If you’re looking for the perfect books to engage and educate your 3rd grader, you’re in luck!
In this blog post, we’ve compiled a list of the 50 best books for third graders. As a former public school teacher, camp counselor, and mom of three, I have a knack for picking out books kids will like.
And research has shown that children who read for pleasure not only perform better in school, but also develop stronger analytical and critical thinking skills. That’s why I’ve carefully selected books that will not only captivate your child’s imagination, but also provide valuable life lessons.
From classic children’s books that have stood the test of time to contemporary favorites and chapter books, this book list covers it all.
So sit back, relax, and get ready to discover some of the best books out there for third graders to add to your home or classroom library.
Whether you’re building a cozy nursery library or searching for engaging chapter books and audiobooks, this ultimate guide to children’s books offers parent-approved, educator-friendly picks updated for 2025.
Contemporary Books
The One and Only Ivan (Katherine Applegate)
A heartwarming story about a gorilla’s friendship and resilience, encouraging empathy and awareness of animal rights.
The War That Saved My Life (Kimberly Brubaker Bradley)
A powerful WWII story about overcoming adversity and finding family through courage and love. The story explores themes of resilience, identity, family, and the power of love.
The Princess in Black (Shannon Hale)
The Princess in Black series follows the adventures of Princess Magnolia, who is secretly a superhero known as the Princess in Black.
Wishtree (Katherine Applegate)
A touching story about community, kindness, and standing against prejudice through the eyes of a wise tree.
These engaging chapter books bridge the gap between picture books and the extensive world of literature for kids.
Hello, Universe (Erin Entrada Kelly)
The book explores themes of identity, friendship, and the power of fate, all while telling a heartwarming and entertaining story that resonates with readers of all ages.
Pax (Sara Pennypacker)
Pax tells the story of a boy named Peter and his pet fox, Pax. The book explores themes of love, loss, and the bond between humans and animals. It is a touching and thought-provoking story that will appeal to readers of all ages, especially those who love animals and nature.
Ghost (Jason Reynolds)
This is a moving tale about a young boy named Castle “Ghost” Cranshaw who used sports to overcome trauma and build resilience.
The Wild Robot (Peter Brown)
Combines nature and technology to promote empathy toward the environment and the power of adaptation. It invites children to consider the harmony between technology and nature.
For third graders who have mastered these chapter books and want to try something different, kid-friendly horror stories can provide an exciting new reading adventure while still being appropriate for their age group.
A Boy Called Bat (Elana K. Arnold)
Highlights responsibility, family love, and acceptance through a boy’s care for an orphaned skunk. It helps readers appreciate differences and nurturing relationships.
The Vanderbeekers of 141st Street (Karina Yan Glaser)
Showcases family unity, determination, and community spirit through a Harlem family’s story. It celebrates diversity and the strength found in close-knit communities.
Front Desk (Kelly Yang)
Teaches perseverance, immigrant experience, and standing up for justice through a young girl’s motel adventures. It fosters empathy and understanding of cultural challenges.
The Last Kids on Earth (Max Brallier)
A fun, action-packed adventure promoting teamwork, bravery, and creativity in a monster-filled world. It encourages imaginative play and problem-solving skills.
The Parker Inheritance (Varian Johnson)
The Parker Inheritance has been praised for its complex characters, engaging plot, and its ability to tackle difficult themes in a way that is accessible to young readers.
The Dragonet Prophecy (Tui T. Sutherland)
The Dragonet Prophecy is a thrilling and action-packed adventure story that is perfect for readers who love stories about dragons, magic, and epic battles. The book has been praised for its world-building and character development
Refugee (Alan Gratz)
Refugee is a middle-grade novel that follows the stories of three different refugees from different parts of the world and periods. It challenges readers to appreciate the resilience of displaced families worldwide.
Wonder (R.J. Palacio)
Wonder is a relatable novel that follows the story of August Pullman, a ten-year-old boy with a facial deformity. It has been widely acclaimed for its powerful message of inclusivity and its ability to inspire compassion and understanding in readers of all ages.
Harry Potter (J.K. Rowling)
Throughout the series, Harry and his friends Ron Weasley and Hermione Granger battle the evil Lord Voldemort and his followers, known as Death Eaters. The books are renowned for their imaginative world-building, relatable characters, and themes of love, friendship, and bravery.
The Terrible Two (Jory John and Mac Barnett)
This book teaches creativity, humor, and the value of teamwork through clever pranks. It fosters social skills and the joy of playful problem-solving.
