Easy reader chapter books are intended for children who are beginning to read on their own. Stories are presented with easy-to-understand language, limited vocabulary and based on one idea. This level motivates new readers with its short presentation and is written in large type. At this stage, children will being reading aloud.
Chapters are short with approximately 32 to 64 pages in the whole book. Primarily told through action and dialogue, the story has simple sentences and one or two lines of text per page. Similar to picture books, colorful illustrations are located on each page. They supply details and descriptions giving early readers hints to the text.
Early chapter books are intended for children aged six through nine and provide a bridge between easy readers and young reader chapter books.
Written similar to easy readers in style, early chapter books are longer with two to three pages per chapter. The story has a well-defined plot that is easily understood by the reader.
Illustrations are in black and white and appear less frequently. Although the story does not rely on them, these illustrations are still used as visual clues.
Young reader chapter books are aimed for the older, independent reader between the ages seven through 10.
These chapter books are more substantial than early chapter books in format and complexity. Describing words set the scene and sentences are longer and more complicated. Text appears in short paragraphs rather than a single sentence or two. Chapters are slightly longer and the story contains more conflicts and achievements. Chapters often end with dynamic cliff-hangers to encourage the reader to continue.
Middle grade chapter books encompass the approximate ages of eight through 12.
These chapter books are for independent "tween" readers who enjoy a diversity of subject matter from classics to contemporary. Characters will be of the same age group and the story will be narrated from the viewpoint of the main character. The heroes or heroines are roundly developed. They will have struggles with certain issues but will grow and change from those experiences.
With a brisk pace, these books are for the tween that doesn't need to comprehend new terminology or worry about reading levels. Chapter books lengths vary at this stage depending upon the individual publisher.
Young adult chapter books are geared for ages 13 and up with a wide range of difficulty levels and genres.
These chapter book stories are of interest to more mature adolescents with all the elements of an adult novel including conflict, suspense and drama. The most significant difference is that the protagonist is portrayed by an adolescent.