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!
18. Alien Superstar
Behind the scenes, no one in show business is surprised by crazy costumes so they don't think twice about seeing Buddy audition for roles at Universal studios. An ingenious idea by the writer Lin Oliver births this 3-book series about a 6-eyed alien named Buddy who lands in Hollywood and becomes a superstar!
19. Leroy Ninker Saddles Up: Tales from Deckawoo Drive
For readers of the popular series Mercy Watson, Kate DiCamillo brings this world back to life again with a new main character and storyline perfect for 3rd grade readers. There are 6 chapter books in this exciting series with young Leroy Ninker, an aspiring cowboy, and his loveable horse named Maybelline.
20. Bink and Gollie
Another clever series by the dynamic duo Kate DiCamillo and Alison McGhee stars two best friends as they experience the world together. Bink is short with spunk and crazy hair, and Gollie is tall, patient, and generous. See what this goofy pair gets up to in this 3-book series.
21. Jake Maddox Sports Series
If your reluctant reader loves sports, ANY sports, then look no further! This 78-book series by Jake Maddox tackles a different sports-related story in each chapter book. From skateboarding and football to horseback riding and gymnastics, these books are perfect for any sporty 3rd grade boy or girl!
22. Willodeen
Do your independent readers love a good fantasy story? Possibly one that involves cute little hummingbears and handmade creatures? Katherine Applegate brings a magical world to life where a young girl named Willodeen must speak out and act to protect the under-appreciated creatures that bring her town joy.
23. When You Trap a Tiger
Here is an amazing novel by award-winner Tae Keller, perfect for advanced readers who enjoy learning about different cultures and folklore. This book tells the beloved story of a Korean family living with their sick grandmother when a tiger appears and begins sharing the complicated history of the family and the tigers. Can the tiger help their grandmother, and what does he want in return?
24. A Bad Case of Stripes
Camilla Cream is paranoid about what other people think. She only does what they do, nothing original or out of the ordinary for this girl. This seemed to be working for her until one day she breaks out in a terrible case of stripes! Will she learn that conformity isn't always the right way to go?
25. My Pet Slime
An all-new original series by Courtney Sheinmel about Piper, a girl who is allergic to ALL animals. How can a girl like Piper ever have her own pet to love and cuddle? Well, she can make her own out of slime! If this isn't wacky enough for you, wait until it comes to life and they get to go on all sorts of adventures together in this 3-book fun series!
26. Magic on the Map
Time for a road trip around the U.S. with this charming series for the adventurous reader. Each book in the 4-book series takes twins Finn and Molly on a magical trip to a new destination. What is bringing them there? Only a talking RV! Read and find out where they go next!
27. Stella Batts Needs a New Name
Meet Stella Batts and follow along on her various mishaps and adventures as she stumbles her way through school, friends, bad haircuts, and mean boys. This series has 10 books in total, each telling a beloved story many young girls and boys can relate to and enjoy reading.
28. Teacher Troubles for Jelly Eli Z.
Jelly Eli. Z is a good kid, not a trouble or a mess-maker like many young boys. Then how come his teachers and principal keep staring at him all day today? Find out in this first book of a 3-book series by David Adler.
29. Ellray Jakes Is Not a Chicken
In this first book in a 9-book hit series, we meet Ellray Jakes, a nice young boy who keeps getting bullied in school by a mean kid. One day he gets in trouble for defending himself and his dad makes him a deal. No getting in trouble for a week and we go to Disneyland! Can Ellray Jakes make it in 7 days, or will something/someone get in the way?
30. Princess Pulverizer: Grilled Cheese and Dragons
Is she a knight or a princess? Author Nancy Krulik brings us an exciting and original series with 8 books in total about Princess Serena, the princess who wishes to be a knight! Her crusades with her friends Dribble the dragon and Lucas the knight (in training) are perfect for the adventurous reader!
31. The Questioneers: Rosie Revere and the Raucous Riveters
Andrea Beaty gives us more inspiring and beloved storylines with this 6-book bestselling series telling tales of important women in history. The first book is about a young Rosie Revere and her friends the Riveters who built airplanes during WWII. These books teach the importance of teamwork and female strength and resilience!
32. Mouse Tales
33. Here's Hank: Bookmarks Are People Too!
This 12-book series by Henry Winkler is a follow-up to the bestselling Hank Zipzer series, with Hank growing up and going through Elementary school. In this first book, Hank wants to be in the school play. When he messes up the audition he ends up getting the role of a bookmark. Will he be able to turn his silent part into a leading role?
34. Nancy Clancy, Super Sleuth
These chapter books are the next step for kids who loved the Nancy Clancy pictures books when they were younger. A delightful series with 8 books, following Fancy Nancy as she and her friend Bree solve mysteries around their school.
35. Brothers in Hope: The Story of the Lost Boys of Sudan
36. Snake Camp
The summer takes an unusually alarming turn when Stevie Marsh realizes Camp Viper is not a computer camp, but actually a camp to learn about snakes! Depending on how your 3rd grader feels about slithery creatures, this could be a hilarious read or a horror story!
