{"id":937,"date":"2025-09-25T23:39:37","date_gmt":"2025-09-25T23:39:37","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.cerealreaders.com\/blog\/?p=937"},"modified":"2025-09-27T16:04:25","modified_gmt":"2025-09-27T16:04:25","slug":"what-makes-a-good-chapter-book-and-why-they-matter","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.cerealreaders.com\/blog\/what-makes-a-good-chapter-book-and-why-they-matter\/","title":{"rendered":"What Makes a Good Chapter Book (and Why They Matter)"},"content":{"rendered":"\t\t<div data-elementor-type=\"wp-post\" data-elementor-id=\"937\" class=\"elementor elementor-937\" data-elementor-post-type=\"post\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<section class=\"elementor-section elementor-top-section elementor-element elementor-element-450d4ec elementor-section-boxed elementor-section-height-default elementor-section-height-default\" data-id=\"450d4ec\" data-element_type=\"section\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-container elementor-column-gap-default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-column elementor-col-100 elementor-top-column elementor-element elementor-element-31adfc3\" data-id=\"31adfc3\" data-element_type=\"column\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-wrap elementor-element-populated\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-9907057 elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"9907057\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p>If you remember the first book you finished all by yourself, you probably remember the feeling more than the plot: that little surge of pride, perhaps a buoyant realization you could go anywhere a story took you. That is the goal of the chapter book: to form a tailored, confidence-building bridge between picture books and the longer middle-grade novels to come.<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/section>\n\t\t\t\t<section class=\"elementor-section elementor-top-section elementor-element elementor-element-946177d elementor-reverse-tablet elementor-reverse-mobile elementor-section-boxed elementor-section-height-default elementor-section-height-default\" data-id=\"946177d\" data-element_type=\"section\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-background-overlay\"><\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-container elementor-column-gap-default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-column elementor-col-50 elementor-top-column elementor-element elementor-element-4c17ec4\" data-id=\"4c17ec4\" data-element_type=\"column\" data-settings=\"{&quot;background_background&quot;:&quot;classic&quot;}\">\n\t\t\t<div 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5.4h.1l5.6-5.4 5.5 5.3 5.6-5.3 5.5 5.3 5.6-5.3 5.4 5.3 5.7-5.3 5.4 5.3 5.6-5.3 5.5 5.4V0H-.2v5.8z\"\/>\n<\/svg>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-container elementor-column-gap-default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-column elementor-col-100 elementor-inner-column elementor-element elementor-element-8837d59\" data-id=\"8837d59\" data-element_type=\"column\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-wrap elementor-element-populated\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-973e843 elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"973e843\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<h2>What is a chapter book?<\/h2>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-d7b9e39 elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"d7b9e39\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p>Chapter books are not just \u201cbooks with chapters.\u201d The term is a shortened form of <em>first chapter books<\/em>\u2014stories written specifically for newly independent readers. These are children aged roughly 6\u20139 years, who are moving beyond simpler stories in early readers toward longer narratives. Chapter books feature short chapters, friendly page design, and an abundance of visual support, all calibrated to help a child read on their own and\u2014 hopefully!\u2014want to do it again tomorrow.<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/section>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-column elementor-col-50 elementor-top-column elementor-element elementor-element-af3ab4f\" data-id=\"af3ab4f\" data-element_type=\"column\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-wrap elementor-element-populated\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-214a872 elementor-widget elementor-widget-heading\" data-id=\"214a872\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"heading.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<h2 class=\"elementor-heading-title elementor-size-default\">A bridge by design<\/h2>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-507326d elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"507326d\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p>In recent years, publishers have invested heavily in this transitional space, building dedicated lines that sit between leveled readers and longer novels. Scholastic\u2019s\u00a0<strong>Acorn<\/strong>\u00a0(for beginner readers) and\u00a0<strong>Branches<\/strong> (early chapter books) are cases in point: purpose-built with short, self-contained chapters, approachable vocabulary, and illustrations on every page. The goal is to keep momentum strong and grow stamina without sacrificing fun.<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-f7f1621 elementor-blockquote--skin-border elementor-blockquote--button-view-icon-text elementor-blockquote--button-skin-classic elementor-widget elementor-widget-blockquote\" data-id=\"f7f1621\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"blockquote.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<blockquote class=\"elementor-blockquote\">\n\t\t\t<p class=\"elementor-blockquote__content\">\n\t\t\t\t[Newly independent] readers really need, want and deserve strong, complex storylines. We just need to be providing that content on their reading level.\t\t\t<\/p>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"e-q-footer\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<cite class=\"elementor-blockquote__author\">Katie Carella, Scholastic<\/cite>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<a href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/intent\/tweet?text=%5BNewly+independent%5D+readers+really+need%2C+want+and+deserve+strong%2C+complex+storylines.+We+just+need+to+be+providing+that+content+on+their+reading+level.+%E2%80%94+Katie+Carella%2C+Scholastic&amp;url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.cerealreaders.com%2Fblog%2Fblog%2F\" class=\"elementor-blockquote__tweet-button\" target=\"_blank\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<i aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"fab fa-twitter\"><\/i>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"elementor-blockquote__tweet-label\">Tweet<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/a>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/blockquote>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-9beb827 elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"9beb827\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p><strong>Katie Carella, <\/strong>Editorial Director of the Acorn and Branches imprints at <strong>Scholastic, <\/strong>speaks passionately about engaging readers in this age group. <em>\u201c[Newly independent] readers really need, want and deserve strong, complex storylines. We just need to be providing that content on their reading level.\u201d<\/em>\u00a0She worries about the moment a child tries something too hard or too dull and decides, \u201cI\u2019m not a reader.\u201d In her view, it\u2019s essential to catch children during the small window of readiness.<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/section>\n\t\t\t\t<section class=\"elementor-section elementor-top-section elementor-element elementor-element-1974ee5 elementor-section-boxed elementor-section-height-default elementor-section-height-default\" data-id=\"1974ee5\" data-element_type=\"section\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-container elementor-column-gap-default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-column elementor-col-100 elementor-top-column elementor-element elementor-element-d7b1a95\" data-id=\"d7b1a95\" data-element_type=\"column\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-wrap 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d=\"M154.5,26.7c-0.1-0.1-4.6,0.3-7.2,0c-7.3-0.7-17-3.2-16.6-2.9c0.4,0.3,13.7,3.1,17,3.3\tC152.6,27.5,154.6,26.8,154.5,26.7z\"\/>\n\t<path class=\"elementor-shape-fill\" d=\"M41.9,19.3c0,0,1.2-0.3,2.9-0.1c1.7,0.2,5.8,0.9,8.2,0.7c4.2-0.4,7.4-2.7,7-2.6\tc-0.4,0-4.3,2.2-8.6,1.9c-1.8-0.1-5.1-0.5-6.7-0.4S41.9,19.3,41.9,19.3z\"\/>\n\t<path class=\"elementor-shape-fill\" d=\"M75.5,12.6c0.2,0.1,2-0.8,4.3-1.1c2.3-0.2,2.1-0.3,2.1-0.5c0-0.1-1.8-0.4-3.4,0\tC76.9,11.5,75.3,12.5,75.5,12.6z\"\/>\n\t<path class=\"elementor-shape-fill\" d=\"M15.6,13.2c0-0.1,4.3,0,6.7,0.5c2.4,0.5,5,1.9,5,2c0,0.1-2.7-0.8-5.1-1.4\tC19.9,13.7,15.7,13.3,15.6,13.2z\"\/>\n<\/svg>\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-container elementor-column-gap-default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-column elementor-col-100 elementor-top-column elementor-element elementor-element-b2d05f5\" data-id=\"b2d05f5\" data-element_type=\"column\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-wrap elementor-element-populated\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-9785d84 elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"9785d84\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p>Parents and educators also recognize the critical nature of seizing kids\u2019 attention at this time of their development, contributing to the growth of the chapter book market. Expanding choice and appeal through a breadth of story topics that cater to different reading level abilities is key. The aim is not just to foster lifelong reading enjoyment, but to open up a child\u2019s opportunities for long-term academic success.