Chapter books are a bridge between early readers and middle-grade novels. There’s some overlap, but once you start studying this genre, you’ll see they are their own special art form. Most chapter books are:

• For readers ages 6-8

• 5,000-35,000 words long

They also tend to have:

• A main character that’s 1-2 years older than the reader

• A simple POV and plot, though there might be a couple small twists

• Lots of dialogue

These books usually take place over a day, week, or season, not several years or a generation. They address themes young readers will resonate with like feeling alone, friendship, and being brave. A lot of these books are contemporary stories, but there’s also room for animal stories, fantasy, and historical fiction. These are the kind of books that kids might read all summer long, back to back, or rush through 10 in a month because they want to read them all before they move on to something else.

It’s easy to get confused about chapter books, but it can be so rewarding to write for new readers! That’s why I made this quick guide. You can download it here. Or take the masterclass to learn if this genre is right for your story.