Not so little: 7 books for newly independent readers

The transition from assisted reading to independent reading is always a milestone for little ones. In turn, young readers start to learn individuality, choice, and responsibility throughout the process. As they start to envisage the storylines and broaden their imagination, they start to discover more about themselves.

Here’s a list of 7 books for newly independent readers to help them explore their interests.

Monty’s Island #1, #2, #3 by Emily Rodda and Lucinda Gifford 

Monty lives on a perfect island in the middle of a magical sea. Sometimes the sea throws up something interesting, and Monty goes on an amazing adventure! Emily Rodda is one of Australia’s best-known children’s book authors. With Emily’s storytelling and combined with Lucinda Gifford’s illustrations, these three Monty’s island take you on adventures from stripe spells to secretive yum-yams to flying monsters. 6+ years

Hodgepodge by Lili Wilkinson and Dustin Spence 

Artie doesn’t believe in ghosts or monsters, but he does believe in science. Artie and Willow find an old book in the attic of their new house called the Big Boke of Fetching Monsters, which tells you how to make your own monster. But that’s impossible because monsters don’t exist! A fantastically readable, gloriously funny and highly collectable junior fiction novel. 7+ years

Funny Kid: Bellyflop by Matt Stanton

Swimming carnival cancelled. A sea monster, the Maths Olympiad, spotty rashes, good twin vs bad twin and a swimming instructor named Chaz are just some of the things in store for Max and his friends. From author-illustrator Matt Stanton comes this brand-new Funny Kid adventure. This one’s book eight, so make sure you read Funny Kid for President (book one) and the rest of the series if you haven’t already! 8+ years

Pizzazz by Sophy Henn

Pizzazz is a superhero, but thinks it’s a super annoying job! It’s not easy being super. The first in a series from the amazingly talented illustrator and author Sophy Henn. Brimming with Sophy’s hilarious signature illustrations, this is the perfect read for fans of Wimpy Kid and Dog Man. 7+ years

The Book of Giant Adventures: Tashi collection 1 by Anna and Barbara Fienberg, and Kim Gamble 

Meet Tashi: he’s brave, he’s bold and he tells the best stories! Tashi always has daring adventures. Like the time he meets Chintu, the giant as big as a mountain, or the time when demons sneak onto the new bus and kidnap the driver’s son. But clever Tashi always knows what to do: stay calm, think hard and move fast! Eight surprising stories about Tashi’s adventures collected into one volume for the very first time. 5+ years

What Zola did on Monday by Melina Marchetta and Deb Hudson

Zola loves living on Boomerang St with her mum and her nonna. Every day of the week is an adventure. But Zoa has a problem: no matter how much she tries, she can’t keep out of trouble! From the bestselling author of Looking for Alibrandi, comes seven stories in the Zola adventure series – one for every day of the week! 6+ years

Atticus Van Tasticus by Andrew Daddo 

A ten-year-old pirate captain? Absurd? Not in the world of Atticus  Young Atticus Van Tasticus narrowly escapes a life down the coal mines – or worse, going to school – when he gets the choose the gift of a pirate ship from Grandnan’s treasure pile. Drom the brilliant and whacky creative minds of Andrew Daddo and Stephen Michael King comes this fabulously funny illustrated junior fiction series. 6+ years