Sink Into a Series™ for Kids

8 Great Series for Young Readers to Get Excited About

Getting kids hooked on a good series can turn them on to a lifetime of reading enjoyment. From humor to mystery to fantasy, there is a wealth of excellent options for young readers. Sink Into a Series with us and get your youngsters excited to keep turning pages.

Click the series title to see a list of all of the books in order.   

Cat Kid Comic Club by Dav Pilkey

Humor • Creativity • Cooperation

What is the series about?

Pilkey's newest graphic novel series features twenty-one rambunctious, talented tadpoles who join a comic-making club, lead by Li'l Petey (a character from Pilkey's Dog Man series) and his best friend, Molly. Readers will be inspired to unleash their own creativity as they see the progress and artistic bravery that comes with practice and persistence. 

What age range is Cat Kid Comic Club appropriate for?

Ages 7–10

How many books are in the series?

Book #5, Influencers, comes out on November 28!

Should the series be read in order?

Yes, we recommend reading them in order.

Will there be a show or movie?

Not that we know of. But there is a musical!

Will there be more books in this series?

All signs point to yes! Plus fans can check out other popular series by Pilkey including Captain Underpants and Dog Man.

Diary of a Wimpy Kid by Jeff Kinney

Humor • Resilience • Friendship

What is the series about?

This series follows Greg Heffley, an awkward middle-schooler who illustrates his daily life in hilarious journal entries. Greg's attempts to become popular are comically unsuccessful, but he generally has the support of his best friend, Rowley.

What age range is Diary of a Wimpy Kid appropriate for?

Grades 3–7, or ages 8–12

How many books are in the series?

Book #18, No Brainer, just came out!

Should the series be read in order?

Yes, we recommend reading in order.

Will there be a show or movie?

There have been several movies based on the series:

• Diary of a Wimpy Kid 1
• Diary of a Wimpy Kid 2: Rodrick Rules
• Diary of a Wimpy Kid 3: Dog Days
• Diary of a Wimpy Kid 4: The Long Haul
• Diary of a Wimpy Kid: 1, 2, and 3

Will there be more books in this series?

Yes! Kinney says he will keep writing them as long as kids are reading them! There is also a spinoff series about Rowley, called Diary of an Awesome Friendly Kid.

Magic Tree House by Mary Pope Osborne

Fantasy • Adventure • History

What is the series about?

This time-travel fantasy series is centered on brother and sister, Jack and Annie Smith, two normal children who find a magic tree house in the woods where they meet legendary Arthurian sorceress Morgan Le Fay who sends them back in time to complete important quests. Starting with Book 29, Christmas in Camelot, magician Merlin is introduced as another person sending the children on their enchanted missions.

What age range is Magic Tree House appropriate for?

The original series is appropriate for readers, aged 6–8. The books in the Merlin Missions spinoff are better suited to ages 7–10.

How many books are in the series?

There are 38 books in the original Magic Treehouse series and 27 books in the Merlin Missions.

Should the series be read in order?

These books don't need to be read in any particular order, but there are certain books that fit nicely together because some missions take place over several volumes.

Will there be a show or movie?

Magic Tree House came out as a Japanese animated film in 2011, but it doesn't look like it's available for streaming.

Will there be more books in this series?

Yes! The newest installment, Windy Night with Wild Horses, is slated for 2024.

A Series of Unfortunate Events by Lemony Snicket

Fantasy • Mystery • Adventure

What is the series about?

These stories follow the turbulent lives of orphaned siblings Violet, Klaus, and Sunny Baudelaire. After their parents' death in a fire, the children are placed in the custody of a murderous villain, Count Olaf, who schemes to steal their inheritance. As the plot progresses the Baudelaire's confront further mysteries surrounding their family and a secret society. 

What age range is A Series of Unfortunate Events appropriate for?

Ages 9–14

How many books are in the series?

13

Should the series be read in order?

Yes.