The Unadoptables (Hana Tooke)
“The Unadoptables” by Hana Tooke is a captivating middle-grade novel about a group of orphans in early 20th-century Amsterdam who are considered too difficult to be adopted by families. The story centers around five children with unique personalities, including an inventor, an artist, and a storyteller, who are determined to find their forever home.
The Puzzling World of Winston Breen (Eric Berlin)
The Puzzling World of Winston Breen is a thrilling mystery novel for young readers that follows the adventures of twelve-year-old Winston Breen, a puzzle enthusiast who stumbles upon a real-life treasure hunt.
The Secret Keepers (Trenton Lee Stewart)
An exciting adventure novel for young readers that follows the story of 11-year-old Reuben Pedley as he unravels a decades-old mystery in his hometown of New Umbra.
Diary of a Wimpy Kid (Jeff Kinney)
The Diary of a Wimpy Kid is a popular children’s book series. It follows the misadventures of middle-schooler Greg Heffley as he navigates the ups and downs of adolescence, from dealing with bullies and crushes to surviving the school cafeteria and trying to become popular.
Invention of Hugo Cabret (Brian Selznick)
The Invention of Hugo Cabret is a novel by Brian Selznick that tells the story of a young orphan named Hugo, who lives in a train station in Paris in the 1930s. It blends mystery and art to inspire creativity and problem-solving. It encourages visual thinking alongside literacy skills.
The Magic Misfits (Neil Patrick Harris)
The series follows the adventures of a group of young friends who love magic and use their skills to solve mysteries and outsmart villains. This promotes teamwork, courage, and the magic of friendship through adventurous magic acts. It encourages creativity and believing in oneself.
The Girl Who Drank The Moon (Kelly Barnhill)
The Girl Who Drank the Moon is a whimsical and enchanting story about a young girl named Luna, who is raised by a kind witch and a tiny dragon in a magical forest. This Newbery Medal-winning novel is full of adventure, magic, and heart.
Inside Out and Back Again (Thanhha Lai)
A poetic narrative teaching resilience and cultural adjustment through a refugee’s eyes. It builds empathy and understanding for those facing change.
Geronimo Stilton (Elisabetta Dami)
This popular series is a mix of adventure, comedy, and mystery, and is written in a unique format that incorporates colorful fonts, illustrations, and maps.
Captain Underpants (Dav Pilkey)
Accessible and entertaining for early readers, it follows the adventures of two mischievous boys named George Beard and Harold Hutchins, who love to create comic books and practical jokes.
Esperanza Rising (Pam Muñoz Ryan)
Esperanza Rising is a coming-of-age story of a young girl named Esperanza, who grows up in luxury in Mexico during the Great Depression. It inspires strength in the face of hardship.
Classic Books
The Secret Garden (Frances Hodgson Burnett)
The story follows a young girl named Mary Lennox who is orphaned in India and sent to live with her uncle in England. Mary is a spoiled and unhappy child who has never known love or friendship, but when she arrives at her uncle’s estate, she discovers a secret garden that has been locked up and abandoned for years.
The BFG (Roald Dahl)
The story follows a young orphan named Sophie who is snatched from her bed in the middle of the night by a giant, who takes her to a faraway land called Giant Country.
The Magic Tree House (Mary Pope Osborne)
The series follows the adventures of siblings Jack and Annie as they travel through time and space in a magical tree house filled with books.
The Boxcar Children (Gertrude Chandler Warner)
The Boxcar Children series has been widely praised for its engaging storytelling, relatable characters, and positive messages about family, friendship, and perseverance.
Charlotte’s Web ( E.B. White)
A timeless classic by E.B. White about a pig named Wilbur and his unlikely friendship with a spider named Charlotte. Charlotte helps Wilbur avoid becoming bacon by weaving messages about his worth into her webs.
The Lion, The Witch, and The Wardrobe (C.S. Lewis)
In this C.S. Lewis classic, four siblings are transported to a magical land called Narnia through a magical wardrobe, where they help a lion named Aslan defeat the evil White Witch.
Little House in the Big Woods (Laura Ingalls Wilder)
The first book in the beloved “Little House” series by Laura Ingalls Wilder follows the adventures of the Ingalls family living in a log cabin in the Wisconsin woods in the late 1800s.
The Wonderful Wizard of Oz (L. Frank Baum)
When a tornado sweeps Dorothy and her dog Toto to the land of Oz, they embark on a journey to meet the Wizard and find their way back home.
