank Baum. Caddie Woodlawn. The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe. D'Aulaires' Book of Greek Myths. The Story of Doctor Dolittle. The Borrowers. The Famous Five books (I think the first one is Five on a Treasure Island). The Wolves of Willoughby Chase.

I second many of the books mentioned, but here are some that haven't been brought up yet:

Mrs. Piggle-Wiggle -- has multiple books
Encyclopedia Brown, Boy Detective -- multiples
The Cricket in Times Square
Mrs. Frisby and the Rats of NIMH
The Trumpet of the Swan
Stuart Little
The Dark Is Rising - quintology

I loved Mrs. Piggle Wiggle, I've been trying to think of the name for weeks now, thanks.
My co-worker and I were also talking about the Wayside School books, don't remember what age they were intended for but they are also great.

Oh I LOVED the Wayside School books. i feel like I was in fourth grade when i started reading those.

These are all great suggestions and even more than that, have made me very reminiscent about what I used to read! i loved a lot of these books when i was younger!

Y/W Annashu. I found the treasury in the bargain bin a few years back and snatched it up for pure nostalgia!

The Hank Zipzer books are really good, too. The first one is Niagara Falls, Or Does It? #1.

I was a big fan of Judy Blume when I was a kid, she writes for different age so there's always something. I also liked all the Ramona books. Someone mentioned Junie B. Jones, which my younger sister loved when she was that age.

You guys have way better memories than me. I can't believe that I forgot Mrs. Piggle Wiggle and Encyclopedia Brown! I loved the Choose-Your-Own-Adventure books. Do they still make those? I just remembered Amelia Bedelia, too. The Bunnicula series is great, too.

I second Judy Blume, I also read The Secret Garden and A Little Princess when i was around 2nd grade (great movie adaptations too!)

Am i the only one who used to read The Choose-Your- Own-Adventure books multiple times wiyj different outcomes along the way?

Rachel wrote: "Am i the only one who used to read The Choose-Your- Own-Adventure books multiple times wiyj different outcomes along the way?"

Those books were too stressful for me, as I was in agony that something "bad" would happen if I made the wrong choice. I'm surprised I'm not on anxiety medication now as an adult because of it. :)

Rachel wrote: "Am i the only one who used to read The Choose-Your- Own-Adventure books multiple times with different outcomes along the way?"

They didn't have them out when I was that age, I think.

Rachel wrote: "Am i the only one who used to read The Choose-Your- Own-Adventure books multiple times wiyj different outcomes along the way?"

No - i loved them!! I used to keep all the different possibilities separated between my fingers and flip back and forth to read all of the different outcomes. Sometimes I would have 4 or 5 fingers stuck in the pages at once. I always seemed fall in a ravine or get eaten by a mountain lion or something...

I also recommend The Indian in the Cupboard. This was a favorite of mine when I was 7-8 years old. Actually anything by Lynne Reid Banks would be good.

Also, Winnie-the-Pooh. Roald Dahl has already been mentioned, but I have to put in a good word for my personal favorite The BFG.

Some others:
Just So Stories
Walt Disney's Uncle Remus Stories
The Hobbit by J.R.R. Tolkien (I read this when I was ~8)
The Henry Reed Books by Keith Robertson

I would also second the Magic Tree House books (Mary Pope Osborne) and Geronimo Stilton Books for the 6-7 year old range. My older son (just turned 9) has passed these and really enjoyed them. My younger son (about to turn 7) is really enjoying them now.

Oh, definitely the Henry Reed books!

Susanna wrote: "Rachel wrote: "Am i the only one who used to read The Choose-Your- Own-Adventure books multiple times with different outcomes along the way?"

They didn't have them out when I was that age, I think."

I'm so sorry! They were great! I used to agonize but I would always do it again when I was done. Just to see the other stories.

Rachel wrote: "Am i the only one who used to read The Choose-Your- Own-Adventure books multiple times wiyj different outcomes along the way?"

Unfortunately, I seemed to always choose the most sensible option and end up wih the happy ending. Not a very good adventuress, I guess. My brother loved them though and had about fifty or so.

Rachel wrote: "Am i the only one who used to read The Choose-Your- Own-Adventure books multiple times wiyj different outcomes along the way?"

My husband and I were fans of these when we were growing up. I found some that are more modern within the last couple of years, though, that my kids have enjoyed reading.

There is a whole series of books for that age... with titles like Vampires Don't Serve Lunch and Zombies Don't Wear Tennis Shoes that I really liked. I made up those names but you get the idea... I should look them up for you.

Ok. Its "The Adventures of the Bailey School Kids" series..

Here is an example
http://www.amazon.com/Zombies-Soccer-Adv...

I recommend The Sisters Grimm Book 1 The Fairy-Tale Detectives series.