20 Great Chapter Books
for Third Graders
by Janssen Bradshaw
Wondering what book to pick up for your third grader?
As they develop more independence and the ability to read longer and more complex stories, the world of children’s literature really opens up.
These new and classic titles are perfect for all kinds of third-grade readers. They’re also great for reading aloud, if that’s more your child’s speed. Or you can try alternating back and forth — they read a page, then you read a page — so they can practice their reading but not get so bogged down they lose sight of the story arc.
No matter how you use these books, all 16 are winners.
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Pages & Co. Series
Buy from:Tilly Pages has an enviable ability: she’s a bookwanderer, which means she can travel into any story she chooses. Tilly discovers her power at Pages & Co., her grandparents’ bookshop, after meeting literary characters — like Anne of Green Gables — who bookwandered out of their own stories and into Tilly’s life. With the help of a new friend, Oskar, Tilly solves all sorts of bookish mysteries, starting with what happened to her mother who disappeared.
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Fantastic Mr. Fox
Buy from:When is Roald Dahl not a good idea? This book is a quick read and hilariously funny. (There are also audio versions of Roald Dahl’s books and this one is particularly excellent if you have a child who would rather listen than read.)
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The Secret Library
Buy from:Desperate for adventure, eleven-year-old Dally inherits a map from her grandfather that leads her to a hidden library filled with books that can transport her to other times and places. The more adventures she goes on, the further the library pulls her into its clutches. Mystery, family secrets, and magic combine in this must-read fantasy adventure novel.
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The Tia Lola Series
Buy from:Young readers will love Tia Lola and want her as their own! She's a magical aunt who lends her aid during every adventure and life lesson. Whether it's a move, a summer rescue, or teaching Spanish at her niece and nephew's school, Tia Lola proves she's an unstoppable force!
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The Mouse with the Question Mark Tail
Buy from:What child hasn’t been charmed by miniature, hidden worlds? Enchanted fairies, tiny “borrowers” who live in the walls, and now a pipsqueak of a mouse who doesn’t know his own name. But that won’t stop him from setting off for Buckingham Palace to seek an audience with Queen Victoria and find out who he really is. Whimsical and clever, this one’s sure to charm your young reader.
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Quantum Interstellar Sports League #1
Buy from:Football, aliens, and a high-stakes competition combine in this highly illustrated, laugh-out-loud series opener from prolific author J. Scott Savage. Wyatt is not an athlete, but somehow manages to become the quarterback for Earth’s football team in a tournament against evil aliens who want to take over the planet.
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The Unicorn Rescue Society Series
Buy from:For third graders who can’t read enough about mythological creatures, The Unicorn Rescue Society series is a must. New kid at school Elliot Eisner and thrill-seeking Uchenna Devereaux are tapped to join an ultra-secret organization that’s been protecting mythical animals — and keeping them hidden — for centuries. Their adventures take them around the world and face-to-face with fantastic creatures; the accompanying illustrations make a perfect crossover for newly independent readers.
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Cam Jansen Series
Buy from:There’s a reason this series has been a bestseller for over 30 years — and with over 30 books in the set, it will keep readers busy for a good while. You might think of Cam Jansen as a descendent of Nancy Drew: there’s no mystery Cam can’t solve if she just puts her mind to it, especially with her best friend Eric at her side. It’s a great transition for those just getting into chapter books.
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Star Friends Series
Buy from:A group of girls befriends magical forest animals in this delightful series for third-grade kids. Between navigating the ups and downs of real-life drama, the girls must also learn to control their newfound magical abilities and stamp out the dark forces threatening their town. Kids who like stories about magic, animals, and friendship will enjoy this highly readable 15-book series.
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Unicorn Academy Series
Buy from:Every girl gets her own unicorn at Unicorn Academy, and it’s just as amazing as it sounds. Each story in this series features a different girl, her unicorn, and their adventures together. Whether they’re saving the academy from shutting down or searching for clues about errant magic, each story offers an exciting new mystery for them to solve.