<\/p><p>These considerations are reflected in Scholastic&#8217;s <a href=\"https:\/\/www.scholastic.com\/content\/corp-home\/kids-and-family-reading-report\/key-findings.html\"><em>Kids &amp; Family Reading Report<\/em><\/a>. The survey included reading habits\u2014 such as reading aloud and reading for fun\u2014access to books, and the benefits of shared reading time as a parenting tool. Among the report&#8217;s findings was that 59% of parents surveyed reported using a children&#8217;s book to help their child process feelings or emotions. In addition to survey results, the report also includes age-specific tips parents can use to <a href=\"https:\/\/www.scholastic.com\/content\/corp-home\/kids-and-family-reading-report\/elementary-family-guide.html?appesp=CORP\/intraapp\/20240819\/\/cc2\/elementary\/familyGuide\/learnMore\/\">help improve their child\u2019s reading skills<\/a>.<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/section>\n\t\t\t\t<section class=\"elementor-section elementor-top-section elementor-element elementor-element-990c90c elementor-section-boxed elementor-section-height-default elementor-section-height-default\" data-id=\"990c90c\" data-element_type=\"section\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-container elementor-column-gap-default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-column elementor-col-100 elementor-top-column elementor-element elementor-element-e4684e4\" data-id=\"e4684e4\" data-element_type=\"column\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-wrap elementor-element-populated\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-b651f1b elementor-widget-divider--separator-type-pattern elementor-widget-divider--no-spacing elementor-widget-divider--view-line elementor-widget elementor-widget-divider\" data-id=\"b651f1b\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"divider.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-divider\" style=\"--divider-pattern-url: url(&quot;data:image\/svg+xml,%3Csvg xmlns=&#039;http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg&#039; preserveAspectRatio=&#039;xMidYMid meet&#039; overflow=&#039;visible&#039; height=&#039;100%&#039; viewBox=&#039;0 0 126 26&#039; fill=&#039;black&#039; stroke=&#039;none&#039;%3E%3Cpath d=&#039;M3,10.2c2.6,0,2.6,2,2.6,3.2S4.4,16.5,3,16.5s-3-1.4-3-3.2S0.4,10.2,3,10.2z M18.8,10.2c1.7,0,3.2,1.4,3.2,3.2s-1.4,3.2-3.2,3.2c-1.7,0-3.2-1.4-3.2-3.2S17,10.2,18.8,10.2z M34.6,10.2c1.5,0,2.6,1.4,2.6,3.2s-0.5,3.2-1.9,3.2c-1.5,0-3.4-1.4-3.4-3.2S33.1,10.2,34.6,10.2z M50.5,10.2c1.7,0,3.2,1.4,3.2,3.2s-1.4,3.2-3.2,3.2c-1.7,0-3.3-0.9-3.3-2.6S48.7,10.2,50.5,10.2z M66.2,10.2c1.5,0,3.4,1.4,3.4,3.2s-1.9,3.2-3.4,3.2c-1.5,0-2.6-0.4-2.6-2.1S64.8,10.2,66.2,10.2z M82.2,10.2c1.7,0.8,2.6,1.4,2.6,3.2s-0.1,3.2-1.6,3.2c-1.5,0-3.7-1.4-3.7-3.2S80.5,9.4,82.2,10.2zM98.6,10.2c1.5,0,2.6,0.4,2.6,2.1s-1.2,4.2-2.6,4.2c-1.5,0-3.7-0.4-3.7-2.1S97.1,10.2,98.6,10.2z M113.4,10.2c1.2,0,2.2,0.9,2.2,3.2s-0.1,3.2-1.3,3.2s-3.1-1.4-3.1-3.2S112.2,10.2,113.4,10.2z&#039;\/%3E%3C\/svg%3E&quot;);\">\n\t\t\t<span class=\"elementor-divider-separator\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/span>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/section>\n\t\t\t\t<section class=\"elementor-section elementor-top-section elementor-element elementor-element-e9205ce elementor-section-boxed elementor-section-height-default elementor-section-height-default\" data-id=\"e9205ce\" data-element_type=\"section\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-container elementor-column-gap-default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-column elementor-col-66 elementor-top-column elementor-element elementor-element-d4edd08\" data-id=\"d4edd08\" data-element_type=\"column\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-wrap elementor-element-populated\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-f2e290d elementor-widget elementor-widget-heading\" data-id=\"f2e290d\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"heading.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<h2 class=\"elementor-heading-title elementor-size-default\">What makes a chapter book \u201cwork\u201d?<\/h2>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-4365591 elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"4365591\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p>The most effective chapter books share several characteristics that reduce cognitive load while increasing engagement:<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-a5cb6a0 elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"a5cb6a0\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<h3>1. Stories that capture the reader<\/h3>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-a4c63ac elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"a4c63ac\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p>Learning to read is a challenge. That challenge is made more difficult if the books on offer don\u2019t align with a reader\u2019s interests. Fortunately, subject choice has grown significantly in the last twenty years and now encompasses a range of genres. Story arcs within a predictable framework, real stakes, concrete obstacles, and an earned resolution\u2014delivered at a reading level that stretches but doesn&#8217;t deter\u2014allow comprehension to \u201cclick\u201d.<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-cdca376 elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"cdca376\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<h3>2. Shorter chapters<\/h3>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-63f22c9 elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"63f22c9\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p>Chapters are bite-size\u2014often just 6\u201310 pages long. While chapter length may vary throughout the book, a short first chapter is particularly important. The satisfaction and sense of achievement in finishing a chapter is key to building confidence in a newly independent reader. Armed with \u201cI can do it\u201d momentum, they can forge on with greater self-assurance. Engaging chapter books also typically end each chapter with a \u201ccliff hanger\u201d to entice the child into reading the next chapter.<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-column elementor-col-33 elementor-top-column elementor-element elementor-element-42895ad\" data-id=\"42895ad\" data-element_type=\"column\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-wrap elementor-element-populated\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<section class=\"elementor-section elementor-inner-section elementor-element elementor-element-dd9b3ad elementor-section-height-min-height elementor-section-boxed elementor-section-height-default\" data-id=\"dd9b3ad\" data-element_type=\"section\" data-settings=\"{&quot;shape_divider_top&quot;:&quot;wave-brush&quot;,&quot;background_background&quot;:&quot;classic&quot;,&quot;shape_divider_bottom&quot;:&quot;zigzag&quot;}\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-shape elementor-shape-top\" aria-hidden=\"true\" 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5.3 5.6-5.3 5.5 5.3 5.6-5.3 5.4 5.3 5.6-5.3 5.5 5.4h.2l5.6-5.4 5.5 5.3 5.6-5.3 5.4 5.3 5.6-5.3 5.5 5.3 5.6-5.3 5.5 5.3 5.6-5.3 5.5 5.4h.1l5.6-5.4 5.5 5.3 5.6-5.3 5.5 5.3 5.6-5.3 5.4 5.3 5.7-5.3 5.4 5.4h.2l5.6-5.4 5.5 5.3 5.6-5.3 5.5 5.3 5.6-5.3 5.4 5.3 5.6-5.3 5.5 5.3 5.6-5.3 5.5 5.4h.1l5.7-5.4 5.4 5.3 5.6-5.3 5.5 5.3 5.6-5.3 5.5 5.3 5.6-5.3 5.5 5.4h.1l5.6-5.4 5.5 5.3 5.6-5.3 5.5 5.3 5.6-5.3 5.4 5.3 5.7-5.3 5.4 5.3 5.6-5.3 5.5 5.4V0H-.2v5.8z\"\/>\n<\/svg>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-container elementor-column-gap-default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-column elementor-col-100 elementor-inner-column elementor-element elementor-element-f8e10b8\" data-id=\"f8e10b8\" data-element_type=\"column\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-wrap elementor-element-populated\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-7ed734b elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"7ed734b\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<h2>Chapter book characteristics<\/h2>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-04a2510 elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"04a2510\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<ul><li>Stories that engage<\/li><li>Shorter chapters<\/li><li>Friendly page design<\/li><li>Illustration and other visual support<\/li><li>Series format<\/li><\/ul>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/section>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/section>\n\t\t\t\t<section class=\"elementor-section elementor-top-section elementor-element elementor-element-45029b5 elementor-section-boxed elementor-section-height-default elementor-section-height-default\" data-id=\"45029b5\" data-element_type=\"section\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-container elementor-column-gap-default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-column elementor-col-100 elementor-top-column elementor-element elementor-element-8c513e4\" data-id=\"8c513e4\" data-element_type=\"column\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-wrap elementor-element-populated\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-0591331 elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"0591331\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<h3>3. Pages that invite, not intimidate<\/h3>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-f7f3b6c elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"f7f3b6c\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p>Generous margins, open leading (the vertical space between each line of text), and larger type reduce the daunting impact of a text-heavy page. Fonts that are more rounded and less cramped also help the text appear less intimidating.