book review third grade

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Best Books for Third Graders

As kids age 8 and 9 get deeper into the world of chapter books , they begin to discover the genres that most appeal to them, from sci-fi, horror, and fantasy to mystery, history, and adventure. From beloved classics to more recent sensations, these relatable books will be a hit with your third grader. There are also plenty of graphic novels and funny tales that are perfect to hook reluctant readers and get them hungry for other types of books. Take a look at our list and see what might grab your young reader. Once they're done, try the Best Books for Fourth Graders .

Amari and the Night Brothers: Supernatural Investigations, Book 1

Girl finds her magic in fun fantasy full of surprises.

Black Brother, Black Brother

Boy challenges school bully in exciting sports story.

The City of Ember

Part fantasy, part mystery, part treasure hunt.

Strange, surreal tale sure to creep kids out.

Dragons in a Bag, Book 1

Exciting tale of New York kid's journey to magical world.

Flora & Ulysses: The Illuminated Adventures

Funny, poignant tale of cynical girl, superpowered squirrel.

From the Desk of Zoe Washington

Girl works to clear her father of a crime in smart tale.

Gone Crazy in Alabama

Harrowing tale of Gaither girls' summer in the South.

James and the Giant Peach

Lonely boy's magical adventure still satisfies.

The One and Only Ivan, The One and Only, Book 1

Heartwarming story of a heroic, artistic, captive gorilla.

Simon B. Rhymin', Book 1

Fun story about boy whose creativity sparks his empathy.

Things Seen from Above

Kids discover a quirky loner's talent in lovely, kind story.

Tristan Strong Punches a Hole in the Sky: Tristan Strong, Book 1

Teen connects with African folklore in exciting fantasy.

What Was? Series

Exceptional, relevant series brings history to life.

When You Trap a Tiger

Superb family tale of loss has mystery, folklore, sadness.

Where Is? Series

Interesting, fun facts about natural and human-made places.

Who Was? Series

Exceptional biography series teaches history, culture, too.

A Wish in the Dark

Dazzling, Thai-inspired riff on Les Mis has big heart.

Anne of Green Gables

Beloved classic features lovable, imaginative heroine.

Artemis Fowl, Book 1

Witty and exciting series start with irresistible antihero.

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The 23 Best Books for 3rd Graders

The world of third grade is a fascinating one. It’s a phase where readers are blossoming, ready to delve deeper into literature’s treasures. Their appetites for compelling narratives are growing, and they’re on the brink of exploring more intricate plots and character dynamics. However, any educator, parent, or guardian knows the challenge: finding the right books for 3rd graders that hit the sweet spot between engaging and age-appropriate.

Have you ever found yourself overwhelmed, combing through the endless recommendations, trying to pinpoint the best chapter books for 3rd graders? The hunt can seem daunting. Choose a book too rudimentary, and they’re uninterested; select something overly intricate, which might overshadow their budding reading confidence.

But here’s the good news: your quest just became more navigable. After countless hours in library aisles, coupled with the invaluable feedback of young literature enthusiasts, I’ve created this curated guide. This list isn’t just a random assortment; it’s a carefully chosen collection of top-notch chapter books for 3rd graders, complemented by captivating graphic novels tailored for the vibrant and curious minds of 8- and 9-year-olds.

So, without further ado, let’s delve into this handpicked selection of books for 3rd graders. These tales are more than just stories; they’re gateways to worlds of wonder, challenges, and growth.

My Favorite Novels & Chapter Books for 3rd Graders

Whether you are a first-time teacher preparing your classroom library or trying to find a great book for your child, these 23 novels are amazing for your third-grade students. To help you determine which books best fit your class, I shared a short summary of the plot. I also shared links to the novel study to help save you prep time. I know your third graders will love these great stories! 

Realistic Fiction for Third Graders

1. how to eat fried worms by thomas rockwell .

This popular book tells the story of a boy who refuses to lose a bet. How to Eat Fried Worms is a novel sure to capture the attention of those reluctant readers in your class, especially the boys. However, when he gets stuck trying to eat more than a dozen worms, he realizes there has to be a better way! This leads him to learn various cooking methods to make his task a little less disgusting…maybe.

As a teacher, I love that this story offers so many opportunities to discuss important reading comprehension skills, including cause and effect, problem and solution, and character change across time.

Learn more about the novel study: How to Eat Fried Worms Novel Study

2. The Best School Year Ever by Barbara Robinson

Looking for funny books for your learner to engage with? Look no further!

The Best School Year Ever is the second in the series about the Herdman family, a group that regularly finds trouble no matter where they go. The narrator is a classmate of one of the Herdman children and shares all the rumors and legends surrounding the family.

Throughout the school year, anything that goes wrong is blamed on one Herdman kid or another, but when the narrator is asked to write a compliment about each kid in class, it is discovered that maybe the Herdmans aren’t so bad after all.

A great book for discussing finding the good in others, this story has great humor and is such a fun read.

3. Ramona Quimby, Age 8 by Beverly Cleary

There is so much great realistic fiction for third graders.  Ramona Quimby, Age 8 is the perfect example of a high-quality, engaging novel that allows students to connect with characters.

The story is focused around a girl named Ramona, who faces many of the same challenges with parents and peers your students might face. This book covers everything from bullying and the pressure to balancing the responsibilities of home life.

The story is great for making text-to-self connections and comparing characters. I highly recommend you add it to your 3rd grade reading list.

Novel Study & Lesson Materials: Ramona Quimby, Age 8 Novel Study

4. Third Grade Angels by Jerry Spinelli

Jerry Spinelli is an amazing author, and this book is perfect for your third-grade students. A prequel to the popular story Fourth Grade Rats , this is the story of George’s third-grade year. Nicknamed Suds, George is desperate to be the first to win his teacher’s coveted behavior award.

George struggles with what it means to have good behavior and whether he has to behave ALL the time to earn the award. George’s character and challenges are easily relatable to students.

A great fall read-aloud book for third grade, this story is also perfect for book clubs or as an independent reading opportunity later in the school year.

Novel Study & Lesson Materials: Third Grade Angels Novel Study

5. Fudge-a-mania by Judy Blume

After discovering his parents’ plan to have their family spend summer vacation with his enemy, Sheila, Peter Hatcher is sure summer is ruined. His little brother, however, is elated.

Things take a turn for the better for Peter when his parents offer to let him bring his best friend with him, but it isn’t long before he’s spending more time with Shiela than him.

While the storyline is pretty tame, much like life most of the time, the relatable characters and situations are perfect for 3rd-grade readers. The students love predicting what will happen after discovering Sheila and Peter have become “stepcousins” by the end of the story.

Another fabulous novel by Judy Blume is the third book in the  Fudge series. While all the books in the series are great, I really love this one. It is a great way to introduce the topic of protagonist vs. antagonist and how this isn’t always the bad guy vs. the good guy.

Novel Study & Lesson Materials: Fudge-a-mania Novel Study

Fantasy Books for 3rd Graders

6. snot stew by bill wallace.

If you think this story will be about snot…guess again. Told from a cat’s first-person point of view, this story is a unique and engaging view of the world from a non-human perspective.

Snot Stew  is the tale of two stray kittens adopted into a family and how they acclimate to this new environment without their momma. As they become accustomed to their new home, their relationship changes dramatically until an emergency brings them back together.

Great for inferring, students love using text clues to figure out what common household objects the feline narrator describes. The story is also a great introduction to point of view and how it impacts the reader’s understanding of the text.

Novel Study & Lesson Materials: Snot Stew Novel Study

7. My Father’s Dragon by Ruth Styles Gannett

My Father’s Dragon  is a fantasy novel about a young boy who runs away to rescue a baby dragon. With vibrant details and some crazy adventures, this book captures the imagination of young readers and takes them along on Elmer’s journey.

Danger, excitement, and heroic efforts are all important components of this story, which is presented as a story told to the narrator by his father many years ago. Using only everyday objects from his pack, Elmer single-handedly disarms the many dangerous animals of Wild Island on his quest.

The book has beautiful illustrations, which help readers visualize the events of the story, and your students will love reading about Elmer’s brilliant ways of outsmarting the animals throughout. Perfect for teaching character traits and sequencing, this story is a gem that will stick with your readers for years.

Novel Study & Lesson Materials: My Father’s Dragon  Novel Study

8. The Littles by John Peterson

Imagine tiny people were living in your house without you even knowing it. They used your things, borrowed your scraps, and made themselves right at home despite the numerous dangers the typical house presents when you’re tiny. That is the plot of  The Littles .

This fantasy novel is great for young readers because it is engaging and has a clear, well-developed plot. There are many opportunities to discuss problems and solutions as the Littles work to navigate the world at their size. Plus, it is a great novel for working through other critical comprehension skills.

Considered by many to be a must-read classic, I’ve included it on my list because it is the first of a whole series of books about this miniature family.

9. Flora & Ulysses by Kate DiCamillo

My list wouldn’t be complete without a graphic novel, and Flora & Ulysses  is the perfect graphic novel for your third graders.

Written by award-winning author Kate DiCamillo, this is the story of the many zany adventures of a superhero squirrel and the girl who saved him.

Students love this silly adventure story, and it is a great introduction to Kate DiCamillo if students haven’t read her work previously.

While ideal for reluctant readers due to the many detailed illustrations, even your advanced readers will enjoy this light, fun-to-read book.

Novel Study & Lesson Materials: Flora & Ulysses  Novel Study

10. The Chocolate Touch by Patrick Skene Catling

Imagine everything you touched turned to chocolate…

Sounds pretty awesome, right? That’s what John Midas thought, too, until things started to go horribly wrong.

This delightful fantasy novel is a twist on the traditional story of the Midas touch. Even reluctant readers can’t help but be pulled into the story as they connect with John and his transition from enjoyment to frustration with his newfound talent.

A great book for cause and effect and prediction,  The Chocolate Touch  is a well-loved novel for a reason. I guarantee your kids will beg to get back to reading when you use this book in your novel study or book club.

Novel Study & Lesson Materials: The Chocolate Touch  Novel Study

11. Sideways Stories from Wayside School by Louis Sachar

If your students are looking for a funny book to read, consider Louis Sachar’s Sideways Stories from Wayside School.

The book is a collection of short stories that all take place in the same wacky school where things never seem to go right. From a teacher who turns students into apples to a boy who gets sent home early for saving the day and being a good friend, your students will be laughing at the silly situations the characters find themselves in.

Each story can be read as a stand-alone or part of the larger collection. This book is perfect for a classroom read-aloud or for independent reading. This was always the first story I read to my own class.

Novel Study & Lesson Materials: Sideways Stories from Wayside School Novel Study

12. Magic Tree House: Dinosaurs Before Dark by Mary Pope Osborne

The  Magic Tree House  series is one of my favorites. It has so many great books for 3rd graders to enjoy and learn from. We actually use it for a bedtime read-aloud with my 6-year old. However, it is a great series for third-grade independent readers, too.

The stories revolve around a sister and brother, Jack and Annie, and their travels in a magic tree house. In this first book, they travel back to the time of the dinosaurs on a mysterious quest. In addition to the great story, readers also learn lots of facts about dinosaurs through Jack’s research during their travels.

Great for teaching facts and opinions and other great reading skills, this book is a gateway to a series of great reading for your students.

Novel Study & Lesson Materials: Dinosaurs Before Dark  Novel Study

13. The Indian in the Cupboard by Lynne Reid Banks

What kid hasn’t dreamed about their toys coming to life? The fact that this fantasy is so relatable is part of what makes this one of the great books for 3rd graders!

When Omri receives a cupboard for his birthday, he decides it is the perfect place to lock his plastic Indian toy. The next thing he knows, his plastic toy is a walking, talking man. After discovering his name is Little Bear, Omri works to help him set up a place to live and food.

Of course, no story is complete without a little drama…and Omri’s comes in the form of a cowboy named Boone. While the two don’t get along initially, the men soon find commonalities.

Ultimately, Omri is surprised when the magic cupboard’s key disappears. Will the cowboy and Indian ever be able to go back home?

This is one of my favorite books for 3rd graders when teaching comparing and contrasting or visualizing.

Novel Study & Lesson Materials: Indian in the Cupboard  Novel Study

14. Stuart Little by E.B. White

Many students have seen the movies that accompany this series, making the book the perfect transition to help students who struggle with comprehension.

Stuart is a mouse born into a human family. (Don’t ask me how that happened…) His family lives in New York City, and the story chronicles his adventures around Manhattan and all the dangers of being small in a big, big world.

Their familiarity with the plotline makes digging deep into important reading strategies easier, and comparing the book and movie helps students build real-world connections.

Vocabulary and context clues are also a great focus for this fabulous classic.

Novel Study & Lesson Materials: Stuart Little  Novel Study

Historical Fiction Books for Third Graders

15. stone fox by john reynolds gardiner.

I would be remiss if I didn’t start with a little disclaimer for this one. Keep tissues close by near the end. You will cry…probably hard. It is truly one of the saddest third-grade books on this list. However, this classic book remains one of my favorite novels for third graders.

Stone Fox is a beautifully written story that enthralls readers in Little Willy’s attempts to save his grandfather’s farm along with some help from his faithful pup, Searchlight. Little Willy is such a likable character, and your students will cheer him on as he attempts the impossible.

This novel is a literary gem, making a fantastic winter book study or read-aloud. I can read it repeatedly with students and (despite knowing the end) still be brought to tears each time by Gardiner’s compelling story.

This book is perfect for inclusion in a cross-curricular unit about the Iditarod in March lesson plans , you can make many great connections to math and social studies. Alternatively, you might use this book in conjunction with the true story of Balto.

Learn more about some engaging STEM challenges you can pair with this novel.

16. Boxcar Children by Gertrude Chandler Warner

This book was a favorite of mine as a child, and now I love sharing it with my students. This classic story of orphans on the run will capture the reader’s attention.

Students will love reading about the adventures of Henry, Jessie, Violet, and Benny as they create a home for themselves in an old boxcar they discover in the woods. Trying hard to avoid being discovered by their grandfather (whom they’ve not met), the kids cook, clean, and work to earn money all on their own.

The book has a surprise ending, and as the first book in the series, it is a great opportunity to get your struggling or reluctant readers hooked on an easy-to-read series that will expose them to lots of great vocabulary. This book is truly a must-have in every third-grade classroom library.

Novel Study & Lesson Materials: The Boxcar Children  Novel Study

17. Little House in the Big Woods by Laura Ingalls Wilder

This story was written by Laura Ingalls Wilder and is the semi-true adventure of her family’s move to Wisconsin when she was a young girl. Throughout the story, Laura describes her work to help her Ma and Pa and how the family always finds time to play together.

From butchering their meat to gathering wood for the fire, the Ingalls must do everything they need to survive. As the book works through each season, the family’s work changes. Planting, making butter, and more.

Students are often fascinated by life long before there were grocery stores everywhere. Great for comparing the past and present, a commonly studied social studies unit, this story details life during the 1800s. This is the first of four books in the Little House series.

Novel Study & Lesson Materials: Little House in the Big Woods Novel Study

More books for 3rd graders

18. geronimo stilton #1: lost treasure of the emerald eye.

Unlike many other books on this list, the Geronimo Stilton series is a bit less text-heavy. However, don’t let that deter you from giving them a try! These books are packed with adventure, humor, and interesting facts.

In the first book, Lost Treasure of the Emerald Eye, readers follow Geronimo as he tries to solve the mystery of a missing treasure. Full of twists and turns, this book is perfect for reluctant readers or those looking for a fast-paced read with lots of visuals.

This series is full of adventure stories, so if your students enjoy this book, be sure to check out the rest of the chapter book series!

19. Freckle Juice by Judy Blume

This is the first of a couple of Judy Blume books you’ll find on this list. She’s got some great choices that are perfect for third-grade readers.

Freckle Juice  is a hilarious realistic fiction novel about a boy, Andrew, who wants to have freckles like his classmate. Andrew can think of many reasons why having freckles would make his life easier. For example, his mom would never even know if his neck was dirty! When Andrew asks Nicky where his freckles came from, a classmate overhears and offers a special freckle juice recipe…at just 50 cents.

Of course, Andrew buys it and makes a batch of freckle juice for himself. I won’t give away the whole story, but suffice it to say, things get extra hilarious from then on.

Your students will love this totally relatable novel, and you’ll love the numerous opportunities to teach skills like theme and problem & solution. This makes it one of the great books for 3rd graders to enjoy during book clubs or lit circles.

20. Mrs. Piggle-Wiggle by Betty MacDonald

The book is a collection of short stories about the title character, an eccentric woman who knows how to deal with children’s bad habits. From kids who won’t take baths to those who are always losing their temper, Mrs. Piggle Wiggle has a cure for everything.

Your students will love hearing about the wild antics that take place in each story, and you can use the book as a springboard for discussing character traits, problem-solving, and more.

If you’re looking for a feel-good read, Mrs. Piggle Wiggle is a good choice!

21. Bunnicula by Deborah & James Howe

Told from the perspective of the family dog, Harold,  Bunnicula  is the story of what happened after the family found a baby rabbit at the movie theater during a screening of Dracula.

When Chester (the family’s cat) notices something strange about the new addition, he decides the rabbit must be a vampire and tries to alert the Monroe family.

Another really funny book, this novel is great for Halloween or any time. The narrator’s engaging storyline and unique perspective make it a perfect book for students who are into vampires and other supernatural happenings.

The text offers a number of great opportunities to infer and draw conclusions, which is a challenging skill for many 3rd graders.

Learn more about this and other great spooky stories here.

22. Esio Trot by Roald Dahl

A love story with a twist, this is the story of Mr. Hoppy and his plans to win the adoration of Ms. Silver via her beloved tortoise (Alfie). After telling Mr. Hoppy she wished she knew how to help Alfie grow larger, he concocts a wacky plan to win her over. Your students will love discussing this hare-brained plot and predicting whether it will work. (Spoiler: It does!)

With vivid description and silliness that only Dahl can bring to a children’s novel, this story is overall an easy read and fan favorite among books for 3rd graders. There are many great opportunities to discuss character traits and practice visualization, inferring, and more.

While the text has some made-up words (as do nearly all Dahl’s books), the plotline draws readers in and encourages them to overcome these challenges because the story is just that good.

Novel Study & Lesson Materials: Esio Trot Novel Study

23. The Wild Robot by Peter Brown

Your animal-loving students with The Wild Robot!

After a shipwreck, Roz the robot washes ashore on an uninhabited island. At first, she is only concerned with her survival, but as time passes, she starts to feel lonely. When a family of creatures finds her, Roz begins to learn about companionship with your animal-loving students with The Wild Robot!

A former Global Read Aloud book, The Wild Robot is a good book to discuss character traits, emotions, and more with your third-grade class.

Don’t forget to check out the corresponding lesson plans and materials for the book!

Novel Study & Lesson Materials: The Wild Robot Novel Study

Find the perfect novel for your third graders to enjoy!

While it can be challenging to find quality novels with engaging plots that support deep conversation and critical thinking about text that will appeal to a broad range of readers, my hope is that this list will help guide you in the right direction. All twenty books on this comprehensive list are quality literature that your 3rd graders will love, whether you decide to use them as a read-aloud or incorporate them as you plan your next novel unit.

I hope this list has sparked some ideas for adding books to your classroom library and your next novel unit. While you’re here, grab my free novel study planning roadmap to get step-by-step support to plan a high-quality literature unit for your third-grade students, whether you’re in the classroom or homeschooling.

Check out my Book Lists for Other Grades Below

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Maintaining students' excitement for reading throughout the year can be a challenge. Stock your book shelves with these must-read favorites that will keep your  3rd graders engaged from the first day of school until the very last!

From  favorite characters and series  and  contemporary classics  to thought-provoking  nonfiction , there's something for every reader in this collection.  Curated specifically for third grade classrooms, this book list spans a wide range of reading levels and can be used in both group and independent reading sessions. 