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Rump: The (Fairly) True Tale of Rumpelstiltskin
Buy from:Fairy tale fans will delight in this clever twist on a familiar story. Poor Rump has only part of his name and a knack for spinning straw into gold — a gift that quickly gets him into trouble. Packed with adventure, humor, and magic, this fast-paced fantasy invites readers to see the classic Rumpelstiltskin tale from an entirely new perspective. If your child loves fractured fairy tales, they'll be eager to continue with the rest of the series.
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You're a Winner, Gracie Wei
Buy from:Gracie’s family has a wall where they display awards that family members have won. Everyone in the family has an award on the wall except for Gracie, who plans to secure her spot on the wall by winning her class’s spelling bee competition. Growing readers will love this chapter book series featuring friendship, a feisty heroine, and schoolroom drama.
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Sammy Keyes Series
Buy from:For kids who can't get enough mysteries, Sammy Keyes is a must-read. In this series opener, after witnessing a hotel theft, Sammy finds herself tangled in a case that only she seems determined to solve. With plenty of suspense, humor, and a fearless heroine, this engaging series offers all the thrills of a classic whodunit while remaining accessible for growing readers.
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The Noisy Village Series
Buy from:Life in Noisy Village may be quiet, but it's never boring. Through a series of charming adventures, readers follow six children as they navigate school, holidays, friendships, and everyday mishaps in the Swedish countryside. Full of warmth, humor, and timeless appeal, this cozy classic is perfect for readers who enjoy friendship stories and books that feel like spending time with old friends.
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The Swifts: A Dictionary of Scoundrels
Buy from:A family reunion takes a deadly turn when a relative shoves Arch-Aunt Schadenfreude down the stairs. Shenanigan Swift vows to figure out which one of her quirky relations did the dastardly deed. This delightful murder mystery is perfect for young readers who enjoy wordplay, mischief, and suspense.
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A Hero's Guide to Summer Vacation
Buy from:This book has everything young fantasy readers could want: family, magic, and a road trip! Gonzalo’s grandfather wrote a children’s fantasy series, and Gonzalo’s mother is sending them both on a cross-country book tour. But when demons start attacking them, Gonzalo learns that his grandfather’s books are based on reality rather than imagination.
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Planet Omar Series
Buy from:A wonderful #OwnVoices series, Planet Omar centers a young Muslim boy as he nervously transfers to a new school. Omar is bighearted and wildly imaginative (he suspects his new teacher of being an alien, for starters), and though he’s confronted with a bully and a feeling of otherness, he has his imagination, quirky family, and new best friend to help him find his footing.
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Stephen Curry Sports Superheroes Series
Buy from:Sports fanatics will love this graphic novel series featuring athletes who overcame significant barriers to success. The first book follows Stephen Curry, who became one of the greatest shooters in the NBA, despite coaches saying he was too short to play professional basketball. The second book is about Wilma Rudolph, who overcame polio and won three gold medals in the Olympics.
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Tales of a Fourth Grade Nothing
Buy from:Every third grader needs a dose of Judy Blume in their life — and every young reader who’s lived through the woes of sibling rivalry will appreciate this tale of Peter and his little brother, Fudge, who’s hogging all the attention. The kid’s trouble in Peter’s opinion, though all anyone seems to care about is his so-called cuteness. After your child devours this one, they can turn to Superfudge and Otherwise Known as Sheila the Great.
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Dragons in a Bag Series
Buy from:What starts as an ordinary day quickly turns magical when Jaxon discovers that his grandmother is caring for baby dragons. Before long, he's swept into an unforgettable adventure involving magic, mysterious worlds, and a mission to return the dragons where they belong. Fast-paced and imaginative, this series is an excellent choice for readers who love fantasy but aren't quite ready for longer middle grade novels.
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You might also like:
- 20 Short Middle Grade Books Under 250 Pages
- Next Reads for Kids Who Love Raina Telgemeier
- Must-Read Mystery Books for Tweens
- 12 Book to Graphic Novel Adaptations Kids Will Love
Editor’s Note: This article was originally published in 2015 and updated in 2026.