<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/section>\n\t\t\t\t<section class=\"elementor-section elementor-top-section elementor-element elementor-element-d93e62c elementor-section-boxed elementor-section-height-default elementor-section-height-default\" data-id=\"d93e62c\" data-element_type=\"section\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-container elementor-column-gap-default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-column elementor-col-100 elementor-top-column elementor-element elementor-element-cca6d04\" data-id=\"cca6d04\" data-element_type=\"column\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-wrap elementor-element-populated\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-ab0f117 elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"ab0f117\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<h3>4. Illustrations that teach as they entertain<\/h3>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-7d5eec3 elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"7d5eec3\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p>Beyond the classic full page or half page illustrations, the use of spot art, sequential (comic-style) panels, sound words emphasized in text, and speech bubbles all contribute to improving literacy skills. Rather than mere decoration or being used solely to reduce text on a page, these graphical elements form reading scaffolds that help build vocabulary, inference, comprehension, and stamina.<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/section>\n\t\t\t\t<section class=\"elementor-section elementor-top-section elementor-element elementor-element-44ae8c0 elementor-section-boxed elementor-section-height-default elementor-section-height-default\" data-id=\"44ae8c0\" data-element_type=\"section\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-container elementor-column-gap-default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-column elementor-col-100 elementor-top-column elementor-element elementor-element-001daef\" data-id=\"001daef\" data-element_type=\"column\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-wrap elementor-element-populated\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-8db9839 elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"8db9839\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<h3>5. Series Continuity<\/h3>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-1422813 elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"1422813\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p>Chapter books are most often published in series, and typically in non-sequential form. In large part, this is due to the transitional role they play: they\u2019re necessarily short and more formulaic (relative to middle grade and YA) because readers gaining momentum need many books on tap.<\/p><p>Just as salient, there is the need for familiarity to diminish objections to starting a new book. It\u2019s not unusual for a parent or teacher to feel like they\u2019re a cross between a televangelist and a used car salesperson when pitching an unfamiliar book to a child in the 5-9 age group! With a series, however, familiar characters (who sometimes become dear friends), a known story rhythm, and running jokes provide a comforting framework, even with a new book. Children are generally keen to read all books in a series they enjoy \u2014and can commence each book on a confident footing.<\/p><p>As Carella explains, \u201c[series books] build fluency and stamina. After kids finish book one, they know they can read every book in that series. That&#8217;s why series publishing is key. It immediately builds confidence and familiarity [so that newly independent readers] can build their stamina and read faster.&#8221;<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/section>\n\t\t\t\t<section class=\"elementor-section elementor-top-section elementor-element elementor-element-aca0d9b elementor-section-boxed elementor-section-height-default elementor-section-height-default\" data-id=\"aca0d9b\" data-element_type=\"section\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-container elementor-column-gap-default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-column elementor-col-100 elementor-top-column elementor-element elementor-element-20935c3\" data-id=\"20935c3\" data-element_type=\"column\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-wrap elementor-element-populated\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-228e795 elementor-widget-divider--separator-type-pattern elementor-widget-divider--no-spacing elementor-widget-divider--view-line elementor-widget elementor-widget-divider\" data-id=\"228e795\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"divider.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-divider\" style=\"--divider-pattern-url: url(&quot;data:image\/svg+xml,%3Csvg xmlns=&#039;http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg&#039; preserveAspectRatio=&#039;xMidYMid meet&#039; overflow=&#039;visible&#039; height=&#039;100%&#039; viewBox=&#039;0 0 126 26&#039; fill=&#039;black&#039; stroke=&#039;none&#039;%3E%3Cpath d=&#039;M3,10.2c2.6,0,2.6,2,2.6,3.2S4.4,16.5,3,16.5s-3-1.4-3-3.2S0.4,10.2,3,10.2z M18.8,10.2c1.7,0,3.2,1.4,3.2,3.2s-1.4,3.2-3.2,3.2c-1.7,0-3.2-1.4-3.2-3.2S17,10.2,18.8,10.2z M34.6,10.2c1.5,0,2.6,1.4,2.6,3.2s-0.5,3.2-1.9,3.2c-1.5,0-3.4-1.4-3.4-3.2S33.1,10.2,34.6,10.2z M50.5,10.2c1.7,0,3.2,1.4,3.2,3.2s-1.4,3.2-3.2,3.2c-1.7,0-3.3-0.9-3.3-2.6S48.7,10.2,50.5,10.2z M66.2,10.2c1.5,0,3.4,1.4,3.4,3.2s-1.9,3.2-3.4,3.2c-1.5,0-2.6-0.4-2.6-2.1S64.8,10.2,66.2,10.2z M82.2,10.2c1.7,0.8,2.6,1.4,2.6,3.2s-0.1,3.2-1.6,3.2c-1.5,0-3.7-1.4-3.7-3.2S80.5,9.4,82.2,10.2zM98.6,10.2c1.5,0,2.6,0.4,2.6,2.1s-1.2,4.2-2.6,4.2c-1.5,0-3.7-0.4-3.7-2.1S97.1,10.2,98.6,10.2z M113.4,10.2c1.2,0,2.2,0.9,2.2,3.2s-0.1,3.2-1.3,3.2s-3.1-1.4-3.1-3.2S112.2,10.2,113.4,10.2z&#039;\/%3E%3C\/svg%3E&quot;);\">\n\t\t\t<span class=\"elementor-divider-separator\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/span>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/section>\n\t\t\t\t<section class=\"elementor-section elementor-top-section elementor-element elementor-element-478c586 elementor-section-boxed elementor-section-height-default elementor-section-height-default\" data-id=\"478c586\" data-element_type=\"section\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-container elementor-column-gap-default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-column elementor-col-100 elementor-top-column elementor-element elementor-element-6fba667\" data-id=\"6fba667\" data-element_type=\"column\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-wrap elementor-element-populated\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-0c4ac67 elementor-widget elementor-widget-heading\" data-id=\"0c4ac67\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"heading.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<h2 class=\"elementor-heading-title elementor-size-default\">From picture-led to text-led \u2014 without losing anyone<\/h2>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/section>\n\t\t\t\t<section class=\"elementor-section elementor-top-section elementor-element elementor-element-860ce31 elementor-section-boxed elementor-section-height-default elementor-section-height-default\" data-id=\"860ce31\" data-element_type=\"section\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-container elementor-column-gap-default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-column elementor-col-100 elementor-top-column elementor-element elementor-element-d476378\" data-id=\"d476378\" data-element_type=\"column\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-wrap elementor-element-populated\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-0132c24 elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"0132c24\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p><strong>Joe Cepeda<\/strong> laughs that when his son first started reading, he insisted on series books, declaring: <em>\u201cI only want to read it if there\u2019s another one.\u201d<\/em> \u00a0As a long-time <a href=\"https:\/\/www.joecepeda.com\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">illustrator-author of children\u2019s books<\/a>\u2014both singular and in series\u2014 Cepeda has had plenty of time to contemplate the contribution images make to a narrative. His seasoned perspective on the interplay of text and images is frank: his job is not to echo the text, but to \u201csurrender to the story,&#8221; taking care to match the age and imagination of a book\u2019s audience.<\/p><p>\u201cChapter books and graphic novels [have] \u2026 certain mechanics that allow the script to take over\u201d while at other times, the illustrations support the narrative \u201cmoment by moment.\u201d Cepeda believes his job as an illustrator is to create images that enhance, harmonize and otherwise contribute creatively to the storytelling. In this way, he deepens the reader\u2019s understanding of the text and appreciation for the story.<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/section>\n\t\t\t\t<section class=\"elementor-section elementor-top-section elementor-element elementor-element-e9fba03 elementor-section-boxed elementor-section-height-default elementor-section-height-default\" data-id=\"e9fba03\" data-element_type=\"section\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-container elementor-column-gap-default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-column elementor-col-100 elementor-top-column elementor-element elementor-element-4637321\" data-id=\"4637321\" data-element_type=\"column\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-wrap elementor-element-populated\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-a42a2fc elementor-blockquote--align-center elementor-blockquote--skin-border elementor-widget elementor-widget-blockquote\" data-id=\"a42a2fc\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"blockquote.