Plus, build a diverse classroom library with hand-picked  collections , including sets like the  Best New Books Grade 3 2022-2023  and  Equity and Inclusion Grades 3-5 , and keep students flipping pages all year long. 

Shop the best books for 3rd graders below! You can find all books and activities at  The Teacher Store .

Best Books for 3rd Graders

Enhance your 3rd grader's reading journey with these top-ranked books that blend educational value with enjoyment, as celebrated by various children's literature experts and reviewers..

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75 Best Chapter Books for 3rd Graders (8 Year Olds)

This post may contain affiliate links.

Are you looking for the best chapter books for 3rd graders, 8-year-old boys and girls? I can help you find good books that are at their maturity and reading level and your children will love. This list shares my top recommended books with reviews so you can read more about them. Plus, you can download the most popular books on this list.

I’ve read all the books on this list and update the list every month. Using my background as a teacher, parent, and book reviewer with a Masters in Education, I only recommend excellent books that are on grade level and age-appropriate. Books that kids will love!

Top 11 Books for 3rd Grade Boys and Girls

• Cat Kid Comic Club  by Dav Pilkey (graphic novel)
• A to Z Mysteries: The Absent Author  by Ron Roy
• Dog Man  by Dav Pinkey
• Dragon Kindom of Wrenly  by Jordan Quinn (graphic novel)
• Because of Winn-Dixie  by Kate DiCamillo
• Jada Jones Rock Star  by Kelly Starling Lyons
• The Bad Guys by Aaron Blabey
• Zita the Spacegirl  by Ben Hatke (graphic novel)
• Love Puppies: Best Friends Furever  by JaNay Brown Wood
• Cat Ninja  by Matthew Cody (graphic novel)
• Lulu and the Brontosaurus  by Judith Viorst

Kids still need to be read to and hear as much story and vocabulary as possible. This is a great way to spend time together and to read more difficult books. If a book is too tricky, and your child REALLY wants to read, use it for a read aloud at bedtime.

What are the best read aloud books for 3rd graders?

Of course, any book from this list that you read to a child is positive! Here is a list of my favorite  read aloud book titles for 3rd grade.

Here are some tips  for making the most of your read aloud time with your children or students. Yes, these tips apply to parents, grandparents, librarians, and teachers!

Want a free pdf download of the most popular books for 3rd graders? Sign up below.

Are you specifically looking for wholesome books? Try these lists:

Wholesome Beginning Chapter Books for Boys Ages 6 – 9

Wholesome Beginning Chapter Books for Girls Ages 6 – 9

Best Chapter Books for 3rd Graders (8 year olds)

SHOP THIS LIST

Cat Kid Comic Club  by Dav Pilkey GRAPHIC NOVEL / HUMOR A hilarious book about encouraging kids to write their own comics! Cat Kid teaches a class for the tadpoles about writing comic books…which doesn’t go well until the tadpoles get excited about failure sparking lots of writing and drawing.  If you like a lot of silliness (including potty humor) with great messages about writing, creativity, and persistence, read this book next.

Two-Headed Chicken  by Tom Angleberger  FUNNY Hilarious!!  If you like wacky, bizarre humor then this is your next favorite read.  This is a story about the multiverse in which you are a two-headed chicken being chased by a moose…and it’s laugh-out-loud funny. Follow the two-headed chicken through the multiverse, take funny quizzes, meet a fish with deep feelings as well as a lawyer, and learn about so much more!

A to Z Mysteries: The Absent Author  by Ron Roy MYSTERY The A to Z Mysteries series rocks! None of the books need to be read in any particular order, each has a self-contained mystery. I think my kids read most of the books in this series and several more than once. In this story, the famous writer coming to the bookstore doesn’t show up. Dink and his friends, Josh and Ruth Rose, must find out what happened .  BOXED SET

Bad Kitty   by Nick Bruel HUMOR In a word: Hilarious. We all think Bad Kitty is very naughty. And, oh so funny. These chapter books are easy to read and fun to reread.  BOX SET

P.I. Butterfly Gone Guppy Case #1  by Karen Kilpatrick, illustrated by German Blanco MYSTERY   GRAPHIC NOVEL Fabulous, funny, and entertaining! P.I Butterfly is a girl who loves butterflies and  mysteries . When she discovers that the family guppy is missing from the fish bowl, she’s determined to discover what happened. But who did it? Was it her sister? Her mother? Her cat? She searches for clues and interviews suspects.  She puts together the evidence, follows the trail of clues, and tries to get a confession–and with hard work and persistence, solves the case!  Not only is this a delightful story, but it’s also filled with problem-solving, critical thinking, and deductive reasoning.

Amber Brown Is NOT a Crayon written by Paula Danziger, adapted and illustrated by Victoria Ying REALISTIC GRAPHIC NOVEL As charming as the original novel, this lovely graphic adaptation is a delight for growing readers who will relate to the big feelings and friendship struggles of Amber Brown. Everything in third grade is going great for Amber Brown (who is NOT a crayon) until her best friend since preschool announces he’s moving away. It makes Amber so mad when Justin seems excited about his new house and town. That leads to a big fight and Amber is mad and miserable. Can she figure out how to talk to Justin again before it’s too late and he’s gone?

Great Puptective by Alina Tysoe FRIENDSHIP & MYSTERY In a home with a cat and a puppy, the Poppy, the puppy, is determined to be a detective! But Truffles the cat only wants peace and quiet–and to get Poppy in trouble. Readers will love Poppy’s adorable exuberance and laugh at Truffles’s frustration.  Then, when the worst happens and Poppy is gone, Truffles feels guilty (gasp!) for his bad behavior and decides to save his puppy friend using the detective skills he learned from Poppy. Engaging cartoon illustrations, this is sure to be a new favorite series for growing readers.

Star Wars Jedi Academy  by Jeffrey Brown SCI- FI  (series!) Calling all Star Wars fans! Engaging from the first page, this is a relatable graphic novel adventure story about a young boy, Roan, who dreams of becoming a pilot . . . but gets into Jedi school instead. He’s the oldest new student; everyone else started long before him. Roan has ups and downs, as one does at a new school, but he finds his place at the school and new friends. Highly recommended!

Puggleton Park written by Deanna Kizis, illustrated by Hannah Peck HISTORICAL FRIENDSHIP STORY Set in Victorian London, Penelope gets lost from her owner in the park but makes the best of it . She finds a coat for a fancy lady, and that lady takes her home to search for her owner. They grow closer and begin to dread finding the real owner, but don’t worry — this is a sweet story of friendship with the perfect happy ending.

Who Would Win? Whale vs. Giant Squid  by Jerry Pallotta, illustrated by Rob Bolster NONFICTION 3rd grade teachers tell me that their students can’t get enough of the Who Would Win? books. (Which just proves that reading comprehension happens in a little harder books if students are motivated!) In this book pitting two ocean carnivores against each other, you’ll learn facts about the sperm whale and the giant squid then read an imagined story where these two creatures face off .   Can you predict who will win?  See all the informational books in the Who Would Win series .

Bunny and Clyde written by Megan McDonald, illustrated by Scott Nash HUMOR In this funny and charming story, Bunny and Clyde (a chipmunk) decide they’re sick of being good…In fact, they want to be rotten. First, they read books to learn how to be bad. They read books like Bad Kitty and Interrupting Chicken. (You’ll laugh at their bad examples. Interrupting is so naughty!) Then, they go on a bad, bad, bad spree. Unfortunately, badness doesn’t work out because, somehow, their attempts always help others. Which makes them so mad! Being bad never was so good.

Planet Omar  by Zanib Mian REALISTIC One of the best things about Omar is his HUGE imagination!  In fact, he faces his new experiences in life with a rich, creative mind filled with dragons, Ferraris, and zombie aliens.  He uses his imagination to deal with moving, starting a new school, making friends, and dealing with racism. I love the playful writing, whimsical illustrations, and rich Pakistani-American culture in this beginning chapter book.

Reading Journal for Kids

102 pages of fun!

Write reviews for books! Draw, imagine, and write more about the books you read. This is a wonderful journal to get kids excited about what they read!

Dragon Kindom of Wrenly: The Coldfire Curse  by Jordan Quinn FANTASY Book one launches the series with a bang!  When Cinder’s father crashes, it’s clear that he’s sick from the dreaded “cold curse”  so Cinder must ask the king for help. Cinder flies to the castle of the human king and meets a red  dragon  named Ruskin, the pet of the human king. Cinder, Ruskin, and Groth travel to the fairies in order to get the ingredients to cure the curse. But the witch-dragon is NOT pleased with their success. A fast-paced and excellent story with a hook that will keep you reading the series!

Squirlish: The Girl in the Tree  by Ellen Potter , illustrations by Sara Cristofori FAMILY / FRIENDSHIP When a squirrel named Shakespeare finds baby Cordelia, he raises her in his Central Park tree.  Now at age 8, Cordelia leaves the safety of their park home to chase a nut-thieving squirrel…and gets lost! Sweet Cordelia’s attempts to make friends go drastically wrong when she behaves like a squirrel–chasing and chittering. Soon Cordelia knows it’s time to go home. But can the city squirrels show her how to get there? And could she ever make a friend with another human?

Olga and the Smelly Thing From Nowhere  by Elise Gravel HUMOR If you like kooky books, this book fits the bill.  Olga finds an unusual, unknown creature whom she names “MEH” after the sound that it makes.  She uses her  deductive reasoning  to figure out what it is (something new!) and what it likes to eat (olives)! But what will she do when Meh disappears? 

Dragonbreath  by Ursula Vernon HUMOR Hysterical! I couldn’t stop laughing! It’s a fantastic read for 8-year-olds. Danny Dragonbreath is a dragon without dragon fire and good friends who make his life more…complicated but interesting.

Zita the Spacegirl  by Ben Hatke FANTASY / GRAPHIC NOVEL The Zita books rock — they’re full of adventure, humor, and fantastic characters !! Zita is an awesome, courageous, problem-solving heroine who accidentally gets stuck in space while trying to save her friend from kidnappers and save the universe.

Zoey and Sassafras Dragons and Marshmallows  #1  by Asia Citro, illustrated by Marion Lindsay SCIENCE & FANTASY This is an entertaining story with the coolest mix of science  and  magic, a diverse main character, and fantastic illustrations that will get kids reading and learning. Zoey, like her mom, can see magical creatures and is tasked to care for any injured creatures that might need help. In this story, she uses her science skills (including research and the scientific method) to figure out how to care for a sick baby dragon.

Ninja Kid: From Nerd to Ninja  by Anh Do ADVENTURE Nelson is a nerdy and likable main character who wakes up on his 10th birthday with perfect vision and… ninja moves! His mum and grandma explain that like his missing fisherman dad before him,  Nelson is the last ninja in the world — and he’s destined to save the world.  He immediately gets to use his powers for good on a field trip when ginormous evil spiders attack the group of kids.

Mythics: Marina and the Kraken written by Lauren Magaziner, illustrated by Mirelle Ortega What an exciting start to what is sure to be a smash-hit series of adventure, girl power, and mythical creatures ! When Marina doesn’t get matched with a familiar like the other kids, she and four other 10-year-old girls discover their familiars aren’t everyday animals but mythical creatures, and together, they’re destined to save Terrafamiliar. As they evade their pursuer, Marina discovers that her familiar is a kraken– a kraken who accidentally capsizes their ship. Now, she and her kraken must save her friends from drowning and escape the sinister lady.

Word Travelers and the Taj Mahal Mystery  by Raj Haldar, illustrated by Nehra Rawat MYSTERY / ADVENTURE Best friends Eddie and MJ open a book about words, and they’re magically transported to India.  There, they help a boy solve the clues to find his family’s missing fortune before a bad guy gets it. As they solve the clues, they learn more words with Indian roots — many are from Hindi, like bangle and bungalow, and others are from Sanskrit, like the words jackal and jungle.

Trapped in a Video Game  by Dustin Brady, illustrated by Brady Jessee SCI-FI Gamers and non-gamers alike who love exciting and dangerous stories won’t want to miss this excellent action-packed series.  Jesse’s friend gets an early release of a video game — and it sucks both boys into the game.  Inside the game, they meet a classmate who has been missing for weeks and is now a grown-up man in the game. They’re all trapped with no escape possible.

Ivy Lost and Found  by Cynthia Lord, illustrated by Stephanie Graegin REALISTIC In this heartwarming story about the life of an old doll who gets a new life as a book buddy , Ivy is donated to the Book Buddy’s shelf at the library. A lonely girl named Fern borrows Ivy. Fern needs a friend like Ivy because she feels so many different feelings about her dad’s new family. Then, when Ivy gets left outside in the rain, she has a surprise adventure of her own and makes friends with two other Book Buddies. Eventually, Fern feels better about her new blended family and returns her to the library.

Jop and Blip Wanna Know #1  by Jim Benton STEM / FUNNY If you like kooky stories, playful characters, and random facts, this beginning graphic novel for ages 6 to 10 is a hilarious and informative reading experience.  Jop and Blip ponder topics like farts, words that begin with silent letters, perspective, dragons, and more — and as they discuss, you’ll learn a thing or ten.

Love Puppies: Best Friends Furever  by JaNay Brown Wood MAGICAL REALISM The magical Crystal Bone calls the pups to help a lonely girl named Meiko. Unfortunately, the Love Puppies plan turns to disaster. How will the puppies accomplish their mission? Warmhearted and sweet, you’ll love these caring puppies and the kids they help. I know this  book series  will be a hit 3rd graders!

Stinkbomb and Ketchup-Face and the Badness of Badgers  by John Dougherty FUNNY Hilarious — and  weird and kooky  and very creative! Stinkbomb and his sister, Ketchup-Face think that the badgers (“BAD” is in their name!) stole Stinkbomb’s $20. They embark on the craziest of adventures to get back the $20, including meeting King Toothbrush Weasel who they’ll help to rid the island of the badgers. If you like silly stories, this book is for you!

The Diary of a Wimpy Kid  by Jeff Kinney FUNNY One of the most popular book series ever,  The Diary of a Wimpy Kid , shares the hilarious story of Greg in his own words and drawings.  Life in middle school is not easy. And Greg is here to prove it!  One thing you’ll notice about these books is that kids will read them more than once, which is great if you have them all. (hint, hint)

Unicorn Academy: Sophia and Rainbow   by Julie Skyes, illustrated by Lucy Truman UNICORNS Well-written and charming, this unicorn book series is sure to entice many young readers.  In this story, Sophia arrives at Unicorn Academy and is paired with the lovely Rainbow. But she feels guilty for making a new friend and leaving her best pony, Clover, back at home. On top of that, the unicorns’ magic is wonky because the lake is being poisoned. When someone accuses Sophia, she and her new friends decide to investigate.

Galactic Hot Dogs: Cosmoe’s Wiener Getaway  by Max Brallier, illustrated by Rachel Maguire and Nichole Kelley HUMOR   SCI-FI Non-stop action and danger, potty humor, space adventures, zombie aliens, mutant worm wrestling, a misunderstood evil princess, good friends, video games , and a diabolical, hunting-them-down evil queen.  Not to mention, loads of cartoon illustrations and hilarious writing with a gazillion exclamation marks!!!!

More Good Books for 3rd Graders

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Stink and the Shark Sleepover  by Megan McDonald, illustrated by Peter H. Reynolds REALISTIC BOOK Kids love the Stink stories because they’re so relatable. In this story, Stink gets to sleepover at the aquarium. While he’s there, he learns more about sharks , gets to solve a mystery , learns a ghost story , and has tons of fun.

Princess Evie  by Sarah Kilbridge FANTASY BOOK Before Princess Evie starts a new class at school, she and her magical pony, Willow, and cat, Sparkles, help the fairies on their first day of school. She partners with a new friend to rescue a baby hedgehog. K ids will love the combination of horses, magic, and friendship in a wonderful adventure story.

Notebook of Doom  by Troy Cummings SCARY (ISH) A kid-favorite series that you’ll also love! Alexander discovers his new town is FILLED WITH MONSTERS ! And, he’s right in the middle of everything, especially after he finds an old notebook of drawings and facts about monsters. Fun with an edge of scary.

Zara’s Rules for Record-Breaking Fun  by Hena Khan REALISTIC A new girl named Naomi moves across the street from Zara but  Zara doesn’t like that Naomi’s ideas for fun seem to be more popular than hers.  Then, when Zara starts her Guinness Book record-breaking hula-hooping, Naomi copies her by doing her own baking record-breaking! Luckily, Zara realizes they both can have good ideas and they become good friends.

White Fur Flying  by Patricia MacLachlan REALISTIC Zoe’s family rescues dogs in need. A new family has moved in across the street and Phillip, the boy, has stopped speaking. He doesn’t even want to try. But Zoe’s new rescue dog might just help the boy heal and speak. (Also on:  Best Books About Dogs )

Phoebe and Her Unicorn: A Heavenly Nostrils Chronicle  by Dana Simpson HUMOR / GRAPHIC NOVEL /  UNICORN Sarcastic and hilarious, this is a  laugh-out-loud story  about a precocious young girl and her reluctant unicorn “best friend”.  BOXED SET

The Terrible Two  by Mac Barnett and Jory John, illustrated by Kevin Cornell REALISTIC / FUNNY My 8-year-old daughter read this first and begged me to read it immediately. It’s SO funny! It’s mostly  the hilarious adventure of two pranksters who eventually work together to pull off the biggest prank of all time  — a prank that will ensure they get April Fool’s Day off from school.

My Big Fat Zombie Goldfish  by Mo O’Hara HUMOR Hysterical and totally believable about  what would happen if your goldfish dies and you bring him back to life.  Except now he’s a zombie…one that can mesmerize you with his powerful eyes so you’ll do anything he wants. Aaaah!  BOXED SET

Ranger in Time #1: Rescue on the Oregon Trail   by Kate Messner, illustrated by Kelley McMorris HISTORICAL Ranger, a golden retriever trained for search and rescue, travels back to the Oregon Trail  to help a family in need. It’s an easy chapter book that begins the book series , introducing the ups and downs of traveling on the Oregon Trail. (Also on:  Wholesome Easy Chapter Books for Boys )

Charlotte’s Web  by E.B. White, illustrated by Garth Williams REALISTIC This story is a beautiful tribute to the power of friendship, touching on love and death as well. It’s a classic for a reason and o ne of the best-written children’s books in existence.

Wondrous Rex  by Patricia MacLachlan WHOLESOME / WRITING Maxwell the Magicial brings Grace and her writer aunt Lily his dog Rex to be aunt’s assistant when Aunt Lily and Grace both have writer’s block.  Rex is a kind and magical dog who reads, writes, and gives wonderful wisdom about life and writing . His guidance helps both Lily and Grace grow in confidence, inspiration, and love. Absolutely charming!

The BFG  by Roald Dahl, illustrated by Quentin Blake FANTASY The Big Friendly Giant snatches Sophie and takes her to the Land of Nod with other not-friendly, people-eating giants. Sophie and the BFG plot to stop the mean giants and save the world. The text is filled with lots of creative, made-up words which while fun, can be tricky for some readers.

Doodle Adventures: The Search for Slimy Space Slugs!  by Mike Lowery HUMOR SCI-FI This book not only hooks the reader with its space-adventure plot, but the  hilarious narrator Carl also invites YOU to find the missing priceless artifact requiring bravery, heroism, and drawing.  Yes, drawing. Along the journey to retrieve the artifact from Captain Sleezoog (he’s a slug,) you must do your part. So you’ll make sure (by drawing) that you’ve got a spacesuit, you’ve packed everything you need to bring, the rocket design is perfect plus it has some silly (bandages!?) extras, and lots more as the adventure ensues. It may sound contrived, but it’s a fun, engaging adventure that any kid, artist or not, will love. And there is MORE in the series! Also read  The Pursuit of the Pesky Pizza Pirate!

Dory and the Real True Friend  by Abby Hanlon REALISTIC Dory is one of my favorite book characters because her imagination is THE BEST!  She has three imaginary friends: one monster friend, one fairy godmother that’s actually not a lady, and one bad lady nemesis. I love this story because she meets a real-life friend who understands all about imaginary friends and together, they’re the perfect match. 

