Do you have a child who loves to read? How about one who deigns to read? I am a firm believer that those who don’t enjoy reading simply haven’t found the right books, so we’re here to help!
As parents, we love to see our children with a book in their hands…but we may not always know what to offer them. With Christmas swiftly approaching, here are some great suggestions for book series to gift your young ones. Whether they are books to be read aloud with you or to be read while snuggled down in their bed at night, these series are sure to leave your kids wanting “Just one more chapter!”
Best Book Series for Young Children
Winnie the Pooh – The Complete Collection by A.A. Milne: These books are classics for a reason. Your little one is sure to love the stories of Christopher Robin, Pooh Bear, Piglet, and all the friends in the Hundred Acre Wood.
This collection includes 6 books: Winnie-the-Pooh, When We Were Very Young, Now We Are Six, The House at Pooh Corner, Return To Hundred Acre Wood, and The Best Bear in All the World.
The Classic Adventures Of Paddington Bear – The Complete Collection by Michael Bond: This collection is perfect for read-alouds for all ages. Read about Paddington, a bear from Darkest Peru who loves marmalade, and his adventures with the Brown family in London. My 4-year-old, my husband, and I have all loved this series!
This collection includes all 15 books!
The Boxcar Children Mysteries – Books 1-4 by Gertrude Chandler Warner: These books are a lot of fun, full of adventure, and suspenseful without being scary. Henry, Jessie, Violet, and Benny Alden wanted a home and found so much more!
This collection includes the first 4 books: The Boxcar Children, Surprise Island, The Yellow House Mystery, and Mystery Ranch. The good news is if you love these books, they can keep you busy for a while as there are 164 in the series!
Little House Series by Laura Ingalls Wilder: Read about Laura’s childhood on the frontier. Your children are sure to be entranced by her exciting stories of challenges and adventures found on the pages of these books.
This collection includes 9 books: Little House in the Big Woods, Farmer Boy, Little House on the Prairie, On the Banks of Plum Creek, By the Shores of Silver Lake, The Long Winter, Little Town on the Prairie, These Happy Golden Years, and The First Four Years.
Magic Tree House Box Set – Books 1-4 by Mary Pope Osborne: Kids of all ages love reading about Jack and Annie and the magical tree house in the woods that transports them through time!
Get hooked on the series with this set of the first 4 books: Dinosaurs Before Dark, The Knight at Dawn, Mummies in the Morning, and Pirates Past Noon.
Bonus Faith-Based series:
Little Pilgrim’s Big Journey Parts 1 and 2 by Tyler Van Halteren: Part 1 follows Christian on his journey from the City of Destruction to the Celestial City, and Part 2 follows his sister, Christiana, and his brothers Eli and Jude as they make their journey to the King’s City as well. These books are beautifully adapted from John Bunyan’s original with attractive illustrations and are a great way to introduce your kids to the Gospel and the Christian life. Part 3 is also available!
Best Book Series for Older Children
The Chronicles of Narnia by C.S. Lewis: If your kids love fantasy, they are sure to join the millions who have read and loved these books over the years.
This series has 7 books: The Magician’s Nephew; The Lion, The Witch and the Wardrobe; The Horse and His Boy; Prince Caspian; The Voyage of the Dawn Treader; The Silver Chair; and The Last Battle.
Harry Potter Box Set by J.K. Rowling: Watch your children fall in love with wizards, witches, and worldbuilding in this epic saga.
This box set contains all 7 books in the series!
Inkheart Trilogy by Cornelia Funke: Find out what happens when Meggie discovers her father is a Silvertongue – one who has the ability to bring the world of books into our world by simply reading aloud. It sounds amazing…until they realize the consequences.
This set contains all 3 books: Inkheart, Inkspell, and Inkdeath.
Percy Jackson and the Olympians Book Set by Rick Riordan: Follow Percy Jackson as he discovers he is a demigod, the son of Poseidon, and all the adventures that ensue.
This set includes 7 books in the series: The Lightning Thief, Sea of Monsters, Titan’s Curse, Battle of the Labyrinth, Last Olympian, Greek Heroes, and Greek Gods.
Anne of Green Gables – The Complete Collection by L.M. Montgomery: Introduce your child to Anne Shirley, Marilla, Matthew, Gilbert Blythe, Diana, and more as you travel to Green Gables.
