When I was in first grade, I checked exactly one long chapter book out of the school library. The librarian gave me the "That's way above your head, little lady" thing. And I saw my peers having a great time with the sort of brightly colored, pop culture laden (something my father scorned) and *fun* books aimed at the typical first grade reading level.

I would select several of the fun ones, after that, read several of them while in the library for our allotted book selection time, and check out the remaining two.

I kept the chapter books to the public library, where they were unsurprised to see me toting around as many books as I could carry, of whatever size and complexity. No-one interfered with my choices there, except knowing that I was under the watchful eye of my parents.