Frankie Pickle  by Eric Wight ADVENTURE FUNNY Your kids will totally relate to this imaginative boy whose wild adventures are written in comic form — it’s funny and entertaining!

The Great Shelby Holmes   by Elizabeth Eulberg MYSTERY I loved this  Sherlock Holmes -inspired book because it’s very well written and tells a great story . John Watson and his mom move to Harlem. There, he meets a unique girl named Shelby Holmes who reluctantly allows him to tag along with her as she solves her latest crime — the mystery of who took a posh, show-dog from a classmate’s secure house.

Katie the Catsitter  by Colleen AF Venable, illustrated by Stephanie Yue SUPERHERO If you like mystery, adventure, and CATS , you won’t want to miss this entertaining graphic novel!  Katie desperately wants to join her friends at their summer camp so to earn money, she gets a job for her neighbor Madeline catsitting 217 cats. But, something is VERY weird because these are super-smart cats with destructive behaviors and powerful abilities, not to mention that Katie finds evidence that her neighbor might be the supervillain, Moustress. Then, when the Moustress gets captured, Katie decides she and the cats must take action and save their friend.

STAT: Standing Tall and Talented: Home Court  by Amar’e Stoudemir, illustrated by Tim Jessell SPORTS Based on the real story of Amar’e Stoudemire, this is the story of when he was 11, a skateboarder, a basketball player, and a worker with his dad’s landscape company.  When other kids start trash-talking his friends, he uses his intelligence and basketball skills to find a solution.

The Year of the Book  by Andrea Chang REALISTIC Growing up is challenging and in the first novel,  The Year of the Book ,  Anna turns to books for company while she learns how to make friendships in real life.  The subsequent books in the series are just as realistic and well-written. I highly recommend this series!

The Kicks  by Alex Morgan REALISTIC Finally, a fantastic book (series) for soccer girls! I f you have a soccer player in your house, you’ll want to get your soccer lover this book  –actually, buy her the entire series. Written by Olympic Gold Medalist and U.S. Soccer team member (among other things),  Alex Morgan , these are realistic stories of life, friendship, and playing soccer.

Jasmine Toguchi Mochi Queen  by Debbi Michiko Florence, illustrated by Eliazbet Vukovic REALISTIC Jasmine is so jealous that the older kids in her family have important jobs on the mochi-making day — she wants to do what the older boys and men are doing, pound the mochi rice. Her understanding father figures out a way for Jasmine to join in. And even though it didn’t work out how she wanted, her family is proud of her and decides it’s okay to break some rules like who gets to pound the rice.  Not only is the story’s message sweet, Jasmine’s Japanese-American culture and warm family community shine through.

Zoo Camp Puzzle  by Gail Herman MYSTERY Ava and Rosie are not excited to move to the zoo for the summer where they notice missing pronghorns and suspicious trucks.  With the help of their brother Ethan, the siblings must figure out what’s happening and how to keep the animals safe.  Throughout the book, you’ll find pages with activities like puzzles and mazes as well as information about the animals at the zoo. You’ll love both the mystery story and the factual sections of information. It’s really well done! Also in the series:  Puppy Rescue Riddle .

The World According to Humphrey   by Betty Birney REALISTIC Class pet, Humphrey, is a hamster who travels to a student’s home on the weekends and has lots of adventures.

Get to Work, Hercules! (Myth-O-Mania)   by Kate McMullan HUMOR / MYTHOLOGY We adore the Myth-O-Mania series. It’s hilarious!  Hades narrates the TRUE stories of the Greek Myths with panache.  (Apparently, his younger brother Zeus is a big fat liar and edited all the myths to make himself look good.) In this story, Hades watches over his young, not-too-smart nephew, Hercules whom Hera has it out for. LOVE it!

Lucy & Andy Neanderthal  by Jeffrey Brown HISTORY / HUMOR / GRAPHIC NOVEL Short funny stories about the life of a Neanderthal family  are intermixed with factual information about the actual history of this time period — hunting practices, size of large cats, that sort of thing — in a graphic novel from the author of the Jedi Academy series perfect for 8-year-olds.

The Perilous Princess Plot (Buckle and Squash)   by Sarah Courtauld HUMOR/FANTASY Very sarcastic and funny humor will keep you entertained throughout this book about  a silly sister obsessed with princes who gets kidnapped  and her more reasonable sister who comes to the rescue.

Dying to Meet You 43 Cemetery Road  by Kate Klise, illustrated by M. Sarah Klise HUMOR The 43 Old Cemetery Road early reader series is a funny and  punny adventure with a kid, a cat, a grumpy ghost , and a really cool writing style in letters, emails, newspaper clippings, jokes, and more. These books are addictive!

The Curious Cat Spy Club  by Linda Joy Singleton MYSTERY What a fantastic new book series — my daughter and I devoured it.  Three kids from seemingly different social circles band together to rescue kittens they find in a dumpster  — then solve the mystery of who would try to kill the kittens.

Diary of a Minecraft Zombie Book 1: A Scare of a Dare  by Herobrine Books SCI-FI Short sentences with witty observations on life from the perspective of a  Minecraft   zombie  will crack you up. I was surprised that this was such an entertaining, funny read. Nothing scary. Just fun. Especially for Minecraft enthusiasts. (These are FREE for Kindle Unlimited subscribers!)

Wedgie & Gizmo  by Suzanne Selfors REALISTIC / FUNNY Dog owners will nod along with the ADHD stream of conscious narration of Wedgie, the barkie dog who LOVES everything. Contrast this with the diabolical plotting narration of the evil genius guinea pig Gizmo who is horrified to be living in a Barbie house instead of his own “habitat.”  Selfors skillfully addresses a family in transition through the humorous lens of its two pets.

Into the Game (Minecraft Woodsword Chronicles)  by Nick Eliopulos MINECRAFT First in one of the BEST Minecraft   book series , this adventure follows five players who are transported inside the game– and it’s real and they’ll have to use all their  survival  and problem-solving skills to stay alive.  BOXED SET of Books 1 – 4 HERE .

Bad Kitty Supercat  by Nick Bruel  FUNNY   GRAPHIC NOVEL Bad Kitty’s owner tells Bad Kitty to get off screens and play with some other cats.  But Bad Kitty isn’t happy about having playdates. Eventually, Playdate Candidate #4 (Strange Kitty) brings imagination and comic books and Strange Kitty helps Bad Kitty find his  superhero  persona –just in time to meet the supervillain! Playful, imaginative, and hilarious–this is my new favorite Bad Kitty book and his first graphic novel.

Squishy Taylor and the Bonus Sisters  by Ailsa Wild, illustrated by Ben Wood REALISTIC Squishy discovers a boy hiding from the police in the basement of her apartment building.  She wants to keep it a secret from her step-sisters but one thing leads to another, and the twins find out. Together, the three help feed the boy until they discover who he really is. Squishy begins to think of her sisters as bonuses, not step-sisters, which makes her feel a lot better about living with them. I really enjoyed this big-hearted mystery

Dolphin Rescue (Animal Planet Adventures #1)  by Catherine Nichols MYSTERY Siblings Maddie and Atticus can’t figure out who is dumping trash everywhere.  And when they rescue a baby dolphin entangled in trash, they know they must get to the bottom of this mystery. Full-color photographs with information about dolphins, marine life, and more add-in bonus  nonfiction information  for readers.

Ellie, Engineer  by Jackson Pearce REALISTIC / STEM Ellie, Engineer  is a  well-written STEM adventure that makes engineering seem enticing and creative ! After a disastrous “french braid machine” tangles her best friend’s hair, Ellie, who already considers herself as an engineer, plans to make her BFF a new birthday present — a dog house. She gets help from a neighbor boy and a group of girls from school who are bitter rivals until Ellie helps them work together. It’s a perfect, pro-STEM story for girls.

The Case of the Claymore Diamond Math Inspectors  by Daniel Kenney and Emily Boever MYSTERY Viva math!  These friends love math and are proud of it  — in fact, they’re sure they can use their math skills to solve crimes. This first mystery is about a jewelry store robbery. And they do solve it by finding clues that the police miss, freeing an innocent man. This is a delightful easy chapter book series.

Rosie Revere and the Raucous Riveters  by Andrea Beaty, illustrated by David Roberts STEM Andrea Beaty successfully writes her famous main characters of Rosie Revere, Iggy Peck, and Ada Twist into a fun-filled, STEM adventure chapter book. Rosie’s Aunt Rose and her WWII friends, the Raucous Riveters, need Rosie’s help. Their friend  June broke both her arms and she needs an invention so she can paint in the upcoming art contest.  Can Rosie and friends invent something to help June paint with her casts? After one disaster after another, including at the art contest, Rosie continues to persevere and problem-solve to find a solution that will work.

Secret Agent, Jack Stalwart   by Elizabeth Singer Hunt ADVENTURE In this action-packed new series,  nine-year-old secret agent Jack Stalwart travels the globe  in search of his missing older brother Max while solving international crimes for the Global Protection Force.

Nanny Piggins and the Runaway Lion  by R. A. Spratt, illustrated by Dan Santat ADVENTURE This  quirky adventure is about a dad who detests his children  and tries to get rid of them (to Nicaragua in this case) but their amazing nanny (who is a pig) always figures out how to outsmart the dad. I love Nanny Piggins!

The Philly Fake Ballpark Mysteries  by David A. Kelly, illustrated by  Mark Meyers MYSTERY / SPORTS Not only is this a well-written mystery book for 3rd graders, but I also loved how the author included so much history within the  story about two young baseball fans who hope to show fans that the Phillie Phanatic isn’t to blame for their team’s losing streak.

Katerina Ballerina  by Tiler Peck and Kyle Harris, illustrated by Sumiti Collina BALLET An earnest young girl loves ballet, but since her dad can’t afford lessons, she watches YouTube videos and practices in her room. After a disastrous talent shows Katerina’s dad her bravery, Katrina’s dad stretches the budget for lessons. It’s not a great start though– she shows up in red swimming suit and homemade tutu! But she makes a friend who helps her learn ballet terms and adjust to formal classes. As Katrina becomes more serious in her dancing,  a competition reminds Katrina that she needs to balance both working hard and enjoying dancing.

Key Hunters and the Mysterious Moonstone (Key Hunters #1 ) by Eric Luper MYSTERY In this first book for 3rd graders, two friends discover a letter from their favorite librarian saying she’s trapped in a book. They decide to go into a book to rescue her. They arrive in  19th century England to help a detective find a stolen gem.

Never Girls  by Kiki Thorpe FANTASY These friends accidentally travel from England to the Never Land fairy world of Tinker Bell. What adventures they will have?!  BOX SET

KEEP READING

Choose Your Own Adventure Books

Drawing Books

Star Wars Books

Dictionary for Kids

Fidget Toys

Melissa Taylor, MA, is the creator of Imagination Soup. She's a mother, former teacher & literacy trainer, and freelance education writer. She writes Imagination Soup and freelances for publications online and in print, including Penguin Random House's Brightly website, USA Today Health, Adobe Education, Colorado Parent, and Parenting. She is passionate about matching kids with books that they'll love.

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29 Comments

Hi Melissa, This is so helpful. I’m a third grade teacher and am about to have parent-teacher conferences. I’d love to print out the 3rd grade book list. Do you have a printable version? Thank you!!

Yes — I’ll email it to you!

My youngest daughter is turning nine this summer. She still enjoys anything about her last school year. (3rd grade) I thought I would continue that by looking up some books for her to read this summer. This article was very helpful. Thanks.

I’m so happy to hear it!

Hi. Is there a link to a list of these books I can easily print? If not, I will make my own list, but that seems time-consuming if there already is one.

There is not a printable list of all the books.

Favorite books for 3rd graders

by: The GreatSchools Editorial Team

Print book list

2030: A Day in the Life of Tomorrow’s Kids

by: Amy Zuckerman and Jim Daly , illustrated by: John Manders - (Dutton, 2009) 32 pages.

A talking dog, a housecleaning robot and a three-dimensional “data orb” are among the many cool features that kids might enjoy in the future, according to this lighthearted look at 2030. The breezy narrative follows one boy through a typical day, highlighting many interesting aspects of his world. Fanciful cartoon drawings show a lively and appealing world full of new and intriguing activities that correspond neatly to modern equivalents. Schools are now made from plasticized blocks that snap together, for example, while recess features virtual batting practice and a “smart trampoline.” Recreational activities include magnetized hovering skateboards and a virtual-reality “Fanta-trek Center.” Some social changes are briefly noted, such as new career paths and the increase of marriages between different ethnicities. Interaction with the natural world is not mentioned, although many of the new technologies have eco-friendly components and the food is all meatless and delicious.

Find 2030: A Day in the Life of Tomorrow’s Kids at your local library.

Best Friends for Frances

by: Russell Hoban , illustrated by: Lillian Hoban - (Harper & Row, 1969) 32 pages.

Frances can’t imagine being friends with her little sister Gloria until she is excluded from the all-boys baseball game. To her surprise, Gloria makes a good friend, but can she ever be a best friend? If your child enjoys this book, introduce her to other stories in this series including A Birthday for Frances.

Perfect for: Kids who like making friends.

Find Best Friends for Frances at your local library.

The Facts and Fictions of Minna Pratt

by: Patricia MacLachlan - (Harper & Row, 1988) 144 pages.

Minna grows up with some odd friends and relatives. MacLachlan’s stories are a rarity in today’s children’s books — simple, gentle tales of children who manage to be reasonably nice kids without being insipid. Minna Pratt is an amazingly delightful book, a book that makes you smile all through it, a book that makes you want to know all of the characters in real life.

Find The Facts and Fictions of Minna Pratt at your local library.

George and Martha

by: James Marshall - (Houghton Mifflin Company, 1972) 48 pages.

George and Martha are two hilarious hippo friends who invariably get themselves into sticky situations. Your child will love finding out what happens when George does not like the split pea soup that Martha has made for him in “Split Pea Soup,” just one of the five humorous stories in this collection.

Find George and Martha at your local library.

Hedgie’s Surprise

by: Jan Brett - (Putnam Juvenile, 2000) 32 pages.

Henny wants to raise little chicks, but an elf keeps stealing her eggs before they hatch. Your child will be surprised to learn how her friend Hedgie helps Henny scare off the bothersome elf once and for all. Make a special point to draw your young child’s attention to the nearly hidden pictures that border each page of this book.

Find Hedgie’s Surprise at your local library.

A Letter to Amy

by: Ezra Jack Keats - (Harper & Row, 1968) 32 pages.

In this classic book about friendship, Peter has a falling-out with his friend Amy. Peter fears the worst — that Amy will not come to his birthday party. Children will relate to this story’s themes, and Ezra Jack Keats’s collage illustrations will intrigue children and parents alike.

Find A Letter to Amy at your local library.

by: Janell Cannon - (Harcourt Brace Jovanovich, 1993) 46 pages.

The hook: Stellaluna is a baby fruit bat happily flying along with her mother when an owl attacks. The poor little bat is knocked out of her mother’s grasp and lands in a birds’ nest. The mother bird accepts Stellaluna as long as she acts like a bird, not a bat. Soon enough, Stellaluna learns to eat bugs and stop hanging by her feet. When she finally has a chance to show her bird siblings, Pip, Flutter and Flap, what life as a bat is like, they are left all in a muddle: “How can we be so different and feel so much alike?” one asks. Anyone who has ever been in a position where they can’t be who they really are will relate to Stellaluna’s predicament. Cannon’s award-winning illustrations convey the nocturnal world beautifully. Readers will be enchanted by this book with its messages of acceptance, friendship and a mothers’ love.

Want to see the movie? The 2012 animated adaptation fleshes out the picture book with additional characters and songs while staying true to the story.

Find Stellaluna at your local library.

That’s What Friends Are For

by: Florence Parry Heide and Sylvia Van Clief , illustrated by: Holly Meade - (Candlewick, 2003) 40 pages.

Theodore, the lumbering elephant, hurts his leg so badly he can’t walk to the edge of the forest to meet his cousin. Will his friends’ advice help him solve his problem, or does he need something more? The collages of painted paper and repeating text pattern will make this reprint of the 1968 classic one of your child’s favorites.

Find That’s What Friends Are For at your local library.

Fairy Tale Feasts: A Literary Cookbook for Young Readers and Eaters

by: Jane Yolen and Heidi E. Stemple , illustrated by: Philippe Beha - (Crocodile Books, 2006) 197 pages.

Jane Yolen retells familiar fairy tales in a brief and lively style, while her daughter, co-author Heidi Stemple, pairs them with at least one kid-friendly recipe that connects with the story’s theme or references. For example, “Cinderella” is presented with a recipe for pumpkin tarts, while “The Runaway Pancake” is matched with, of course, a recipe for pancakes. The tales are divided into four sections: breakfast, lunch, dinner and dessert. The colorful illustrations add to the fun, and margin notes provide additional information on main ingredients and the stories and their origins. Adult supervision will be necessary for completing the recipes, but this book would be a great way for the whole family to share a reading and eating experience.

Perfect for: Kids who like to cook.

Find Fairy Tale Feasts: A Literary Cookbook for Young Readers and Eaters at your local library.

How to Make an Apple Pie and See the World

by: Marjorie Priceman - (Random House, 1994) 40 pages.

A young baker travels the world to find the finest ingredients for her apple pie. On her journey, she introduces the reader to cultures and products from around the globe. After the raw ingredients are prepared for the pie, the baker invites children from around the world to share it with her. The recipe is included at the end of the book.

Find How to Make an Apple Pie and See the World at your local library.

by: Andrew Clements , illustrated by: Brian Selznick - (Simon & Schuster Books for Young Readers, 1996) 112 pages.

When clever yet precocious Nick decides to invent a new word for pen, it puts him at odds with his no-nonsense teacher, a stickler for grammar and proper word usage. What begins as a classroom duel over the usage of the word “frindle,” escalates into a national word craze.

Perfect for: Kids who like realism.

Find Frindle at your local library.

I and You and Don’t Forget Who: What Is a Pronoun?

by: Brian P. Cleary , illustrated by: Brian Gable - (Lerner Publishing Group, 2004) 32 pages.

This book tells a story in rhyme, using different types of pronouns, leading children to become more apt to remember what pronouns are. The colorful illustrations feature funny monster-like creatures taking part in everyday activities.

Perfect for: Kids who like poetry.

Find I and You and Don’t Forget Who: What Is a Pronoun? at your local library.

Summer Reading Is Killing Me

by: Jon Scieszka , illustrated by: Lane Smith - (Viking, 1998) 80 pages.

This installment of the popular Time Warp Trio series is homage to some of the best-ever summer reading lists. Sam, Fred and Joe happen to have in their possession a bona fide time traveling book. When one of the boys absentmindedly puts their summer reading list in the book, they find themselves in the midst of a literary battle of evil against good!

Perfect for: Kids who like fantasy.

Find Summer Reading is Killing Me at your local library.

Dexter the Tough

by: Margaret Peterson Haddix , illustrated by: Mark Elliott - (Simon & Schuster, 2007) 144 pages.

Dexter is tough! On the first day of school, he lashes out when he trips and the other kids laugh at him. He punches another kid in the bathroom. But like so many kids with a gruff demeanor, Dexter is acting out because of a painful circumstance at home. He learns to express his emotions because of a gifted teacher and a writing assignment. I can think of no better lesson for a child to learn — feelings come out, one way or another — and finding a healthy way to sort them out is important. Perfect for a third-grader who has been bullied, or who can be too tough with others.

Perfect for: Kids who like stories about school.

Find Dexter the Tough at your local library.

Mapping Penny’s World

by: Loreen Leedy - (Henry Holt, 2000) 32 pages.

Lisa’s class is learning how to make maps in school. For a homework assignment, she decides to make a map of her dog Penny’s world. She includes the places where Penny likes to hide her toys and the best walking routes. This fun story will also help your child learn about the important features of maps.

Find Mapping Penny’s World at your local library.

