If your child has ever flown through an Owl Diaries or Dragon Masters book, they’ve read a Branches early chapter book. You may have noticed the tree logo on the corner of your child’s favorite reads, or recognized the Branches characters that have become household names.
The Branches line of early chapter books is designed for kids who are ready to read independently. It helps them transition from leveled readers and picture books to chapter books with an array of series that feature riveting stories that spark imagination, engaging artwork, and charming characters that kids can relate to. Plus, each Branches book includes an activity prompt and a Q&A page that you can complete with your child to encourage creativity, build vocabulary, and enhance reading comprehension.
You’ll find several series in the Branches line of early chapter books, ranging from The Last Firehawk (about an exciting fantasy world and epic animal battles) to Unicorn Diaries (about a unicorn with magical powers). Plus, there's the new Disaster Squad series, where the Jackson family travels the country and responds to natural disasters, helping people in need and rescuing animals along the way.
Use this Disaster Squad activity sheet to continue on the adventure beyond the pages!
If your child is ready to move beyond picture books – but isn’t quite ready for a text-heavy novel – these early chapter books will be the perfect fit for them. Branches books are generally for readers in kindergarten through third grade, although the exact reading level varies by book. These books have more illustrations than chapter books, but are more complex than other early readers. You can also easily read Branches books aloud if your child isn't ready to explore them independently yet.
Branches books feature fast-paced plots, cliffhangers, and accessible text that encourages kids to keep reading. Once your child reads the first book in a series, they’ll be eager to dive into the rest.
Shop popular Branches books and sets below! You can find all Branches books, including individual titles, at The Scholastic Store.
