16 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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Stephen Curry Sports Superheroes Series
Available 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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Minecraft Ironsword Academy Series
Available from:Minecraft is the most popular video game of all time, and kids can stay in that world a little longer with this action-packed series. Morgan, Harper, and their friends attend a new school where they must navigate friendships, avoid a grouchy principal, and keep the Minecraft server safe from someone who wants to unplug it. Also, make sure to check out The Minecraft Woodsword Chronicle and The Minecraft Stonesword Saga.
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The Tia Lola Series
Available 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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Pages & Co. Series
Available 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
Available 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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Los Monstruos: Felice and the Wailing Woman
Available from:In this enchanting adventure, the determined twelve-year-old daughter of La Llorona sets out to free her mother and undo the curses that have been afflicting the magical town of Tres Leches. With added help from the children of other monsters, they go on a charming adventure to break magical and metaphorical curses that have haunted their town for generations.
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The Unicorn Rescue Society Series
Available 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
Available 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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The Swifts: A Dictionary of Scoundrels
Available 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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Planet Omar Series
Available 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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Deepwater Creek: A Graphic Novel
Available from:Third graders looking for thrills and chills will find it in this horror graphic novel. A group of friends goes on one last fishing trip before school starts, but their relaxing day takes a terrifying turn when they hook a river monster. Their parents dismiss the wild story, and the kids realize it’s up to them to save their families from the creature lurking beneath the river’s surface. This spine-tingling book is perfect to read at Halloween or any time of year.
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A Hero's Guide to Summer Vacation
Available 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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The Phantom Tollbooth
Available from:Third grade is the perfect age to experience the wonder of The Phantom Tollbooth. Milo’s mysterious journey to the Island of Conclusions and his burgeoning friendship with Tock the ticking watchdog will reinvigorate imaginations — including yours! Why not revisit this classic with a family-wide read aloud? Your kids will be clamoring to read the next page.
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The Secret Library
Available 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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Tales of a Fourth Grade Nothing
Available 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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The Mouse with the Question Mark Tail
Available 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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- 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 2025.