La Mariposa

by: Francisco Jiménez , illustrated by: Simón Silva - (Houghton Mifflin, 1998) 40 pages.

La Mariposa is a beautifully illustrated book about author Francisco Jiménez’s childhood as a member of a Mexican migrant farm family. Young Francisco prepares himself for English-only first grade, without knowing a word of this new language. As the days pass, he becomes more and more uncertain if he will ever learn English, learn to read or find a friend. However, his beautiful drawings of butterflies help him win over the class bully and begin to transcend the barrier of language.

Find La Mariposa at your local library.

Thank You, Mr. Falker

by: Patricia Polacco - (Philomel, 1988) 40 pages.

Patricia Polacco describes what it was like to be unable to read in the fifth grade. She was taunted by classmates and plagued with her own self-doubt until a teacher finally recognized that she couldn’t read and gave her the assurance and help she needed to succeed.

Find Thank You, Mr. Falker at your local library.

by: Edward Eager - (Oxford University Press, 1954) 208 pages.

Half Magic was the Magic Tree House of its day. As if wizardry was not enough, our four main characters take on multiple adventures with only “half” the magical prowess they need from a found coin. The kids devise clever ways to utilize the coin’s capacity and the result is a very cool and captivating story. If your child falls in love with Half Magic, there are several sequels to quench their thirst for more.

Perfect for: Kids who like classic stories.

Find Half Magic at your local library.

Homer Price

by: Robert McCloskey - (Puffin, 1943) 160 pages.

Homer Price’s six sidesplitting exploits included here will keep your child reading and rolling in the aisles. Author of many wonderful books, including the award-winning Make Way for Ducklings and Blueberries for Sal , Robert McCloskey was truly inspired by his funny bone when he wrote these stories.

Find Homer Price at your local library.

by: J.M. Barrie - (Charles Scribner's Sons, 1911) 240 pages.

The hook: The original language is rich, and the story, so much a part of our culture, inspires children to dream. Some of the racial and gender stereotypes, typical for their time, will need explanation.

Want to watch the movie? The still-enchanting Disney classic contains some dated stereotypes but may prompt great discussions about how movies have changed since 1953.

Find Peter Pan at your local library.

Rabbit Hill

by: Robert Lawson - (Viking Press, 1944) 128 pages.

Rabbit Hill is a time-honored book about a family of rabbits and the meaning of community. The characters are the same as they are in any neighborhood; you get a little of everything, both funny and frustrating. The inspired vocabulary makes for a welcome challenge and the environmental element of the story inspires discussion. Perfect for a parent-child book club.

Find Rabbit Hill at your local library.

The Wheel on the School

by: Meindert DeJong , illustrated by: Maurice Sendak - (Harper & Bros., 1954) 320 pages.

Set in Holland in a tiny fishing village, this is the story of Lina and her classmates. After doing some research for a school report, Lina is determined to lure storks back to their village as they are believed to bring good luck. This book won the 1955 Newbery Award.

Find The Wheel on the School at your local library.

Bone #3: Eyes of the Storm

by: Jeff Smith - (Graphix, 1996) 192 pages.

Fone Bone, a fanciful character, hides from the rat creatures with Gran’ma Ben (a former queen) and his human friend, Thorn (who finds out she is a princess). This graphic novel weaves together intrigue and humor.

Perfect for: Kids who like fantasy stories.

Find Bone #3: Eyes of the Storm at your local library.

The Castle Corona

by: Sharon Creech , illustrated by: David Diaz - (Joanna Cotler Books, 2007) 336 pages.

This is a clever, fun fairytale with positive messages. There is mild fairytale violence and of course, budding romance. A storyteller tells a story in which parents and siblings die and thieves are killed; the killings are shown as unjust. Families can talk about being grateful and what the characters learned about the responsibilities that come with privilege. Why was the princess so unhappy? Why weren’t riches enough for the royals? How did the peasants feel about the royals once they met them?

Find The Castle Corona at your local library.

Cinderella (As if You Didn’t Already Know the Story)

by: Barbara Ensor - (Random House, 2006) 128 pages.

This version of the familiar story allows girls to connect with Cinderella as they dive deep into the life of a fairy-tale princess. The modern-day twist allows the readers to hear the story in a unique and interesting way.

Find Cinderella (As if You Didn’t Already Know the Story) at your local library.

How to Train Your Dragon

by: Cressida Cowell - (Little, Brown Books for Young Readers, 2004) 224 pages.

The hook: This humorous 15-book series follows Hiccup Horrendous Haddock III, the brainy undersized son of a hulking Viking chief. He describes himself as “not a natural at the Heroism business.” Hiccup, along with the other young Vikings, must choose a dragon hatchling to train and learn to become a warrior before being initiated as an adult member of the tribe. Filled with slightly rude humor that will appeal to preadolescents (including character names like “Dogsbreath the Duhbrain” and “Snotface Snotlout,”), and rough — but funny — illustrations, this engaging series is sustained by themes about being an underdog and succeeding in ways outside the norm.

Want to watch the movie? The animated adventures How to Train Your Dragon (2010) and How to Train Your Dragon 2 (2014) are loosely based on the book series.

Perfect for: Reluctant readers who are tickled by preteen humor.

Find our favorites at your local library: How to Train Your Dragon , How to Be a Pirate , How to Cheat a Dragon’s Curse .

In the Ice Age: Andrew Lost #12

by: J.C. Greenburg - (Random House, 2005) 85 pages.

In this installment of the Andrew Lost series, Andrew and Judy must save their Uncle Al — a top-secret scientist and inventor of the Time-A-Tron time-travel machine — from the Ice Age. They use their creative problem-solving skills to escape from saber-toothed tigers and make friends with a group of Ice Age people, all while avoiding the clutches of the evil Doctor Kron-Tox. This book has it all: adventure, humor and a super-smart robot named Thudd who peppers the story with true facts about the Ice Age.

Find In the Ice Age: Andrew Lost #12 at your local library.

Knights of the Kitchen Table

by: Jon Scieszka - (Viking, 1991) 55 pages.

This first book in the Time Warp Trio Series is an imaginative and humorous read. The book begins with three boys celebrating a birthday. One of the presents happens to be a book with a card that states, “Be careful what you wish for.” Once the book is opened, the boys are transported back to the time of knights, giants and dragons. If you enjoy adventure and fantasy this is a must read!

Find Knights of the Kitchen Table at your local library.

Lost Treasure of the Emerald Eye, Geronimo Stilton series

by: Geronimo Stilton - (Scholastic, 2004) 128 pages.

This series is a favorite for boys who are reluctant readers. Hip language and vocabulary, cultural references, multi-colored fonts, colorful illustrations and maps are both eye catching and motivating factors for young readers. Geronimo Stilton is a mouse who is editor-in-chief of a popular newspaper, and he has found himself in a particularly interesting situation. Geronimo’s sister, Thea, discovers a treasure map, where an X marks the spot, of hidden treasure. Come join Geronimo and his sister as they travel to a faraway island in search of the Emerald Eye. Will a hurricane stop them or a sinking boat? You must read to find out.

Find Lost Treasure of the Emerald Eye, Geronimo Stilton Series at your local library.

The McElderry Book of Grimms’ Fairy Tales

by: Saviour Pirotta , illustrated by: Emma Chichester Clark - (Simon & Schuster/Margaret K. McElderry, 2006) 128 pages.

First published in England in 2002, this nicely designed collection of 10 Grimms’ tales includes both the well-known — “The Sleeping Beauty” (Briar Rose), “The Golden-Haired Girl in the Tower” (Rapunzel), and “The Magic Gingerbread House” (Hansel and Gretel) — and the less familiar — “Little Mouse and Lazy Cat,” “The Swans and the Brave Princess” (The Six Swans), and “The Magic Bear and the Handsome Prince” (Snow White and Rose Red). Pirotta’s retellings are straightforward and colloquial without soft-pedaling the darker aspects of the stories (evil witches get burned at the stake, trusting rodents get eaten and a handsome prince in the guise of a frog winds up in the bed of a princess).

Find The McElderry Book of Grimms’ Fairy Tales at your local library.

Mightier Than the Sword: World Folktales for Strong Boys

by: Jane Yolen , illustrated by: Raul Colon - (Harcourt, 2003) 128 pages.

Jane Yolen, a prolific, award-winning children’s author, selected and reworked these stories from China, Germany, Ireland, Afghanistan, Finland, Angola and more. This anthology for boys serves to remind us of the virtue of strength without force. Yolen has written a similar anthology for girls, Not One Damsel in Distress: World Folktales for Strong Girls.

Find Mightier Than the Sword: World Folktales for Strong Boys at your local library.

My Curious Uncle Dudley

by: Barry Yourgrau , illustrated by: Tony Auth - (Candlewick Press, 2004) 224 pages.

When 11-year-old Duncan Peckle’s parents take an unexpected vacation, he is left in the temporary care of his curious, definitely eccentric Uncle Dudley. There are adventures ahead that include enchantments, elixirs, and a few amusing goblins.

Find My Curious Uncle Dudley at your local library.

The Tail of Emily Windsnap

by: Liz Kessler , illustrated by: Sarah Gibb - (Orion Children's Books, 2004) 208 pages.

The best compliment for a book is that you hope it will never end. That is exactly the sentiment expressed when a child tells me about reading The Tail of Emily Windsnap. Although Emily lives on a boat, her parents are very wary of her being in the water. Emily discovers that she is half-mermaid and she begins to pursue the mystery of her father’s disappearance. First in a series, your child will occupy many enjoyable hours with this engaging “tail.”

Find The Tail of Emily Windsnap at your local library.

The Trial of Cardigan Jones

by: Tim Egan - (Houghton Mifflin Company, 2004) 32 pages.

Cardigan Jones, clumsy new moose in town, finds himself in the middle of the case of a missing apple pie. As he moves past many misperceptions, all is resolved in court in this Law & Order take-off for kids.

Find The Trial of Cardigan Jones at your local library.

Two Bad Ants

by: Chris Van Allsburg - (Houghton Mifflin, 1988) 32 pages.

A Caldecott Medal author, Van Allsburg takes us into the world of ants. The story begins when a scout brings his queen a strange new treasure, a crystal that appeals to her sweet tooth. The ants want to please “the mother of them all,” so they march off in search of more crystals for their queen. They trek through woods (grass) and survive a thunderstorm (the sound of crickets combined with dropping dew drops and the light of a passing firefly). They climb a mountain (the wall of a house) and go through a tunnel (window) to a glassy curved wall (sugar bowl). In their haste to leave “this unnatural place,” they fail to notice that two have stayed behind to enjoy the feast. The artwork lends itself to the sense of mystery, all bold lines and earth tones. Will they make it home? Read the book and find out.

Find Two Bad Ants at your local library.

The Wonderful Flight to the Mushroom Planet

by: Eleanor Cameron - (Little, Brown and Company, 1956) 226 pages.

An early classic in children’s science fiction, the story concerns two young boys who take off to a “nearby” planet in their homemade spaceship. The tiny planet is in dire trouble, and the boys are recruited to save it from certain galactic extinction. Mr. Bass and the Mushroom People are unforgettable, and the appeal of the adventures is timeless.

Find The Wonderful Flight to the Mushroom Planet at your local library.

by: Chris Van Allsburg - (Houghton Mifflin, 2002) 32 pages.

The hook: With the movie release of Chris Van Allsburg’s book, Zathura, children of all ages will be eager to read the book version. Many Allsburg fans waited a long time to finally find out what happened after Judy and Peter discarded the Jumanji game in the park. We were left with the Budwing brothers as they stumbled upon the mysterious box. When they open the box, they see the Jumanji game board and another space-themed board. This board transports the players from earth to a purple planet called Zathura. Before they know it the boys are swept up in a nail-biting, outer-space adventure. Will they survive a black hole, space ships and robots? This is a must read if you’ve always wondered what happened to Danny and Walter Budwing.

Want to see the movie? The 2005 adaptation is loosely based on the book and offers a cautionary lesson about getting along with your siblings.

Find Zathura at your local library.

Dog Diaries: Secret Writings of the WOOF Society

by: Betsy Byars, Betsy Duffey and Laurie Myers , illustrated by: Erik Brooks - (Henry Holt, 2007) 64 pages.

These short stories show life through a dog’s eyes. Some have historical settings like ancient Egypt, and some explain quirky dog behavior. All are told simply and humorously, as a dog might, so they are easily understood by younger readers.

Perfect for: Kids who like historical fiction.

Find Dog Diaries: Secret Writings of the WOOF Society at your local library.

Great White Sharks

by: Sandra Markle - (Lerner Publishing Group, 2004) 40 pages.

The nonfiction aspect of this text appealed to many students, especially male students, because of the ferocious-looking shark on the cover and the many details on these predators of the deep, including their feasts on other ocean life.

Perfect for: Kids who like nonfiction and animals.

Find Great White Sharks at your local library.

Molly’s Pilgrim

by: Barbara Cohen , illustrated by: Daniel Mark Duffy - (Lothrop, Lee & Shepard Books, 1983) 32 pages.

Molly’s Pilgrim is a heart-wrenching story that illustrates the true meaning of Thanksgiving. Molly, a Russian immigrant, finds herself in an American school. Instead of being welcomed as the new student in the class, she is treated as an outcast. Taunting and bullying are two themes explored in this book. The children in Molly’s class learn one of life’s most valuable lessons – pilgrims, like people, come in all denominations, and to this day they are still coming to America in hopes of finding freedom.

Find Molly’s Pilgrim at your local library.

Morning Girl

by: Michael Dorris - (Hyperion Books for Children, 1992) 74 pages.

Simple story, beautifully told, appeals to kids who like thoughtful character-based stories. This lyrical look at pre-Columbian Taino culture stresses the bonds of family, and behavioral changes involved in growing up, and raises the issue of culture differences in a powerful way.

Find Morning Girl at your local library.

Samuel Eaton’s Day: A Day in the Life of a Pilgrim Boy

by: Kate Waters , illustrated by: Russ Kendall - (Scholastic, 1993) 40 pages.

Samuel Eaton’s Day, one of the author’s trilogy of books about the Pilgrims, transports the reader back to life during Pilgrim times. Samuel shares the excitement and the hard work that is involved with his first harvest. Samuel quickly discovers how difficult the harvest can be. Though exhausted from the day’s work, Samuel learns a valuable lesson about perseverance and the pride that comes from working together as a family.

Find Samuel Eaton’s Day: A Day in the Life of a Pilgrim Boy at your local library.

Sarah Morton’s Day: A Day in the Life of a Pilgrim Girl

by: Kate Waters , illustrated by: Russ Kendall - (Scholastic, 1989) 32 pages.

Sarah Morton’s Day is an excellent book about a day in the life of a Pilgrim girl and another book in Kate Water’s Pilgrim trilogy. The story is set in the year 1627. Told in the first person, Sarah takes young readers on a historic field trip back in time. Photographs in the book were taken at the Plymouth Museum, which is a replica of the 1627 settlement. The historic backdrop and the words of 9-year-old Sarah invite children of all ages to experience the Pilgrim way of life. Colonial dress, food, chores, family relations, friendships, religion and play are all part of Sarah’s day.

Find Sarah Morton’s Day: A Day in the Life of a Pilgrim Girl at your local library.

Traveling Man: The Journey of Ibn Batutta 1325-1354

by: James Rutherford - (Houghton Mifflin, 2001) 40 pages.

How better to involve your child in geography, history and the art of picture books than through the pages of a masterfully told story about one of the world’s most famous travelers? Ibn Batutta’s journey represents one of the first travel diaries we have; author/artist Rutherford takes young readers along on this trip through space and time.

Find Traveling Man: The Journey of Ibn Batutta 1325-1354 at your local library.

Freddy the Detective

by: Walter R. Brooks , illustrated by: Kurt Wiese - (Alfred A. Knopf, 1932) 272 pages.

Originally published in 1932, Freddy the Detective is an overlooked classic. Freddy is a pig who finds his true calling when he finds a copy of The Adventures of Sherlock Holmes in the barn one day. The witty and still very fresh vocabulary in which Freddy expresses himself is just delightful!

Perfect for: Kids who like mysteries.

Find Freddy the Detective at your local library.

Lizard Music

by: Daniel Manus Pinkwater - (Dodd, Mead, 1976) 144 pages.

Eleven-year-old Victor is up way past bedtime when he sees something very unusual on television: a band of giant lizards performing wild music! Night after night, Victor watches this same strange yet addictive show…that apparently doesn’t even exist.

Find Lizard Music at your local library.

Shredderman: Secret Identity

by: Wendelin Van Draanen , illustrated by: Brian Briggs - (Random House, 2004) 144 pages.

Nolan is tired of Bubba Bixby’s bullying! When the kids receive an assignment to create a newspaper expose, Nolan thinks that this is the perfect chance to truly expose Bubba. After gathering some very compromising information, Nolan creates shredderman.com, a Web site that will shield his identity while fighting back against Bubba’s tyranny.

Find Shredderman: Secret Identity at your local library.

The Case of the Sneaky Snowman

by: Carolyn Keene , illustrated by: Macky Pamintuan - (Aladdin, 2006) 96 pages.

Nancy Drew continues to march into the 21st century with its ubiquitously pen-named writer, Carolyn Keene. In this fifth book in the new Nancy series, “Nancy Drew and the Clue Crew,” a mystery unfolds in a wintry setting. After pretending to read her hot chocolate marshmallows to predict the future, Nancy’s friend Deirdre is surprised when her predictions begin to come true! Classic Nancy Drew sleuthing ensues and makes for a perfect, cozy winter’s night read.

Find The Case of the Sneaky Snowman at your local library.

Jan Brett’s Christmas Treasury

by: Jan Brett - (Putnam Juvenile, 2001) 256 pages.

This beautiful Jan Brett collection features some of her best winter and Christmas stories. Some of the titles included in the treasury are “The Mitten” and “Christmas Trolls.” Jan Brett’s signature illustrations adorn each story, filling it with bright, festive colors.

Perfect for: Kids who like holidays.

Find Jan Brett’s Christmas Treasury at your local library.

Latkes, Latkes, Good to Eat: A Chanukah Story

by: Naomi Howland - (Clarion Books, 1999) 32 pages.

Sadie’s kindness is rewarded when an old woman gives her a magical frying pan. When magic words are spoken, the pan fills with delicious latkes. Unfortunately, trouble occurs when Sadie leaves the pan in the hands of her younger brothers.

Find Latkes, Latkes, Good to Eat: A Chanukah Story at your local library.

Winter of the Ice Wizard

by: Mary Pope Osborne - (Random House, 2004) 128 pages.

If you are a fan of the Magic Tree House series, you are sure to love Mary Pope Osborne’s next adventure into the magical frozen land of the Ice Wizard. Jack and Annie are summoned by their friends from Camelot — Teddy and Kathleen — to help solve the mystery of the disappearance of Merlin and Morgan Le Fay. The team is equipped with only two things to help them: a mysterious rhyme from the Ice Wizard and a magical rope. Will they find Merlin and Morgan Le Fay? Are you brave enough to travel along?

Find Winter of the Ice Wizard at your local library.

Babymouse: Camp Babymouse

by: Jennifer L. Holm & Matthew Holm - (Random House, 2007) 96 pages.

The hook: The sixth installment of the Babymouse series finds our heroine at summer camp. She doesn’t like the great outdoors, but that fact shouldn’t get in the way of her having fun, right? Babymouse has her usual daydreams of how she’ll be the best camper around, but all she finds is trouble. Babymouse’s cabin-mates, the Buttercups, soon become frustrated with her shenanigans, as she racks up nothing but demerits for her team. The illustrations are as fun and humorous as ever, in the familiar black, white and pink. Graphic novels are incredibly popular with tweens and teens, so it follows that younger kids want them as well. And those for the very young — especially for young girls — are few and far between, but gaining a foothold. Here is a well-established series that fills that void with a spirited, likable, adventurous character.

Perfect for: Kids who like humor stories.

Find our favorites at your local library: Camp Babymouse , Queen of the World , Puppy Love , The Musical .

