What does art have to do with fostering a love of reading? As children move into upper elementary and middle school, can we put actual art into language arts?
It’s tempting to think of comprehension questions, copywork, or dry discussions as the correct ways to build young readers’ success. But what if we could make their reading experience a little richer? A little more, dare I say, fun?
Chapter books deserve some love, just like beautiful picture books! We choose one novel a month to go along with each new bundle theme.
That means we have a 2025 chapter book list ready for your new year! These book selections are kid-approved, full of courageous and uplifting characters.
Glitterbombers get a brand new LiterARTure novel study each month included in their membership. The book is split into sections (usually 4) and each has discussion topics, questions, video links for topics in the story, and of course… curated art lesson suggestions, perfect for enriching the reading experience!
Join us in the membership for these monthly fresh book studies, or use this chapter book list as a done-for-you book club, or just a list of great books to look to when you aren’t sure what to pick up next.
Our 2025 Must Read Chapter Book List
Kick off the year by taking a trip back in time! Dragons in a Bag is an twisty-turny, surprising, magical adventure! Jaxon is unexpectedly swept up in a mission to deliver baby dragons to safety. Who knew it would involve a time machine in the middle of Brooklyn? This short chapter book kicks off a five-book fantasy series that keeps you on the edge of your seat.
We love exploring a country through art, and the study is even richer with a good novel to read alongside.
Where the Mountain Meets the Moon is fantasy crossed with folklore at its finest. Young readers can’t help but root for Minli and her dragon companion as she journeys to find out how to save her family’s fortune.
Manga lovers rejoice! This bundle will cover not only manga and comics, but all things pop art culture.
The story of Unico by Japanese legend Tezuka is reimagined in this new graphic novel, giving a modern spin on the unicorn’s battle against gods and across space. This LiterARTure will also include a look into The Kid’s Guide to Anime and Manga, so kids can learn about this art form through fiction and nonfiction combined.
What better book to pair with studying 3-D art and sculpture, than one where kids explore The Metropolitan Museum of Art?
In this Newberry Award winning novel, two siblings temporarily run away to The Met. One of them discovers a statue so enthralling she can’t imagine leaving until she finds the answers to its mysterious creator, which leads them on another unexpected journey. This classic is witty, heartfelt, and well worth a read!
Nature is all around us, and kids can’t resist learning about curiosities as they fly, crawl, or hop past.
When my kids and I read The Remarkable Rescue at Milkweed Meadow, we all agreed it was an instant family favorite. Butternut belongs to a family of rabbits that use storytelling to boost their chances of survival in the dangerous world. When a robin befriends Butternut and they discover animals in danger, she has to decide how far she’s willing to break from her family’s rules. It’s a sweet and clever story of family, friendship, and doing the right thing.
When things start to go disasterously wrong at Castle Celurdur, Faye, the gardener’s young daughter, is the one person keeping it all together! We loved her strong female character, smoothly solving problems and organizing solutions to save what is important to her – and the whole kingdom.
With this bundle full of mysteries of the unknown, like UFOs, lost cities, and deep ocean dwellers, this novel of mystery and magic fits right in.
Our ecosystem bundles make for fantastic unit studies, and this one on all things lakes, rivers, and ponds will be no different.
In this middle grade novel, Solimar is immersed in her kingdom’s natural resources, which include not only forests, but also a beautiful river. Both locations are key in her journey to stop a neighboring king from destroying the nature that is important to her. Science and magic are swirled together in this fast-paced book.
Let’s get ART into that science, technology, engineering, and math!
Theresa wins a science competition and gets invited to a famous scientist’s laboratory for the summer. She meets robots, gets behind the scenes of important research, and has high hopes of helping to find solutions to climate change. But things start to go off the rails when some robots, and experiments, turn out to be not exactly… benign. This book tackles sensitive science topics well, with a fast pace based on facts.
We cannot wait to highlight Hispanic voices that are creating today, just in time for Hispanic Heritage month.
Rebecca Balcarcel writes the Latinx character of Luz Veliz with wit and compassion. Luz is learning to let go of soccer, but discovers a new love of coding. We can’t wait for you to dive into this wonderful story of learning who you are and who you can be.
Cryptids, full moon, potions, and all the supernatural we can pack in will make up October’s bundle in 2025, and The Curse of Eelgrass Bog fits right in. Kess lives in a decrepit Unnatural History Museum with her brother, and curious happenings abound. When she meets a new friend who convinces her to travel into the forbidden bog nearby, secrets unravel, and Kess is faced with finding out more about her past than she’d like to remember.
This book is the perfect mix of loss and humor, spooky and sweet. We dare you to venture into the bog!
This bundle will look at animal science and let kids decide who would win in epic battles and contests!
In Skunk and Badger, these two animals are thrust together in a small home, with opposite personalities. At first determined to dislike and ignore each other, events help this odd couple eventually warm up. Kids love this book for its cranky badger, bumbling skunk, and… chickens??
Join us down under to learn about all things Australian!
In Braver, a young wombat, Lola, uses her unlikely traits to go on an epic quest to rescue her parents. She meets friends along the way who both help and hinder, like a trio of cats and a ravenous penguin. This tale is unique and the action makes it a page turner.
Need our 2025 Chapter Book List to take to the library?
Click the link below and grab your free copy!
The Glitterbombers Membership is enrolling for a limited time. Members enjoy the full PEP Curriculum when they join, as well as hundreds of art projects, art videos, and art resources and activities. Click HERE to join this week before we close again until later next year!
I absolutely loved this book list and project ideas. We are loving the books we’ve read so far! I hope you do this again!
Thank you so much for the feedback! I’ll definitely plan on one for next year!