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<blockquote class=\"elementor-blockquote\">\n\t\t\t<p class=\"elementor-blockquote__content\">\n\t\t\t\tGraphic-forward texts and graphic novels make the architecture of a story visible for emerging readers, helping to build confidence, vocabulary, and endurance.\t\t\t<\/p>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/blockquote>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/section>\n\t\t\t\t<section class=\"elementor-section elementor-top-section elementor-element elementor-element-94e7465 elementor-section-boxed elementor-section-height-default elementor-section-height-default\" data-id=\"94e7465\" data-element_type=\"section\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-container elementor-column-gap-default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-column elementor-col-100 elementor-top-column elementor-element elementor-element-6f09e20\" data-id=\"6f09e20\" data-element_type=\"column\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-wrap elementor-element-populated\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-e7664f1 elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"e7664f1\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p>For parents and teachers, moving readers from fully illustrated picture books to text-heavier prose is a tricky proposition. This is where the \u201cgraphic toolkit\u201d of chapter books has developed considerably. Where in the past a book was typically limited to one type of illustration, now there\u2019s increasingly a mix. Hybrid pages may include cartoon speech balloons, decorative borders that cue mood, onomatopoeia set in display type, or even short panel sequences. As a result, graphic-forward texts and graphic novels make the architecture of a story more visible for emerging readers, helping to build confidence, vocabulary, and endurance.<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/section>\n\t\t\t\t<section class=\"elementor-section elementor-top-section elementor-element elementor-element-2b42502 elementor-section-boxed elementor-section-height-default elementor-section-height-default\" data-id=\"2b42502\" data-element_type=\"section\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-container elementor-column-gap-default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-column elementor-col-100 elementor-top-column elementor-element elementor-element-11e822a\" data-id=\"11e822a\" data-element_type=\"column\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-wrap elementor-element-populated\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-69c4b6a elementor-widget-divider--separator-type-pattern elementor-widget-divider--no-spacing elementor-widget-divider--view-line elementor-widget elementor-widget-divider\" data-id=\"69c4b6a\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"divider.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-divider\" style=\"--divider-pattern-url: url(&quot;data:image\/svg+xml,%3Csvg xmlns=&#039;http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg&#039; preserveAspectRatio=&#039;xMidYMid meet&#039; overflow=&#039;visible&#039; height=&#039;100%&#039; viewBox=&#039;0 0 126 26&#039; fill=&#039;black&#039; stroke=&#039;none&#039;%3E%3Cpath d=&#039;M3,10.2c2.6,0,2.6,2,2.6,3.2S4.4,16.5,3,16.5s-3-1.4-3-3.2S0.4,10.2,3,10.2z M18.8,10.2c1.7,0,3.2,1.4,3.2,3.2s-1.4,3.2-3.2,3.2c-1.7,0-3.2-1.4-3.2-3.2S17,10.2,18.8,10.2z M34.6,10.2c1.5,0,2.6,1.4,2.6,3.2s-0.5,3.2-1.9,3.2c-1.5,0-3.4-1.4-3.4-3.2S33.1,10.2,34.6,10.2z M50.5,10.2c1.7,0,3.2,1.4,3.2,3.2s-1.4,3.2-3.2,3.2c-1.7,0-3.3-0.9-3.3-2.6S48.7,10.2,50.5,10.2z M66.2,10.2c1.5,0,3.4,1.4,3.4,3.2s-1.9,3.2-3.4,3.2c-1.5,0-2.6-0.4-2.6-2.1S64.8,10.2,66.2,10.2z M82.2,10.2c1.7,0.8,2.6,1.4,2.6,3.2s-0.1,3.2-1.6,3.2c-1.5,0-3.7-1.4-3.7-3.2S80.5,9.4,82.2,10.2zM98.6,10.2c1.5,0,2.6,0.4,2.6,2.1s-1.2,4.2-2.6,4.2c-1.5,0-3.7-0.4-3.7-2.1S97.1,10.2,98.6,10.2z M113.4,10.2c1.2,0,2.2,0.9,2.2,3.2s-0.1,3.2-1.3,3.2s-3.1-1.4-3.1-3.2S112.2,10.2,113.4,10.2z&#039;\/%3E%3C\/svg%3E&quot;);\">\n\t\t\t<span class=\"elementor-divider-separator\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/span>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/section>\n\t\t\t\t<section class=\"elementor-section elementor-top-section elementor-element elementor-element-c6cc27e elementor-section-boxed elementor-section-height-default elementor-section-height-default\" data-id=\"c6cc27e\" data-element_type=\"section\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-container elementor-column-gap-default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-column elementor-col-100 elementor-top-column elementor-element elementor-element-758138b\" data-id=\"758138b\" data-element_type=\"column\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-wrap elementor-element-populated\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-1ca0bd5 elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"1ca0bd5\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p>Not all graphical elements are helpful, however. Eye-tracking studies with early readers show that when illustrations are streamlined and relevant, comprehension improves. However, when images are busy or contain <a href=\"https:\/\/pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov\/articles\/PMC7522290\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">extraneous details that distract beginners<\/a>, attention scatters and recall drops. The takeaway for chapter books isn\u2019t \u201cless art,\u201d it\u2019s \u201cintentional art.\u201d In other words, pictures help most when they\u2019re purposeful and guide attention to what matters: decoding the words and making meaning from the text.<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/section>\n\t\t\t\t<section class=\"elementor-section elementor-top-section elementor-element elementor-element-6ca8a5a elementor-section-boxed elementor-section-height-default elementor-section-height-default\" data-id=\"6ca8a5a\" data-element_type=\"section\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-container elementor-column-gap-default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-column elementor-col-100 elementor-top-column elementor-element elementor-element-054f6c4\" data-id=\"054f6c4\" data-element_type=\"column\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-wrap elementor-element-populated\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-6d58af8 elementor-widget elementor-widget-spacer\" data-id=\"6d58af8\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"spacer.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-spacer\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-spacer-inner\"><\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/section>\n\t\t\t\t<section class=\"elementor-section elementor-top-section elementor-element elementor-element-aed5a49 elementor-section-boxed elementor-section-height-default elementor-section-height-default\" data-id=\"aed5a49\" data-element_type=\"section\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-container elementor-column-gap-default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-column elementor-col-100 elementor-top-column elementor-element elementor-element-1c1c0a1\" data-id=\"1c1c0a1\" data-element_type=\"column\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-wrap elementor-element-populated\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-9acab09 elementor-widget elementor-widget-heading\" data-id=\"9acab09\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"heading.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<h2 class=\"elementor-heading-title elementor-size-default\">Matching emerging readers with books<\/h2>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/section>\n\t\t\t\t<section class=\"elementor-section elementor-top-section elementor-element elementor-element-5e0111f elementor-section-boxed elementor-section-height-default elementor-section-height-default\" data-id=\"5e0111f\" data-element_type=\"section\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-container elementor-column-gap-default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-column elementor-col-66 elementor-top-column elementor-element elementor-element-3b8bea8\" data-id=\"3b8bea8\" data-element_type=\"column\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-wrap elementor-element-populated\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-929ef5f elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"929ef5f\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p>Montessori educators <strong>Mary Kern<\/strong> and <strong>Lori May<\/strong> (<a href=\"https:\/\/montessoriofslo.com\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Montessori Children\u2019s School, San Luis Obispo<\/a>) describe what this looks like in practice. In mixed-age classrooms, they watch closely for the right balance of text and image for each child\u2014not just by reading level, but by temperament. Some students need visual anchors to keep pages inviting; others find noisy layouts overwhelming.<\/p><p>They\u2019ve also come to value graphic novels as legitimate literacy builders (Kern admits she was once a skeptic!), especially when paired with class routines that offer choice and spark curiosity. One method includes providing small tubs of genre-themed books to reduce the choice paralysis of library shelves, <a href=\"https:\/\/www.amazon.com\/Book-Whisperer-Awakening-Inner-Reader\/dp\/0470372273\/ref=nosim?tag=cereread-20\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">a technique adopted from the \u201cThe Book Whisperer\u201d by Donalyn Miller<\/a>.