Danny: The Champion of the World

by: Roald Dahl , illustrated by: Quentin Blake - (Knopf/Random House, 1975) 224 pages.

Kids who loved the recent movie version of Roald Dahl’s Charlie and the Chocolate Factory will surely agree that Danny: Champion of the World is fabulous! Danny is a boy who has a great life with his father. Danny thinks he knows everything there is to know about his dad, until one day he learns about his father’s secret life. Danny’s dad is a poacher. If you want to know what a poacher does, and you want to laugh your way through Danny and his father’s dealings with a bad neighbor and pheasants, you must devour this hilarious book.

Find Danny: The Champion of the World at your local library.

Doctor De Soto

by: William Steig - (Farrar, Straus and Giroux, 1990) 32 pages.

A very cheerful story about a mouse-dentist who treats mammals bigger than himself, wearing rubbers to keep his feet dry when he’s in their mouths. Steig’s cartoony color illustrations make up the bulk of the book, and they are nothing short of urbane and funny. The climax comes when a dapperly dressed but hungry fox comes for a new gold tooth, and the quick-witted dentist saves himself from ingestion by means of his professional skills. 32 pages.

Find Doctor De Soto at your local library.

Runny Babbit: A Billy Sook

by: Shel Silverstein - (HarperCollins Children's Books, 2005) 96 pages.

Nonsensical word play will entice readers to try reading this poetry aloud. A simple switch in the beginning letters of certain words makes language fun and the resulting sounds smile-crackingly funny.

Find Runny Babbit: A Billy Sook at your local library.

Wayside School Gets a Little Stranger

by: Louis Sachar - (Morrow Junior Books, 1995) 169 pages.

Surely, Wayside School was already strange enough. The builders built a 30-story school sideways with the rooms piled one on top of another – except for the 19th floor where Miss Zarves teaches class. There is no 19th floor, and there is no Miss Zarves. Nevertheless, there is a 13th floor, where nice Mrs. Jewls presides over her eccentric pupils. Mrs. Jewls, however, takes a maternity leave. Before she returns with her little stranger, Wayside School gets a little stranger. While reading this ridiculously funny book, children will not only be laughing, they will be learning.

Find Wayside School Gets a Little Stranger at your local library.

The Worst Band in the Universe

by: Graeme Base - (Harry N. Abrams, 1999) 48 pages.

Alien fantasies come and go, but this one has focus. Base has created a universe where music, or the lack thereof, separates the planets and gives them their distinct personalities. It’s all about freedom of musical expression, as Sprocc, a young Splingtwanger-player, enters the annual competition for Worst Band in the Universe, a true award of honor. Base’s rhyming verse is delicious fun, and there is the added bonus of a CD of intergalactic songs, composed and performed by the author himself. This is a gift of cosmic proportions and hours of fun.

Find The Worst Band in the Universe at your local library.

The Dog That Stole Home

by: Matt Christopher - (Little, Brown, 1996) 42 pages.

Mike owes his success in baseball to his advisor, his dog Harry. It turns out that Harry is a great base coach. Sports-minded children will love this book as well as The Dog That Pitched a No-Hitter and The Dog That Stole Football Plays and more by the same author.

Perfect for: Kids who like sports.

Find The Dog That Stole Home at your local library.

Girl Wonder: A Baseball Story in Nine Innings

by: Deborah Hopkinson , illustrated by: Terry Widener - (Atheneum, 2003) 40 pages.

This nine-part story was inspired by the life of Alta Weiss, a girl who pitched for a semi-pro men’s baseball team in 1907. Alta has a killer fastball and a hot glove that earn her the nickname “Girl Wonder.” When Alta finishes her pitching career she heads to medical school, the only woman in her graduating class. A chronology of the highlights of women in baseball concludes the book. It only took 108 years and a lawsuit for girls to get to play Little League and Hopkinson honors all the women along the way who insisted that a woman’s place was on the field.

Find Girl Wonder: A Baseball Story in Nine Innings at your local library.

Yang the Youngest and His Terrible Ear

by: Lensey Namioka - (Joy Street Books, 1992) 144 pages.

Yingtao is the only one in his family with no musical talent. His father, however, insists that he continues to play the violin. How will he survive daily music lessons and recitals when all he really wants to do is play baseball, his true, natural talent?

Perfect for: Kids who like music.

Find Yang the Youngest and His Terrible Ear at your local library.

Are We There Yet?

by: Alison Lester - (Kane/Miller Book Publishers, 2005) 32 pages.

Alison Lester, an Australian-born author and illustrator, has written a lovely introduction to Australia for young readers. Through the eyes of 8-year-old Grace, we tag along for a six-month journey around Australia with her family.

Perfect for: Kids who like to learn about cultures.

Find Are We There Yet? at your local library.

Because of Winn-Dixie

by: Kate DiCamillo - (Candlewick, 2000) 182 pages.

The hook: Because of a hysterical encounter with Winn-Dixie, a stray but lovable dog, India Opal’s life changes forever. Opal is forced to deal with the absence of her mother and a father who is absorbed in his work. One day she stumbles upon a stray dog in the Winn-Dixie grocery and it’s love at first sight. Opal adopts the dog and he helps her make friends with people that the town-folks have labeled as strange and different. This is a beautiful story about friendship, forgiveness, and tolerance.

Want to see the movie? Check out the family-friendly 2005 adaptation.

Find Because of Winn-Dixie at your local library.

The Conquerors

by: David McKee - (Handprint Books, 2004) 32 pages.

Imagine an army that is treated so well by the country it invades that it loses its will to conquer. This one deserves a place alongside Seuss’s The Butter Battle Book. It is the kind of well told story that parents can refer back to during difficult conversations for years. The artwork is warm and subtle and the message is timeless: Love is always more fun than war.

Find The Conquerors at your local library.

Dare to Dream!

by: Carl Sommer , illustrated by: Jorge Martinez, Greg Budwine, and Kennon James - (Advance Publishing, 2007) 48 pages.

By listening to stories told by his father and grandparents, a young boy learns how choices can lead to overcoming adversity. The lives of Abraham Lincoln, George Washington Carver, Ben Franklin and Helen Keller are highlighted.

Find Dare to Dream! at your local library.

Dream: A Tale of Wonder, Wisdom & Wishes

by: Susan V. Bosak - (TCP Press, 2004) 40 pages.

Children are whisked away on a vibrant journey of hopes and dreams. The book’s message, to embrace your dreams, is told through poetic verse and the beautiful artwork of 15 celebrated illustrators.

Find Dream: A Tale of Wonder, Wisdom & Wishes at your local library.

The Golden Dream of Carlo Chuchio

by: Lloyd Alexander - (Henry Holt & Company, 2007) 306 pages.

This book is the author’s last, a rousing, delightful adventure. There’s a fair amount of violence here, some rather brutal, though none graphically described. Many deaths occur by a variety of weapons and methods, and a major character is beaten unconscious. Families can talk about the popular literary theme of setting out into the world to find one’s fortune. Do people really do that? Do you expect to one day? Is there a modern equivalent that, perhaps, involves less violence?

Find The Golden Dream of Carlo Chuchio at your local library.

Hachiko Waits

by: Leslea Newman , illustrated by: Machiyo Kodaira - (Henry Holt, 2004) 96 pages.

This Japanese story of a dog whose devotion inspired a nation is an ideal bridge from picture books to chapter books. Short illustrated chapters, author’s notes, and a glossary honor a faithful Akita that met the commuter train from Shibuya Station every afternoon for 10 years, patiently waiting for a master who never returned. Newman’s touching story can’t be read or heard without tears and a true understanding of the word ‘loyalty’.

Find Hachiko Waits at your local library.

Humphrey the Lost Whale: A True Story

by: Wendy Tokuda & Richard Hall , illustrated by: Hanako Wakiyama - (Heian International, 1986) 32 pages.

This is based on the journey of a California humpback whale, “wrong way” Humphrey, who finds his way back to the sea with the help of many people.

Find Humphrey the Lost Whale: A True Story at your local library.

Judy Moody Was in a Mood

by: Megan McDonald - (Candlewick, 2000) 176 pages.

Yes, Judy is a third-grade girl but she is very much the tomboy and boys love this series as much as girls. The series does a great job of captivating unmotivated readers who are making the transition into chapter books. Children will relate to Judy’s constant dilemmas and will laugh their way through the book as Judy comes up with the most intriguing solutions to problems such as having to sit next to a kid who eats paste and a toad that pees on her!

Find our favorites at your local library: Judy Moody Was in a Mood , Judy Moody Gets Famous! , Judy Moody Saves the World!

The Penguin’s Peril: Taylor-Made Tales #4

by: Ellen Miles - (Scholastic, 2007) 110 pages.

Jason’s teacher, Mr. Taylor, loves a challenge. Give him five objects and he’ll work them all into a story of his own creation. When Jason gives Mr. Taylor the “ultimate challenge” list — a penguin, a polar bear, a cactus, quicksand and a baseball — he enthralls the class with an arctic adventure. Meanwhile, in Jason’s day-to-day life, he has to take flak from his classmates when they find out that he loves to cook. And he just can’t seem to convince his chef dad to let him help out at the family restaurant. Both stories end happily — especially when Jason’s dad and classmates get a taste of his signature sandwich, the Amazin’ Jason. The Penguin’s Peril is a testament to the power of storytelling and will inspire young readers to be true to themselves.

Perfect for: Kids who like adventure stories.

Find The Penguin’s Peril: Taylor-Made Tales #4 at your local library.

Ramona the Pest

by: Beverly Cleary , illustrated by: Tracy Dockray - (William Morrow and Company, 1968) 208 pages.

Ramona the Pest is one of Beverly Cleary’s most iconic of her classic stories about the feisty Ramona. Children are sure to love hearing about Ramona’s troubles in Miss Binney’s kindergarten. Ramona fans will also enjoy Beezus and Ramona and Ramona Quimby, Age 8 .

Perfect for: Inventive kids with creative ideas to cure boredom and update old rules.

Find Ramona the Pest at your local library.

Letters from Rapunzel

by: Sara Lewis Holmes - (HarperCollins, 2007) 184 pages.

This is a bittersweet and uplifting story of a young girl coping with the fact that her father is hospitalized for clinical depression. “Rapunzel” (you don’t learn her real name until the end of the book) comes home one day to find the lights off and her father curled up in his favorite red chair, crying. Soon he’s in a mental institution and her mother refuses to talk about it. By chance, she finds a letter in her father’s chair addressed to a post office box. She writes to this post office box, hoping that the person her father was writing to will help her understand what is happening. Told through her letters, this novel is poignant and emotionally raw. “Rapunzel” is the type of character you immediately bring into your heart. Her humor, courage and intelligence will resonate with the reader.

Find Letters from Rapunzel at your local library.

by: Jerry Spinelli - (Joanna Cotler Books, 2002) 218 pages.

It’s moving, funny, lyrical and has powerful appeal. There is so much to discuss here that a family, or a class, could spend days talking it over, which is why it is already a favorite with discussion groups. Two of the biggest topics are what it means to be human and what it means to grow up. Try combining it with a movie about growing up, such as Wide Awake , or one about not growing up, such as Peter Pan .

Find Loser at your local library.

Paint the Wind

by: Pam Munoz Ryan - (Scholastic Press, 2007) 327 pages.

Uniquely told by weaving together the adventures of 11-year-old Maya with those of Artemisia, a wild horse in the remote Wyoming wilderness, this is a beautiful coming-of-age story about relationships and making tough decisions. With the death of her grandmother, Maya is thrust into a totally foreign lifestyle. Accustomed to a rigid and formal urban household, Maya suddenly finds herself on a rural ranch surrounded by loving and caring people. Artemisia, who runs in a herd near Maya’s new home, is also forced into a new situation when a horse round-up separates her from the rest of her herd. Discovering one another, the two develop a bond that will be tested under severe conditions. The addition of a glossary and a list of websites dealing with the subject of wild horses in America make this a must-read for any horse lover.

Perfect for: Kids who love horses.

Find Paint the Wind at your local library.

Please Write in This Book

by: Mary Amato , illustrated by: Eric Brace - (Holiday House, 2006) 97 pages.

Ms. Wurtz hides a book in the writer’s corner, inviting her students to write on its blank pages. Conversations, pictures, charts and stories find their way into it.

Find Please Write in This Book at your local library.

The Quiltmaker’s Gift

by: Jeff Brumbeau , illustrated by: Gail de Marcken - (Scholastic Press, 2000) 56 pages.

This beautifully written and illustrated book will appeal to a wide range of ages. Its story of materialism verses charity addresses the value of giving and encourages children to reach out to help others. The story of a greedy king and the lesson he learns helps children get perspective on what is important.

Find The Quiltmaker’s Gift at your local library.

The Quiltmaker’s Journey

by: Jeff Brumbeau , illustrated by: Gail de Marcken - (Orchard Books, 2005) 56 pages.

A prequel to The Quiltmaker’s Gift. The vivid, intricately designed watercolor illustrations add drama and life to the story of a young wealthy child who, one night, steps out of a walled city to find the world beyond. She becomes a quiltmaker after her elders reject her idea of helping the needy. Another poignant message for children of all ages.

Find The Quiltmaker’s Journey at your local library.

The Rag Coat

by: Lauren Mills - (Little, Brown Young Readers, 1991) 32 pages.

This is a heartwarming story of how a community comes together to help Minna, a little girl who so badly wants to attend school, but has no coat. The story deals with death and poverty in a real and positive way with a loving solution. It’s a sweet, sober tale about love and goodwill.

Find The Rag Coat at your local library.

Thunder Rose

by: Jerdine Nolen , illustrated by: Kadir Nelson - (Harcourt Brace, 2003) 32 pages.

Nolen and Nelson give us a spunky cowgirl heroine of the West who names herself Thunder Rose. Rose is resourceful and fearless, and no challenge defeats her, not stampeding cattle, drought, tornadoes, hooligans nor desperadoes. With a sweet disposition, sassy pigtails and a ‘can do’ attitude, Rose’s story stretches both the imagination and the vocabulary.

Find Thunder Rose at your local library.

Amelia to Zora: Twenty-six Women Who Changed the World

by: Cynthia Chin-Lee , illustrated by: Megan Halsey and Sean Addy - (Charlesbridge Publishing, 2005) 32 pages.

The author creates an alphabet book using the first names of the 26 women who have made impressive contributions to the world. The women came from different ethnic groups and countries.

Perfect for: Kids who like to read about real people.

Find Amelia to Zora: Twenty-six Women Who Changed the World at your local library.

Author: A True Story

by: Helen Lester - (Houghton Mifflin/Walter Lorraine Books, 1997) 32 pages.

Author Helen Lester writes a humorous tale about her life from age three to adulthood. She describes how she became a writer, citing her achievements and challenges, including overcoming dyslexia, along the way. This cheerful book will inspire the writer within your child.

Find Author: A True Story at your local library.

Bill Peet: An Autobiography

by: Bill Peet - (Houghton Mifflin Children's Books, 1989) 189 pages.

Bill Peet, a former Disney illustrator, shares his life story in this book. Written as a simple children’s story, this irresistible autobiography boasts lots of funny drawings, including favorite Disney characters.

Find Bill Peet: An Autobiography at your local library.

Clean Sea: Story of Rachel Carson

by: Carol Hilgartner Schlank and Barbara Metzger , illustrated by: David Katz - (Cascade Pass, 1995) 38 pages.

Rachel Carson has long been considered the original environmentalist. Her publication of Silent Spring in the 1960s was the impetus for President Kennedy to call for a scientific study of the questions she raised about the environment. Here now we have an accessible, empowering biography of this unsung heroine for boys and girls that care about the environment. Included are several lesson plans, as well as recommended reading on steps to save the environment. A DVD entitled Cartoon Sea stresses the importance of keeping oceans free from pollution.

Find Clean Sea: Story of Rachel Carson at your local library.

Houdini: World’s Greatest Mystery Man and Escape King

by: Kathleen Krull , illustrated by: Eric Velasquez - (Walker and Company, 2005) 28 pages.

In this picture book biography of the magician Harry Houdini (born Erik Weiss), the author emphasizes the qualities of perseverance, dedication and a commitment to self-improvement that made Houdini so successful. Even as a young boy he was performing a trapeze act in his backyard for paying audiences, billing himself as “Prince of the Air.” Interspersed throughout the book are presentations of his most famous and amazing performances, narrated by a costumed master of ceremonies with the readers cast as audience members. This would be the perfect book for kids fascinated by all things magical.

Find Houdini: World’s Greatest Mystery Man and Escape King at your local library.

Leonardo da Vinci

by: Diane Stanley - (Morrow Junior Books, 1996) 44 pages.

The picture-book format and outstanding illustrations make it highly appealing for children. The text is friendly and loaded with interesting details about the subject.

Find Leonardo da Vinci at your local library.

Reaching for the Moon

by: Buzz Aldrin , illustrated by: Wendell Minor - (HarperCollins, 2005) 40 pages.

Buzz Aldrin, the second man to walk on the moon, writes this autobiographical work as page-long vignettes of highlights from his life. He writes about how he got his unusual nickname (from his sister), his favorite movie hero (the Lone Ranger), how he almost drowned one summer, his military life, and his training and missions as an astronaut. The beautiful paintings that illustrate the book add to the appeal, especially the images of Aldrin’s space flights. Aldrin closes his book with an inspirational message to young readers: “If you set your sights high, you may accomplish more than you ever dreamed was possible.” This would be the perfect choice for aspiring young astronauts.

Find Reaching for the Moon at your local library.

So You Want to Be an Explorer?

by: Judith St. George , illustrated by: David Small - (Philomel, 2005) 56 pages.

From Buzz Aldrin to Charles Yeager, Caldecott award winners Judith St. George and David Small take us on a fun romp through the excellent discoveries (and great mishaps) of the great and infamous explorers of the world.

Find So You Want to Be an Explorer? at your local library.

The Tree of Life: A Book Depicting the Life of Charles Darwin: Naturalist, Geologist & Thinker

by: Peter Sis - (Farrar Straus & Giroux, 2003) 32 pages.

For just the right child between the ages of 8 and 12 this book will be a treasure trove, but many children may need a bit of parental help to make sense of the book’s design and give a context for the bountiful amount of information. Some of the exquisitely drawn illustrations are small and subtle in meaning, and the typeface used in the illustrations could be challenging for young readers as well. The subject matter of the biography will be of interest to adult as well as child readers, and this book might best be enjoyed in a joint first reading.

Find The Tree of Life: A Book Depicting the Life of Charles Darwin: Naturalist, Geologist & Thinker at your local library.

Where Was Patrick Henry on the 29th of May?

by: Jean Fritz , illustrated by: Margot Tomes - (Penguin Putnam, 1975) 48 pages.

This is a fast-paced account of one of America’s most influential statesmen. Patrick Henry’s childhood and career are described in simple sentences, using a clever plot device (the date in the title); both the black-and-white and color illustrations are very simple.

Find Where Was Patrick Henry on the 29th of May? at your local library.

Who Was Harry Houdini?

by: Tui Sutherland , illustrated by: John O'Brien - (Grosset & Dunlap, 2002) 112 pages.

This is an excellent series of biographies and includes books on Benjamin Franklin, Harriet Tubman and Leonardo da Vinci. Written in a fun, conversational style that grabs even the most reluctant reader!

Find Who Was Harry Houdini? at your local library.

Ice-Cream Cones for Sale

by: Elaine Greenstein - (Arthur A. Levine Books, 2003) 32 pages.

In spring our thoughts turn to flowers, baseball, and ICE CREAM! With winter’s chill a memory, the lines at the local Dairy Queen appear over night and everyone is ready for that first, delicious chocolate-dipped ice cream cone. In an excellent informational book, Greenstein uses careful research to answer the question, “Who was that sainted person who invented the ice cream cone?” We know ice cream cones first appeared nationally at the St. Louis World’s Fair in 1904. But there were over fifty ice cream sellers and dozens of waffle makers, so who put the two together? Five men and one woman claim they were the first to combine tasty waffles, shaped into a cone, with yummy ice cream. But the frozen delight honor goes to Italo Marchiony, an Italian immigrant who was selling ice cream cones from a push cart on the streets of New York in 1895. No one knows for sure how he came up with the idea of an edible cone to replace glass dishes, but it’s a mystery worth pondering, while licking that perfect ice cream cone, of course.

