10+ Best Story Books for 7-Year-Olds w/ Exercises (2024)
Are you on the hunt for the perfect story books for 7-year-olds that will captivate their imaginations and enhance their reading skills? You've come to the right place! Whether you're looking to stock up a classroom library or find a new bedtime favorite for home, we've curated a variety of engaging books that are just right for this adventurous age. Keep reading to discover our top picks for story books that seven-year-olds will absolutely love!
Table of Contents
Fun Story Books for 7-Year-Olds
- Charlotte's Web by E.B. White, illustrated by Garth Williams
- Genre(s): Children's Fiction, Animal Story
- Synopsis: This beloved tale follows a young pig named Wilbur and his friendship with a wise spider named Charlotte. When Wilbur is in danger of being slaughtered, Charlotte writes messages in her web to persuade the farmer to save him.
- Why we recommend this book: It teaches themes of friendship, loyalty, and the cycle of life in a gentle and accessible way that resonates with young readers.
- Perfect for: Animal lovers and children learning about friendship and compassion.
- The Magic Tree House series by Mary Pope Osborne, illustrated by Sal Murdocca
- Genre(s): Fantasy, Adventure, Historical Fiction
- Synopsis: This series features siblings Jack and Annie who discover a magical tree house filled with books that transport them to different times and places around the world.
- Why we recommend this book: Each book combines adventure with a bit of history, making learning fun and engaging for young readers.
- Perfect for: Curious kids who enjoy time travel and adventures.
- The BFG by Roald Dahl, illustrated by Quentin Blake
- Genre(s): Fantasy, Adventure
- Synopsis: A little girl named Sophie meets the Big Friendly Giant (BFG) who, unlike other giants, is kind and charming. They set off on an adventure to stop the other giants from eating children.
- Why we recommend this book: It sparks imagination with its creative language and whimsical plot while teaching important lessons about friendship and bravery.
- Perfect for: Young readers who love fantastical stories and quirky characters.
- Pippi Longstocking by Astrid Lindgren, illustrated by Lauren Child
- Genre(s): Adventure, Humor
- Synopsis: Pippi Longstocking is an eccentric, super-strong girl who lives alone with her horse and monkey, having adventures and fending off adults who try to take her to an orphanage.
- Why we recommend this book: Pippi's independence and humorous antics keep readers entertained while encouraging them to think about resilience and self-reliance.
- Perfect for: Kids who appreciate humor and stories of adventure and independence.
- The Tale of Despereaux by Kate DiCamillo, illustrated by Timothy Basil Ering
- Genre(s): Fantasy, Fairy Tale
- Synopsis: This story centers around Despereaux Tilling, a small mouse with big ears, who loves music and stories, and his quest to save a human princess.
- Why we recommend this book: It's a beautifully written fairy tale that celebrates the virtues of bravery and forgiveness, with a charming and courageous protagonist.
- Perfect for: Readers who enjoy fairy tales with moral lessons and captivating characters.
Educational Story Books for 7-Year-Olds
- Ada Twist, Scientist by Andrea Beaty, illustrated by David Roberts
- Genre(s): Children's Fiction, Science
- Synopsis: Ada Twist is a 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, problem-solving, perseverance
- Why we recommend this book: It encourages curiosity and perseverance, especially in young girls, showing that science is for everyone.
- Perfect for: Aspiring young scientists and curious minds.
- The Day the Crayons Quit by Drew Daywalt, illustrated by Oliver Jeffers
- Genre(s): Children's Fiction, Humor
- Synopsis: A humorous story where crayons come to life, each expressing grievances and demands to their owner, Duncan, through letters.
- Skills and subjects this book improves: Creativity, emotional expression, letter writing
- Why we recommend this book: It's a fun way to discuss feelings and conflicts, while encouraging creativity and imagination.
- Perfect for: Young artists and any child who enjoys playful stories.
- Rosie Revere, Engineer by Andrea Beaty, illustrated by David Roberts
- Genre(s): Children's Fiction, STEM
- Synopsis: Rosie is a brilliant inventor who dreams of becoming a great engineer. Despite her fears of failure, she learns that you can only truly fail if you quit.
- Skills and subjects this book improves: Engineering concepts, resilience, creativity
- Why we recommend this book: It teaches valuable lessons about perseverance and the importance of pursuing one's dreams, no matter the obstacles.
- Perfect for: Young inventors and any child who needs encouragement to try and fail and try again.
- The Name Jar by Yangsook Choi
- Genre(s): Children's Fiction, Cultural
- Synopsis: Unhei, a young Korean girl, moves to the U.S. and decides she needs an American name, but through friendships, she learns to appreciate her cultural heritage and the importance of her own name.
- Skills and subjects this book improves: Cultural awareness, self-acceptance, social skills
- Why we recommend this book: It's a touching story that promotes diversity and the acceptance of oneself and others.
- Perfect for: Children experiencing or learning about cultural diversity and the value of self-identity.
- Iggy Peck, Architect by Andrea Beaty, illustrated by David Roberts
- Genre(s): Children's Fiction, STEM
- Synopsis: Iggy Peck is a young architect who has been building fabulous creations since he was two. His skills are put to the test when his second-grade class gets stranded on an island.
- Skills and subjects this book improves: Architectural design principles, problem-solving, creativity
- Why we recommend this book: It encourages innovative thinking and showcases the importance of pursuing your passion.
- Perfect for: Young builders and future architects.