37. Freckle Juice
38. Code 7: Cracking the Code for an Epic Life
Award winner and bestselling author Bryan Johnson gives us this inspiring story about 7 kids who crack the code for exceptional lives. Each individual goes about it their own way, but they are all achieving greatness one step at a time. One of those important books for kids that teaches initiative and to follow your dreams!
39. The Wild Robot
Roz the robot has no idea how she ended up on a desert island alone. She is a robot, after all, so she will try her best to survive the weather and wild animals. As she begins to feel at home, visions, and signs from her past begin to appear. What will be revealed about where she came from and who she is? Read and find out in this 2-book series.
40. Dragons in a Bag
This creative fantasy 3-book series is for all the dragon lovers out there! The main character, Jaxon, is sent by his mother to help an old lady (who happens to be a witch) with some work. It just so happens that this work involves taking care of and shipping dragons around Brooklyn! What can go wrong?
41. Pizazz
Are your adventurous readers into superheroes? What about a superhero that just wants to be a normal kid? This 5-book series tells the story of Pizazz a young girl who finds being super is not all it's cracked up to be.
42. A to Z Mysteries: The Absent Autor
This clever mystery-solving series has 26 books, one for each letter in the alphabet! So yes, the first A for Author, has the four best friends investigating why one of their favorite authors never showed up to his book signing. Will they be able to find out what happened to him?
43. Minecraft Woodsword Chronicles: Into the Game!
Does your 3rd grade reader like to play Minecraft? This is the perfect chapter book series for them! It follows 5 friends who love Minecraft and somehow get sucked into the game. They now have to build, strategize, and work together to make it out alive!
44. Hamster Princess: Harriet the Invincible
A furry little twist on your classic fairytale gives us Harriet the hamster princess, a 6-book comic series by Ursula Vernon. Baby Harriet was cursed to fall into a deep sleep when she turned 12 so until then she is going to live her life to the fullest! What kinds of crazy adventures will this rodent princess get into?
45. The Haunted Library
Kaz is a young ghost boy who has lost his home and family, and Claire is a young girl who can see and talk to ghosts. One day Kaz wanders into the attic above the library where Claire and her family live and they become friends. Maybe together they can figure out who has been haunting the library in the first installment of this 10-book series.
46. Jada Jones: Rock Star
Jada is a science-loving girl who adores rocks and animals but does not have the best of luck making friends with humans her own age. When her best friend moves away, Jada needs to figure out how to relate with her peers to complete a group science project. This 5-book series is great for middle-reading level kids who understand the challenges of school and making friends.
47. What The Moon Saw
An important book with insights into how it feels to have family roots in different places. Young Clara is a girl in the United States, but her father's family still lives in Mexico. When she visits her grandparents she discovers a whole new world and part of herself she didn't know existed. What will she uncover and will she ever be the same?
48. Ms. Frogbottom's Field Trips: I Want My Mummy!
Your 3rd graders will never experience a normal day of school in this 4-book series with Ms. Frogbottom and her magical map. All she has to do is open her map and pick a country she wants to take the class and off they go! Every trip teaches about geography and problem solving, great for critical thinking skills.
49. Galactic Hot Dogs: Cosmoe's Wiener Getaway
In this absurdly action-packed 3-book companion series, Cosmoe a young orphan boy from Earth finds himself in space, in a galactic food truck selling universally-renowned hot dogs! Amidst all the food competitions and traveling to different planets, trouble boards their ship in the shape of a young princess. Will Cosmoe's crew be able to outrun her evil queen mother?
50. 43 Old Cemetery Road: Dying to Meet You
An award-winning 7-book series about a haunted house, the people that live there, and those that visit. Each book teaches readers about friendship, sacrifice, and forgiveness through the relationships between the quirky characters.
51. Olga and the Smelly Thing from Nowhere
It's a cat, it's a bird...no it's a "meh"! Child scientist and animal-lover Olga is a curious and witty young girl who loves finding things out using the scientific method. When she discovers a new species of animal, she is determined to uncover all there is to know about this strange little creature.
52. Sarai and the Meaning of Awesome
This 4-book series was inspired by the true story of Sarai Gonzalez, a young girl who started a cupcake business to try and save her grandparents' house. An amazing journey series that will excite your young readers to believe in their dreams and go out into the world to accomplish them!
53. Pip Barlett's Guide to Magical Creatures
Get ready for more fantasy stories with this 3-book series about Pip, a young girl who can talk to magical creatures! She likes to spend time helping her aunt who is a vet for these amazing beasts and reading her Guide to Magical Creatures. However, she realizes most things you need to know about magical creatures are not learned from a book, but from interacting with them.
54. Muggie Maggie
55. Definitely Dominguita: Knight of the Cape
Dom is a young Cuban-American girl who used to love reading classic stories with her abuela before she went away. In this first book in a 4-book chapter series, Dom is inspired by Don Quixote and his mission to protect and take care of his community. When a bully at school tells her girls can't be knights, she is determined to prove him wrong!
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