Find Ice-Cream Cones for Sale at your local library.

So You Want to Be President?

by: Judith St. George , illustrated by: David Small - (Philomel Books, 2000) 56 pages.

Books about the presidents are usually boring, but not this one. This is a lighthearted look at the presidency, including the ages, looks, backgrounds, occupations, pets, favorite sports and personalities of the men who’ve lived in the White House. St. George outlines the positive points about being president (big house with its own swimming pool, bowling alley and movie theater) and negative points (having to dress up, never get to go anywhere alone and lots of homework). David Small’s cartoon-style illustrations add to the fun. The book concludes with the oath of office, and there is an appended list of brief biographical sketches of each of the presidents. This would be a timely read with the presidential race that’s already beginning.

Perfect for: Kids who like history.

Find So You Want to Be President? at your local library.

What If You Met a Pirate?

by: Jan Adkins - (Roaring Brook Press, 2004) 32 pages.

Every pirate myth and fact is chronicled in detail in Adkins’ meticulously illustrated informational text. Real pirates weren’t flashy dressers, seldom carried pistols, swords, or cutlasses, did wear earrings, and were experts with a needle and thread. Furthermore, rats and lice and the threat of a bath were greater enemies than the British Navy. Readers will learn about grog, hardtack, buccaneers, the dead man’s chest, and who Blackbeard was in this outstanding book that really is a treasure.

Find What If You Met a Pirate? at your local library.

Easy to Be Green: Simple Activities You Can Do to Save the Earth

by: Ellie O'Ryan , illustrated by: Ivanke & Lola - (Simon Scribbles, 2009) 32 pages.

What can kids do to protect the environment? A lot! Easy to Be Green is filled with simple eco-friendly tips and activities children can try at home. A perfect way to make the concept of green living accessible and fun.

Perfect for: Kids who like science and nature.

Find Easy to Be Green: Simple Activities You Can Do to Save the Earth at your local library.

Garbage and Recycling (Young Discoverers: Environmental Facts and Experiments)

by: Rosie Harlow and Sally Morgan - (Kingfisher, 1995) 32 pages.

Part of Kingfisher’s wonderful Young Discoverers series, Garbage and Recycling illustrates the difference between biodegradable and nonbiodegradable garbage. Explanations of how glass, metal and wool can be easily recycled; “how can I help?” sections; and lots of tips will inspire your child to be a young environmentalist who wants to recycle at home.

Find Garbage and Recycling (Young Discoverers: Environmental Facts and Experiments) at your local library.

Living Color

by: Steve Jenkins - (Houghton Mifflin, 2007) 32 pages.

This book examines how the amazing range of colors in the animal world works to help animals survive in their natural habitats. Animals use color to attract a mate, lure prey, camouflage themselves or startle enemies. Organized by colors, the book is illustrated by Jenkins’ signature torn- and cut-paper illustrations of each animal, with a short paragraph explaining how color works for that species. Additional information about animal coloration and the particular species pictured is found at the end of the book. This book is a visual treat, as well as fascinating reading for young naturalists.

Find Living Color at your local library.

Polar Bears and the Arctic (Magic Tree House Research Guides)

by: Mary Pope Osborne - (Random House, 2007) 119 pages.

In this nonfiction companion to Polar Bears Past Bedtime, the Magic Tree House characters Jack and Annie take their readers on a chilly journey to the Arctic as they find out what it’s really like to live there. The familiar twosome cover a lot of ground – landscape, animals, the lives and cultures of native people, and the effects of global warming. The style — narrative with a healthy smattering of illustrations, photos and weird facts — will easily hold a young reader’s attention.

Find Polar Bears and the Arctic (Magic Tree House Research Guides) at your local library.

by: Seymour Simon - (Morrow Junior Books, 1989) 32 pages.

Brilliant full-color photographs of thunderstorms, hailstorms, tornadoes and hurricanes accompany the factual text of this beautiful informational book. Simon carefully explains how storms form and describes the havoc they wreak on humans who are still fascinated with the power of weather. Simon includes not only what we do know, but also what we don’t, in a book that sheds light on all those mysterious symbols, diagrams and maps on the weather channel.

Find Storms at your local library.

365 Ways to Live Green for Kids: Saving the Environment at Home, School, or at Play — Every Day!

by: Sheri Amsel - (Adams Media, 2009) 224 pages.

As more parents realize the importance of teaching their children about green living, the need for everyday, eco-friendly lessons grows. With activities for home and school and during playtime, 365 Ways shows how easy and fun it is to prepare your kids for a better future.

Find 365 Ways to Live Green for Kids: Saving the Environment at Home, School, or at Play — Every Day! at your local library.

The Story of Kwanzaa

by: Donna L. Washington , illustrated by: Stephen Taylor - (HarperTrophy, 1997) 40 pages.

Learn about the origins of Kwanzaa. The seven principles or beliefs of the holiday are explained in detail and accompanied by lovely illustrations. Recipes and crafts ideas are also included.

Find The Story of Kwanzaa at your local library.

Hey Batta Batta Swing! The Wild Old Days of Baseball

by: Sally Cook and James Charlton , illustrated by: Ross MacDonald - (M.K. McElderry Books, 2007) 48 pages.

Who can resist the title of this book? Certainly not young baseball fans who will delight in this comical history of the great American pastime. Readers learn tantalizing tidbits about the history of the game, like the facts that in the early days teams had no specific uniforms and that base running was once a contact sport. The amusing illustrations add to the fun, and colorful baseball slang is defined in page margins.

Find Hey Batta Batta Swing! The Wild Old Days of Baseball at your local library.

Ultimate Chess

by: Jon Tremaine - (Scholastic Inc., 2006) 48 pages.

Opening this 8-by-8-inch book reveals a magnetic chess board on the inside back cover, so all the lessons can be played as they’re read. Forty-seven spiral-bound pages contain valuable lessons: names and images of the playing pieces, the set-up, how each piece moves, castling, how a pawn becomes a queen, check, checkmate, notation (so you can keep track of both players’ moves), relative strength of the pieces, classic game openings, attacks and defenses. Finally all the lessons are put to use in the playing of two complete games. The first is a 20-move game with comments on the reasons for certain moves; next is the analysis of an actual 45-turn game played by two grand masters.

Perfect for: Kids who like sports and games.

Find Ultimate Chess at your local library.

Charlie and the Chocolate Factory

by: Roald Dahl - (A.A. Knopf, 1964) 180 pages.

The hook: Willie Wonka’s chocolate factory invites five lucky lottery winners to tour the facility and observe its amazing secrets. Four of the visiting children are nasty brats who will get exactly what they deserve. Only Charlie is worthy. Wild, hysterical, irreverent but ethical — it’s a classic modern fable that ridicules greed.

Want to see the movie? Kids may be more drawn to the chaotic, colorful 2005 adaptation starring Johnny Depp, but the original Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory (1971), which was written by Dahl himself, is a gentler take that still stands up today.

Find  Charlie and the Chocolate Factory at your local library.

The Nature Treasury: A First Look at the Natural World

by: Lizann Flatt - (Owlkids Books, 2005) 48 pages.

Answering your youngster’s questions about plants, animals, water, and just about anything else having to do with nature is easy with this reference book in hand. Broken up into 22 sections, The Nature Treasury covers topics like “How animals grow,” “Soil up close,” and “What animals eat.” With double-page spreads depicting ecosystems ranging from savannas to tundras, this book will have kids searching the panoramas for the animals that live there. Large labeled ovals with the animals superimposed on them act as guides, so children can scan the scenes to find where the sea stars are hiding in the coral reef or the sidewinder in the desert. Children will be enchanted by the lush illustrations.

Perfect for: Kids who are curious — and parents who don’t know all the answers!

Find The Nature Treasury: A First Look at the Natural World at your local library.

The Magician’s Elephant

by: Kate DiCamillo , illustrated by: Yoko Tanaka - (Candlewick Press, 2009) 224 pages.

Gargoyles, illusionists, an elephant that falls from the sky when a magician’s trick fails, and a 10-year-old orphan comprise the cast of characters for Kate DiCamillo’s novel. Full of magical events and narrated in an equally captivating voice, this tale of hope, darkness, and illusion is brought to life by Yoko Tanaka’s haunting black-and-white artwork. All in all, it would be hard to go wrong with this book. Find The Magician’s Elephant at your local library.

by: Lloyd Alexander - (Puffin, 1963) 240 pages.

In Time Cat , a young boy discovers that his cat, instead of having nine lives, has the ability to travel through time nine times. Thus begins their adventures. One parent writes, “My then-fourth-grade son loved Time Cat. He’s not a reader but couldn’t put this book down.” Find Time Cat at your local library.

Cloudy With a Chance of Meatballs

by: Judi Barrett , illustrated by: Ron Barrett - (Atheneum Books for Young Readers, 1978) 32 pages.

Residents of the remarkable town of Chewandswallow don’t have normal weather like rain, wind, and snow. Instead they get food falling from the sky three times a day, at breakfast, lunch, and dinner. It might be mashed potatoes, soup, pancakes, or hamburgers! But when the portions start getting larger, the town can’t keep up with the flood of food and something has to be done. Get ready to giggle at the absurd text and detailed illustrations. This 1978 story is a fun read-aloud for all ages and a good challenge for young readers.

Want to see the movie? The 2009 animated film takes the book’s idea of food-filled weather and runs with it.

Perfect for: Kids with a silly sense of humor.

Find Cloudy With a Chance of Meatballs at your local library.

Hotel for Dogs

by: Lois Duncan - (Scholastic, 2008) 178 pages.

A whimsical tale about a brother and sister who, out of their love for dogs, turn an abandoned house into a hotel for strays. Find Hotel for Dogs at your local library.

The Stories Julian Tells

by: Ann Cameron - (Random House, 1981) 80 pages.

Julian loves to make up tall tales and make his little brother, Huey, believe them. Each chapter in this wonderful early-reader’s chapter book is an individual story and makes for a great introduction to the concept of short stories in general. The tales are imaginative, fun and a great depiction of a loving family in everyday situations. The bite-size length of the chapters keeps the book from feeling overwhelming for a young reader.

Perfect for: Kids who like classics.

Find The Stories Julian Tells at your local library.

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Book Review Writing Examples

Examples: learn from the efforts of others.

Learning how to write strong reviews takes time and not a little effort. Reading the reviews others have done can help you get a feel for the flow and flavor of reviews.

If I Never Forever Endeavor Review by Hayden, age 4, Southeast Michigan Mensa

This book was about a bird who didn't yet know how to fly.

The bird has to decide if it will try to fly, but it was not sure if it wants to. The bird thought, "If I never forever endeavor" then I won't ever learn. On one wing, he worries he might fail and on the other wing he thinks of how he may succeed. He worries that if he tries, he may get lost in the world. That makes him want to stay in his nest where he's safe.

I think this book would help other children to learn that trying new things can be scary, but sometimes when we try, we can find things that make us happy too. And this book will help others know that mistakes are okay and part of learning.

My favorite part is that the bird tried and learned that she could fly. I also liked that I read this book because it gave me a chance to talk to mom about making mistakes and how I don't like making them. Then I learned they are good and part of learning.

Boys and girls who are 3 to 8 years old would like this book because it teaches about trying a new thing and how it's important to get past being scared so you can learn new things.

I give the book 5 stars since I think it's important for other children to learn about courage.

Flesh & Blood So Cheap Review by Umar B., age 8, Central New Jersy Mensa

I liked this book. People who are interested in national disasters and US history as well as immigration will most probably be interested in reading this book.

Readers can gain knowledge of what it was like to work in New York City in the early 1900s. One of the things that was especially interesting was that there were no safety laws at work. Also, there was a big contrast between the rich and the poor. Some people may not like this book because it is very depressing, but it is an important event in history to remember.

This book was very well written. It has black and white photos along with descriptions of the photos. These photos give us a better idea of what people's lives were like. This book is suitable for 9-20 year olds.

I give this book 5 stars.

Galaxy Zach: Journey to Juno Review by Young Mensan Connor C., age 6, Boston Mensa

Journey To Juno is the second book of the Galaxy Zack series. It is just as good as the first one. It's awesome!

Zack joins the Sprockets Academy Explorers Club at school. They fly on a special trip to Juno, a new planet no one has ever visited. Zack gets paired up with Seth, the class bully, and that's dreadful but Zack is excited when he finds a huge galaxy gemmite. A gemmite that large had not been found in 100 years! Kids will love this book!

Boys and girls will both like it. It's an easy chapter book with pictures on every page. I love the illustrations. I think ages 6-8 would like this but younger kids would like the story being read to them.

My favorite parts are the galactic blast game (it is similar to baseball except there are robots playing), recess at Zack's school where everything is 3-D holographic images, the rainbow river in a crystal cave on Juno, and the galaxy gemmite that Zack finds on Juno. I also loved when a life-size holographic image of his Earth friend appears in Zack's room because he calls him on a hyperphone. I give this book one hundred stars! There is a "to be continued" at the end so you have to read the next book see what's in store. I can't wait to find out what happens!!!

I Capture the Castle Review by Lauren W., age 17, Mensa in Georgia

Dodie Smith's novel I Capture the Castle is a journey through the mind of a young writer as she attempts to chronicle her daily life. Seventeen-year-old Cassandra Mortmain has recently learned to speed-write, and she decides to work on her writing skills by describing the actions and conversations of those around her.

Cassandra lives in a fourteenth-century English castle with an interesting cast of characters: her beautiful older sister, Rose; her rather unsociable author father and his second wife, artist-model Topaz; Stephen, the garden boy; a cat and a bull terrier; and sometimes her brother Thomas when he is home from school. One fateful day they make the acquaintance of the Cotton family, including the two sons, and a web of tangled relationships ensues.

While I definitely recommend this book to other readers, I would recommend it to older teenagers, mainly because it will resonate better with them. The writing is tame enough that younger teens could also read it, but most of the characters are adults or on the verge of adulthood. Older readers would take the most from it since they can not only relate, but they may also better pick up on and appreciate Cassandra's sometimes subtle humor.

Over the course of the novel, Cassandra undergoes a definite transformation from child to mature young adult, even though it's only over the course of several months. I love that I could see into her mindset and read exactly what she was feeling when she thought out situations. Her thoughts flowed well and moved the book along very quickly.

Cassandra's narrative voice is wonderful. She is serious at times, but also very witty, which makes for an engaging read. It feels absolutely real, as though I'm reading someone's actual journal. Sometimes I forget that I am reading a story and not a real-life account. Her emotions and the dialogue are so genuine, and they are spot-on for a seventeen-year-old girl in her situation.

Cassandra has many wonderful insights on life, on topics ranging from writing to faith to matters of the heart. I personally have had some of the same thoughts as Cassandra, except Ms. Smith was able to put them into words.

Capture the Castle should be essential reading for aspiring writers, those looking for historical fiction or romance, or anyone who loves reading amazing classic books. Dodie Smith is an exceptional writer, and I Capture the Castle is a book that will never become obsolete.

Frankenstein's Cat Review by Zander H., age 12, Mid-America Mensa

I appreciated Frankenstein's Cat for its fascinating explanation about the often baffling subject of bioengineering and its sister sciences. Emily Anthes explains the many sides of today's modern technology, such as gene modification, cloning, pharmaceutical products (from the farm), prosthesis, animal tag and tracking and gene cryogenics. This book provides a well-rounded summary of these complicated sciences without being boring or simply factual. Her real world examples take us on a journey from the farm, to the pet store and then from the pharmacy to the frozen arc.

Have you ever wondered if the neighborhood cat is spying on you? Read about Operation Acoustic Kitty and find out if this feline fantasy fiction or fact. Do you think bugs are creepy? What about a zombified cyborg beetle? Is Fido so special that you want two of him? Money can buy you an almost exact copy of your pooch BUT don't expect the same personality. Emily Anthes makes you crave more information. She makes you want to know the future of Earth's flora and fauna, as well as humanity itself.

I would highly recommend this book to anyone who desires a guide to the future of biological science and technology. Frankenstein's Cat is best read by the light of a glow-in-the-dark fish, while cuddling your favorite cloned dog and drinking a glass of genetically modified milk.

About Marsupials Review by Connor C., age 6, Boston Mensa

About Marsupials is the title so the book is about...marsupials, of course. It's non-fiction. I really think everyone would like the book. I think someone who likes animals would especially like to read it.

The glossary of facts in the back of About Marsupials is the most useful part. I thought the most interesting parts were that some marsupials have their pouch at their back legs and one marsupial, the Yellow-footed Rock Wallaby, is very small but can jump 13 feet wide!

Kids in the 4-8 age range would like this book. Even though it's not a story book, 4 year olds would like the few words on each page and they would love the beautiful pictures. But older kids would like it because of all the facts in the back of the book. There's a lot of information for each animal. I think boys and girls (and parents) would enjoy reading it. This book is very interesting. I give it 4 stars.

Mapping the World Review by Umar A., age 10, Central New Jersey Mensa

Every day, people around the world use maps. Whether it is an airplane pilot or businessman, housewife or museum group, maps have always and will continue to provide useful information for all.

Mapping the World talks about the uses of maps, as well as how to differentiate between the type of map projection and type of map.

In this series, we travel to the past and learn about historical mapmakers, from Claudius Ptolemy (who stated the idea that the Earth is at the center of the universe) to Gerardus Mercator (who created one of the most widely used map projections) and more. This series goes into tremendous detail on the cartographer's life and maps. We then journey to the present era to learn about map projections and the diverse types of maps used today. You might ask, "What is the difference between the two? They sound the same to me." No map projection is perfect, because you cannot really flatten a sphere into a rectangle. An uncolored projection could be used in many ways. We could use it for population concentration, highways, land elevation, and so many other things!

For example, we could make a topographic map of the U.S., which shows land elevation. We could make it a colorful map that shows the amount of pollution in different areas, or it could be a population map, or it could even be a map that shows the 50 states, their capitals and borders! Our last step in this amazing excursion is the near future, where we see some hypothetical solutions as to what maps will be used for. Currently, we are working on better virtual map technology.

Now, scientists have been able to put maps on phones. Back in the early 1900s, people had to lug a lot of maps around to find your way from place to place, or just keep asking for directions. Now, all the information is on a phone or global positioning system (GPS). It is amazing how much maps have changed technology and the world in this century.

The Mapping the World 8-book set goes into amazing levels of detail. It is a long read, but it gives an immense range and amount of information that you would not find in any other book or series on maps. The flowing way the chapters and books are organized makes it easy to link passages from different books in this series together. Mapping the World is a treasure box, filled with the seeds of cartography. Collect and plant them, and you soon will have the fruits of cartography, beneficial to those who want to be cartographers. Use this series to the utmost, then the fruits of mapping will be sweet for all who endeavor to succeed in cartography.

This series of lessons was designed to meet the needs of gifted children for extension beyond the standard curriculum with the greatest ease of use for the educator. The lessons may be given to the students for individual self-guided work, or they may be taught in a classroom or a home-school setting. Assessment strategies and rubrics are included at the end of each section. The rubrics often include a column for "scholar points," which are invitations for students to extend their efforts beyond that which is required, incorporating creativity or higher level technical skills.

How to Write a Book Review: The Ultimate Guide

WHAT IS A BOOK REVIEW?

Traditionally, book reviews are evaluations of a recently published book in any genre. Usually, around the 500 to 700-word mark, they briefly describe a text’s main elements while appraising the work’s strengths and weaknesses. Published book reviews can appear in newspapers, magazines, and academic journals. They provide the reader with an overview of the book itself and indicate whether or not the reviewer would recommend the book to the reader.