- What Do You Do With an Idea? by Kobi Yamada, illustrated by Mae Besom
- Genre(s): Children's Fiction, Inspirational
- Synopsis: This is the story of a brilliant idea and the child who helps to bring it into the world. As the child's confidence grows, so does the idea itself.
- Skills and subjects this book improves: Creativity, confidence, resilience
- Why we recommend this book: It inspires children to embrace their ideas, nourish them, and celebrate their creative potential.
- Perfect for: Young dreamers and creators.
Challenging Story Books for 7-Year-Olds
- Matilda by Roald Dahl, illustrated by Quentin Blake
- Genre(s): Fantasy, Children's Fiction
- Synopsis: The story of a brilliant and sensitive girl named Matilda, who uses her intelligence and telekinetic powers to overcome neglectful parents and a tyrannical school principal.
- Why this book is challenging: It features complex vocabulary and themes of rebellion and personal empowerment, which are more advanced for younger readers.
- Why we recommend this book: It celebrates the power of reading and the resilience of children, inspiring readers to believe in their own abilities.
- Perfect for: Young readers who enjoy stories of triumph over adversity and those who love clever, resourceful characters.
- The Phantom Tollbooth by Norton Juster, illustrated by Jules Feiffer
- Genre(s): Fantasy, Adventure
- Synopsis: This novel follows Milo, a bored boy who receives a magical tollbooth that transports him to the Lands Beyond, where he embarks on a quest filled with puns, wordplay, and wisdom.
- Why this book is challenging: It includes a wealth of puns, idiomatic expressions, and a play on words that require a higher level of reading comprehension and critical thinking.
- Why we recommend this book: It encourages curiosity and a love for language, while creatively introducing philosophical concepts.
- Perfect for: Children who love language, puzzles, and imaginative adventures.
- Alice's Adventures in Wonderland by Lewis Carroll, illustrated by John Tenniel
- Genre(s): Fantasy, Classic Literature
- Synopsis: Alice falls through a rabbit hole into a fantastical world where she encounters various magical creatures and perplexing situations.
- Why this book is challenging: The narrative structure is unconventional and filled with nonsensical logic and complex wordplay.
- Why we recommend this book: It's a classic that stretches the imagination and challenges perceptions of reality, encouraging creative thinking.
- Perfect for: Readers who delight in surreal and whimsical tales with a dash of absurdity.
- The Little Prince by Antoine de Saint-Exupéry
- Genre(s): Fantasy, Philosophical
- Synopsis: This poetic tale features a young prince who travels the universe gaining wisdom through encounters with various inhabitants of different planets.
- Why this book is challenging: It explores profound themes like loneliness, friendship, love, and loss through metaphorical and philosophical storytelling.
- Why we recommend this book: It offers deep life lessons and insights appropriate for contemplative young readers, wrapped in a simple yet profound narrative.
- Perfect for: Philosophically inclined young readers and those who appreciate stories that delve into deep and meaningful themes.
- Stuart Little by E.B. White, illustrated by Garth Williams
- Genre(s): Fantasy, Adventure
- Synopsis: A story about a mouse named Stuart Little who was born into an ordinary New York family, his adventures, and his quest to find a lost friend.
- Why this book is challenging: The text features rich vocabulary and complex sentence structures, presenting a higher reading level.
- Why we recommend this book: It's a charming tale that encourages adventure and showcases resilience, all from the perspective of a small but brave mouse.
- Perfect for: Young readers who enjoy adventure stories with unique protagonists and those who love tales of exploration and determination.
Exercises to Develop a Good Reading Habit
Hey there! If you're looking to help your 7-year-old develop great reading habits, you've come to the right place. Here are some engaging exercises that are perfect for making reading a fun and habitual part of their daily routine. Let's dive in!
- Picture Walk
- What it is: A pre-reading exercise where the child looks at the pictures in a book before reading to predict the story.
- How it helps: Enhances imagination and sets a purpose for reading.
- Tips: Encourage your child to tell their version of the story based on the pictures.
- Read Aloud Together
- What it is: You and your child take turns reading pages or paragraphs aloud.
- How it helps: Improves pronunciation and builds confidence in reading.
- Tips: Make it interactive by discussing the story as you go.
- Character Role-Play
- What it is: Acting out characters from the story after reading.
- How it helps: Deepens understanding of the characters and plot.
- Tips: Use simple props or costumes for more fun and engagement.
- Story Map Creation
- What it is: Drawing or writing out the main events of the story in sequence.
- How it helps: Helps with comprehension and recall.
- Tips: Keep colored pencils or markers handy to make the activity more exciting.
- Question Bowl
- What it is: Writing questions about the story on pieces of paper and putting them in a bowl to discuss.
- How it helps: Encourages critical thinking and curiosity.
- Tips: Reward your child for each insightful question or answer.
- Book Club for Kids
- What it is: Organize a small group of your child’s friends to read the same book and discuss it.
- How it helps: Enhances social skills and offers diverse perspectives on the same story.
- Tips: Host the book club meetings at your home with some fun snacks.
- Reading Timer Challenge
- What it is: Set a timer for a quiet reading session, gradually increasing the time.
- How it helps: Builds concentration and stamina for reading.
- Tips: Start with short, manageable times and praise efforts to encourage longer reading sessions.
These exercises are not just about reading; they're about making reading a delightful and enriching part of your child's life. By incorporating these activities, you're not only helping your child develop strong reading skills but also fostering a lifelong love for books. So, grab a book and let the fun reading adventures begin!