Summer vacations are the perfect time to enjoy a good short read. More when the young minds have so much time to explore their kind of reading, whether mystery, fantasy, comedy, fiction, historical fiction, biographies, or even animal stories.
We have listed a selection of books that caters to different reading levels for a diverse group of children. Give it a quick look to know which one appeals to your kid and will be the perfect read during their summer vacay.
Suggested Summer Reading for 3rd Graders: The List
1. Fantastic Mr. Fox
This is a book by the incomparable Roald Dahl about Fantastic Mr. Fox stealing from three mean farmers and the farmers, even after knowing who the thief is cannot do anything because it is not just any fox but Mr. Fox. The farmers have teamed up with Fat Boggis, Squat Bunce, and Skinny Bean to deal with Mr. Fox, and they have surrounded the fox family; only a master plan can get them out now.
2. How to Be Cool In the Third Grade
You want to look cool in your class, but you know it is not an easy job as your whole class knows about how you are called pet names by your mom or kissed goodbye at the bus stop and that superhero cartoon underwear. This book features Robbie York, who is set on being cool by getting rid of his name, avoiding bullies, and wearing jeans. Let’s see how simple or challenging it is for him.
3. I Was a Third-Grade Spy
The fascinating story of Josh and his amazing dog named Arful, who can talk. Yes, you read it right. The book tells us a story about Josh’s dog Arful, who can speak and make it easier for Josh and his friends to win the school talent contest. The dog would spy on the girls’ team and know what they are planning for the school fest and inform Josh’s group.
4. Chocolate Fever
An unputdownable (is that a word?) storybook for your kid would also definitely reduce his/her chocolate consumption after reading this. The story of a boy named Henry Green, obsessed with chocolates more than a normal human being can imagine and turns out to be the first person ever in medical history to get Chocolate Fever. Soon after, he is caught up in a crazy chase and a hijacking. How exciting will that be to read!
5. Trapped in a Video Game (Volume 1)
Jesse Rigsby does not like video games. In the book, a video game character is set to kill him. After being awful within the game Full Blast alongside Eric, Jesse starts to ascertain the vaporizing giant mantis’ appeal while voyaging around by jet pack. Soon after, a strange figure starts following Eric and Jesse. They discover they are trapped in the game. The first book of 5 in the series.
6. Magic Tree House Boxed Set, Books 1-4
The book introduces us to Jack and his younger sister Annie who are just regular kids. But one day, they discover a treehouse, and magic happens. Jack and Annie are whisked back in time to the Age of Dinosaurs, a medieval castle, ancient pyramids, and treasure-seeking pirates.
Books in this set include Dinosaurs Before Dark (#1), The Knight at Dawn (#2), Mummies in the Morning (#3), and Pirates Past Noon (#4).
The Magic Tree House series has been a beloved favorite for over 25 years and is sure to inspire a love of reading—and adventure—in every child who joins Jack and Annie! Discover all 38 volumes of this captivating story.
7. The Clue of The Left-Handed Envelope
From where did this anonymous letter arrive at Amber Lee? The new teacher Mr. Merlin, a spy who knows about all secret codes and the strange ways of how the police solve mysteries, is loved by all. Noelle and Todd from the class want to solve the mystery of the anonymous letter sent to Amber Lee but they first need to decode Mr. Merlin’s clues.
8. Patrick: Patron Saint of Ireland
This evergreen picture book is available in a large paperback format as well as a board book. St. Patrick is regarded as the perfect introduction to Irish legends and best as a St. Patrick’s Day gift. The beloved children author Tomie Depaola talks about the life of St Patrick, starting from his birth in Britain to his imprisonment in Ireland to the visions that led him to return.
9. The Hero of Third Grade
When Randall moves to a new place and starts afresh with a new school, friends everything. He is going through the struggle of his parents divorcing, moving to a new town, starting at a new school, and making new friends.
Randall is an irresistible hero. Young readers can’t help but relate to his efforts to fit in at his new school.
He wants to become the third-grade hero so much that the movie The Scarlet Pimpernel has inspired.
10. Key to the Treasure
The story revolves around Lisa, Bill, and Jed, who visits their grandparents every summer and get to know about sketches hung above the mantel, including exciting clues. The sketches are clues to a hidden treasure, and no one has been able to figure them out for a century. There is a missing first clue, but when the children stumble upon the second clue, they’re on their way. Could it be that on this visit they will solve the secret that has eluded so many for more than a hundred years?
It will indeed be a fun ride to dive into this book and understand how they solve the mystery.
11. Kate Shelley and the Midnight Express
This is the true story of Late, a young girl who demonstrates her resourcefulness and courage in the face of great danger. Kate stared at the rickety wooden bridge. There were boards loose on its narrow walkway. There was no railing to hold on to. She was afraid to cross this bridge even in daylight. But she had to cross it now. She had to get to the train station in time to stop the midnight express.
When a heavy storm destroyed the bridge over Honey Creek, near Kate Shelley’s home in Moingona, Iowa, fifteen-year-old Kate bravely rushed out into the storm, saving the lives of two men and preventing hundreds of other lives from being lost.
12. Hurricanes!
This nonfiction book is a superb option to share during homeschooling, especially for youngsters ages 6 to 10 years old.
Imagine a force that can toss boats around like toys, wash away bridges, and create waves as high as eighteen feet. With fierce winds and torrential rains, hurricanes can do all of these things. They can cause tremendous damage and even change the shape of a shoreline. For centuries people did not know when a hurricane was coming. But now we have new methods to predict when and where these storms will occur.
Young readers will learn how hurricanes are formed, how they are named and classified, and what to do if a dangerous storm is on the way.
Suggested Summer Reading for 3rd Graders: Wrapping Up
Reading has always been an essential part of growing up for kids. So, why not give them something that intrigues and engages their young minds. I hope it was helpful for all parents looking for a good read for their 3rd graders. Let us know in the comments which one (or ones) your young reader discovered and emjoyed.