<\/p><p>May has observed that the design or text on a book cover can negatively influence its appeal. By wrapping selected books in brown paper sporting \u201cjust a few descriptors\u201d she is often able to eliminate book-cover bias and help students delve into a story they ultimately enjoyed. With older elementary students, a simple plate stand that provides a prominent place where students can display a book recommendation for their peers has proven very popular. A contemporary\u2019s opinion usually holds more sway than that of an adult!<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-column elementor-col-33 elementor-top-column elementor-element elementor-element-b1c0a96\" data-id=\"b1c0a96\" data-element_type=\"column\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-wrap elementor-element-populated\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-51295d1 elementor-widget elementor-widget-image\" data-id=\"51295d1\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"image.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<figure class=\"wp-caption\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<a href=\"https:\/\/cerealreaders.com\/series\/544\/stink-by-megan-mcdonald\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/www.cerealreaders.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/elementor\/thumbs\/student-book-recommendations-in-the-classroom-tip-rcar42vku65rlrsjhotweg8qy713prnzm8y24cq70i.jpg\" title=\"student-book-recommendations-in-the-classroom-tip\" alt=\"Stink series book by Judy Moody displayed on plate stand.\" loading=\"lazy\" \/>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/a>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<figcaption class=\"widget-image-caption wp-caption-text\">A simple plate stand provides a coveted spot for students to display their book recommendations.<\/figcaption>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/figure>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/section>\n\t\t\t\t<section class=\"elementor-section elementor-top-section elementor-element elementor-element-8c0abc4 elementor-section-boxed elementor-section-height-default elementor-section-height-default\" data-id=\"8c0abc4\" data-element_type=\"section\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-container elementor-column-gap-default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-column elementor-col-100 elementor-top-column elementor-element elementor-element-ff87821\" data-id=\"ff87821\" data-element_type=\"column\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-wrap elementor-element-populated\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-ace0591 elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"ace0591\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p>On content, Kern and May agree that the increasing diversity of books and subject matter for the 6-9 age group has helped with snaring younger readers. But with one caveat: some series can become formula factories rather than maintaining narrative quality. They\u2019d also love to see more science fiction that isn\u2019t simply glib or silly, along with more accessible historical adventures at this level.<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/section>\n\t\t\t\t<section class=\"elementor-section elementor-top-section elementor-element elementor-element-b0a3622 elementor-section-boxed elementor-section-height-default elementor-section-height-default\" data-id=\"b0a3622\" data-element_type=\"section\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-container elementor-column-gap-default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-column elementor-col-100 elementor-top-column elementor-element elementor-element-4e1460e\" data-id=\"4e1460e\" data-element_type=\"column\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-wrap elementor-element-populated\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-a6d6c0b elementor-blockquote--align-left elementor-blockquote--skin-border elementor-blockquote--button-view-icon-text elementor-blockquote--button-skin-classic elementor-widget elementor-widget-blockquote\" data-id=\"a6d6c0b\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"blockquote.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<blockquote class=\"elementor-blockquote\">\n\t\t\t<p class=\"elementor-blockquote__content\">\n\t\t\t\tWe need to give readers choices if we're going to reach every reader, because if we lose them at this very crucial point, it's often too late.\t\t\t<\/p>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"e-q-footer\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<cite class=\"elementor-blockquote__author\">Katie Carella, Scholastic<\/cite>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<a href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/intent\/tweet?text=We+need+to+give+readers+choices+if+we%27re+going+to+reach+every+reader%2C+because+if+we+lose+them+at+this+very+crucial+point%2C+it%27s+often+too+late.+%E2%80%94+Katie+Carella%2C+Scholastic&amp;url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.cerealreaders.com%2Fblog%2Fblog%2F\" class=\"elementor-blockquote__tweet-button\" target=\"_blank\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<i aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"fab fa-twitter\"><\/i>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"elementor-blockquote__tweet-label\">Tweet<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/a>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/blockquote>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/section>\n\t\t\t\t<section class=\"elementor-section elementor-top-section elementor-element elementor-element-3369069 elementor-section-boxed elementor-section-height-default elementor-section-height-default\" data-id=\"3369069\" data-element_type=\"section\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-container elementor-column-gap-default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-column elementor-col-100 elementor-top-column elementor-element elementor-element-946b74f\" data-id=\"946b74f\" data-element_type=\"column\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-wrap elementor-element-populated\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-d193478 elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"d193478\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p>At Scholastic, Carella is working hard to deliver quality content with enticing appeal. She believes the attraction of a popular series beyond a child\u2019s current reading level can help draw them to something similar at an appropriate level. For example, Scholastic\u2019s <a href=\"https:\/\/cerealreaders.com\/series\/595\/dragon-masters-by-tracey-west\">Dragon Masters series<\/a> seeks to engage newly-independent readers until they\u2019re ready for the popular middle-grade <a href=\"https:\/\/cerealreaders.com\/series\/536\/wings-of-fire-by-tui-t-sutherland\">Wings of Fire series<\/a>. The appeal is not just genre-related, but helps younger children feel part of an expanded reading coterie.\u00a0 As Carella explains, &#8220;We need to give readers choices if we&#8217;re going to reach every reader, because if we lose them at this very crucial point, it&#8217;s often too late.&#8221;<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/section>\n\t\t\t\t<section class=\"elementor-section elementor-top-section elementor-element elementor-element-befdf05 elementor-section-boxed elementor-section-height-default elementor-section-height-default\" data-id=\"befdf05\" data-element_type=\"section\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-container elementor-column-gap-default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-column elementor-col-100 elementor-top-column elementor-element elementor-element-3b1f525\" data-id=\"3b1f525\" data-element_type=\"column\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-wrap elementor-element-populated\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-ff2da4f elementor-widget-divider--separator-type-pattern elementor-widget-divider--no-spacing elementor-widget-divider--view-line elementor-widget elementor-widget-divider\" data-id=\"ff2da4f\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"divider.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-divider\" style=\"--divider-pattern-url: url(&quot;data:image\/svg+xml,%3Csvg xmlns=&#039;http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg&#039; preserveAspectRatio=&#039;xMidYMid meet&#039; overflow=&#039;visible&#039; height=&#039;100%&#039; viewBox=&#039;0 0 126 26&#039; fill=&#039;black&#039; stroke=&#039;none&#039;%3E%3Cpath d=&#039;M3,10.2c2.6,0,2.6,2,2.6,3.2S4.4,16.5,3,16.5s-3-1.4-3-3.2S0.4,10.2,3,10.2z M18.8,10.2c1.7,0,3.2,1.4,3.2,3.2s-1.4,3.2-3.2,3.2c-1.7,0-3.2-1.4-3.2-3.2S17,10.2,18.8,10.2z M34.6,10.2c1.5,0,2.6,1.4,2.6,3.2s-0.5,3.2-1.9,3.2c-1.5,0-3.4-1.4-3.4-3.2S33.1,10.2,34.6,10.2z M50.5,10.2c1.7,0,3.2,1.4,3.2,3.2s-1.4,3.2-3.2,3.2c-1.7,0-3.3-0.9-3.3-2.6S48.7,10.2,50.5,10.2z M66.2,10.2c1.5,0,3.4,1.4,3.4,3.2s-1.9,3.2-3.4,3.2c-1.5,0-2.6-0.4-2.6-2.1S64.8,10.2,66.2,10.2z M82.2,10.2c1.7,0.8,2.6,1.4,2.6,3.2s-0.1,3.2-1.6,3.2c-1.5,0-3.7-1.4-3.7-3.2S80.5,9.4,82.2,10.2zM98.6,10.2c1.5,0,2.6,0.4,2.6,2.1s-1.2,4.2-2.6,4.2c-1.5,0-3.7-0.4-3.7-2.1S97.1,10.2,98.6,10.2z M113.4,10.2c1.2,0,2.2,0.9,2.2,3.2s-0.1,3.2-1.3,3.2s-3.1-1.4-3.1-3.2S112.2,10.2,113.4,10.2z&#039;\/%3E%3C\/svg%3E&quot;);\">\n\t\t\t<span class=\"elementor-divider-separator\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/span>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/section>\n\t\t\t\t<section class=\"elementor-section elementor-top-section elementor-element elementor-element-e179028 elementor-section-boxed elementor-section-height-default elementor-section-height-default\" data-id=\"e179028\" data-element_type=\"section\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-container elementor-column-gap-default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-column elementor-col-100 elementor-top-column elementor-element elementor-element-41d6c80\" data-id=\"41d6c80\" data-element_type=\"column\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-wrap elementor-element-populated\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-3a48810 elementor-widget elementor-widget-heading\" data-id=\"3a48810\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"heading.