Doggone Good Books for Third Graders
The following lists contain a selection of books to satisfy the wide variety of reading levels and interests of third grade readers. Many of these authors have other titles which are appropriate for this reading level. Click on the subject heading to see a list of suggested books and their availability. To see a title's Lexile number, click on the title and then click on the "Full Record" tab.
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New Book Reviews
Reading Level: Grades 2-4
This is the remarkable true story of John Price, former slave, and the citizens of Oberlin, Ohio. In 1856, Price and two others managed a daring escape from slavery, and settled in Oberlin, then home to many abolitionists and former slaves. Two years later, Price was snatched from the road by slave hunters. His cry for help was heard by an Oberlin college student. This is the inspiring story of the response to that cry.
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Other books by Judith Bloom Fradin
Reading Level: Ages 3 - 9
A bunch of baby animals tell what they do on their first day of life, such as fighting their way out of shells or being pushed up to the ocean's surface for his first breath in this cute science book.
Reading Level: Grades 3-5
"Once upon a time my life was normal. Then the mirror in our basement ate us."
When a magic mirror transports 10-year-old Abby and her little brother Jonah to the forest next to the cottage of the seven dwarves, they stop Snow White from eating the poisoned apple. Now Snow White has two problems: 1) The evil queen keeps trying to kill her and 2) Since she didn't eat the apple, the prince didn't kiss her so she has lost her chance to live happily ever after.
It is up to Abby and Jonah to help the clueless Snow White stay alive AND get her happliy ever after. Then they can try to get back home.
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Books by Sarah Mlynowski
For more fractured fairytales try:
The Frog Princess by E.D. Baker
Into the Woods by Lyn Gardner and
Little Wolf's Book of Badness by Ian Whybrow
Reading Level: Grades 1 and up. Not recommended for gerbilsssss or thosssssse ssssenssssitive to sssssslithererssssss.
Nic Bishop, one of the most terrifying authors in children's literature today, has done it again with his new book, Snakes. Prepare for sleepless, terrified nights after these horrific photographs of larger-than-life serpents (really, Nic? Did they have to be larger? Actual size is horrifying enough!). We gerbils hear a lot of kids talk about how scary R.L. Stine's books are (they are located right next to our cage) but clearly these kids have never read anything by Nic Bishop. He's the scariest there is!
Reading Level: Grades k - 4
Kanchil the mouse deer knows he is the fastest animal in the jungle so when he challenges everyone to a race he is stunned to have his challenge taken up by Pelan the snail and even more shocked when he loses. How could that be?
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