32 Chapter Books for 3rd Graders, Recommended by Teachers

1. Dyamonde Daniel collection by Nikki Grimes, illustrated by R. Gregory Christie (Practical Fiction)

Dyamonde is a spunky third grader who thinks “being imply is essentially the most uncool factor within the universe.” These shorter however nonetheless compelling titles discover themes of jealousy, attempting to slot in, and doing the suitable factor. Use them for beginning-of the-year e-book golf equipment or to ease new third graders into realistic-fiction chapter books.

Purchase it: Dyamonde Daniel series

2. Stella & Marigold by Annie Barrows, illustrated by Sophie Blackall (Practical Fiction)

Stella is a faithful older sister to Marigold in these mild and humorous tales about on a regular basis life in her household’s duplex. Whereas we additionally love this e-book for second grade, it makes an ideal straightforward chapter e-book for third graders, particularly to start out the varsity 12 months. It’s best for discussions about characters or descriptive language. Search for the equally candy second e-book on this collection when it releases in fall 2025.

Purchase it: Stella & Marigold

3. Beatrice Zinker, Upside Down Thinker collection by Shelley Johannes (Practical Fiction)

Spunky third grader Beatrice sees issues in another way. Her challenges with attempting to slot in with associates in school and discovering a spot in her household will resonate with readers, whereas the humorous take will preserve them wildly entertained. Supply this illustrated chapter e-book collection to offer children possibilities to mirror on themes of individuality and self-confidence at a extra supportive studying stage.

Purchase it: Beatrice Zinker, Upside Down Thinker series

4. A to Z Mysteries collection by Ron Roy (Thriller)

These healthful adventures starring a bunch of child detectives are endlessly entertaining. With 26 books to select from, college students can breeze by way of all of them and attempt to resolve every case earlier than the characters do. Recommend these thriller chapter books for third graders to reluctant readers or these searching for shorter, fast-paced reads.

Purchase it: A to Z Mysteries series

5. Stella Diaz collection by Angela Dominguez (Practical Fiction)

Based mostly on creator Angela Dominquez’s personal expertise as an immigrant in the US, this collection highlights related, complicated challenges like divorce and bullying, in addition to struggling to study English. Fastidiously chosen Spanish phrases additionally improve the real looking story. These are reliable chapter books to have interaction third graders independently or in e-book teams.

Purchase it: Stella Diaz series

6. Marya Khan collection by Saadia Faruqi, illustrated by Ani Bushry (Practical Fiction)

Saadia Faruqi, creator of the favored Yasmin collection, which made our list of top second grade chapter books, has created one other hit collection for extra superior readers. Heartwarming and relatable, these tales of Marya and her loving Pakistani American household are stuffed with friendship woes and relatable challenges. Add these to your unbiased studying selections to assist college students see themselves and their households mirrored in books, or to study examples of household life in numerous cultures.

Purchase it: Marya Khan series

7. The Misadventures of the Household Fletcher collection by Dana Alison Levy (Practical Fiction)

Dad and Papa have their fingers full with the 4 Fletcher boys, all of whom have completely different pursuits and personalities. This two-book collection of chapter books for third graders portrays the real looking imperfections of household life and faculty, and reveals the facility of household bonds. It’s one in every of our favourite class read-alouds or choices for superior readers to take pleasure in on their very own. The audiobooks are significantly fulfilling too.

Purchase it: The Misadventures of the Family Fletcher series 

8. The Magnificent Mya Tibbs collection by Crystal Allen (Practical Fiction)

Mya Tibbs is an lively and endearing character whom third grade readers will love. Entertaining and real looking, these charming tales showcase the altering nature of friendship and relationships and what it takes to do the suitable factor. Add all three books on this collection to your unbiased studying selections.

Purchase it: The Magnificent Mya Tibbs series

9. The Boxcar Youngsters collection by Gertrude Chandler Warner (Practical Fiction)

4 orphaned siblings maintain each other whereas hiding out in an deserted boxcar. Although maybe not real looking by at the moment’s requirements, fashionable children are nonetheless fascinated by the exploits of those self-sufficient youngsters. Share these titles with children able to dig into a protracted collection. Plan to have conversations about methods for making sense of outdated vocabulary or conditions.

Purchase it: The Boxcar Children series

10. Clementine collection by Sara Pennypacker, illustrated by Marla Frazee (Practical Fiction)

Clementine is a precocious, energetic third grader who isn’t any stranger to getting in bother. We love her spunk and angle! Crammed with hilarious adventures and relatable predicaments, this collection will preserve readers endlessly entertained. Share these books with readers prepared for extra complicated vocabulary and language than customary real looking fiction collection for third graders, or as heartwarming read-alouds.