Black Beauty (Anna Sewell)
A classic tale by Anna Sewell of the life of a horse named Black Beauty, who experiences both kindness and cruelty at the hands of humans.
Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland (Lewis Carroll)
After chasing a white rabbit down a hole, Alice finds herself in a strange and surreal world where she encounters various bizarre characters and situations.
Heidi
Heidi (Johanna Spyri)
After being orphaned at a young age, Heidi is sent to live with her reclusive grandfather in the Swiss Alps, where she befriends a young goat-herder named Peter and learns to love the simple life.
Peter Pan (J.M. Barrie)
The timeless story of a boy who never grows up and his adventures with the Darling children in Neverland, where they battle pirates and encounter magical creatures.
The Adventures of Tom Sawyer (Mark Twain)
Set in the 1800s in a small Missouri town, this novel follows the mischievous adventures of young Tom Sawyer and his friends, including his love interest Becky Thatcher.
The Call of the Wild (Jack London)
This novel tells the story of a dog named Buck, who is stolen from his home in California and sold into the brutal world of the Alaskan sled dog teams.
The Wind in the Willows (Kenneth Grahame)
This charming story follows the adventures of Mole, Rat, Toad, and Badger, four anthropomorphic animal friends who live along the banks of a river in the English countryside.
The Tale of Peter Rabbit (Beatrix Potter)
A classic children’s book about a mischievous rabbit named Peter who disobeys his mother and ventures into the dangerous garden of Mr. McGregor.
Mary Poppins (P.L. Travers)
When the Banks children’s new nanny blows in on the wind, they have no idea that they’re in for a magical and unforgettable adventure with the eccentric Mary Poppins.
Pippi Longstocking (Astrid Lindgren)
The mischievous and adventurous Pippi Longstocking lives with her monkey and horse in a colorful and quirky house, and has many wild and hilarious adventures.
A Wrinkle in Time (Madeleine L’Engle)
Meg Murry, her brother, and a friend travel through time and space to rescue Meg’s father from evil forces.
The Tale of Despereaux (Kate DiCamillo)
A small mouse with big ears, a brave rat, and a lonely princess all play roles in this story about love, forgiveness, and redemption.
The Cricket in Times Square (George Selden)
This beloved classic tells the story of Chester, a country cricket who accidentally finds himself in the bustling Times Square subway station in New York City. This heartwarming tale of friendship and adventure is sure to delight readers of all ages.
Charlie and the Chocolate Factory (Roald Dahl)
Charlie and the Chocolate Factory is a classic children’s novel that follows the story of Charlie Bucket, a poor boy who wins a golden ticket to tour the mysterious and magical chocolate factory of Willy Wonka.
Nancy Drew (Carolyn Keene)
Nancy Drew is a teenage detective who solves mysteries with her intelligence and bravery, often with the help of her friends. These mystery novels are engaging and suspenseful, with twists and turns that will keep young readers on the edge of their seats.
Stuart Little (E.B. White)
Stuart Little tells the story of a small, adventurous mouse named Stuart Little who lives with his human family in New York City. It Promotes courage, adventure, and finding one’s place through a small mouse’s big heart. It celebrates individuality and resilience.
Tales of a Fourth Grade Nothing (Judy Blume)
It follows the story of Peter Hatcher, a nine-year-old boy, who struggles with his pesky younger brother, Fudge. The book captures the humor and drama of sibling rivalry, as Peter navigates the challenges of living with a sibling who always seems to get into trouble.
So, there you have it!
In this blog post, I’ve included the best chapter books I could find for third graders, with a mix of classic novels and new books that are considered contemporary.
From adventure stories to meaningful books about historical events, there is something on this list for everyone.
I hope this list of the best 3rd grade books was helpful to you and will help inspire a love of reading in your children and students.
Related Posts:
Classic Novels Your Kids Will Love
Calie Herbst, Editor-in-Chief of Milwaukee With Kids, has spent over a decade combining her experiences as a parent of three to create a hub for Milwaukee’s family adventures.
Her decade-long teaching career in Milwaukee Public Schools and academic background, including a Master’s in Teaching from Marquette University and dual B.A.s in Sociology and Spanish from the University of Wisconsin – Madison, fuel her passion for inclusive and engaging family content.
Calie is also a recognized voice in local media, contributing to WISN Channel 12 News, WTMJ Wisconsin Morning News, Fox 6’s Real Milwaukee, and B93.3.
Discover more about Calie’s journey and editorial approach on her About Page and Editorial Policy Page.