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<h2 class=\"elementor-heading-title elementor-size-default\">What's changed inside chapter books<\/h2>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/section>\n\t\t\t\t<section class=\"elementor-section elementor-top-section elementor-element elementor-element-27dd994 elementor-section-boxed elementor-section-height-default elementor-section-height-default\" data-id=\"27dd994\" data-element_type=\"section\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-container elementor-column-gap-default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-column elementor-col-100 elementor-top-column elementor-element elementor-element-a63d911\" data-id=\"a63d911\" data-element_type=\"column\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-wrap elementor-element-populated\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-8b58011 elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"8b58011\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p>Despite the dearth of science and history books lamented by Kern and May, today\u2019s chapter books span a wider range of tones and topics compared with a generation ago. Apart from an abundance of humor and forays into the mildly disgusting, you\u2019ll still find the classic school-and-friendship capers, and stories featuring magic, dragons, and mysteries \u2014genres that are always catnip for 6\u20139-year-olds. In addition, there\u2019s now accessible nonfiction, STEM-flavored problem-solving, slice-of-life realism, and gentle social-emotional themes.<\/p><p>In style, there are hybrid formats that read like cartoons or diaries, and series that toggle between high-illustration and text-forward entries to match a reader\u2019s growing stamina. Even popular and longstanding books continue to develop their illustration balance. <a href=\"https:\/\/cerealreaders.com\/series\/593\/dory-fantasmagory-by-abby-hanlon\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Abby Hanlon\u2019s <strong>Dory Fantasmagory<\/strong>,<\/a> for example, helped codify the \u201cheavily illustrated, voice-driven\u201d chapter book with illustrations ranging from the more conventional to the voice bubble, while also including the cartoon scene format in more recent times.<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/section>\n\t\t\t\t<section class=\"elementor-section elementor-top-section elementor-element elementor-element-51679a5 elementor-section-boxed elementor-section-height-default elementor-section-height-default\" data-id=\"51679a5\" data-element_type=\"section\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-container elementor-column-gap-default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-column elementor-col-100 elementor-top-column elementor-element elementor-element-e878a1c\" data-id=\"e878a1c\" data-element_type=\"column\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-wrap elementor-element-populated\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-83bd717 elementor-widget elementor-widget-image\" data-id=\"83bd717\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"image.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<figure class=\"wp-caption\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<a href=\"https:\/\/cerealreaders.com\/series\/593\/dory-fantasmagory-by-abby-hanlon\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<img fetchpriority=\"high\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"768\" height=\"672\" src=\"https:\/\/www.cerealreaders.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/09\/dory-fantasmagory-chapter-book-series-for-age-5-and-up-768x672.jpg\" class=\"attachment-medium_large size-medium_large wp-image-1184\" alt=\"Screen shot of Dory Fantasmagory series summary page on Cereal Readers\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.cerealreaders.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/09\/dory-fantasmagory-chapter-book-series-for-age-5-and-up-768x672.jpg 768w, https:\/\/www.cerealreaders.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/09\/dory-fantasmagory-chapter-book-series-for-age-5-and-up-300x263.jpg 300w, https:\/\/www.cerealreaders.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/09\/dory-fantasmagory-chapter-book-series-for-age-5-and-up.jpg 1000w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 768px) 100vw, 768px\" \/>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/a>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<figcaption class=\"widget-image-caption wp-caption-text\">Dory Fantasmagory series summary from the Cereal Readers website.<\/figcaption>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/figure>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/section>\n\t\t\t\t<section class=\"elementor-section elementor-top-section elementor-element elementor-element-26e3d31 elementor-section-boxed elementor-section-height-default elementor-section-height-default\" data-id=\"26e3d31\" data-element_type=\"section\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-container elementor-column-gap-default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-column elementor-col-100 elementor-top-column elementor-element elementor-element-5f6fb14\" data-id=\"5f6fb14\" data-element_type=\"column\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-wrap elementor-element-populated\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-d46f003 elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"d46f003\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p>Illustrators have adapted, too. Cepeda talks about \u201ccollaborating with the story,\u201d which often means letting the script take the lead in chapter books\u2014images carry emotion and clarify action but leave room for text to do the heavy lifting. For very newly independent readers, by contrast, the illustration may still do more narrative work. The art-text balance slides gradually as readers gain stamina\u2014one reason kids (and parents and teachers) often adore series that evolve with them.<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/section>\n\t\t\t\t<section class=\"elementor-section elementor-top-section elementor-element elementor-element-54f3861 elementor-section-boxed elementor-section-height-default elementor-section-height-default\" data-id=\"54f3861\" data-element_type=\"section\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-container elementor-column-gap-default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-column elementor-col-100 elementor-top-column elementor-element elementor-element-324aad6\" data-id=\"324aad6\" data-element_type=\"column\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-wrap elementor-element-populated\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-1766fce elementor-widget-divider--separator-type-pattern elementor-widget-divider--no-spacing elementor-widget-divider--view-line elementor-widget elementor-widget-divider\" data-id=\"1766fce\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"divider.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-divider\" style=\"--divider-pattern-url: url(&quot;data:image\/svg+xml,%3Csvg xmlns=&#039;http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg&#039; preserveAspectRatio=&#039;xMidYMid meet&#039; overflow=&#039;visible&#039; height=&#039;100%&#039; viewBox=&#039;0 0 126 26&#039; fill=&#039;black&#039; stroke=&#039;none&#039;%3E%3Cpath d=&#039;M3,10.2c2.6,0,2.6,2,2.6,3.2S4.4,16.5,3,16.5s-3-1.4-3-3.2S0.4,10.2,3,10.2z M18.8,10.2c1.7,0,3.2,1.4,3.2,3.2s-1.4,3.2-3.2,3.2c-1.7,0-3.2-1.4-3.2-3.2S17,10.2,18.8,10.2z M34.6,10.2c1.5,0,2.6,1.4,2.6,3.2s-0.5,3.2-1.9,3.2c-1.5,0-3.4-1.4-3.4-3.2S33.1,10.2,34.6,10.2z M50.5,10.2c1.7,0,3.2,1.4,3.2,3.2s-1.4,3.2-3.2,3.2c-1.7,0-3.3-0.9-3.3-2.6S48.7,10.2,50.5,10.2z M66.2,10.2c1.5,0,3.4,1.4,3.4,3.2s-1.9,3.2-3.4,3.2c-1.5,0-2.6-0.4-2.6-2.1S64.8,10.2,66.2,10.2z M82.2,10.2c1.7,0.8,2.6,1.4,2.6,3.2s-0.1,3.2-1.6,3.2c-1.5,0-3.7-1.4-3.7-3.2S80.5,9.4,82.2,10.2zM98.6,10.2c1.5,0,2.6,0.4,2.6,2.1s-1.2,4.2-2.6,4.2c-1.5,0-3.7-0.4-3.7-2.1S97.1,10.2,98.6,10.2z M113.4,10.2c1.2,0,2.2,0.9,2.2,3.2s-0.1,3.2-1.3,3.2s-3.1-1.4-3.1-3.2S112.2,10.2,113.4,10.2z&#039;\/%3E%3C\/svg%3E&quot;);\">\n\t\t\t<span class=\"elementor-divider-separator\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/span>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/section>\n\t\t\t\t<section class=\"elementor-section elementor-top-section elementor-element elementor-element-17ba62e elementor-section-boxed elementor-section-height-default elementor-section-height-default\" data-id=\"17ba62e\" data-element_type=\"section\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-container elementor-column-gap-default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-column elementor-col-100 elementor-top-column elementor-element elementor-element-37bb30a\" data-id=\"37bb30a\" data-element_type=\"column\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-wrap elementor-element-populated\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-f912c88 elementor-widget elementor-widget-heading\" data-id=\"f912c88\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"heading.