11. Dragons in a Bag collection by Zetta Elliott (Fantasy)

Within the city backdrop of Brooklyn, 9-year-old Jaxon discovers his so-called grandmother and neighbor is definitely a witch who entrusts him and his associates to assist ship dragons to a brand new residence. Crammed with magic and time journey, the collection delivers an imaginative plot that also manages to really feel genuine and relatable. This collection is ideal for fantasy-focused e-book golf equipment or unbiased studying and response.

Purchase it: Dragons in a Bag series

12. The Implausible Body collection by Lin Oliver (Fantasy)

Ten-year-old Tiger loves science, however what occurs to him when he visits his mysterious neighbor is just too wild to be believed: He will get transported right into a portray and is pressured to flee from a hungry tiger. The primary e-book ends on a cliff-hanger that can depart readers longing for extra motion and pleasure within the subsequent installments. These are best titles to construct third graders’ confidence studying fantasy and journey genres and have fascinating artwork connections.

Purchase it: Fantastic Frame series

13. Geronimo Stilton collection by Geronimo Stilton (Fiction)

Geronimo Stilton, an creator who runs a newspaper in New Mouse Metropolis, embarks on grand adventures along with his sister, Thea, and their associates. Quick-paced plots preserve readers coming again to this treasured assortment. Hook third graders with the colourful, eye-catching illustrations and inventive use of fonts to maintain them studying. For youths who want a stretch, nudge them towards the longer Kingdom of Fantasy titles.

Purchase it: Geronimo Stilton series

14. The Wild Robotic collection by Peter Brown (Science Fiction)

These futuristic tales characteristic a robotic, Roz, who should adapt to outlive on a wild island as she faces threats of utmost climate and harmful animals. The quick chapters work properly for third grade consideration spans. The masterful writing and new spin on conventional themes give small and enormous teams of readers or listeners loads to mull over collectively.

Purchase it: The Wild Robot series

15. The Unicorn Rescue Society collection by Adam Gidwitz, illustrated by Hatem Aly (Fantasy)

Who wouldn’t need to be a part of a secret society—particularly one charged with defending legendary creatures? These entertaining collection chapter books for third graders mix themes of friendship and discovering braveness with imaginative fantasy parts. Since they enchantment to all genders, they work properly as studying materials for teacher-selected e-book teams or partnerships.

Purchase it: The Unicorn Rescue Society series

16. Upside-Down Magic by Sarah Mlynowski, Lauren Myracle, and Emily Jenkins (Fantasy)

The scholars at Dunwiddle Magic Faculty should study to navigate loads of magical mishaps of their Upside-Down Magic class. Children love all of the magical particulars, and academics love the actual themes and character conflicts. Recommend these to 3rd grade readers who’re inquisitive about Harry Potter however not but prepared for the language and content material calls for.

Purchase it: Upside-Down Magic series

17. Tales of Magic collection by Edward Keen, illustrated by N.M. Bodecker (Fantasy)

Summer season is shaping as much as be extraordinarily gradual and boring for Jane and her siblings till Jane finds a magic coin that grants half their needs, turning every part the other way up. These intelligent titles are an interesting mix of fantasy and journey chapter books for third graders that encourage children to think about “What if?” We particularly love sharing them main as much as summer time break.

Purchase it: Tales of Magic series

18. Daisy Dawson collection by Steve Voake, illustrated by Jessica Meserve (Fiction)

Daisy Dawson can speak to animals, which turns out to be useful as she should assist many alternative animal associates. This candy collection is a good match for animal-loving readers searching for extra accessible textual content.

Purchase it: Daisy Dawson series

19. Humphrey collection by Betty G. Birney (Fiction)

A lovable hamster and sophistication pet named Humphrey narrates this collection with shocking depth and coronary heart. Spending every weekend at a distinct child’s home, Humphrey will get to see and do all of it. The 13 books within the collection can preserve readers studying for fairly a while. They will result in fascinating conversations about perspective too!

Purchase it: Humphrey series

20. Saving Winslow by Sharon Creech (Practical Fiction)

Louie is decided to maintain the newborn donkey his dad brings residence alive, regardless that nobody else believes he’ll survive. Introduce third graders to a standout creator and focus on themes of hope, connection, willpower, and vulnerability with this stunning story. Its slim size works properly for a category read-aloud squeezed into a short while, or as a e-book membership e-book.

