10+ Best Popular Books for 7-Year-Olds w/ Exercises (2024)

Are you on the hunt for the perfect page-turner for your budding reader? Dive into our curated selection of popular books for 7-year-olds that promise to captivate, educate, and inspire young minds. Whether you're looking for a magical adventure or a laugh-out-loud tale, we've got you covered. Keep reading to discover our top picks that are sure to delight any seven-year-old bookworm!

Fun Popular Books for 7-Year-Olds

• Where the Wild Things Are by Maurice Sendak
  • Genre(s): Fantasy, Adventure
  • Synopsis: A young boy named Max, dressed in a wolf suit, makes mischief and is sent to bed without supper. His room transforms into a magical forest, leading him to the land of the Wild Things.
  • Why we recommend this book: It encourages imagination and creativity, showing kids that they can explore wild, fantastical worlds through reading.
  • Perfect for: Children with vivid imaginations and a love for adventures.

• Charlotte's Web by E.B. White, illustrated by Garth Williams
  • Genre(s): Fiction, Classic
  • Synopsis: This beloved tale follows the friendship between a pig named Wilbur and a spider named Charlotte, who tries to save Wilbur from being slaughtered.
  • Why we recommend this book: It teaches important values such as friendship, love, and the reality of life and death, all presented in a gentle, thoughtful way.
  • Perfect for: Kids who love animals and stories about friendships.

• The Cat in the Hat by Dr. Seuss
  • Genre(s): Fantasy, Humor
  • Synopsis: The story of a mischievous cat who visits two children, Sally and her brother, on a rainy day, turning their dull day into a chaotic adventure.
  • Why we recommend this book: It introduces fun rhymes and wordplay, which can help develop phonetic skills and a love for reading.
  • Perfect for: Energetic readers who enjoy laughter and playful storytelling.

• The Magic Tree House Series: Dinosaurs Before Dark by Mary Pope Osborne, illustrated by Sal Murdocca
  • Genre(s): Fantasy, Adventure, Historical Fiction
  • Synopsis: Jack and Annie discover a tree house filled with books that can transport them through time. Their first adventure takes them to the time of the dinosaurs.
  • Why we recommend this book: It combines adventure with learning, making it a fun way for kids to discover history and science.
  • Perfect for: Curious minds that are fascinated by dinosaurs and time travel.

• The Tale of Peter Rabbit by Beatrix Potter
  • Genre(s): Fantasy, Adventure
  • Synopsis: This story follows the mischievous Peter Rabbit, who disobeys his mother's warnings and sneaks into Mr. McGregor's garden, leading to a series of adventures.
  • Why we recommend this book: It captures the thrill of adventure and the consequences of mischief, wrapped up in a beautifully illustrated book.
  • Perfect for: Young readers who enjoy stories about animals and learning lessons through adventures.

• Dog Man by Dav Pilkey
  • Genre(s): Graphic Novel, Humor
  • Synopsis: A part-dog, part-man police officer fights crime and stands up to the city's most formidable villains.
  • Why we recommend this book: It's packed with humor and action, perfect for engaging reluctant readers and encouraging an interest in graphic storytelling.
  • Perfect for: Kids who love superheroes and comics, and those who enjoy a good laugh.

Educational Popular Books for 7-Year-Olds

• Ada Twist, Scientist by Andrea Beaty, illustrated by David Roberts
  • Genre(s): Fiction, STEM
  • Synopsis: Ada Twist is a very curious girl who embarks on fact-finding missions and conducts scientific experiments to understand the world around her.
  • Skills and subjects this book improves: Scientific inquiry, critical thinking, problem-solving
  • Why we recommend this book: It promotes curiosity and perseverance, especially in science, and illustrates the importance of asking questions.
  • Perfect for: Budding scientists and curious minds who love to question how things work.

• The Day the Crayons Quit by Drew Daywalt, illustrated by Oliver Jeffers
  • Genre(s): Fiction, Humor
  • Synopsis: A boy named Duncan finds a stack of letters from his crayons, each expressing their feelings about how they are used.
  • Skills and subjects this book improves: Emotional intelligence, creativity, perspective-taking
  • Why we recommend this book: It's a fun and imaginative story that teaches kids about empathy and looking at things from different viewpoints.
  • Perfect for: Creative kids who love drawing and those who enjoy quirky stories with a lesson.

• Rosie Revere, Engineer by Andrea Beaty, illustrated by David Roberts
  • Genre(s): Fiction, STEM
  • Synopsis: Rosie Revere dreams of becoming an engineer and learns about the value of perseverance and learning from failures through her attempts to build a flying contraption.
  • Skills and subjects this book improves: Engineering principles, creativity, resilience
  • Why we recommend this book: It encourages innovation and teaches that failure is a stepping stone to success.
  • Perfect for: Aspiring engineers and inventors, and any child who needs encouragement to keep trying.

• Dragons Love Tacos by Adam Rubin, illustrated by Daniel Salmieri
  • Genre(s): Fiction, Humor
  • Synopsis: This humorous story explores the love dragons have for tacos and the chaos that ensues when they eat tacos with spicy salsa.
  • Skills and subjects this book improves: Reading comprehension, sequence of events, humor
  • Why we recommend this book: It's a hilarious tale that will keep kids laughing while subtly teaching about consequences.
  • Perfect for: Young readers who enjoy silly stories and love dragons or tacos.

