Best Books for 3rd Graders

Alexandra F. said:  Beverly Cleary's wonderful stories have long been a staple in children's book collections, and our home library is no exception. My daughter has devoured most of Beverly Cleary's books, beginning with Beezus and Ramona and all eight books in the Ramona Quimby series, as well as other related stories including Henry Huggins, Ribsy, and Socks.

Vanessa M. said:  The One and Only Ivan by Katherine Applegate is an award-winning book that is creative, poignant, and smart. Ivan is a silverback gorilla who has spent a solitary life being watched by humans from inside the glass walls of a strip mall zoo. When he is introduced to a baby elephant taken from the wild, an unlikely friendship is kindled. Kids will be touched by Ivan's humor and bravery, and will feel as though they have found a good friend in Ivan.

Alexandra F. said:  

If you have any elementary- or middle-school-aged kids, then you are certainly familiar with the Diary of a Wimpy Kid series by Jeff Kinney. The books recount the hilarious stories of a boy trying to make his way through middle school, and transition often between writing and pictures to make them a fun and absorbing read even for those who may not otherwise be drawn to reading.

Erynn said:  My kids loved the Magic Tree House series by Mary Pope Osborne, but while extensive, it's a bit "young" for 3rd grade and up. The Merlin Missions series is the answer to my dilemma! Beginning with Christmas in Camelot, the stories are for experienced readers with plenty more adventuring to be had!

Kelly R. said:  The World According to Humphrey and the rest of the books in the Humphrey series are great chapter books for third grade boys and girls alike. These endearing stories are told from the perspective of a classroom pet hamster.

Alexandra F. said:  The various Warriors series by Erin Hunter, starting with the book Into The Wild, follow the life of forest cats and their struggle to survive starvation, cold weather, wars between the different cat "Clans" and capture from the "Twolegs" (humans). It is a fun and intriguing read, filled with battle and excitement, though the depictions of violence may be upsetting to younger or more sensitive readers.

Kristy Pepping said:  My girls love American Girl books. This series features a different girl based on their popular doll line. Just like the dolls, each girl has a special talent or hobby they like to do. Every book offers a great lesson and a positive story line. Plus, they are all chapter books so great for the next step up in reading. In this story, by Jessie Haas, Saige is a horse loving young girl who is determined to save her school's art class.

Lisa R said:  Bunnicula: A Rabbit-Tale of Mystery kicks off the Bunnicula and Friends mystery series, by Deborah and James Howe. The stories are headlined by talking pets and a rabbit that may or may not be a vampire. It has just the right amount of suspense and silly humor to keep young readers on the edge of their seats.

Erynn said:  As a grownup, I love some James Patterson - and fortunately, he's rolled out some bestsellers for kids, too. Of course, what kid can resist books about robots? My favorite thing about the House of Robots series is the recurring theme of friendship, honesty, and compassion, but my 3rd grader just likes the tech that's the basis of the books - and the crazy twists that happen!

Shila said:  Whatever After books spin classic folktales into modern adventures and stories. These are great chapter books for 3rd graders who may want another go-ahead with fairy tales, but with an updated take on the idea! There are over 12 books in the current series inspired from Snow White, Cinderella, Frozen, Little Red Riding Hood, Aladdin, etc.

Vanessa M. said:  Generations of children have fallen in love with Astrid Lindgren's red-haired, freckle faced Pippi Longstocking, with her upside down braids and her wild sense of adventure. Readers will delight in Pippi's adventures, with her friends Annika and Tommy, and her unusual pets, a horse and monkey. Check out the classic 80s movie, too!

Shila said:  Part illustrative book, part graphic novel, this zany chapter book series by Andy Griffiths and Terry Denton capture imagination at its best on every page. The main characters work as authors in an ever-expanding magical treehouse filled with slapstick humor and insanely whimsical ideas while they attempt to publish their own book.

Shila said:  Part dragon, part kitten (aka dritten!), the magical characters at Dunwiddle Middle School experience a series worth of adventures that are engaging and fun to read.

Alexandra F. said:  Although Roald Dahl wrote so many chapter books that have become beloved children's classics, my family thinks this one is his absolute best. Against all odds, 10-year-old Charlie Bucket finds a golden ticket that grants him entrance to Willy Wonka's mysterious chocolate factory. His wacky adventures within have captured the imagination of children across generations!

Kelly R. said:  Wayside School was accidentally built sideways (and 30 stories high!), and the stories that happen within its walls are equally silly. Each chapter in Louis Sachar's Wayside School books is a different wacky short story, so it's easy to read just one or two in a sitting - and really fun to read aloud!

Kelly R. said:  The I Survived series is perfect for third grade readers, particularly for those who have trouble getting into other chapter books or who love nonfiction reading. These historical fiction books for kids explore real-life disasters like the Great Chicago Fire and the San Francisco Earthquake, set against fictional stories of kids experiencing them firsthand.

Kristy Pepping said:  This year my daughter decided to do a 3rd grade summer reading book club with her friends. They are all reading "The Year of the Dog" by Grace Lin. The book is about Pacy who is Chinese American. She struggles to fit in because she is criticized by classmates. Students tell her she is either "too Chinese" or "too Americanized." Readers will learn some Chinese culture throughout the book and learn lessons about accepting classmates for who they are. The chapters are short and easy points to stop and pick up the book later in the day or the next.

Sarah Calamita said:  Follow Henry, Jessie, Violet, and Benny Alden as they explore the world on their own, solve mysteries, and search for home.

Shila said:  Todd and Noelle are the third-grade detectives that take the knowledge that they've learned in class to crack the codes to unlock perplexing mysteries in school and around town. The type of cases are fun and non scary, such as The Mystery of the Hairy Tomatoes or The Secret of the Green Skin. The type of evidence they discover and their problem-solving methods are simple enough for most elementary kids to grasp independently.

Kelly R. said:  Eleanor learns lessons about welcoming change and new beginnings as she loses her favorite babysitter to a move and gets ready to start third grade. Written in free verse with short chapters, this is a fun and quick read for kids - especially if they enjoy poetry books! It is the first of three books in the Eleanor series.

Sunshine Girl said:  These are thrilling, chilling, camp fire like ghost stories that are kid appropriate. Each book in the American Chillers Series takes place in one of the 50 states; the Michigan Chillers Series in notable towns of Michigan, where the author is from. Each chapter ends on a suspenseful cliff hanger that excites young readers to keep reading on to find out what happens.

Alexandra F. said:  Younger readers can enjoy the story telling magic of Chinua Achebe in this fantastic story about 11-year-old Chike, who longs to cross the Niger river to visit the great city of Asaba. As readers follow along on Chike's adventures, they also get a glimpse into tribal life in Nigeria at that time. It is a magical and heartwarming journey of self-discovery, and one of those stories sure to capture the imagination of our growing readers.