Purchase it: Saving Winslow

21. Dogtown by Katherine Applegate and Gennifer Choldenko, illustrated by Wallace West (Fiction)

Likelihood, a canine protagonist with an enormous coronary heart and a mind for particulars, narrates the happenings at Dogtown, a shelter for undesirable actual and digital canines. Ultimately Likelihood and Metallic Head, a misfit robotic canine, got down to discover their happily-ever-after properties. That is one in every of our favourite new animal chapter books for third graders. The very quick chapters assist and inspire children who’re new to studying longer-length novels, and it’s stuffed with compelling themes to debate. Take a look at the sequel, Mouse and His Dog, too.

Purchase it: Dogtown

22. Dragonbreath collection by Ursula Vernon (Fiction)

Regardless of how laborious he tries, Danny simply can’t breathe hearth like all the opposite dragons. Alongside along with his iguana greatest pal, Wendell, Danny goes on adventures to reptile faculty and past as he navigates not feeling he’s ok and persevering by way of laborious issues. With interesting comic-book options mixed with conventional textual content, these accessible and intelligent books are go-to suggestions for reluctant or struggling readers.

Purchase it: Dragonbreath series 

23. Otis Dooda collection by Ellen Potter, illustrated by David Heatley (Fiction)

Otis and his household expertise many curious and unusual issues once they transfer to New York Metropolis. Children love these downright foolish titles. Share them with any pupil who might use a lighthearted however well-written learn.

Purchase it: Otis Dooda series

24. Sideways Tales From Wayside Faculty collection by Louis Sachar, illustrated by Tim Heitz (Fiction)

Hilarious and absurd, this collection a couple of faculty that was by chance constructed sideways and 30 flooring excessive is a hoot. Whereas it might be fully wacky, the real looking parts about life in school preserve it genuine and related. We prefer to share the primary installment as a read-aloud and let children benefit from the different titles afterwards on their very own.

Purchase it: Sideways Stories From Wayside School series

25. Max & the Midknights collection by Lincoln Peirce (Fiction)

Max goals of changing into a knight—however will get into loads of hilarious misadventures on his journey. Comedian e-book–fashion illustrations combine with conventional textual content. We like handy these humorous chapter books for third graders to children who’re reluctant to department out from graphic novels; these even embrace a nod to Huge Nate on the opening pages!

Purchase it: Max & the Midknights series

26. Who Was …? collection by numerous authors (Nonfiction)

With greater than 200 books to select from within the prolific collection, college students can uncover compelling biographies that swimsuit their various pursuits. Fascinating anecdotes and detailed black-and-white illustrations make these well-known thinkers, heroes, and changemakers really feel approachable. Share these as a substitute for fiction tales to inspire readers, or to enhance a content material space or biography style unit.

Purchase it: Who Was …? series 

27. I Survived collection by Lauren Tarshis (Historic Fiction)

Return in time with courageous child protagonists who should navigate harrowing occasions all through historical past. Whereas these tales will not be strictly nonfiction, they’re so useful for constructing children’ background data and interesting them with historic content material that we contemplate them classroom must-haves.

Purchase it: I Survived series

28. Unsolved Case Recordsdata collection by Tom Sullivan (Nonfiction)

These riveting graphic novel–fashion nonfiction chapter books for third graders dive into unsolved FBI circumstances all through historical past. The creator has a selected expertise for pulling out particulars that can hook younger readers with out overwhelming them with information. Share these with superior however reluctant third grade readers who’re prepared for a brand new studying problem.

Purchase it: Unsolved Case Files series

29. The Mysterious Makers of Shaker Road collection by Stacia Deutsch (Thriller)

Observe alongside as Michael and his associates resolve curious circumstances round their neighborhood. We love how readers can get drawn into these enjoyable tales, they usually really feel newer than different well-liked collection of thriller chapter books for third graders. Add these to your unbiased studying selections.

Purchase it: The Mysterious Makers of Shaker Street series

30. Pages and Co. collection by Anna James (Journey)

Half journey and half thriller, these charming chapter books for third graders characteristic storybook characters coming to life. They’re best for hooking extra superior readers or as class read-alouds to rejoice the facility of books and studying.

Purchase it: Pages and Co. series

31. Contained in the Park by Andrea Williams (Journey)

All Timothy “Pumpsie” Strickland can take into consideration is how thrilled he’s that his favourite baseball workforce made the playoffs—till he unexpectedly will get trapped within the baseball stadium in a single day! That is one in every of our new favourite journey chapter books for third graders to recommend to sports activities followers. It explores characters and their responses to occasions in a extremely partaking context.

Purchase it: Inside the Park

32. Black Hole Lane collection by Julia Nobel (Thriller)

When Emmy begins attending a prestigious British boarding faculty, she stumbles right into a mysterious secret society. Does it have something to do together with her dad’s way back disappearance? Share these titles with proficient third grade readers who take pleasure in darker tales like A Sequence of Unlucky Occasions.

Purchase it: Black Hollow Lane series