It's so much fun to read aloud to third grade students! Although a classroom of 8 and 9 year olds may include students working at a variety of reading levels, they can all sit and listen to more advanced read aloud books. This list of read alouds for third graders includes a diverse range of genres and interests so you can find just the right book!
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Books to Read Aloud to 3rd Grade
THE SHEEP, THE ROOSTER AND THE DUCK by Matt Phelan
Young children will love this quirky historical fantasy that includes anthropomorphized animals alongside recognizable figures like Benjamin Franklin and Marie Antoinette. The action is set in 1783 after the launching of the first hot air balloon and the three animals who flew in the balloon continue their careers as spies. The story is great fun, with lots of adventure and humor. Some of the action is conveyed through Phelan's trademark graphite cartoon panels and the novel is short enough to please everyone.
THE VERY, VERY FAR NORTH (series) by Dan Bar-El
This is my new favorite read aloud, and I don't say that lightly! Duane the polar bear has a curiosity and sense of adventure that leads him first to a shipwreck where he meets C.C. the Owl. He then encounters even more new friends like Handsome the musk ox, Magic the arctic fox, and Major Puffin. Together, they explore the wonders of the northern landscape. The cast of animals is as diverse in their personalities as they are in species and the thread of the story focuses on learning to appreciate one's friends. An absolute must-read book.
MORE: Books told from the animals' points of view
DOMINIC by William Steig
Dominic is a dog who sets out to find adventure. Along the way he meets the Doomsday Gang, a band of ne’er-do-wells who are spreading havoc among the local population. Dominic easily foils the greedy gang and earns everyone’s awe and respect. His kindness towards towards others earns him a reward, which he spreads around to the less fortunate as he continues on his journey. Dominic has such a positive attitude towards life, your kids will be smiling from ear to ear while reading.
MORE: Funny books for third graders
THE BOY AT THE BACK OF THE CLASS by Onjali Q. Raúf
Alexa's class has a new student. Ahmed has arrived in Britain from Syria. He doesn't know the language or understand all the customs. Alexa wonders about Ahmed and decides to befriend him. She and the other students gradually get to know him and his story. When they hear the country may close the borders to refugees, they decide to take action. The novel emphasizes children's capacity for compassion, kindness and their innate desire to help others.
THE HERO'S GUIDE TO SAVING YOUR KINGDOM (series) by Christopher Healy
Fans of fairy tale adventures, who want to read books similar to The Land of Stories, will enjoy this cheeky and humorous story about the "Prince Charmings." The princes, who now have actual names, have been turned out by their princesses for various reasons of unsuitability. They band together in an effort to prove themselves worthy by defeating Rapunzel's witch. The feisty princesses also make an appearance and by the end of the book it is hard not to laugh out loud at the lovable foolishness of the princes' exploits. Great fun.
MORE: Fairy tale themed novels for kids
MIDSUMMER'S MAYHEM by Rajani LaRocca
Mix one cup Shakespeare, two cups The Great British Baking Show, a tablespoon of a diverse cast and a sprinkling of magic and you get one perfectly baked magical realism book. Mimi, whose mom is Indian-American and dad is white, loves to bake. She enters a contest with the local bakery but then her father strangely loses his sense of taste and a mysterious boy helps her search for unusual ingredients. Everything goes awry á la A Midsummer Night's Dream and Mimi must figure out why and how to put it right.
MORE: Books with South Asian characters
THE TOOTHPASTE MILLIONAIRE by Jean Merrill
The practical side of math is highlighted when sixth-graders Rufus and Kate decide to invent a superior toothpaste, sell it and make their fortunes. First published 40 years ago, Jean Merrill's book (she also wrote The Pushcart War, which I recommend) is still a highly entertaining celebration of the imaginative spirit. After reading this book, don't be surprised to see your kids start up a new entrepreneurial endeavor using their math skills!