WHAT IS THE PURPOSE OF A BOOK REVIEW?

There was a time when book reviews were a regular appearance in every quality newspaper and many periodicals. They were essential elements in whether or not a book would sell well. A review from a heavyweight critic could often be the deciding factor in whether a book became a bestseller or a damp squib. In the last few decades, however, the book review’s influence has waned considerably, with many potential book buyers preferring to consult customer reviews on Amazon, or sites like Goodreads, before buying. As a result, book review’s appearance in newspapers, journals, and digital media has become less frequent.

WHY BOTHER TEACHING STUDENTS TO WRITE BOOK REVIEWS AT ALL?

Even in the heyday of the book review’s influence, few students who learned the craft of writing a book review became literary critics! The real value of crafting a well-written book review for a student does not lie in their ability to impact book sales. Understanding how to produce a well-written book review helps students to:

●     Engage critically with a text

●     Critically evaluate a text

●     Respond personally to a range of different writing genres

●     Improve their own reading, writing, and thinking skills.

Not to Be Confused with a Book Report!

WHAT’S THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN A BOOK REVIEW AND A BOOK REPORT?

While the terms are often used interchangeably, there are clear differences in both the purpose and the format of the two genres. Generally speaking, book reports aim to give a more detailed outline of what occurs in a book. A book report on a work of fiction will tend to give a comprehensive account of the characters, major plot lines, and themes in the book. Book reports are usually written around the K-12 age range, while book reviews tend not to be undertaken by those at the younger end of this age range due to the need for the higher-level critical skills required in writing them. At their highest expression, book reviews are written at the college level and by professional critics.

Learn how to write a book review step by step with our complete guide for students and teachers by familiarizing yourself with the structure and features.

BOOK REVIEW STRUCTURE

ANALYZE Evaluate the book with a critical mind.

THOROUGHNESS The whole is greater than the sum of all its parts. Review the book as a WHOLE.

COMPARE Where appropriate compare to similar texts and genres.

THUMBS UP OR DOWN? You are going to have to inevitably recommend or reject this book to potential readers.

BE CONSISTENT Take a stance and stick with it throughout your review.

FEATURES OF A BOOK REVIEW

PAST TENSE You are writing about a book you have already read.

EMOTIVE LANGUAGE Whatever your stance or opinion be passionate about it. Your audience will thank you for it.

VOICE Both active and passive voice are used in recounts.

A COMPLETE UNIT ON REVIEW AND ANALYSIS OF TEXTS

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ELEMENTS OF A BOOK REVIEW

As with any of the writing genres we teach our students, a book review can be helpfully explained in terms of criteria. While there is much to the ‘art’ of writing, there is also, thankfully, a lot of the nuts and bolts that can be listed too. Have students consider the following elements before writing:

●     Title: Often, the title of the book review will correspond to the title of the text itself, but there may also be some examination of the title’s relevance. How does it fit into the purpose of the work as a whole? Does it convey a message or reveal larger themes explored within the work?

●     Author: Within the book review, there may be some discussion of who the author is and what they have written before, especially if it relates to the current work being reviewed. There may be some mention of the author’s style and what they are best known for. If the author has received any awards or prizes, this may also be mentioned within the body of the review.

●     Genre: A book review will identify the genre that the book belongs to, whether fiction or nonfiction, poetry, romance, science-fiction, history etc. The genre will likely tie in, too with who the intended audience for the book is and what the overall purpose of the work is.

●     Book Jacket / Cover: Often, a book’s cover will contain artwork that is worthy of comment. It may contain interesting details related to the text that contribute to, or detract from, the work as a whole.

●     Structure: The book’s structure will often be heavily informed by its genre. Have students examine how the book is organized before writing their review. Does it contain a preface from a guest editor, for example? Is it written in sections or chapters? Does it have a table of contents, index, glossary etc.? While all these details may not make it into the review itself, looking at how the book is structured may reveal some interesting aspects.

●     Publisher and Price: A book review will usually contain details of who publishes the book and its cost. A review will often provide details of where the book is available too.

BOOK REVIEW KEY ELEMENTS

As students read and engage with the work they will review, they will develop a sense of the shape their review will take. This will begin with the summary. Encourage students to take notes during the reading of the work that will help them in writing the summary that will form an essential part of their review. Aspects of the book they may wish to take notes on in a work of fiction may include:

●     Characters: Who are the main characters? What are their motivations? Are they convincingly drawn? Or are they empathetic characters?

●     Themes: What are the main themes of the work? Are there recurring motifs in the work? Is the exploration of the themes deep or surface only?

●     Style: What are the key aspects of the writer’s style? How does it fit into the wider literary world?

●     Plot: What is the story’s main catalyst? What happens in the rising action? What are the story’s subplots? 

A book review will generally begin with a short summary of the work itself. However, it is important not to give too much away, remind students – no spoilers, please! For nonfiction works, this may be a summary of the main arguments of the work, again, without giving too much detail away. In a work of fiction, a book review will often summarise up to the rising action of the piece without going beyond to reveal too much!

The summary should also provide some orientation for the reader. Given the nature of the purpose of a review, it is important that students’ consider their intended audience in the writing of their review. Readers will most likely not have read the book in question and will require some orientation. This is often achieved through introductions to the main characters, themes, primary arguments etc. This will help the reader to gauge whether or not the book is of interest to them.

Once your student has summarized the work, it is time to ‘review’ in earnest. At this point, the student should begin to detail their own opinion of the book. To do this well they should:

i. Make It Personal

Often when teaching essay writing we will talk to our students about the importance of climbing up and down the ladder of abstraction. Just as it is helpful to explore large, more abstract concepts in an essay by bringing it down to Earth, in a book review, it is important that students can relate the characters, themes, ideas etc to their own lives.

Book reviews are meant to be subjective. They are opinion pieces, and opinions grow out of our experiences of life. Encourage students to link the work they are writing about to their own personal life within the body of the review. By making this personal connection to the work, students contextualize their opinions for the readers and help them to understand whether the book will be of interest to them or not in the process.

ii. Make It Universal

Just as it is important to climb down the ladder of abstraction to show how the work relates to individual life, it is important to climb upwards on the ladder too. Students should endeavor to show how the ideas explored in the book relate to the wider world. The may be in the form of the universality of the underlying themes in a work of fiction or, for example, the international implications for arguments expressed in a work of nonfiction.

iii. Support Opinions with Evidence

A book review is a subjective piece of writing by its very nature. However, just because it is subjective does not mean that opinions do not need to be justified. Make sure students understand how to back up their opinions with various forms of evidence, for example, quotations, statistics, and the use of primary and secondary sources.

EDIT AND REVISE YOUR BOOK REVIEW

As with any writing genre, encourage students to polish things up with review and revision at the end. Encourage them to proofread and check for accurate spelling throughout, with particular attention to the author’s name, character names, publisher etc. 

It is good practice too for students to double-check their use of evidence. Are statements supported? Are the statistics used correctly? Are the quotations from the text accurate? Mistakes such as these uncorrected can do great damage to the value of a book review as they can undermine the reader’s confidence in the writer’s judgement.

The discipline of writing book reviews offers students opportunities to develop their writing skills and exercise their critical faculties. Book reviews can be valuable standalone activities or serve as a part of a series of activities engaging with a central text. They can also serve as an effective springboard into later discussion work based on the ideas and issues explored in a particular book. Though the book review does not hold the sway it once did in the mind’s of the reading public, it still serves as an effective teaching tool in our classrooms today.

Teaching Resources

Use our resources and tools to improve your student’s writing skills through proven teaching strategies.

BOOK REVIEW GRAPHIC ORGANIZER (TEMPLATE)

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Book and Movie review writing examples (Student Writing Samples)

Below are a collection of student writing samples of book reviews.  Click on the image to enlarge and explore them in greater detail.  Please take a moment to both read the movie or book review in detail but also the teacher and student guides which highlight some of the key elements of writing a text review

Please understand these student writing samples are not intended to be perfect examples for each age or grade level but a piece of writing for students and teachers to explore together to critically analyze to improve student writing skills and deepen their understanding of book review writing.

We would recommend reading the example either a year above and below, as well as the grade you are currently working with to gain a broader appreciation of this text type .

BOOK REVIEW VIDEO TUTORIALS

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28 Chapter Books To Hook Third Graders

Engage and inspire young readers with these unforgettable titles.

As third graders develop more advanced reading skills, they unlock a whole new world of chapter books. With higher reading levels comes more opportunity for complex, entertaining stories that will captivate your students. We’ve compiled this list of must-read chapter books for third graders to engage your established readers or encourage those looking to get lost in a good book for the first time. Many of the books are longer with more mature content and honor the significant jump in reading skills from second to third grade. Get ready for intrigue and suspense in these page-turners! At the same time, explore friendship, family, and identity in these realistic stories with characters your students can see themselves in.

1. Dyamonde Daniel series by Nikki Grimes

Dyamonde is a spunky third grader who thinks “being mean is the most uncool thing in the universe.” In these dynamic and compelling chapter books for third graders, award-winning author Nikki Grimes writes stories about the challenges of growing up, like navigating feelings of jealousy, comparison, and trying to fit in. By working through tough situations, Dyamonde learns important life lessons about what it means to do the right thing.

Buy it: Dyamonde Daniel series

2. Stella Diaz series by Angela Dominguez

Readers will delight in the charismatic Stella Diaz. Based on author Angela Dominquez’s own experience as an immigrant in the United States, the series highlights relevant, complex challenges in an engaging narrative. Tackling topics like divorce and bullying, as well as struggling to learn English, these chapter books for third graders are a great choice for your classroom library. Carefully chosen Spanish words also enhance the realistic story.

Buy it: Stella Diaz series

3. Dragons in a Bag series by Zetta Elliott

We can’t get enough of this fantastical series. In the urban backdrop of Brooklyn, 9-year-old Jaxon discovers his so-called grandmother and neighbor is actually a witch, who entrusts him and his friends to help deliver dragons to a new home. Filled with magic and time travel, the series delivers an imaginative plot that still manages to be authentic and relatable.

Buy it: Dragons in a Bag series

4. Beatrice Zinker, Upside Down Thinker series by Shelley Johannes

Spunky third grader Beatrice sees things differently. Her challenges trying to fit in with friends at school and finding a place in her family will resonate with readers, while the humorous take will keep them wildly entertained. This quirky and endearing series reminds us how to be comfortable in our own skin and that it’s OK to be different—in fact, it’s something we should celebrate.

Buy it: Beatrice Zinker, Upside Down Thinker series

5. The Fantastic Frame series by Lin Oliver

Looking for a fast-paced adventure that instantly hooks your readers? Lin Oliver’s gripping series jumps right into the action. Ten-year-old Tiger loves science, but what happens to him when he visits his mysterious neighbor is too wild to be believed: He gets transported into a painting and is forced to escape from a hungry tiger. The first book ends on a cliffhanger that will leave your readers eager for more action and excitement in the next installments.

Buy it: Fantastic Frame series

6. Definitely Dominguita series by Terry Catasus Jennings

Meet Dominguita, a book-loving Cuban American who wants to prove to a school bully that girls can be knights too. Taking inspiration from Don Quixote, the clever plot showcases relatable characters who help Dom with her quest. Quietly determined and brave, she is a heroine your readers will want to get to know.

Buy it: Definitely Dominguita series

7. The Wild Robot series by Peter Brown

These one-of-a-kind chapter books for third graders are hugely popular for a reason. The futuristic tale features a robot, Roz, trying to survive on a wild island as she faces threats of extreme weather and dangerous animals. In order to survive, she must learn to adapt to her new environment. Short chapters move the compelling story along, making it a perfect choice for readers who are looking for their next adventure.

Buy it: The Wild Robot series

8. Unicorn Academy series by Julie Sykes

A unicorn for a best friend? Yes, please! In this delightfully sweet series, students and their own unicorns get to know each other as they go on magical adventures together. These entertaining chapter books for third graders offer plenty of imagination and fantasy, while also illustrating the realistic elements of friendship.

Buy it: Unicorn Academy series

9. Geronimo Stilton series by Geronimo Stilton

Geronimo Stilton, an author who runs a newspaper in New Mouse City, embarks on grand adventures with his sister, Thea, and their friends. Fast-paced plots keep readers coming back to this treasured collection. The colorful, eye-catching illustrations and creative use of fonts come together for a fun, lighthearted read.

Buy it: Geronimo Stilton series

10. Marya Khan series by Saadia Faruqi

Saadia Faruqi, author of the popular Yasmin series, which made our list of top second grade chapter books , has created another hit series for more advanced readers. Heartwarming and relatable, the story of Marya and her loving Pakistani American family is full of friendship woes and realistic challenges that any kid might face.

Buy it: Marya Khan series

11. The Mouse With the Question Mark Tail by Richard Peck

Fans of The Tale of Despereaux and The Mouse and the Motorcycle will love this endearing story of a mouse without a name. Unsure of where he came from, he is full of questions and desperate to find out the answers. After setting out to solve the mystery of his identity, the mouse embarks on grand adventures fit for royalty. Lovely, detailed illustrations accompany this wonderfully imaginative tale.

Buy it: The Mouse With the Question Mark Tail

12. The Unicorn Rescue Society series by Adam Gidwitz

Who wouldn’t want to be part of a secret society? And one that protects mythical creatures no less! This entertaining fantasy series explores important third grade experiences like friendship and finding courage with an inventive plot that will appeal to the reader’s imagination and engage them at every turn.

Buy it: The Unicorn Rescue Society series

13. Saving Winslow by Sharon Creech

Nobody believes the baby donkey Louie’s dad brings home will survive except for Louie. Newbery Medal winner Sharon Creech explores themes of hope, connection, and vulnerability in this beautiful story about a boy’s determination to keep his pet donkey alive. With beautiful prose and plenty of understated life wisdom woven throughout the heartwarming story, this book is a winner.

Buy it: Saving Winslow

14. Planet Omar series by Zanib Mian

We can’t say enough good things about these chapter books for third graders. While navigating life at a new school and being labeled as different, Omar uses his imagination to deal with everyday challenges and make sense of the world. Author Zanib Mian beautifully weaves in cultural elements, portraying the traditions and experience of a Muslim family while exploring themes of acceptance, friendship, and identity. Different fonts and sizes break up long chunks of text and keep the stories moving and engaging.

Buy it: Planet Omar series

15. Sideway Stories From Wayside School series by Louis Sachar

Hilarious and absurd, author Louis Sachar’s series about a school that was accidentally built sideways and 30 floors high is a hoot. While it may be completely wacky, the realistic elements about life at school keep it authentic and relevant. You won’t want to miss these unique chapter books for third graders!

Buy it: Sideways Stories From Wayside School series

16. A to Z Mysteries series by Ron Roy

This classic series is perfect for reluctant readers or those who are looking for shorter chapters with easier text. The wholesome adventures and mysteries are endlessly entertaining and hook readers from the very beginning. With 26 books to choose from, students can breeze through them all and try to solve each case before the characters do.

Buy it: A to Z Mysteries series

17. The Misadventures of the Family Fletcher series by Dana Alison Levy

Humorous and with huge heart, this two-book series is simply wonderful. With four boys in the Fletcher family who all have different interests and personalities, Dad and Papa have their hands full. These chapter books for third graders portray the realistic imperfections of family life and school, and illustrate how a strong familiar bond can get them through anything.

Buy it: The Misadventures of the Family Fletcher series  

18. Who Was …? series by various authors

Curious readers will devour these nonfiction titles. With more than 200 books to choose from in the prolific series, students can discover compelling biographies that suit their varying interests. Interesting anecdotes and detailed black-and-white illustrations make these famous thinkers, heroes, and changemakers engaging and approachable.

Buy it: Who Was …? series  

19. Dragonbreath series by Ursula Vernon

No matter how hard he tries, Danny just can’t breathe fire like all the other dragons. Along with his iguana best friend, Wendell, Danny goes on adventures to reptile school and beyond as he navigates not feeling he’s good enough and persevering through hard things. With appealing comic-book features combined with traditional text, these entertaining and clever books are as accessible as they are fun.

Buy it: Dragonbreath series  

20. The Magnificent Mya Tibbs series by Crystal Allen

Mya Tibbs is an energetic and endearing character your readers are sure to love. Entertaining and realistic, this charming series showcases the changing nature of friendship and relationships and what it takes to do the right thing.

Buy it: The Magnificent Mya Tibbs series

21. The Boxcar Children series by Gertrude Chandler Warner

While you may remember reading this classic as a kid, this series has truly stood the test of time. Hiding out in an abandoned boxcar, four orphaned siblings take care of one another. With simple text and accessible vocabulary, this series is great for readers who are looking for an engaging story but aren’t quite ready for more advanced books.

Buy it:  The Boxcar Children series

22. Pages and Co. series by Anna James

For more advanced third graders, this fast-paced series hits the mark. Part adventure and part mystery, these captivating chapter books for third graders feature storybook characters coming to life.

Buy it: Pages and Co. series

23. Daisy Dawson series by Steve Voake

Daisy Dawson can talk to animals—how cool is that?! Her skill comes in handy as she must help many different animal friends. A perfect fit for readers who are looking for more accessible text, this sweet series is compulsively readable. Animal lovers will delight in Daisy’s magical power.

Buy it: Daisy Dawson series

24. Humphrey series by Betty Birney

A lovable hamster and class pet named Humphrey narrates this series with surprising depth and heart. Spending each weekend at a different kid’s house, Humphrey gets to see and do it all. What a lucky hamster! With 13 books to choose from, readers will devour these as they get to know the one and only Humphrey.

Buy it: Humphrey series

25. Tales of Magic series by Edward Eager

Summer is shaping up to be extremely slow and boring for Jane and her siblings until Jane finds a magic coin that grants half their wishes, turning everything upside down. What happens when only half your wish comes true? Find out in these compelling and clever chapter books for third graders.

Buy it: Tales of Magic series

26. The Mysterious Makers of Shaker Street by Stacia Deutsch

Michael hears an unusual sound and enlists his neighbor friends to help him figure out what’s causing it. We love how readers can get involved in these fun, engaging mysteries. Follow along as these friends solve curious cases around their neighborhood.

Buy it: The Mysterious Makers of Shaker Street series

27. Otis Dooda series by Ellen Potter

Otis and his family experience many curious and strange things when they move to New York City. Based on the title, you might guess the tone of this book right away. And yes, it’s downright silly and appeals to kids’ sense of humor, but that’s why they will love these books.

Buy it: Otis Dooda series

28. Clementine series by Sara Pennypacker

Clementine is a precocious, energetic third-grader who is no stranger to getting in trouble. We love her spunk and attitude! Filled with hilarious adventures and relatable predicaments, this series will keep readers endlessly entertained.

Buy it: Clementine series

Want more recommendations for your classroom library? Subscribe to our newsletters to receive notifications when we post new ones!

Plus, check out this list for more book inspiration for third graders ., you might also like.

20 Fantastic Fourth Grade Chapter Books

Inspiring reads for a wonderful, diverse classroom library. Continue Reading

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Reading Middle Grade

Books for Kids and Grown Ups

Realistic Fiction for 3rd Graders

If you’ve been on the hunt for realistic fiction 3rd graders love, this is the list for you. Third graders are special because this is when many kids break into reading middle grade books. For this list, I’ve included several of my favorite young middle grade books perfect for advanced 2nd graders ( 2nd grade chapter books here ) and 3rd graders who love realistic fiction. You’ll find a healthy mix of classics and new releases to add to your lineup.

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Realistic Fiction Books for 3rd Graders

Here are 20 wonderful realistic fiction for 3rd graders:

This classic about a boy who won’t stop calling a pen a frindle is full of hijinks and the audiobook is funny beyond belief. Your kids will ask you to play this story of the boy who kept calling a pen a frindle until you’re sick of it. Such a fun, fun book! Great for introducing kids to chapter books and absolutely delightful!