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<h2 class=\"elementor-heading-title elementor-size-default\">How this plays out at home (and at school)<\/h2>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/section>\n\t\t\t\t<section class=\"elementor-section elementor-top-section elementor-element elementor-element-ebfcaa6 elementor-section-boxed elementor-section-height-default elementor-section-height-default\" data-id=\"ebfcaa6\" data-element_type=\"section\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-container elementor-column-gap-default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-column elementor-col-100 elementor-top-column elementor-element elementor-element-ac86a11\" data-id=\"ac86a11\" data-element_type=\"column\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-wrap elementor-element-populated\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-8c60018 elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"8c60018\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p>This learning window for children aged 6-9 years is limited. It\u2019s often the last quiet stretch before devices crowd the day and before the social swirl of later primary years makes leisure reading harder to protect. A few practical patterns can help optimize this critical time in a child\u2019s reading development:<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/section>\n\t\t\t\t<section class=\"elementor-section elementor-top-section elementor-element elementor-element-f6e662e elementor-section-boxed elementor-section-height-default elementor-section-height-default\" data-id=\"f6e662e\" data-element_type=\"section\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-container elementor-column-gap-default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-column elementor-col-100 elementor-top-column elementor-element elementor-element-87b806c\" data-id=\"87b806c\" data-element_type=\"column\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-wrap elementor-element-populated\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-2e480c0 elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"2e480c0\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<ul><li><strong>Bedtime as homework in disguise.<\/strong> One chapter aloud each night is the perfect shared reading time. With a chapter book, there\u2019s last night\u2019s cliffhanger, tonight\u2019s adventure, and tomorrow\u2019s prediction. As confidence grows, many children quietly flip roles\u2014finishing the next chapter themselves because they can\u2019t wait to know what happens next!<\/li><li><strong>Match the page to the child.<\/strong> If a book <em>looks<\/em> daunting, it will <em>feel<\/em> daunting. For a wobbly reader, start with shorter first chapters, generous white space, and frequent artwork. For a child who\u2019s ready to stretch, nudge into slightly denser pages\u2014but make sure it\u2019s not at the expense of continued motivation.<\/li><li><strong>Let humor lead.<\/strong> Kern and May point out that message-heavy stories can pile on cognitive and emotional load for this age; there is plenty of time for that later. Laughter keeps pages turning; practice and enjoyment are the elements to building lifelong readers .<\/li><\/ul><ul><li><strong>A note about quality.<\/strong> Parents sometimes worry that a silly series isn\u2019t \u201cserious\u201d enough. Montessori School\u2019s Lori May has a view which is refreshingly pragmatic: while there are times to curate closely, if a book is age-appropriate and keeps a hesitant reader <em>reading<\/em>, that momentum is gold.<\/li><\/ul><ul><li><strong>Use peers as booksellers.<\/strong> Montessori classrooms crack this code elegantly with student book talks and the \u201cmy personal recommendation&#8221; plate stand. At home, you can borrow the idea: invite a friend to bring a favorite book or series and \u201csell\u201d it over snacks.<\/li><\/ul>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/section>\n\t\t\t\t<section class=\"elementor-section elementor-top-section elementor-element elementor-element-68be538 elementor-section-boxed elementor-section-height-default elementor-section-height-default\" data-id=\"68be538\" data-element_type=\"section\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-container elementor-column-gap-default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-column elementor-col-100 elementor-top-column elementor-element elementor-element-e75590e\" data-id=\"e75590e\" data-element_type=\"column\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-wrap elementor-element-populated\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-529ccbb elementor-widget-divider--separator-type-pattern elementor-widget-divider--no-spacing elementor-widget-divider--view-line elementor-widget elementor-widget-divider\" data-id=\"529ccbb\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"divider.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-divider\" style=\"--divider-pattern-url: url(&quot;data:image\/svg+xml,%3Csvg xmlns=&#039;http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg&#039; preserveAspectRatio=&#039;xMidYMid meet&#039; overflow=&#039;visible&#039; height=&#039;100%&#039; viewBox=&#039;0 0 126 26&#039; fill=&#039;black&#039; stroke=&#039;none&#039;%3E%3Cpath d=&#039;M3,10.2c2.6,0,2.6,2,2.6,3.2S4.4,16.5,3,16.5s-3-1.4-3-3.2S0.4,10.2,3,10.2z M18.8,10.2c1.7,0,3.2,1.4,3.2,3.2s-1.4,3.2-3.2,3.2c-1.7,0-3.2-1.4-3.2-3.2S17,10.2,18.8,10.2z M34.6,10.2c1.5,0,2.6,1.4,2.6,3.2s-0.5,3.2-1.9,3.2c-1.5,0-3.4-1.4-3.4-3.2S33.1,10.2,34.6,10.2z M50.5,10.2c1.7,0,3.2,1.4,3.2,3.2s-1.4,3.2-3.2,3.2c-1.7,0-3.3-0.9-3.3-2.6S48.7,10.2,50.5,10.2z M66.2,10.2c1.5,0,3.4,1.4,3.4,3.2s-1.9,3.2-3.4,3.2c-1.5,0-2.6-0.4-2.6-2.1S64.8,10.2,66.2,10.2z M82.2,10.2c1.7,0.8,2.6,1.4,2.6,3.2s-0.1,3.2-1.6,3.2c-1.5,0-3.7-1.4-3.7-3.2S80.5,9.4,82.2,10.2zM98.6,10.2c1.5,0,2.6,0.4,2.6,2.1s-1.2,4.2-2.6,4.2c-1.5,0-3.7-0.4-3.7-2.1S97.1,10.2,98.6,10.2z M113.4,10.2c1.2,0,2.2,0.9,2.2,3.2s-0.1,3.2-1.3,3.2s-3.1-1.4-3.1-3.2S112.2,10.2,113.4,10.2z&#039;\/%3E%3C\/svg%3E&quot;);\">\n\t\t\t<span class=\"elementor-divider-separator\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/span>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/section>\n\t\t\t\t<section class=\"elementor-section elementor-top-section elementor-element elementor-element-5f936b7 elementor-section-boxed elementor-section-height-default elementor-section-height-default\" data-id=\"5f936b7\" data-element_type=\"section\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-container elementor-column-gap-default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-column elementor-col-100 elementor-top-column elementor-element elementor-element-abd4647\" data-id=\"abd4647\" data-element_type=\"column\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-wrap elementor-element-populated\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-2530a9a elementor-widget elementor-widget-heading\" data-id=\"2530a9a\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"heading.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<h2 class=\"elementor-heading-title elementor-size-default\">Chapter books rising<\/h2>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/section>\n\t\t\t\t<section class=\"elementor-section elementor-top-section elementor-element elementor-element-0449387 elementor-section-boxed elementor-section-height-default elementor-section-height-default\" data-id=\"0449387\" data-element_type=\"section\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-container elementor-column-gap-default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-column elementor-col-100 elementor-top-column elementor-element elementor-element-0fbbf82\" data-id=\"0fbbf82\" data-element_type=\"column\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-wrap elementor-element-populated\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-52b6593 elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"52b6593\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p>In the last two decades, chapter books have evolved to become more than mechanical texts kids labor through before reaching the proficiency for middle-grade novels. Increasing efforts to engage and support the emerging reader have contributed to chapter books that blend design, illustration, and story architecture to lower reading barriers and capture children\u2019s imagination. Instrumental to this process is the prime role that series books play in maximizing reading appeal and minimizing a child\u2019s resistance to starting a new book.<\/p><p><strong>Many thanks<\/strong> to <strong>Mary Kern<\/strong>, <strong>Lori May<\/strong> and <strong>Joe Cepeda<\/strong> for taking the time to discuss their work with me, and to <strong>Katie Carella<\/strong> for her insightful seminar and comments.<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/section>\n\t\t\t\t<section class=\"elementor-section elementor-top-section elementor-element elementor-element-689d351 elementor-section-boxed elementor-section-height-default elementor-section-height-default\" data-id=\"689d351\" data-element_type=\"section\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-container elementor-column-gap-default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-column elementor-col-100 elementor-top-column elementor-element elementor-element-73cce7f\" data-id=\"73cce7f\" data-element_type=\"column\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-wrap elementor-element-populated\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<section class=\"elementor-section elementor-inner-section elementor-element elementor-element-a5718bd elementor-section-boxed elementor-section-height-default elementor-section-height-default\" data-id=\"a5718bd\" data-element_type=\"section\" data-settings=\"{&quot;background_background&quot;:&quot;classic&quot;,&quot;shape_divider_top&quot;:&quot;wave-brush&quot;}\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-shape elementor-shape-top\" aria-hidden=\"true\" data-negative=\"false\">\n\t\t\t<svg xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" viewBox=\"0 0 283.5 27.8\" preserveAspectRatio=\"none\">\n\t<path class=\"elementor-shape-fill\" 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d=\"M15.6,13.2c0-0.1,4.3,0,6.7,0.5c2.4,0.5,5,1.9,5,2c0,0.1-2.7-0.8-5.1-1.4\tC19.9,13.7,15.7,13.3,15.6,13.2z\"\/>\n<\/svg>\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-container elementor-column-gap-default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-column elementor-col-100 elementor-inner-column elementor-element elementor-element-cc5be7b\" data-id=\"cc5be7b\" data-element_type=\"column\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-wrap elementor-element-populated\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-d3c765e elementor-widget elementor-widget-spacer\" data-id=\"d3c765e\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"spacer.