By 3rd grade, readers are more independent and looking for the perfect series to get hooked on. Whether your kid loves mystery series, graphic novels, classics, humorous characters, or reading aloud, we have the perfect chapter book series for every 3rd grader in your life.
Check out these 17 suggestions, if you like what you see, there are links to purchase and start reading today!
1. Stella Diaz
This 4 book series is inspired by the author Angela Dominguez's childhood growing up as a Mexican-American in the United States. The chapters incorporate easy-to-understand Spanish phrases, cultural references, and relatable characters that captivate and inspire the reader to pick up the next book!
2. The Phantom Tollbooth
This best-selling classic book for young readers was written by the famous Norton Juster. He uses beautifully rendered illustrations, whimsical language, and wordplay to take the reader on a fantastical journey of Milo a lonely boy, and Tollbooth a mysterious dog-like creature as they explore the surprisingly exciting world around them.
3. The BFG
Roald Dahl is one of the best children's fantasy book writers of all time. The Big Friendly Giant is a classic tale of magical creatures, adventure, and friendship that was also made into a movie! Your 3rd grade readers will fall in love with this kind, thoughtful giant and his little companion as they try to save innocent humans from being eaten!
4. Fantastic Mr. Fox
This is a tale of a courageous outlaw that is trying to bring balance and fairness to his little town and take care of his family. Roald Dahl does it again with this compassionate and well-thought-out chapter book that teaches young readers important lessons about kindness, sharing, bravery, and what it means to be a hero.
5. Wayside School
Bestselling and award-winning author Louis Sachar brings you this series for kids who enjoy funny stories with absurd plots and relatable characters. These chapters books are longer, but read very easily with sentence structure and vocabulary suited for elementary school kids.
6. The World of Anna Hibiscus
This box set collection of books follows Anna Hibiscus, her life, and her family as they live and explore around their home in Africa. These heartwarming stories are great for read alouds, independent reading, and expanding vocabulary practice. They also provide a new perspective on life through the lens of a different country and culture.
7. The Critter Club
The Critter Club series follows 4 kind and ambitious kids as they band together to form an animal rescue shelter for animal friends who need their help and protection. Each book is full of adventure and overcoming challenges to make sure all the animals they encounter are loved and happy. This series is great for your animal-loving 3rd grade readers.
8. Franny K. Stein
This science-inspired and colorfully illustrated book series by Jim Benton is guaranteed to win over any reluctant readers in a flash! Franny is a rambunctious mad scientist who tries to use her brainpower to solve issues that continue to arise in her crazy life. Follow along with this easy-to-read fantastic series through experiments, inventions, and many more wacky antics!
9. Mrs. Piggle-Wiggle
There is absolutely nothing ordinary about Mrs. Piggle-Wiggle. From her dead husband being a pirate, to her upside-down house, and her secret magic chest full of spells or maybe curses? The naughty kids in her neighborhood better watch out because Mrs. Piggle-Wiggle's "cures" will turn their bad habits upside-down and teach them lessons they will never forget!
10. Dragonbreath
Danny Dragonbreath is failing as a dragon. He cannot breathe fire and he just failed his science test, so he needs to try something new! He asks his cousin (a sea serpent) for help and finds himself in a few sticky situations. Ursula Vernon is a unique author with a keen eye for relatable content and stories for 3rd grade readers. Her books are widely praised for changing many reluctant readers into avid chapter book lovers.
11. Cam Jansen
This best-selling classic children's book series by David A. Adler follows Cam Jansen, a smart and curious young detective as she goes on adventures, encounters fishy situations, tries to solve mysteries, and catches the bad guys! From missing dinosaur bones to UFOs, these books are full of mystery, adventure, and friendship.
12. Super Potato
This graphic novel series is bound to make your 3rd grade reader laugh his spud off! The 1st book of the 7 book hilarious series is the origin story of Max, the kid superhero that was turned into a potato by the evil Dr. Malevolent. What Max did not expect was that he still had his superhero powers even as a potato! So he is determined to continue fighting crime and saving the world, one flying french fry at a time!
13. Phoebe and Her Unicorn
Dana Simpson is the best-selling author of this 14 book charming series about how a young girl Phoebe meets and becomes best friends with a magical unicorn. The books follow the unlikely pair as they build a connection with one another and show each other just how special they really are and how important having a true friend really is.
14. The Kicks
This sports and teamwork-inspired book series by the Olympic gold medalist soccer player Alex Morgan is bound to get your 3rd grader off the bench and out on the field of life. The Kicks is a 6 book series about a middle school girl named Devon, who moves to a new school and a new soccer team. She went from being the captain of an all-star team in California to a messy, unorganized team of klutzes in Kentucky. Can she step up, be a leader, and usher her new team to victory?
15. Mermaid Tales
This fantasy / magic-inspired series is full of magical creatures like mermaids, giant sea turtles, and talking dolphins. The author Debbie Dadey brings the 4 funloving best friend characters to life as they try to maneuver going to Trident Academy and go on whimsical adventures around the sea.
16. Make Way for Dyamonde Daniel
This 4 book series by Nikki Grimes follows a quirky 3rd grader named Dyamonde with a fiery personality and a determinedness to make friends and a name for herself at her new school. The writing style and character choices make these books educational and relevant for kids going through school and trying to fit in and make friends.
17. The Year of the Book
Andrea Cheng created this 4 book series about a young Asian-American girl named Anna Wang and her journey to self-acceptance, confidence, and discovery as she tries to relate to her peers. With various cultural, language, and social barriers to overcome, can Anna Wang feel accepted and loved for who she is? Read and find out!
26 Books For 4th Grade Read Alouds