Is there a show or movie?

Yes and yes! The 2004 film adaptation stars Jim Carrey, Meryl Streep, and Jude Law. A Netflix series starring Neil Patrick Harris premiered in 2017. 

Will there be more books in this series?

Unlikely. The last book in the series came out in 2006 and was entitled The End.

Junie B. Jones by Barbara Park

Self-Confidence • Humor • Honesty

What is the series about?

Junie is a sassy kindergartner reminiscent of classic rambunctious kid-lit characters who have come before her like Ramona, Fudge, and Pippi. Junie is confident and direct and gets into all kinds of scrapes. Kids love her because she says everything they wish they could say.

What age range is Junie B. Jones appropriate for?

Ages 5–7

How many books are in the series?

28

Should the series be read in order?

Yes.

Will there be a show or movie?

In 2022, it was announced that an adaptation was in the works.

Will there be more books in this series?

Nope. This series came to an end in 2013.

The Baby-Sitters Club by Ann M. Martin and others

Responsibility • Friendship • Problem-Solving

What is the series about?

These stories center on a group of friends living in the fictional suburban town of Stoneybrook, Connecticut, who run a local babysitting service. Over the course of the series the characters grow a few years older, navigating a wide variety of challenges pertaining to all aspects of their lives as tweens and young teens.

What age range is The Baby-Sitters Club appropriate for?

Ages 8–12

How many books are in the series?

There are 131 books in the original series. Spinoff series include:

• The Baby-Sitters Club Mysteries
• The Baby-Sitters Club Super Mysteries
• The Baby-Sitters Club Super Specials
• The Baby-Sitters Club Little Sister
• The Baby-Sitters Club Little Sister Super Specials
• The Baby-Sitters Club Friends Forever
• The Baby-Sitters Club Portrait Collection
• The Baby-Sitters Club Graphic Novels

Should the series be read in order?

If possible, yes. But the books generally work well as standalones.

Is there a show or movie?

In 1990, a 13-episode series aired on HBO and the Disney Channel. Another series debuted on Netflix in 2020.

A film adaptation was released in 1995.

Will there be more books in this series?

No. This series is complete.

The Vanderbeekers by Karina Yan Glaser

Family • Community • Overcoming Hardships

What is the series about?

The stories of this warm, rowdy clan offer a delightful, modern version of the large families in novels of yesteryear like All-of-a-Kind Family and The Great Brain. In each installment the five Vanderbeeker siblings apply their collective charm and smarts to a formidable challenge.

What age range is The Vanderbeekers appropriate for?

Ages 8–12

How many books are in the series?

7

Should the series be read in order?

Yes

Will there be a show or movie?

We hope so! It has been reported that Amy Poehler's production company has optioned the rights to the series and that a show is in development. 

Will there be more books in this series?

No

Wings of Fire by Tui T. Sutherland

Empathy • Acceptance • Courage

What is the series about?

War rages between the various dragon tribes of Pyrrhia and Pantala. But some dragons feel that enough blood has been spilled in this war. An underground movement, the Talons of Peace, is working to bring peace. It all starts with a prophecy about five young dragons whose destiny is to end the war.

What age range is Wings of Fire appropriate for?

Ages 8–11

How many books are in the series?

There are fifteen books in the main series , as well as two books in the Wings of Fire: Winglets series, and two extended-length standalone novels in the Wings of Fire: Legends series. There is also a graphic novel series with six volumes.

Should the series be read in order?

Yes.

Will there be a show or movie?

It doesn't look likely. In 2022, Netflix pulled the plug on their development of a planned animated series.

Will there be more books in this series?

It seems unlikely.

Will any of these series make it onto your young reader's to-be-read pile? What are your favorite children's series? Let us know in the comments.

If you are a series junkie, we have more at our Sink Into a Series™ page, featuring the first book in over 100 well-loved, bingeable series.

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Read more by Ashly Moore Sheldon