Mr. Whiskers and the Shenanigan Sisters

Mr. Whiskers is a street-wise stray dog with a nose for trouble and a fondness for two girls he calls the Shenanigan Sisters. So when Misty and Zelda’s professor father is kidnapped, Mr. Whiskers follows that car, picking up vital clues. With the help of his street friends and the Shenanigan sisters, Mr. Whiskers leads the way to finding Mr. Shenanigan. I liked this better on audio and if your kids like gentle, quirky anima-led mysteries, they’ll enjoy this.

Ways to Make Sunshine

Ryan Hart and her family are going through many changes — new house, new baby, money struggles! Still, there are small joys. She doesn’t have to change schools and is still close enough to one of her best friends. With the new house and selling one of their cars, her parents can better deal with their financial struggles. Throughout this slice-of-life book, Ryan learns how to believe in herself, enjoy public speaking, be a bigger person, and love who she is. This is an absolutely delightful early middle-grade book with a memorable protagonist.

Link + Hud: Heroes by a Hair

Brothers Lincoln and Hudson Dupré are constantly pretending to be on one adventure or another–and destroying their home in the process. Until their parents get an experienced babysitter who wrangles both boys using unconventional methods–much to their dismay. Their plot to get rid of her yields unexpected results. This hilarious graphic novel-prose hybrid shows the brothers’ imaginations in panels and the real story as plain text with illustrations.

Just Harriet

Harriet’s mom is pregnant and has been placed on bed rest until the baby is born. Harriet, an energetic child, has been sent to Marble Island, where her grandmother lives and runs a bed and breakfast. She’s understandably frustrated and feeling abandoned by her parents. Thankfully, she takes her cat, Matzo Ball, with her. When she arrives at Marble Island, Harriet starts to learn more about her father’s childhood and discovers that they have more in common than she expects. Just Harriet is a charming, engaging chapter book/young middle grade book with a memorable, relatable protagonist.

Mindy Kim and the Yummy Seaweed Business

Mindy and her father have recently moved from the city to a suburb in Florida, where she is the only Asian girl in her school. Mindy wants to be liked at her new school. Things start to look up for Mindy when the kids try and love her seaweed snacks. At first, she starts a snack trade-off but later decides to start selling the snacks so she can save up money to buy a puppy. However, Mindy’s new business and friendship run into some problems along the way. This series provides much-needed Asian-American representation, much like the  Jasmine Toguchi  books. If you’re looking for a chapter book with a sweet protagonist  dealing with grief,   moving,  and fitting in with a new school crowd, this is your pick.

My Weird School #1: Miss Daisy Is Crazy! 

In the first My Weird School book ever, second-grade teacher Miss Daisy is in over her head at Ella Mentary School. She doesn’t even know how to add or subtract! But the students, like A.J. and his friends, have other things on their minds. Principal Klutz has promised their class that if they read a million pages in books, they can turn the school into a video-game arcade for one whole night! Perfect for reluctant readers and word lovers alike, Dan Gutman’s insanely popular My Weird School series has something for everyone.

The Un-Friendship Bracelet (Craftily Ever After Book 1)

This cute series about a group of friends who love crafts and all things DIY is perfect for little craft fiends who love books about friendship.

Twig and Turtle: Big Move to a Tiny House

Twig and Turtle are two sisters whose parents have just moved into a tiny house! The family has done some major downsizing — the kids even had to choose just five toys they could keep, and now they have to clean up after playing with their toys. Both girls are also adjusting to a new neighborhood and new school. This is a delightful start to a compelling new chapter book series featuring two sisters whose lives are changed by a move to a tiny house. It’s perfect for kids navigating a  move to another house , depicts a  positive sister relationship , and shows kids how to handle bullying at school.

Shermy and Shake

When a new kid comes to stay with his grandmother at the house next door, Shermy’s plans for a quiet, relaxing summer are completely upended. That’s because Shake is nothing like Shermy. And Shermy is nothing like Shake. Shermy likes to read quietly in the shade of a tree. He knows the proper way to do a puzzle. As the two boys are forced to spend more and more time together, will they learn how to get along? Or will it be one long countdown until Shake goes home?

Julia on the Go: Swimming into Trouble

Julia LOVES to swim and is excited to participate in Personal Best Day with her swim team. Unfortunately, she develops an ear infection and the doctor’s orders are clear: stay out of the water. But Julia won’t give up and tries several wacky ways to stop water from getting in her ears when she swims, with disappointing and hilarious results. Eventually, she learns there are different ways to be part of a team. I loved this chapter book, especially the depiction of Julia’s immigrant parents, their sushi shop, and Julia’s adventures in the library and with frenemies. It’s an excellent choice for older readers who want the comfort of pictures in their stories.

Ava Lin: Best Friend

This is a hilarious and adorable chapter book about 6-and-a-half-year-old Ava Lin and her exploits in the first grade, which involve finding treasures, a maybe-new best friend, and lots of “explanation points.” This one skews much younger and may appeal to kids who aren’t quite strong readers yet, or for your advanced second graders. I loved it and smiled so much while reading it. It also features a mix of text, illustrations, and comic panels, which I enjoyed.

Emma McKenna, Full Out (The Kids in Mrs. Z’s Class #1)

Emma McKenna is stoked for third grade until she discovers that her former best friend is also in her class. As she tries to make new friends and use her voice in her class, Emma learns that it’s okay to be herself and share her opinions, even if it’s different from others. This is the first book in the new series featuring several acclaimed authors including Karina Yan Glaser, Rajani LaRocca, and others. Each book in the series will focus on a different kid and be written by a different author.

Too Small Tola

Too Small Tola is a new chapter book from Atinuke featuring three stories about a girl living with her grandmother and siblings in Lagos, Nigeria. Everyone teases Tola — sometimes lovingly — for being so small. They think she can’t lift heavy loads or do other things because of her size. But Tola’s grandmother reassures her that you can be small, but mighty, and Tola proves that she is!

Marya Khan and the Incredible Henna Party

In this sweet, delightful story, Marya Khan has gotten herself in a fix by claiming she’s having a henna party for her birthday when, in reality, she’s having no party. Marya is convinced that all her classmates have more exciting lives than she does but over time, she realizes that no one has a perfect life and she needs to appreciate hers more.

Alvin Ho: Allergic to Girls, School, and Other Scary Things

This series is so quirky and humorous and my heart always goes out to Alvin on his quest to make new friends and talk at school despite being nervous and afraid of everything. Kids who are shy or struggle with social situations will find a sure friend in Alvin.

Escape from Mr. Lemoncello’s Library: The Graphic Novel

The Lemoncello Library series was a hit for many middle schoolers and the graphic novel version is even more accessible, especially for advanced third graders who can’t get enough of realistic graphic novels.

Accidental Trouble Magnet (Planet Omar #1)

Omar is a young Muslim boy with a huge imagination. He and his family (his mom, dad, and two siblings) are adjusting to a new move (new house, new school) and approaching the month of Ramadan. Unfortunately, the adjustment process is NOT smooth. First, there’s a neighbor who doesn’t seem to like Omar’s family and a bully at school who keeps making fun of him. Things come a head when Omar and Daniel, the bully get lost together during a school trip. Can Omar escape all this trouble he keeps attracting? This is a charming chapter book about the life of a Muslim imaginative boy during Ramadan, adjusting to a new school, befriending a bully, and navigating family/sibling relationships.

The Terrible Two

Miles is devastated to be moving from his town to another one called Yawnee Valley. He loved his town, had good friends, and, most importantly, was well-known as the best prankster around. When he arrives in Yawnee Valley, he immediately discovers that there’s already a superb prankster there — with a secret identity no less. When Miles gets out-pranked by the Yawnee Valley prankster, it starts a prank war between both kids until they decide to join forces. The Terrible Two is a riotous, animated middle grade book about pranks, unlikely friendships, and cows.

The One and Only Ivan

This is a slightly more advanced book (that also isn’t 100% “realistic”) that makes for a good classroom read-aloud. It’s about a mall gorilla and the connections he makes with the other animals there, as well as what we can learn about animal confinement. It’s a sweet verse novel that’s great for kids who love animal stories.

There they are: 20 of the best realistic fiction books for 3rd graders! Which of these have you read? What did I miss?

More 3rd Grade Books

• Great books for 3rd graders
• Good books for 3rd grade girls
• Best books for 3rd grade boys
• Book series for 3rd graders

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• About Afoma Umesi

Afoma Umesi is the founder and editor of Reading Middle Grade where she curates book lists and writes book reviews for kids of all ages. Her favorite genre to read is contemporary realistic fiction and she'll never say no to a graphic novel.

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Books For Third Grade Readers​

Everything you need to know to support your third-grade reader..

If you have been watching your child’s  reading progress  with eager anticipation since that first touch-and-feel baby book , then the  third-grade reading level*  is a time to get really excited. While readers at first – and second-grade levels are, for the most part, still learning the fundamentals of reading, the third-grade level is when readers tend to start  finding their reading wings . From  greater reading confidence and ability  to  a sense of independence  in the topics and genres they choose, readers at the third-grade level are busy developing  more complex reading skills  at this stage in reading development.

More broadly, the third-grade level is a  transitional period  in which readers build the skills they will need to tackle more complex educational tasks; readers at this level are transitioning from learning to read to reading to learn. Much of a reader’s  later academic success  will depend on the skills developed at this critical stage. In this article, we’ll outline key skills to look out for and support, as well as some of the choices you can turn to support your reader’s fledgling independence.

Remember that not every child develops reading skills (or any skill, for that matter) at the same pace, and children of the same age may have widely varying reading levels. A child in third grade will not necessarily be reading at a third-grade reading level—they may be reading at a  first – or  second-grade  reading level or a fourth- or fifth-grade reading level or above.

Supporting A Third-Grade-Level Reader’s Growing Confidence and Reading Ability

Your third-grade level reader is probably reading at least some texts independently and has developed a good-enough command of language to be able to appreciate plot and meaning. According to the common core standards, a  reader at this level  should be reading some multi-syllable and irregularly spelled words, self-correct mistakes, and answer text-specific questions. Developing these skills means that they are ready for more challenging reading tasks.

To help your third-grade level readers progress at this stage, encourage them to branch out and explore new authors, genres, topics, and writing styles. Provide reading-related tasks and questions that help them understand non-literal expressions, such as metaphors, and encourage them to express opinions, make comparisons, and talk about books.

This stage is also the right one to start introducing  supporting skills , such as looking up unfamiliar words, judging the quality of a book, and understanding context. Show your reader how to use tools like dictionaries and search engines, encourage them to articulate the strengths and weaknesses of a book, and urge them to research authors’ lives and the historical periods in which different books were written.

Finally, as your reader develops more complex reading skills, you will want to be on the lookout for emerging reading disabilities. Research suggests that intervention received at the second-and third-grade readings levels is much  more effective  than that delivered at a later stage.

Choosing Books by Subject Matter to Support Developing Third-Grade Reading Skills

As already mentioned, the third-grade level is the ideal time to start exploring new things. There are several areas worth exploring as you help your reader choose exciting new books.

Historical fiction can be a great way to help your reader flex their comprehension muscles and explore context simultaneously. Ellen Levine’s Henry’s Freedom Box , Yona Zeldis McDonough’s  The Bicycle Spy , and Patricia Polacco’s  Fiona’s Lace are great choices.

If you are homeschooling, classic fiction—think Pippi Longstocking , Roald Dahl novels, or fairy tales —are a great option because so many supporting educational materials are freely available.

While many readers will gravitate to fiction, it is also worth remembering that fantastic non-fiction options are available for this age group. Look for biographies , like Joseph Bruchac’s A Boy Called Slow or Ann McGovern’s The Secret Soldier , or informational texts— National Geographic has offerings on just about every subject under the sun, from dinosaurs to soccer.  

Choosing Genres and Forms to Support a Wide Range of Interests and Literacy Skills

The third-grade level also opens up a range of new forms and  genres of text for your reader to enjoy. Series books can offer a sense of familiarity and security and are an excellent choice for reluctant readers (although they pose a risk to variety and breadth of reading matter).  Captain Underpants , How to Train Your Dragon ,  and  Wayside School   are all popular choices, with enough substance to challenge as well as entertain.

Don’t forget to include some poetry:  Roald Dahl’s Revolting Rhymes ,  books by Shel Silverstein , and Dr. Seuss ‘s stories are all great choices.

Readers at this level can also branch out from the written word to other forms of reading: magazines, audiobooks , and graphic novels can all be fantastic ways to introduce your reader to new ideas and develop broader forms of literacy. For example, the  Adventures in Cartooning  series by James Sturm will help readers build their drawing and writing skills as well as visual literacy, and magazines like  MotoKids ,  Little Player , and  Young Rider  can help your reader build literacy skills while indulging in specialist interests.

Supporting Diversity and Inclusion in Book Choices for Third-Grade Readers

Readers’ burgeoning critical thinking skills at this level make this an ideal stage for deeper exploration of social issues , including diversity and inclusion . There are many excellent books for readers at this level, from non-fiction books on advocacy , history books , and  biographies to historical and contemporary fiction.

For example, Todd Kortemeier’s  Unsung Heroes of Social Justice  introduces readers to some of the less well-known heroes of social justice movements through time. Kaelyn Rich’s  Girls Resist!   provides a practical guide to advocacy and protest for young women (although the advice is equally relevant to other ages and genders). Cece Bell’s  El Deafo ,  Ruby Bridges and Margo Lundell’s  Through My Eyes ,  and Allen Say’s  Grandfather’s Journey   are all examples of powerful texts that celebrate diversity for this reading level.

Check Out Some of the Best Books for Third Graders

• 5 Gorgeous Animal Adventure Novels for Kids
• 4 African American Biography Books for Kids
• I Survived Graphic Novel Series Review
• 10 Outstanding Poetry Books for Kids
• 5 Excellent Audiobooks for Kids Ages 8 and Up

BOOKS FOR THIRD GRADE READERS

• Art, Science, and the Sea: Jeanne Walker Harvey On Else Bostelmann’s Extraordinary Life

Jeanne Walker Harvey, the author of Else B. In the Sea: The Woman Who Painted the Wonders of the Deep, explores the fascinating story of this female artist.

• Kelcie Murphy and the Hunt for the Heart of Danu | Dedicated Review

In this sequel to The Academy for the Unbreakable Arts, Erika Lewis returns readers to the Otherworld for another whirlwind adventure.

• Stephanie Henson: Weaving Poetic Tales of Childhood, Resilience, and Self-Discovery

Stephanie Henson, who has two new books, Share Faire Famous and No School, My Rules!, takes readers on a journey through the eyes of a child.

• Airplane Adventures: Flying Circus Through Thick and Thin | Dedicated Review

Flying Circus Through Thick and Thin is a delightful collection of adventures perfect for budding engineers and airplane enthusiasts.

• Flying Circus Through Thick and Thin, by Leona Cobham | Awareness Tour

Join us on an adventure as we launch into a virtual book tour for Flying Circus Through Thick and Thin by Leona Cobham, illustrated by Timothy O’Brien.

Talking to Kids About Their Bodies: A Conversation with Sex Educator and Author Dorian Solot

In this episode of The Growing Readers Podcast, sexuality educator Dorian Solot discusses her new children’s books in the Learning About Bodies series.

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THIRD GRADE ANGELS

by Jerry Spinelli & illustrated by Jennifer A. Bell ‧ RELEASE DATE: Sept. 1, 2012

Young readers will recognize Suds as one of their own and will gladly follow him to fourth grade. Sweet and funny.

Suds Morton is not yet a “Fourth Grade Rat.” In this prequel to Spinelli's 1991 standby, he is a year younger and, according to his school’s traditional chant, he aspires to the sobriquet of “Third Grade Angel.”

When his teacher announces her intention of rewarding angelic behavior with a halo, Suds decides he wants to be the first angel. Between his cool new friend Joey, his wise mom and a little conclusion-jumping, he comes up with a plan. But, of course, his results are just a little off-kilter. Suds, nicknamed for his preference for calming soaks in bubble baths when he gets “chipmunky,” needs all the help he can get to deal with the various disasters and tribulations that threaten to overwhelm him. Along with the angel chase there’s a pesky little sister, a fifth-grade bully and total rejection by the girl he adores. Spinelli doesn’t miss a beat in recreating the characters from the earlier work and never reveals any hint of Suds’ fourth-grade future. He lets readers into Suds’ 8-year-old mind without condescension. His problems and concerns are treated comically but with genuine kindness. Suds is innocent, gullible and trusting; he is also entirely good-hearted.

Pub Date: Sept. 1, 2012

ISBN: 978-0-545-38772-9

Page Count: 160

Publisher: Levine/Scholastic

Review Posted Online: July 17, 2012

Kirkus Reviews Issue: Aug. 1, 2012

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by Jerry Spinelli

by Jerry Spinelli ; illustrated by Larry Day

LITTLE DAYMOND LEARNS TO EARN

by Daymond John ; illustrated by Nicole Miles ‧ RELEASE DATE: March 21, 2023

It’s hard to argue with success, but guides that actually do the math will be more useful to budding capitalists.

How to raise money for a coveted poster: put your friends to work!

John, founder of the FUBU fashion line and a Shark Tank venture capitalist, offers a self-referential blueprint for financial success. Having only half of the $10 he needs for a Minka J poster, Daymond forks over $1 to buy a plain T-shirt, paints a picture of the pop star on it, sells it for $5, and uses all of his cash to buy nine more shirts. Then he recruits three friends to decorate them with his design and help sell them for an unspecified amount (from a conveniently free and empty street-fair booth) until they’re gone. The enterprising entrepreneur reimburses himself for the shirts and splits the remaining proceeds, which leaves him with enough for that poster as well as a “brand-new business book,” while his friends express other fiscal strategies: saving their share, spending it all on new art supplies, or donating part and buying a (math) book with the rest. (In a closing summation, the author also suggests investing in stocks, bonds, or cryptocurrency.) Though Miles cranks up the visual energy in her sparsely detailed illustrations by incorporating bright colors and lots of greenbacks, the actual advice feels a bit vague. Daymond is Black; most of the cast are people of color. (This book was reviewed digitally.)

Pub Date: March 21, 2023

ISBN: 978-0-593-56727-2

Page Count: 40

Publisher: Random House

Review Posted Online: Dec. 13, 2022

Kirkus Reviews Issue: Jan. 1, 2023

CHILDREN'S CONCEPTS | CHILDREN'S SOCIAL THEMES

HORRIBLE HARRY SAYS GOODBYE

From the horrible harry series , vol. 37.

by Suzy Kline ; illustrated by Amy Wummer ‧ RELEASE DATE: Nov. 27, 2018

A fitting farewell, still funny, acute, and positive in its view of human nature even in its 37th episode.

A long-running series reaches its closing chapters.

Having, as Kline notes in her warm valedictory acknowledgements, taken 30 years to get through second and third grade, Harry Spooger is overdue to move on—but not just into fourth grade, it turns out, as his family is moving to another town as soon as the school year ends. The news leaves his best friend, narrator “Dougo,” devastated…particularly as Harry doesn’t seem all that fussed about it. With series fans in mind, the author takes Harry through a sort of last-day-of-school farewell tour. From his desk he pulls a burned hot dog and other items that featured in past episodes, says goodbye to Song Lee and other classmates, and even (for the first time ever) leads Doug and readers into his house and memento-strewn room for further reminiscing. Of course, Harry isn’t as blasé about the move as he pretends, and eyes aren’t exactly dry when he departs. But hardly is he out of sight before Doug is meeting Mohammad, a new neighbor from Syria who (along with further diversifying a cast that began as mostly white but has become increasingly multiethnic over the years) will also be starting fourth grade at summer’s end, and planning a written account of his “horrible” buddy’s exploits. Finished illustrations not seen.

Pub Date: Nov. 27, 2018

ISBN: 978-0-451-47963-1

Page Count: 80

Publisher: Viking

Review Posted Online: Sept. 16, 2018

Kirkus Reviews Issue: Oct. 1, 2018

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by Suzy Kline & illustrated by Sami Sweeten

by Suzy Kline & illustrated by Frank Remkiewicz

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