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-spacer\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-spacer-inner\"><\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-6b8c987 elementor-widget elementor-widget-heading\" data-id=\"6b8c987\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"heading.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<h2 class=\"elementor-heading-title elementor-size-default\">Tips for parents<\/h2>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-9970d77 elementor-widget elementor-widget-spacer\" data-id=\"9970d77\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"spacer.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-spacer\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-spacer-inner\"><\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-cc486cc elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"cc486cc\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<ul><li><strong>Avoid comparisons<\/strong> with other children\u2019s reading fluency or book choices.<\/li><li><strong>Book trailers<\/strong> are short (30-60 sec) introductions to a given book or series\u2014the equivalent of the text blurb on the back\u2014and can help engage a reluctant reader. [<a href=\"https:\/\/cerealreaders.com\/trailer-series-books\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">See a list of book trailers here.<\/a>]<\/li><li>Not all chapter books and early readers are the same. Look inside at the <strong>balance of text and illustrations<\/strong> and consider what best suits your child.<\/li><li><strong>Be prepared<\/strong> and have the next book in a series or a recommendation ready so as not to lose momentum.<\/li><li>Rather than excessive praise, consider a good <strong>conversation about the book<\/strong>. If possible, read the book yourself. If not, prepare some leading questions that involve more than \u201cyes or no\u201d answers.<\/li><li>Read yourself! Ideally a <strong>physical book, magazine or newspaper<\/strong>, or a dedicated e-reader (to delineate from general phone\/device time). Modeling yourself as a reader within the home doesn\u2019t have to involve a tome or literary classic.\u00a0<\/li><li>Be mindful how you <strong>talk about yourself as a reader<\/strong> (\u201cI don\u2019t read much\u201d, \u201cI\u2019m not a reader\u201d, &#8220;I should read more\u201d) \u2014your young reader is listening and modeling themselves on what you say.<\/li><\/ul>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/section>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/section>\n\t\t\t\t<section class=\"elementor-section elementor-top-section elementor-element elementor-element-e4ce110 elementor-section-boxed elementor-section-height-default elementor-section-height-default\" data-id=\"e4ce110\" data-element_type=\"section\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-container elementor-column-gap-default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-column elementor-col-100 elementor-top-column elementor-element elementor-element-37c97cc\" data-id=\"37c97cc\" data-element_type=\"column\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-wrap elementor-element-populated\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-31fc3f5 elementor-widget elementor-widget-spacer\" data-id=\"31fc3f5\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"spacer.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-spacer\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-spacer-inner\"><\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/section>\n\t\t\t\t<section class=\"elementor-section elementor-top-section elementor-element elementor-element-b1706c6 elementor-section-boxed elementor-section-height-default elementor-section-height-default\" data-id=\"b1706c6\" data-element_type=\"section\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-container elementor-column-gap-default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-column 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d=\"M15.6,13.2c0-0.1,4.3,0,6.7,0.5c2.4,0.5,5,1.9,5,2c0,0.1-2.7-0.8-5.1-1.4\tC19.9,13.7,15.7,13.3,15.6,13.2z\"\/>\n<\/svg>\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-container elementor-column-gap-default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-column elementor-col-100 elementor-inner-column elementor-element elementor-element-6ec570f\" data-id=\"6ec570f\" data-element_type=\"column\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-wrap elementor-element-populated\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-803c84f elementor-widget elementor-widget-spacer\" data-id=\"803c84f\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"spacer.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-spacer\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-spacer-inner\"><\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-4bc2d94 elementor-widget elementor-widget-heading\" data-id=\"4bc2d94\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"heading.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<h2 class=\"elementor-heading-title elementor-size-default\">Explore chapter book series by age or genre<\/h2>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-aa018ec elementor-widget elementor-widget-spacer\" data-id=\"aa018ec\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"spacer.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-spacer\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-spacer-inner\"><\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-be24eab elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"be24eab\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<ul><li>Continuity provides powerful leverage when encouraging younger readers. It\u2019s no surprise then, that books in this age group are overwhelmingly books in series\u2014as a glance at the shelves in a library or bookshop will confirm.\u00a0 Carella makes the same case from the publisher side: <strong>series \u201cbuild fluency and stamina\u201d<\/strong>; after a child finishes book one, <em>they know they can read the rest<\/em>\u2014and that confidence compounds.<\/li><li>To avoid the paralysis of too much choice, start with your child\u2019s personality then explore one or two of their interests. <strong>On the Cereal Readers website <a href=\"https:\/\/cerealreaders.com\/find-good-books-for-kids-and-teens\">there are a many ways to search<\/a>,<\/strong> including single genre, reading age, or a combination of age and multiple genres.<\/li><\/ul>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/section>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/section>\n\t\t\t\t<section class=\"elementor-section elementor-top-section elementor-element elementor-element-c5dab83 elementor-section-boxed elementor-section-height-default elementor-section-height-default\" data-id=\"c5dab83\" data-element_type=\"section\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-container elementor-column-gap-default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-column elementor-col-100 elementor-top-column elementor-element elementor-element-8a4f354\" data-id=\"8a4f354\" data-element_type=\"column\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-wrap elementor-element-populated\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-a7b15bd elementor-widget elementor-widget-spacer\" data-id=\"a7b15bd\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"spacer.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-spacer\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-spacer-inner\"><\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/section>\n\t\t\t\t<section class=\"elementor-section elementor-top-section elementor-element elementor-element-7c47a4a elementor-section-boxed elementor-section-height-default elementor-section-height-default\" data-id=\"7c47a4a\" data-element_type=\"section\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-container elementor-column-gap-default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-column elementor-col-100 elementor-top-column elementor-element elementor-element-a2f89a3\" data-id=\"a2f89a3\" data-element_type=\"column\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-wrap elementor-element-populated\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-c237523 elementor-widget elementor-widget-spacer\" data-id=\"c237523\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"spacer.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-spacer\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-spacer-inner\"><\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/section>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>If you remember the first book you finished all by yourself, you probably remember the feeling more than the plot: that little surge of pride, perhaps a buoyant realization you&#8230;<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":1222,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[130,128,20],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-937","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-ages-6-9","category-chapter-books","category-engaging-younger-readers"],"yoast_head":"<!-- This site is optimized with the Yoast SEO plugin v27.5 - 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