16 Early Reader Books for Girls Ready for Chapter Books

When my daughter started reading early chapter books, I was surprised at how tricky it was to find ones she truly enjoyed. The books my son had loved didn’t always click with her, and we went through plenty of trial and error. She adored Junie B. Jones, Ivy and Bean, and Amelia Bedelia, but quickly lost interest in others like Owl Diaries and The Princess in Black. Finding the best early reader books for second grade girls really came down to understanding her reading style—she liked humor, familiar settings, and relatable characters more than fantasy or fast-paced action.

If you’re in the same boat, this list of books might help. It starts with Level 1 and Level 2 readers that build confidence through simple language and illustrations, then gradually moves up to early chapter books and more advanced titles. While many of these titles fall between ATOS levels 2.0 and 2.6—solidly second-grade range—they’re often more approachable than expected. With friendly vocabulary, clear formatting, and engaging stories, these books are great for girls in second grade or first graders who are ready to stretch their reading skills.

Easiest to Read – Level 1 to 2 Readers

1. Barbie : Step Into Reading Series
ATOS 0.9 – 2.0

These were the very first early readers my daughter got excited about. The stories are short and simple, with familiar characters and colorful illustrations that pulled her in right away. She especially liked Let’s Build A Snowman (ATOS 1.2), Sing It Out (ATOS 1.5), and Barbie in a Mermaid Tale (ATOS 1.5). The simple vocabulary and repetition helped her build confidence and read more independently. Each book features a standalone storyline that’s both inspiring and perfect for sparking conversations—we often talked about the characters’ choices and what she might do in those situations.

2. Twinkle Ready To Read
ATOS 0.9 – 1.2

The Twinkle series under Ready to Read Level 2 includes a total of 6 books, but none of them are listed on the Accelerated Reader Renaissance website for ATOS testing. That didn’t matter to us though—my daughter loved every single one and read them all. She even got the 10″x10″ hardcover edition with textured sprinkles in the illustrations, which made storytime extra special as she traced her fingers along those sparkly patterns.

3. Pete The Cat
ATOS 1.2 – 3.3

When searching for the early reader books for second grade girls, one cannot miss the Pete the Cat series. With its laid-back charm, catchy phrases, and cool cat personality, Pete the Cat has been a huge hit in our house. The series spans a wide range of reading levels—from simple picture books great for kindergarteners to I Can Read! books that reach up to ATOS 2.8, making it a flexible choice as kids grow.

My daughter especially enjoyed titles like Pete the Cat: Play Ball! and Pete at the Beach, which combine short sentences, supportive illustrations, and a fun storyline that keeps young readers engaged. With over 80 books across formats, there’s always a new Pete adventure to check out from the library or revisit at bedtime.

4. There Was An Old Lady
ATOS 1.1 – 4.5

The There Was an Old Lady series by Lucille Colandro has been a real favorite for both my kids and me. With about 18 books, each one tells the silly story of the old lady swallowing all sorts of funny things — it always makes us laugh and keeps them eager to read more. Most of the books are perfect for early readers like my daughter, with ATOS 2.0 to 2.9, making them a great choice to help build her reading confidence.

5. Ballet Cat
ATOS 1.6 – 1.9

We gave Ballet Cat a try, and while it felt like flipping through a comic book—with big fonts and short, punchy speech bubbles—it just didn’t click with my daughter. The humor and expressive graphics were fun, and it’s definitely a playful bridge between early readers and chapter books. But the non-traditional format, without clear chapters, made it feel more like a picture book to her than something she’d want to keep reading.

6. Berenstain Bears
ATOS 1.5 – 4.6

The Berenstain Bears series has been one of my daughter’s favorites—we’ve read Lemonade Stand and Class Trip so many times, I could recite them by heart. These Level 1 readers are perfect for early independent reading, with large, clear font, supportive illustrations, and simple sentence structures that build confidence. The stories follow the Bear family through everyday adventures like setting up a lemonade stand, going on a school field trip, or preparing for a sleepover, all while gently teaching life lessons in a fun and relatable way.

Some other titles my daughter read in first grade are The Berenstain Bears and the Big Road Race (1.7), Picnic (1.9), and The Missing Honey (2.6). These are truly among the best early reader books for first grade girls who enjoy gentle humor and familiar family settings. This is a great series to grow and progress with your child. The full collection includes hundreds of books, with reading levels spanning from kindergarten through fourth grade. Just in the first and second grade range, there are over 100 books available.

7. Pinkalicious
ATOS 1.6 – 3.4

Also part of the I Can Read! series, Pinkalicious offered a fun, sparkly start to reading for my daughter—though it was a short phase before she moved on to other favorites. With around 27 Level 1 titles, the series follows Pinkalicious through imaginative adventures like bringing her imaginary unicorn to school, hosting magical slumber parties, and planning cupcake-filled afternoons.

The books feature large, easy-to-read text, full-color illustrations, and sweet, lighthearted storylines that are perfect for early readers. While most titles fall in the beginner range, a few like Purplicious  (ATOS 3.2) and Pinkalicious: Pink of Hearts (ATOS 3.4) offer a bit more of a challenge—great for kids who stick with the series and are ready for a slightly higher reading level.

Next-Level Early Chapters

8. Junie B. Jones (early books)
ATOS 2.0-3.8

The teacher read the first Junie B. Jones book to my daughter at school, and she was instantly hooked. She loved reading these stories on her bed before sleep, enjoying Junie B.’s wild, spunky personality and humorous adventures. The early books are perfect for second graders transitioning into chapter books, with manageable vocabulary, shorter chapters, and plenty of fun. It’s no surprise that Junie B. has become a go-to choice when searching for the early reader books for second grade girls.

