Books for 3rd Graders

*also available on audiobook or playaway

These are full chapter books, but they still have fun illustrations, less complex plots, and can be read out of order.

Agent Amelia (series) by Michael Broad

Meet the intrepid and resourceful Agent Amelia, Secret Agent! She saves the world from evil geniuses and criminal masterminds with help from her clever disguises, great gadgets (which sometimes work), and her brilliance at improvising in sticky situations.

Alvin Ho: allergic to girls, school, and other scary things (series) by Lenore Look

Alvin, an Asian American second grader, is afraid of everything—elevators, tunnels, girls, and, most of all, school. He’s so afraid of school that, while he’s there, he never, ever, says a word. But at home he’s a very loud superhero named Firecracker Man. A great choice for fans not quite ready for the middle school humor of Diary of a Wimpy Kid series.

Andrew Lost (series) by J.C. Greenburg

When Andrew’s latest invention, the Atom Sucker, goes haywire, Andrew and Judy are shrunk down to microscopic level!  Now they have to find their way back to the Atom Sucker and get unshrunk before it’s too late!

The Bad Guys (series) by Aaron Blabey

They sound like bad guys, they look like bad guys . . . and they even smell like bad guys. But Mr. Wolf, Mr. Piranha, Mr. Snake, and Mr. Shark are about to change all of that.

Demon Dentist by David Walliams

Walliams makes going to the dentist a wacky adventure with his signature humor—this is one dentist appointment you don’t want to miss. Something strange is happening in Alfie's town. Instead of shiny coins from the Tooth Fairy, kids are waking up to dead slugs, live spiders, and other dreadfully icky things under their pillows.

Disaster Strikes (series) by Marlane Kennedy

When disaster strikes, the only thing you can count on is yourself! This is a great choice for reluctant readers and is full of action and realistic friend dynamics.  A new series of disaster stories, this holds strong appeal for both girls and boys and features a diverse cast of characters.

Freddie Ramos Takes off (series) by Jacqueline Jules

One day Freddie Ramos comes home from school and finds a strange box just for him. What's inside? ZAPATO POWER-shoes that change Freddie's life by giving him super speed!

Heidi Heckelbeck (series) by Wanda Coven

After being homeschooled, Heidi Heckelbeck is not happy about starting second grade at Brewster Elementary. Her bad attitude shines through hilariously in dialogue and details, such as a math problem she makes up: “Heidi + School = Yuck.” But eventually, new friends and adventures will make her quite happy to be at school!

Homer Price by Robert McCloskey

Six episodes in the life of Homer Price including one in which he and his pet skunk capture four bandits and another about a donut machine on the rampage.

Kylie Jean (series) by Marci Peschke

Kylie Jean Carter is a precocious girl who lives in Jacksonville, Texas with her mom, dad, her brother T.J. and her bulldog, Ugly Brother. She aspires to be a beauty queen, but through the course of the books, Kylie Jean begins to discover she has quite a few other hidden talents.

Nikki and Deja (series) by Karen English

Meet Nikki and Deja, who live next door to each other and are best friends. They do everything together: watch Saturday morning cartoons, play jacks, jump double Dutch at recess, and help each other with their homework for Mrs. Shelby's third-grade class.

Princess Pink and the Land of Fake-Believe (series) by Noah Jones

Funny re-tellings of familiar fairytales meant for children ready to try chapter books!

Roscoe Riley Rules (series) by Katherine Applegate

Roscoe Riley doesn't mean to break the rules — he just can't help himself.

Third Grade Detectives (series) by George Stanley

Mr. Merlin's Third Graders are known as the Third Grade Detectives -- with some hints from secret code clues and help from Mr. Merlin's friend, the police scientist Dr. Smiley, they help solve cases.

Other books:

The Boxcar Children (series) by Gertrude Chandler Warner*

Ghosthunters (series) by Cornelia Funke

Ivy & Bean (series) by Annie Barrows*

Ellray Jakes (series) by Sally Warner

The Notebook of Doom (series) by Troy Cummings