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If you have a. 7-9 year old, you need this 3rd grade summer reading list! Reading is a big deal for third graders because, at this point, they are starting to read for learning (instead of just learning to read). This is the time when kids can really develop a love for reading, so a summer reading list can be a game-changer. They can explore the magical world of Shel Silverstein, whose books I really enjoyed reading as a kid, or get lost in a fun series that fills their whole summer! What kind of books does your 3rd grader enjoy reading?
This 3rd grade summer reading list will improve the reading skills of young readers and keep the momentum going while school is out over summer break. I’ve compiled a list of great books in several different categories. Some kids enjoy reading from all categories or they may find that they prefer to stick to one category or even one author. It’s cool to watch them gravitate toward what really interests them!
No matter what kind of books they love, a summer reading program will benefit your child’s continued learning and fuel their imagination. Want to make this more fun? Have your child talk to other 3rd graders to read the same books together, or have them do a chapter books challenge with their best friend! Some of these books will work great for 4th grade as well. Reading is more about reading level and less about grade level.
Best Books for Your Child’s 3rd Grade Summer Reading List
3rd Grade Funny Books
- My Weird School #1: Miss Daisy Is Crazy! (series) by Dan Gutman
- Doodle Adventures: The Search for Slimy Space Slugs! (series) by Mike Lowery
- The 13-Story Treehouse by Andy Griffiths
- Stinkbomb and Ketchup-Face and the Badness of Badgers by John Dougherty
- Wedgie & Gizmo by Suzanne Selfors
- Hamster Princess Harriet the Invincible by Ursula Vernon
- The Dragonsitter (series) by Josh Lacey
3rd Grade Graphic Novels
- Bluffton: My Summers with Buster by Matt Phelan
- Because of Winn Dixie by Kate Dicamillo
- Squish: Super Amoeba by Jennifer L. Holm
- The Adventures of Ook and Gluk, Kung-Fu Cavemen from the Future by Dav Pilkey
- Adventures in Cartooning: How to Turn Your Doodles into Comics by James Sturm
- The Secret of the Unicorn by Hergé
- Trouble Maker by Andrew Clements
- The Tale of Despereaux by Kate Dicamillo
- Ancient Egypt: Tales of Gods and Pharaohs by Marcia Williams
- Bake Sale by Sara Varon
- Starring Sally J. Freedman as Herself by Judy Blume
- Bone: Out from Boneville by Jeff Smith
- The Boxcar Children by Shannon Eric Denton
- Creepy Crawly Crime by Aaron Reynolds
- Matilda by Roald Dahl
- Knights of the Lunch Table: The Dodgeball Chronicles by Frank Cammuso
- Fashion Kitty and the Unlikely Hero by Charise Mericle Harper
- Hyperactive by Scott Christian Sava
- Magic Tree House (series) by Mary Pope Osborne
3rd Grade Non Fiction
- The Boy Who Invented the Popsicle by Dan Wulffson
- A Storybook Life (Heroes of History) by Laura Ingalls Wilder
- Lives of Musicians: Good Times, Bad Times (And What the Neighbors Thought) by Kathleen Krull
- A River Run Wild by Lynne Cherry
- Look to the North: A Wolf Pup Diary by Jean Craighead George
- The Man Who Walked Between the Towers by Mordacai Gerstein
- Pink and Say by Patricia Polacco
- Will You Sign Here, John Hancock? by Jean Fritz
- The Truth about Great White Sharks by Mary M. Cerullo
- Through My Eyes by Ruby Bridges
- The Story of Baseball by Lawrence Ritter
- Girls Think of Everything by Catherine Thimmeah
3rd Grade Adventure and Mystery
- Secret Agent Jack Stalwart (series) by Elizabeth Singer Hunt
- The Great Shelby Holmes by Elizabeth Eulberg
- The Gumazing Gum Girl! by Rhode Montijo
- I Survived the San Francisco Earthquake (series) by Lauren Tarshis
- Trapped in a Video Game by Dustin Brady
- Mac Undercover (Kid Spy #1) by Mac Barnett
- Bunnicula: A Rabbit-Tale of Mystery (series) by James Howe
- Key to the Treasure (Liza, Bill & Jed Mysteries) by Peggy Parish
3rd Grade Animal Books
- Jenny and the Cat Club (series) by Esther Averill
- The Critter Club (series) by Callie Barkley and Marsha Riti
- Olga and the Smelly Thing From Nowhere by Elise Gravel
- Dolphin Rescue (Animal Planet Adventures #1) (series) by Catherine Nichols
- Who Would Win? Whale vs. Giant Squid by Jerry Pallotta
- What Makes a Monster? Discovering the World’s Scariest Creatures by Jess Keating
Summer Reading Printable Book Response Sheets
These book response sheets are a slightly different format than a book report. They won’t take your child much time, but they are a great way to show that they took in what they were reading, and keep their mind (and let’s be real, handwriting) in practice for the upcoming school year!
Click the image or button below to download a PDF of the Printable Book Response Sheet.
3rd Grade Summer Reading List Book Log
A reading log is a great way to represent the work your child has done while working through their 3rd Grade Summer Reading List. At the end of the summer when they look at all they accomplished after recording it on their list, they’ll be so proud! Plus, they can take it back to their teacher when they start school!
I’m sure your little reader will find something they love in this list of books! Even reluctant readers will find something that interests them. They may even start a book series that will keep them coming back for more! Fostering a love of reading is such an important thing you can do for your child’s life! When you use a reading list for the summer, it helps your kids stay on track and gain more confidence in their reading skills so they’ll be ready to go when it’s time to start back to school. You can check your local library for these books are get them online. Happy reading!
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Hi, I’m Jessica! I am wife to Chris, and mom to Kaiper, Alana and Koa. I am a graphic designer, website developer and aspiring author. In this space, I share about everything from parenting, working from home, food we cook, and lots of things for kids! Learn more about me here.