There are about 28 books in the full Junie B. Jones series, and for early readers just starting out, there are two beginner-friendly box sets that group together some of the easier titles. For readers ready to continue beyond the early ones, the later books increase in difficulty, with ATOS levels ranging from about 3.0 up to 3.8. This progression offers a great way for kids to build their reading skills while staying connected to a beloved character.

9. Amelia Bedelia Chapter Books
ATOS 2.2 – 4.8

One of my personal favorites—I actually read this with both of my kids. We started with the Level 1 I Can Read versions, so transitioning into the chapter books felt like a natural step. Amelia Bedelia’s literal interpretations of everyday phrases made us laugh out loud.

The stories are playful, lighthearted, and great for building vocabulary while having fun. The fonts are easy on the eyes, with occasional black-and-white illustrations that help break up the text. They’re some of the best early reader books for second grade girls who are transitioning to longer stories but still appreciate playful language.

10. Yasmin
ATOS 2.4 – 3.2

We read through several beginner-level Yasmin books—there are about 29 in the series—and they offered gentle, everyday adventures with a culturally rich background. I appreciated how Yasmin’s world includes a diverse cast of friends and family, reflecting traditions and experiences that were new to us. The colorful illustrations helped bring those differences to life, and they gave me a chance to explain how some customs compare to Chinese culture. While my daughter enjoyed a few of the titles, she didn’t ask for the whole series—maybe because the calm, reflective tone didn’t hold her attention the way fast-paced stories do.

The ATOS levels in the series start off easy but gradually increase up to around 3.0, with some of the more advanced books reaching 30+ pages. It’s a great selection for kids who connect with the characters and want to grow with the series over time.

11. Magic Tree House – Earlier Books
ATOS 2.0 – 5.6

We’ve only read Dinosaur Before Dark and Night of the Ninjas, and my daughter hasn’t really shown whether she liked them or not. However, I still remember how much my son loved the entire Magic Tree House series. This collection follows siblings Jack and Annie as they travel through time and explore exciting places—from the age of dinosaurs to medieval castles and ancient Egypt.

The early books in this ATOS range include:

• Dinosaurs Before Dark (ATOS 2.6)
• The Knight at Dawn (ATOS 2.9)
• Mummies in the Morning (AT.7)
• Pirates Past Noon (ATOS 2.8)
• Night of the Ninjas (ATOS 2.7)
• Afternoon on the Amazon (ATOS 2.6)
• Sunset of the Sabertooth (ATOS 2.2)

Each features short chapters, simple sentences, and just enough challenge for second graders moving beyond Level 2 readers. The clear, easy-to-read font and fast-paced storytelling make these perfect for kids who love history mixed with adventure. With more than 20 books in the whole series, there’s plenty to keep young readers curious and excited.

If your child doesn’t find the Magic Tree House series exciting or refuses to continue it, try revisiting the books when they’re a bit older. My son wasn’t interested in any of them in second grade but ended up reading the entire series once he reached third grade.

12. Billie B Brown
ATOS 2.3 – 3

My daughter and I love the Billie B. Brown series by Sally Rippin — it’s been such a hit with her! There are 27 books in total, and 17 of them fall right into the 2.0 to 2.9 ATOS level, which is perfect for second grade girls who are just getting comfortable with chapter books.

The stories follow Billie’s everyday adventures — full of humor, friendship, and little challenges that feel real to young readers. The books use a kid-friendly font, lots of engaging illustrations, and simple, clear language that makes reading fun and accessible. The other 10 books, including the Billie B. Mysteries, are a bit more challenging (levels 3.0 to 4.0) — great for kids who are ready to step up their reading game.

Confident Second Grade Readers

13. Unicorn Diaries
ATOS 2.7 – 3.7

Despite the unicorn theme, this series didn’t really resonate with my daughter, which was a bit disappointing since she was really into unicorns for a while. The playful fonts and plenty of visual support made the stories easy to follow, and the repetitive structure is great for building reading confidence. Still, the stories just didn’t capture her interest like some of the other books did.

14. Owl Diaries
ATOS 2.7 – 3.2

I had high hopes for this one given the fun diary format with speech bubbles and graphics. I thought the vibrant, colorful illustrations and adorable owls would connect with my daughter, but it didn’t quite land with her. The series follows Eva Wingdale, a spirited young owl who journals about her daily adventures at Treetop Elementary, often involving friendship challenges and mini mysteries. While the blend of small paragraphs and comic-style layout is excellent for early readers building confidence, the format didn’t keep her coming back for more.

15. The Princess in Black
ATOS 3.0-3.6

A princess by day and hero by night. The early books feature strong fonts and charming full-color illustrations, with short chapters and lots of action. We read this when my daughter was really into Wednesday from The Addams Family, so I thought the mix of “princess” and “black” would be a perfect fit—but somehow it didn’t connect with her. She didn’t get attached to the story or characters, even though I personally found it clever and fun. I ended up finishing a few on my own!

16. Ivy and Bean
ATOS 3.1 – 3.9

We picked up Ivy and Bean right after Junie B. Jones, and my daughter instantly fell in love. The series follows two spirited girls—one quiet, one mischievous—who become unlikely best friends. The writing is sharp, the humor real, and the bond between the girls is engaging.

With an ATOS range from 3.1 to 3.9, Ivy and Bean is a great option among early reader books for second grade girls who are ready for a bigger challenge. When my daughter was ready to step up, this series was the perfect next choice. Though the chapters are longer and the font smaller, the fun dialogue and illustrations make the books easier to enjoy than the level suggests.