This set contains all 8 books: Anne of Green Gables, Anne of Avonlea, Anne of the Island, Anne of Windy Poplars, Anne’s House of Dreams, Rainbow Valley, Anne of Ingleside, and Rilla of Ingleside.
Best Book Series for Teens
The Hunger Games Book Set by Suzanne Collins: Once a year in the nation of Panem, 2 children are chosen from each of the 12 districts to perform in the Hunger Games – a crazy fight to the death where the last one standing wins. Discover what happens when Katniss volunteers to take the place of her little sister when her name is chosen. This series hooked me from the start, and your teen is sure to love them!
This set contains all 4 books: The Hunger Games, Catching Fire, Mockingjay, and The Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes.
The Maze Runner Series by James Dashner: What happens when a boy wakes up in a glade surrounded by walls with no memory other than his name…and things only get worse from there? Find out in this exciting dystopian series!
This box set includes 5 books: The Maze Runner, The Scorch Trials, The Death Cure, The Kill Order, and The Fever Code.
The Selection – The Complete Series by Kiera Cass: In the nation of Illéa, where a caste system keeps people from following their dreams, America Singer is chosen along with 34 other girls to compete to win the hand and heart of Prince Maxon. Unfortunately, she isn’t interested in winning the prize. Let the games begin!
This box set includes all 5 books in the series: The Selection, The Elite, The One, The Heir, and The Crown.
The Lord of the Rings by J.R.R. Tolkien: This classic series is the ultimate fantasy world-building story. Follow Frodo Baggins from his home in the Shire to the Elvish cities of Rivendell and Lothlorien all the way to the fires of Mordor as he journeys to save the world. So good!!
This box set includes all 3 Lord of the Rings books: The Fellowship of the Ring, The Two Towers, and The Return of the King, along with the book where it all began – The Hobbit!
The Inheritance Games Box Set by Jennifer Lynn Barnes: Avery Grambs is a high school student struggling through the days until a billionaire stranger dies and leaves her an inheritance that will absolutely change her life…with a few stipulations. Your teen will love this exciting series!
This box set contains the first 3 books: The Inheritance Games, The Hawthorne Legacy, and The Final Gambit.
Honorable Mentions
- The Hatchet Series by Gary Paulsen: Find out what happens when Brian’s plane crashes and he has to survive in the wilderness. This series includes 5 books: Hatchet, The River, Brian’s Return, Brian’s Winter, and Brian’s Hunt.
- The Grandma’s Attic Series AND the Beyond the Orphan Train Series by Arleta Richardson: (faith-based) Both these series are amazing and will keep your kids entranced as they follow along with the characters and stories.
- The Mandie Series by Lois Gladys Leppard: (faith-based) These books follow Mandie and her friends as they encounter adventures and solve mysteries. This set includes the first 5 books in the series: Mandie and the Secret Tunnel, Mandie and the Cherokee Legend, Mandie and the Ghost Bandits, Mandie and the Forbidden Attic, and Mandie and the Trunk’s Secret.
- The Nancy Drew Series by Carolyn Keene: Join everyone’s favorite female detective as she solves mysteries and catches criminals! This set contains the first 10 books in the series: The Secret of the Old Clock, The Hidden Staircase, The Bungalow Mystery, The Mystery at Lilac Inn, The Secret of Shadow Ranch, The Secret of Red Gate Farm, The Clue in the Diary, Nancy’s Mysterious Letter, The Sign of the Twisted Candles, andPassword to Larkspur Lane.
- The Hardy Boys Series by Franklin Dixon: This is another fun detective series for your kids! This set includes the first 5 books in the series: The Tower Treasure, The House on the Cliff, The Secret of the Old Mill, The Missing Chums, and Hunting for Hidden Gold.
Naomi White
Naomi White graduated with her B.S. in Christian Elementary Education and went on to earn her Early Childhood Education certification. She has taught preschool and elementary school in both Christian and public schools. She loves to read and write, is a pastor’s wife and stay-at-home mom, and is eagerly awaiting the day her son is old enough for them to start their own homeschool journey. Originally a Georgia girl, Naomi currently lives in the beautiful mountains of North Carolina with her family.
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