What is the minimum word count for children's chapter books.

There are books under 6000 out there. The Horrible Harry series is about 3600 words, and there are many books in that series. So it is probably acceptable.

Are you aware of the Accelerated Reader program? They write quizzes for children's literature. The books are all leveled (2.0 being a second-grade level book) and they have the word count as well.

here's the link:

http://www.renlearn.com/store/quiz_home.asp#quicksearch

type in a title, and if they make a quiz for it, you'll get the grade level. Click on the title, and the second page will give you the word count.

Here are other books you should read, if you haven't already, because they are in some way similar to what you're working on:

Chapter book series about rambunctious girls:
Amber Brown by Paula Danziger
Junie B. Jones by Barbara Park
Judy Moody by Megan MacDonald
Clementine by Sarah Pennypacker
Ivy and Bean by Annie Barrows

Similar stories with boys:
The Zack Files (don't know the author, sorry)
Stink by Megan MacDonald
Nate the Great by Marjorie Sharmat

Studying these, especially the more-recently-published ones will help you make choices about how to adjust the language to make it easy enough for young readers to read independently.

Have fun!

JudScotKev said:

There are books under 6000 out there. The Horrible Harry series is about 3600 words, and there are many books in that series. So it is probably acceptable.

Are you aware of the Accelerated Reader program? They write quizzes for children's literature. The books are all leveled (2.0 being a second-grade level book) and they have the word count as well.

here's the link:

http://www.renlearn.com/store/quiz_home.asp#quicksearch

type in a title, and if they make a quiz for it, you'll get the grade level. Click on the title, and the second page will give you the word count.

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Thanks for posting that link JSK, I've been looking for the site but forgot it. Now I have it bookmarked, it's a great resource.

Those books you mentioned are worth checking out. I've already read the first Judy Moody and loved it. As a reader I loved how funny and inventive it is, and the language is simple yet interesting. This book among others reminds me how simple language doesn't have to be boring.

I'd highly recommend checking it out Trish. I've only read two books in the series so far so I can't be positive of this yet, but while Judy (From the two books I've read) doesn't pull any Molly-esque shenanigans, she has been known to give her friends, and her little brother Stink some good-natured grief, and vice versa. Like Molly though she has a distince voice and personality, and she's so funny! Not to mention the situations she gets into.

I recomend reading the seventh book (Around the world in 8 1/2 days) after reading the first. It's one of the best books I've read this year, and it just came out in paperback so it's even more afforadable.

I can't wait for the next book (Judy Moody Goes to College) which comes out in August. Too far away! I hope they'll be a excerpt you can read before it comes out.


I've heard of the others JSK mentioned, but haven't read them...yet.
I did read half of the first Junie B. First Grader, but didn't finish it before I took it back to the libarary. I liked what I read though, and I'm in awe at how compact that Barbara Park can write.

Your length is fine, but it's the 5 chapters part I'm wondering about. Most chapter books I've read seem to have about 10 chapters (give or take) regardless of length. I'm trying to think of ones with 5 or 6 chapters and am coming up blank. Anyone?

Angela_785 said:

Your length is fine, but it's the 5 chapters part I'm wondering about. Most chapter books I've read seem to have about 10 chapters (give or take) regardless of length. I'm trying to think of ones with 5 or 6 chapters and am coming up blank. Anyone?

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I'm at home and my chapter books are at school. I'll try to remember to check. I think Junie B. has only 5 or 6 chapters...but i could be wrong.

Jud's right about Junie B. Usually five or six--which is a big sell for my kid. He gets more turned off by lots of chapters than lots of pages--don't know why.

Trish said:

I just received the first Judy Moody book for my birthday. Hahah. Titled, "Judy Moody" It has 12 chapters.

A "Go Girl" book I also received was 11 chapters. That was, "Back to School By Merto redith Badger.

"Utterly Me" By Clarice Bean, had no chapters, just the days of the week and was 190 pages, which was thicker then the Judy Moody one.

Ha, I put my order in for books this year. I didn't get, "Eats, Shoots and Leaves By Lynne Truss though. I will have to order that one.

Thanks JSK and Angela.

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That's yet another thing I love about the Judy Moody books, they're some of the thickest chapter books on the shelf. Lauren Child's Clarice Bean books are thicker and longer, but there are more illustrations as well. I've beem meaning to get the first in the series as what I've read of the later books has got me interested in this girl.

Since it's hard for me to compact my writing, Judy Moody and Clarice Bean give me hope that I can meet someone's chapter book needs, as far as overall length is concerned.

I had some ideas for three different chapter books, but after I wrote them I knew they're too complex as they are now for the chapter book set to read, or if they can read them, some of the sentence structure will give them trouble.

That's why I'm studying the chapters books I've bought and I must say I'm impressed at what great stories I've read. Since I've been in novel mode for so long, I lost touch with how simple, less complex sentences can be interesting and powerful.

Also, my big scope ideas often get the better of me.

I love the Dear Dumb Diary series as well. The MC has a good voice. For boys and girls who like weird and off-beat, Franny K. Stein is pretty good too.

You're welcome!