Best Fiction Books for Kids (2026): 5 Picks Compared

Finding the best fiction books for kids gets easier once you know the reader, since a child who just finished a series needs something different from one who is still reading short sentences. This list is for parents, teachers and gift buyers choosing fiction for one reader. We compared five titles by the grade level, reading age, page count and series position each listing publishes.

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The picks

#	Product	Shelf Score	Buy
1	The One and Only Ivan by Applegate	9.7/10	Buy
2	The Last Kids on Earth by Brallier	9.6/10	Buy
3	Partypooper by Kinney	9.5/10	Buy
4	The Invisible String by Karst	9.4/10	Buy
5	An Elephant in the Garden by Morpurgo	9.4/10	Buy

1

The One and Only Ivan by Applegate

Katherine Applegate·9.7/10 Shelf Score

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The Shelf Score runs from 9.2 to 9.8 and weighs fit for the reader or goal (35 points), contents and edition (25), value (25) and listed reading age or level (10, where the listing gives one), using only what the book listing states. How we pick ›

A gorilla in a shopping mall enclosure meets a baby elephant and begins to see his life differently; suits readers who like animal stories.

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Pros

• The listing states it won the Newbery Award
• Grade level 3 to 7 covers a wide range of readers
• Told from the gorilla's own point of view, with illustrations

Cons

• Reading age is marked as from customers, not stated by the publisher
• Book 1 of 4, so the story continues across three more books
• The description covers captivity and an animal taken from the wild, which some younger readers may find sad

2

The Last Kids on Earth by Brallier

Max Brallier·9.6/10 Shelf Score

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The Shelf Score runs from 9.2 to 9.8 and weighs fit for the reader or goal (35 points), contents and edition (25), value (25) and listed reading age or level (10, where the listing gives one), using only what the book listing states. How we pick ›

A boy in a monster apocalypse builds a team of friends to take on a fearsome monster; suits readers who like humorous adventure.

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Pros

• Text and black-and-white illustrations across 256 pages
• A team of friends and a quest against monsters suit readers who like humor
• Book 1 of 10 gives a new reader a clear place to start

Cons

• The series runs to Book 10, so a reader who finishes this one will want more
• Reading age is marked as from customers, not stated by the publisher
• The description sets the story in a monster apocalypse with zombies, so preview it for a sensitive reader

3

Partypooper by Kinney

Jeff Kinney·9.5/10 Shelf Score

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The Shelf Score runs from 9.2 to 9.8 and weighs fit for the reader or goal (35 points), contents and edition (25), value (25) and listed reading age or level (10, where the listing gives one), using only what the book listing states. How we pick ›

Greg plans his own birthday party, and the guest list and surprises spiral out of control; suits fans already reading the series.

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Pros

• Publication date October 21, 2025, so the listing is recent
• The listing carries a 'laugh out loud hilarious' label, a publisher claim
• Packed with cake disasters and family fiascos, per the description

Cons

• Book 20 of 21, so new readers miss the earlier story; start with Book 1
• Reading age is marked as from customers, not stated by the publisher
• The description says ages 8 to 12, while the listing's reading age is 9+ years, so check which fits

4

The Invisible String by Karst

Patrice Karst·9.4/10 Shelf Score

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The Shelf Score runs from 9.2 to 9.8 and weighs fit for the reader or goal (35 points), contents and edition (25), value (25) and listed reading age or level (10, where the listing gives one), using only what the book listing states. How we pick ›

A mother tells her two children that the people they love are connected by an invisible string; suits the youngest readers.

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Pros

• 40 pages, so it can be read in one sitting
• Illustrated, with a 2018 publication date
• Reading age of 3 to 7 years suits the youngest readers

Cons

• The description names separation anxiety, loss and grief, so a parent may want to read it first
• A short conversation built on a single idea, which older readers may find slight
• The listing states no series position, while the description names related titles

5

An Elephant in the Garden by Morpurgo

Michael Morpurgo·9.4/10 Shelf Score

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The Shelf Score runs from 9.2 to 9.8 and weighs fit for the reader or goal (35 points), contents and edition (25), value (25) and listed reading age or level (10, where the listing gives one), using only what the book listing states. How we pick ›

A family keeps an orphaned elephant in their garden, then must flee a bombed city with her; suits readers who like historical fiction.

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Pros

• Historical setting with a family, an elephant and a theme of kindness
• 224 pages in one volume
• The author's note says the story is inspired by historical truths

Cons

• Kindergarten and up does not match the reading age of 9+ years, so check a sample page
• The description mentions bombing, capture and an animal set to be destroyed, so preview it
• A 2013 reprint, older than the newer titles on this list

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More picks to compare

• The Incredible Journey by BurnfordFor readers 8 to 10 (customer-marked) who like animal adventure stories.Check on Amazon
• Touchdown Kid by GreenFor readers listed at 8 to 12 years who like football stories.Check on Amazon
• Crayons Go Back to School by DaywaltFor preschool to grade 3 readers, a short school-themed picture book about crayons.Check on Amazon
• Georgie Summers by RudanskyFor fantasy fans around ages 8 to 14, publishing November 3, 2026.Check on Amazon
• First Grade Reader by WhitlockFor early readers marked 5 to 7 years by customers, with 10 fiction stories.Check on Amazon

Compare the picks

Book details as published on each listing, collected 16 October 2026.

How we scored them

The Shelf Score weighs fit for the reader, contents and edition, value, and the listed reading age or grade level. All five picks list a reading age, marked by Amazon as from customers, and all five list a grade level, though the An Elephant in the Garden listing pairs Kindergarten and up with a reading age of 9+. How we pick explains the weights.

Scores run from 9.2 to 9.8: each book’s point total is placed on that range, so more points always means a higher score. Reading age or level counts on a list where at least one listing gives one, and a book whose listing gives none then scores zero on it. Where no listing gives one, the score is taken over the other 85 points. Books carry no warranty, so warranty is not scored.

How to choose the best fiction books for kids

Match the reader’s age and grade first

The One and Only Ivan lists grade 3 to 7 with a reading age of 8+ years, while The Invisible String is written for preschool to grade 3 and a reading age of 3 to 7 years. For a younger reader, a 40-page picture book is easier to finish in one sitting, and the picture books category has more options.

Check the series position before you buy

The Last Kids on Earth is Book 1 of 10, so a reader who likes it will need the next titles, while Partypooper is Book 20 of 21 and new readers should start with the earlier books. For longer novels by grade band, see all middle grade books.

Before you buy

• Check the reading age and grade level on the listing, and whether the reading age is marked from customers.
• For a series, buy Book 1 first and confirm the series number, such as Book 1 of 4 for The One and Only Ivan.
• Look for the family version and workbook titles named in the description of The Invisible String, and confirm which one you are buying.

Frequently Asked Questions

What reading age do these picks list?

The Invisible String lists 3 to 7 years and The One and Only Ivan lists 8+ years, both marked as from customers, so check the grade level too.

Where should a child start a series?

Start with Book 1: The One and Only Ivan is Book 1 of 4 and The Last Kids on Earth is Book 1 of 10, while Partypooper is Book 20 of 21.

Do any of these picks deal with sad themes?

The Invisible String description names loss and grief, and An Elephant in the Garden mentions bombing, so preview both for a sensitive reader.

Still deciding? Our top pickThe One and Only Ivan by Applegate

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Related lists

See every Middle Grade list and all Kids and Teens lists.

More lists: browse fantasy books for kids, chapter books, mystery books and young adult books.