MORE: Math themed chapter books
LITTLE DOG LOST by Marion Dane Bauer
Find it: Amazon
If you are looking for a first book in verse to read out loud to your kids, look no further. Little Dog, Lost is an utterly charming story. Three plot points: a boy who needs a dog, a dog who needs an owner and a neighbor who needs friends come together in an extremely satisfying story. For me, the cadence of the free verse made this book easier to read aloud than prose. The story is heartfelt and engaging while still providing kids (and parents!) the opportunity to contemplate and discuss ideas like the importance of community and companionship. I read it aloud to my 6 and 10 year olds and we all throughly enjoyed it.
MORE: Novels written in verse
LIONS & LIARS by Kate Beasley
When Frederick Frederickson (the name says it all), 10-year-old misfit, accidentally sets himself adrift down the river, he ends up marooned at Camp Omigoshee, a disciplinary camp for boys. The counselors mistake him for one of the campers and Frederick wonders if this is his chance to reinvent himself. The others campers are just as quirky as Frederick, and together they forge a rather strange, but ultimately honest friendship, as true personalities are revealed. I really liked this book, and especially how Frederick learns to see power and privilege in a new light.
THE WHEEL ON THE SCHOOL by Meindert DeJong
Find it Amazon
In Holland, Lina and her friends wonder why there are no longer any storks in their village. They work together to build a nest for the birds on the school, and in doing so discover their individual and collective strengths. I remember loving this book as a kid. When I picked it up as a read aloud, I expected my kids to find this 1955 Newbery winner boring. Au contraire! Even my then-6 year old couldn't wait to hear more.
MORE: Favorite Newbery Books
WHERE THE MOUNTAIN MEETS THE MOON by Grace Lin
This is one of my favorite chapter books ever, and long time readers of this blog won't be surprised to see on on a list of my favorite Newbery Award books. Minli's family lives in poverty and Minli sets out on a quest to find the Old Man of the Moon and change her family's destiny. Along the way she is accompanied by the Jade Dragon and her journey is filled with twists and turns of fate. Lin deftly weaves together Minli's quest, her father's stories, and wonderful illustrations to create a memorable tale. Don't forget the companion books, Starry River of the Sky and When the Sea Turned to Silver.
THE WIND CALLED MY NAME by Mary Louise Sanchez
Find it: Amazon
During the Great Depression, Margarita Sandoval's family farm in New Mexico is devastated by drought and her father takes a job with the railroad, moving the family to Wyoming. Their new community doesn't appreciate the Sandoval's Hispanic heritage, her father works to organize rail workers into a union and her family must prevent the loss of Abuelita's land in New Mexico. This book fills a much needed gap in children's literature by portraying the diversity of the American frontier.
Fanny Harville says
Love your list, as always -- and looking forward to adding some of these titles to our To Be Read pile. Rufus M. and all the Moffats books were very beloved at our house. My son found the opening framing narrative of The Mixed-Up Files of Mrs. Basil E. Frankweiler off-putting when I tried to read it to him a year or two ago. I'd like to try it again with him since I have very fond memories of it myself!
I'm currently reading my 4th-grade son The Return of the The Great Brain, and I bet the Great Brain books would work well to read to both your older and younger sons together. They are a lot of fun.
My list of books we read aloud when our son was in 3rd grade is here:http://fannyharvilleunschool.blogspot.com/2013/06/third-grade-read-aloud-chapter-books.html
Erica MomandKiddo says
I loved The Great Brain when I was a kid, that is a great suggestion. Thank you!
Homegrown Learners (@marykprather) says
Thanks for this list! I also have a 9 year old son and we love to read aloud! I'm pinning this for reference when I need to choose our next book!
Erica MomandKiddo says
Thanks so much!
alimcollins says
Wow! Great list! I have 8 1/2 year twins, so this list is MUCH appreciated! I recently (thanks to your help) put together a Pinterest board of books with Heroines of Color: http://www.pinterest.com/alimco/heroines-of-color/
As for Read Alouds, we are currently working on some classics: the Anne of Green Gables Series, Harry Potter, and Wrinkle in Time.
Previous favorites included two great books that were very funny (and fun for me to read): The Lemonade War about siblings competing/fighting to win a bet on who can sell the most lemonade. It is told from the perspective of a boy and his sister (each chapter alternates with a different voice.) And, another favorite, Alvin Ho: Allergic to Girls, School, and Other Scary Things.
