I am so excited to share our family’s top 10 favorite chapter books of 2020! 2020 has certainly been an interesting year for all of us, but in many ways the slower pace has allowed us to read even more books than we normally would! I am grateful for that. My kids and I have looked back through all that we’ve read this year, and we’ve narrowed it down to 10 chapter books that we absolutely loved. I would recommend that you not only read these but also own them — and affiliate links are below if you’d like to purchase!
Looking for more books? Check out our family’s favorite series’ HERE!
With no further ado… our favorite chapter books from 2020!
Stella By Starlight
If you loved Roll of Thunder, Hear My Cry, you absolutely can’t miss this book. Set in rural North Carolina during the Great Depression, it chronicles one particular young African-American girl, Stella, as she deals with fears of the Klu Klux Klan and racial tensions in her town. I particularly loved the portrayal of her close-knit family and church community. This would be wonderful for studies of the Great Depression or black history, but it’s also just a fantastic read-aloud for ages 8 and up.
The Witch of Blackbird Pond
I had avoided this book for a while because I wasn’t sure how “dark” the witch reference in the title went, but my 8- and 10-year-old absolutely loved this book. It subtly teaches so much American history in a time period less remembered (late 1600s), and the ending is completely riveting. The witch reference in the title just refers to witch hunts (think The Crucible) during that time period, but it is totally appropriate for late elementary. I will look forward to reading this again with our younger kids in a few years!
Amal Unbound
This book gives a fascinating and intimate peek into life in Pakistan through the eyes of a brave young girl. Amal must become a servant for a rich family to pay off her family’s debts, but she is determined to find a way back to freedom. While I would consider the book middle grade for its content, I appreciated that it wasn’t too dark or inappropriate for young listeners (8 and up). In fact, once both my daughters finished this book, it got passed around our neighborhood to be read by all of their friends!
A Lion to Guard Us
Full disclosure on this one: I haven’t actually finished this book, but my 8-year-old read it more than ten times this year! In fact, she has the first page memorized and still talks about it even though it’s been about 6 months since she first read it. It tells the story of three siblings traveling to Jamestown in 1607 to meet up with their father after their mother died in England. It would be a particularly great supplement if you are currently studying American history, and my daughter made sure it made the list of our favorites this year.
Big Foot and Little Foot
This was a gem of a find as a read-aloud for the early elementary range — particularly my two boys, ages 6 and 3. Hugo the Sasquatch lives in charming Widdershins Cavern and unexpectedly befriends Boone, a human boy who lives nearby. Despite being extremely different in many ways, they forge a sweet friendship and embark on a variety of adventures together. This is the first in the series (there are four currently), but there is a fifth coming out in April!
The Vanderbeekers of 141st Street
Speaking of wonderful series’, my 8- and 10-year-old devoured these books this year! The Vanderbeekers are a biracial family of seven who live in a New York brownstone. When the lease is in danger of not being renewed, the family must get creative to try and save their beloved home. There are three more books in this series, and we highly recommend all four!
Other Words For Home
I was initially drawn to this book because it won the 2020 Newbery Honor medal, but it ended up being a family favorite all around. Young Jude had to leave her native war-torn Syria to come and live in Cincinnati with relatives, leaving her father and brother behind. Even as she grapples with culture shock and fear for her relatives, she begins to feel slowly at home in America. The book is based on current conflicts happening even now in Syria, and it could spur a wonderful discussion about current events.
Esparanza Rising
Oh, how we loved this book! Esparanza lives on a thriving Mexican ranch with her family until circumstances suddenly change and she is forced to immigrate to California with her mother. She instantly loses her life of privilege and must face the common problems Mexican immigrants dealt with during the Great Depression, including hunger, poor living conditions, and lack of work. Through it all, she is able to rise above her circumstances and face each challenge with grace and courage.
Riding Freedom
Written by the same author as Esparanza Rising (can you tell we love her?), this book tells the fascinating yet little-known story of Charlotte “Charlie” Parkhurst who runs away from her New Hampshire orphanage to forge a life for herself out West. She ends up having to pretend she is a boy in order to get work, and her true identity as a woman was not found out by anyone until her death! The book is based on a true story, and its fast-paced action kept all of us enthralled.
I hope you enjoy these favorite chapter books of 2020! Happy reading!