• The Most Magnificent Thing by Ashley Spires
  • Genre(s): Fiction, STEM
  • Synopsis: A little girl tries to create the most magnificent thing with the help of her canine assistant but learns that creating something new isn't as easy as it looks.
  • Skills and subjects this book improves: Problem-solving, perseverance, creativity
  • Why we recommend this book: It teaches about the design process, the importance of perseverance, and the value of doing hard things.
  • Perfect for: Young makers and creators who like to tinker and invent.

Challenging Popular Books for 7-Year-Olds

• Matilda by Roald Dahl
  • Genre(s): Fiction, Fantasy
  • Synopsis: The story of a brilliant and sensitive girl named Matilda, who uses her intelligence and magical powers to overcome neglectful parents and a tyrannical school principal.
  • Why this book is challenging: It features rich vocabulary and complex character developments that challenge young readers to think critically about themes of power and resistance.
  • Why we recommend this book: It celebrates intelligence and creativity, encouraging readers to believe in their own abilities despite challenges.
  • Perfect for: Gifted children and any young reader who loves stories about triumph over adversity.

• The Secret Garden by Frances Hodgson Burnett
  • Genre(s): Classic, Fiction
  • Synopsis: An orphaned girl named Mary Lennox discovers a forgotten walled garden and, along with her cousin Colin, nurtures it back to health, which transforms their lives.
  • Why this book is challenging: The narrative uses descriptive language and explores themes of loss, healing, and friendship, which require a deeper level of comprehension.
  • Why we recommend this book: It teaches about the healing power of nature and the importance of caring for others and oneself.
  • Perfect for: Readers who enjoy stories about personal growth and magical transformations.

• The Phantom Tollbooth by Norton Juster, illustrated by Jules Feiffer
  • Genre(s): Fantasy, Adventure
  • Synopsis: A bored young boy named Milo receives a mysterious tollbooth that transports him to the Kingdom of Wisdom, where he embarks on a quest filled with puns and wordplay.
  • Why this book is challenging: The book is rich in wordplay, puns, and abstract concepts that challenge readers to think creatively and critically.
  • Why we recommend this book: It encourages exploration and appreciation of language, while also teaching important life lessons through a fantastical adventure.
  • Perfect for: Young readers who love puzzles, word games, and imaginative journeys.

• Stuart Little by E.B. White, illustrated by Garth Williams
  • Genre(s): Fiction, Adventure
  • Synopsis: The adventures of Stuart Little, a mouse born into a human family, as he faces various challenges with wit and courage.
  • Why this book is challenging: The story integrates more complex themes such as identity and belonging, which can provoke thoughtful discussions among young readers.
  • Why we recommend this book: It's a charming tale that encourages resilience and adventure, showing that size does not define one's capabilities.
  • Perfect for: Children who enjoy tales of adventure and animals with human-like qualities.

• Pippi Longstocking by Astrid Lindgren
  • Genre(s): Fiction, Humor
  • Synopsis: The escapades of Pippi Longstocking, an eccentric and super-strong girl who lives alone with her horse and monkey, as she takes on the adventures of everyday life.
  • Why this book is challenging: Pippi's unconventional adventures and the book's playful use of language provide a rich reading experience that can be more demanding than typical children's books.
  • Why we recommend this book: It promotes independence and imagination, showcasing a strong, fearless female protagonist.
  • Perfect for: Independent thinkers and any child who appreciates humor and spirited characters.

Exercises to Develop a Good Reading Habit

Hey there! If you're looking to help your 7-year-old develop good reading habits with some engaging books, you're in the right place. Here are a few fun exercises that you can incorporate into their reading routine. These exercises not only make reading enjoyable but also enhance their learning experience.

• Create a Reading Corner
  • What it is: Set up a special place at home dedicated to reading.
  • How it helps: Creates a comfortable and inviting space that encourages spending time reading.
  • Tips: Let your child help in setting up and decorating the space to make it personal and exciting.

• Book-Based Role Play
  • What it is: Act out scenes from the books they are reading.
  • How it helps: Enhances comprehension and retention by bringing the story to life.
  • Tips: Use simple props or costumes for more engaging play.

• Reading Buddy System
  • What it is: Pair your child with a friend or a family member for reading sessions.
  • How it helps: Makes reading a social activity and can improve communication skills.
  • Tips: Choose books that are interesting to both reading buddies to keep them motivated.

• Story Map Creation
  • What it is: Draw or write about the story's setting, characters, and plot in a map format.
  • How it helps: Helps with understanding and remembering the story structure.
  • Tips: Use colors and pictures to make the story map vibrant and easier to recall.

• Reading Challenge with Rewards
  • What it is: Set up a challenge with a certain number of books to read over a period.
  • How it helps: Encourages regular reading and goal setting.
  • Tips: Offer small rewards like extra playtime or a choice of the next book as incentives.

• Interactive Reading Sessions
  • What it is: Read together with your child, taking turns to read aloud.
  • How it helps: Improves reading skills and builds confidence in reading out loud.
  • Tips: Ask questions about the story to keep the session interactive and check comprehension.

• Keep a Reading Journal
  • What it is: Maintain a journal to note down thoughts and favorite quotes.
  • How it helps: Helps establish a routine and keep track of progress.
  • Tips: Make it a habit of filling out the journal every day.

Incorporating these exercises into your child's reading routine can make reading a more dynamic and beneficial part of their daily life. Not only do these activities keep the process fun, but they also foster a deeper understanding and appreciation for the books they read. Happy reading!