Erica MomandKiddo says
Thanks for your comment. The Lemonade War is great! I haven't read that aloud, but my older son loved it, and we love Alvin Ho, too. The audio book of it is terrific. I'm definitely going to check out your Pinterest board, thanks!
Karyn says
Great list! I am always on the lookout for good books to read with my kids!
Erica MomandKiddo says
Thanks, Karyn.
Keitha says
Thanks for the list. I have only read one of the books you mentioned. Will have to look for the others.
~ linda says
This is a great list and I see more to meander through! I tutor elementary age children and some of my parents are wanting books for their kids to read over the summer. Some of these books were part of my "Classics" reading club at a public library where I served as Children's Librarian, but have been gone awhile so this jogs my memory without me having to do all the work. Thanks.
Erica MomandKiddo says
Thanks, Linda. I think the other lists mentioned may be useful for you, too. Happy to jog people's memory anytime!
Kira says
I cannot even tell you how much I LOVED The Westing Game as a kid! I probably read it 100 times, not joking. I cannot wait to read it to my girls when they are a little older! (6 and 4)
Erica MomandKiddo says
One of my favorite books!!
Ashley says
I'm struggling. And I'm ashamed to admit it! We are listening to the audio version of "The Watson's Go to Birmingham - 1963." (An excellent recording by the way) I know some people get worked up by "foul" language and nekkid ladies, but I'm not one of them.
When Byron gets in trouble for setting Nazi's on fire and is subsequently published, I *almost* turned off the recording. I kept chanting to myself "She (you) has not steered us wrong yet. Hang in there." Yet, I cannot help but feel strongly that this passage contained child abuse.
Obviously, in 1963, no one would blink an eye at this type of moment in a family's lifespan. I don't even think the Department of Children's Services existed in 1963!
But perhaps it should have.
I suppose to many readers this may not have been a passage to struggle over, but as a wife of a DCS worker, this was too real. Of course, as good books do, this scene started a wonderful conversation. But then my 9-year-old woke up with nightmares that night about being burned ...
I haven't turned the book back on! I'm avoiding it. So I'm struggling and you haven't steered me wrong yet. Advice?
Erica says
Hi Ashley, Thank you for your thoughtful comments. I think I probably did steer you wrong and I am so dreadfully sorry that your son woke up with nightmares!! It's true that I really love this book but now that my younger son is in third grade I question putting it on a list for 3rd graders and I'm going add a note for people to comment. My older son was an "old" 3rd graders and my youngest is a young 3rd grader and I am not yet ready to read Watsons to him. You bring up the scene of Byron's punishment and one of my kids didn't bat an eye, but then I remember we couldn't get through the first chapter of Farmer Boy because of the whipping.
If your son is upset by the scene I would just let the book go for now. If you want to read a book about the civil rights era, you could read "Susan Marcus Bends the Rules" or perhaps just pick up something light and funny!
Ashley says
We may come back to it in A year or more. My daughter is super sensitive and I probably should have done more research going into it. Personally, I intend to finish listening sans kiddos! I thought it was great. ? In fact that brings me to what you love to read. I've seen some posts about items you read for yourself , not the blog. I'd like to see that sort of post more often.?
Erica says
In the distant past I had a "Mom's Bookshelf" feature. Now I post books like that on Instagram (when I think of it)!
Tammie Jones says
I wonder if you could help me remember the title of a book? My daughter and I read it twice we liked it so much, but I cannot recall the title. We have moved or I would just go to the library and look! Ha!
The book is about a family that is kinda of stuck in boredom. The mom travels back in time to the 1950 or 1960 time period where families sat on the porch and drank lemonade and churned ice cream and put puzzles together.
It was such a good booklet!
My daughter is long grown, but I still live children’s fiction best! I would like for my husband and I to read this together. Can you help?
Jane says
This is a great list, like all of your lists! I'm a third grade teacher and have gotten so many wonderful ideas from you. Would you happen to know of a great book (or books!) connected to the idea of sustainability (responsible consumption and production) that I could read aloud to my third graders? Thank you!
Ashly says
Is there a printable list? Id love to send this home with my 3rd graders for summer reading suggestions.
Erica says
I just added one!