In third grade, getting students into reading is vital. These 15 chapter books can do just that! Chapter books are the perfect bridge between picture books and more complex novels, offering captivating stories that spark imagination while nurturing essential literacy skills. I curated a list of the top 15 must-read chapter books for 3rd graders that have been tested by students in my own classroom. Each link you click on will take you to an affiliate link for the book!
My Weird School Series by Dan Gutman and Jim Paillot
This series is ALWAYS a favorite for so many kids. It is funny, easy to read, and a great start to chapter books. I typically will read the first one of the series aloud to the class to get them interested, and every year, students are picking these up to read all year long.
I Survived Series by Lauren Tarshis
Have a student or a kid who is interested in history? These are PERFECT for them! This series is a narrative nonfiction series that teaches students about historical events through engaging stories! They are relatively easy to read and enjoyed by kids who love history! I typically will read one aloud to read for a social studies standard to get students interested!
Dog Man Series by Dav Pilkey
Yes, these are comic books. Yes, they have some silliness to them. BUT ALSO YES, kids are reading! They have some really great themes throughout these novels. It teaches students character development and change like no other, as the bad guy becomes a good guy! The kids laugh and LOVE reading. There is rigorous academic language throughout the novel as well! It aids in the creativity of students, and it counts as reading!
The Wild Robot Series by Peter Brown
Oh goodness, do I love these chapter books! They are engaging, fun, and teach so many science standards! My kids learn so much about habitats, adaptations, and themes like friendship! This series is powerful and fun!
Charlotte’s Web by E.B. White
This novel is a classic that keeps on giving. It is always engaging to students and fun to read! It is easy to read and understand, and covers deep themes of friendship and being there for your friends!
The One and Only Ivan by Kathryn Applegate & Patricia Castelao
Do you have a kid who loves animals?! This one is for them! It is a sweet story about a gorilla who ended up living inside a mall. It is a simple read and really looks at how we treat animals and what animals think about it!
The Magic Tree House Series by Mary Pope Osborn
Jack and Annie travel through their Magic Tree House to different places in history. You learn quick facts throughout, but mainly it is magical and fun! It is a great first chapter book series for students! It is engaging and fun to read! If you have a student who loves magical things like dinosaurs and castles, this is for them!
The Lemonade War Series by Jacqueline Davies
This is an EPIC third-grade book! It teaches every economic standard and is so engaging to students. A brother and sister duo set out on a battle of who can sell the most lemonade after they have a disagreement. My students ALWAYS love this book and continue to read the series after we read the first one. If you want to read more about ways you can teach this book, check out this post!
The Bad Guys Series by Aaron Blabey
This book series is for your student who loves comic books, but is ready to move to a higher level of reading. These are a mix between a full-blown chapter book and a comic book series. It is engaging to students who love video games, Dog Man, and other stories about animals who go out to fight crime.
The BFG by Roald Dahl
This is a classic chapter book that keeps on giving. The strange words and the strange ideas keep students interested till the end. Ten-year-old Sophie is in for the adventure of a lifetime when she meets the Big Friendly Giant. As their friendship grows, Sophie’s presence attracts the unwanted attention of Bloodbottler, Fleshlumpeater and other giants. After traveling to London, Sophie and the BFG must convince Queen Victoria to help them get rid of all the bad giants once and for all.
Cam Jansen Series by David A. Adler
If you have a student who loves mystery, these are for them! Cam Jansen is a great chapter book to introduce students to reading. They are easy to read and comprehend, and every novel covers a different mystery to be solved.
The Secret Zoo by Bryan Chick
I LOVE this novel to read aloud or to have a student read to themselves. In the “Secret Zoo” series by Bryan Chick, a group of friends discover that their local zoo is more than it seems. They must navigate the magical world of the City of Species and confront dangers, including the evil Shadowist, to protect the Secret Zoo.
Stone Fox by John Reynolds Gardiner
Another classic I read every year! Students love to follow Stone Fox and Little Willy as they go to win the race and save Grandpa. It is an old novel, but students love the story, and I always cry a lot at the end!
Babysitters Club Series by Ann M. Martin & Gale Galligan
Do you have some girls in your class who want a comic book?! This series is for them! This story revolves around a group of friends in the fictional town of Stoneybrook, Connecticut, who start a babysitting business called The Baby-Sitters Club. But they took the classic novels and made them into comic books!
Third Grade Angels by Jerry Spinelli & Jennifer A. Bell
The first book of third grade should ALWAYS be Third Grade Angles. It is a perfect start to the school year and a discussion on what third grade will be like. Whether you read it aloud, or they read it on their own. It is a must!
Thank you for these suggestions and for your advice. As a new third grade teacher coming from First Grade, I have to admit I am a little lost. I am writing or printing everything I can from you to help guide me.
If you have any questions or need anything at all, let me know!