Best 3rd Grade Reading Books: Popular Picks for Ages 8–9

Third grade (ages 8–9) is a critical reading transition year. Children begin reading longer texts independently, building stamina, and developing a deeper understanding of stories, characters, and themes.Choosing the right 3rd grade reading books can make all the difference. The right book can turn a hesitant reader into a confident one—and even spark a lifelong love of reading.

This 3rd grade reading books list has been carefully selected by the Wukong ELA Research and Teaching Group with the aim of helping 8-9-year-old primary school students improve their reading skills. The list includes various types of books, ranging from simple and easy-to-understand short stories to more challenging chapter books, making it highly suitable for parent-child shared reading or children’s first independent reading experiences.

Why Choosing the Right 3rd Grade Reading Books Matters

Third grade is often called the year when children both learn to read and read to learn. At this stage, reading expectations change.

At this point, the choice of books made by parents and teachers directly influences the development of children’s reading habits and reading interests, as well as the improvement of their reading abilities.

3rd Grade：“Learn to Read” and “Read to Learn.”

Kids are no longer just sounding out words. They are expected to read chapter books on their own. And they begin to follow longer and more complex stories. They also start to understand why characters act the way they do, not just what happens in the story. These skills help children become more confident, independent readers.

The best 3rd grade reading books usually share a few key traits:

• Short to medium-length chapters that feel manageable
• Engaging plots (adventure, mystery, humor, fantasy)
• Relatable characters around the same age
• Some illustrations, especially for developing readers

Tips for Parents and Teachers to Help to Choose Reading Books

For parents and teachers, a few simple strategies can make reading more enjoyable and effective. Let children choose books based on what interests them, not only their reading level. Mix independent reading with read-aloud time to keep motivation high.

Series books are especially helpful because familiar characters build confidence and encourage kids to keep reading. Audiobooks can also support understanding and make stories more fun. A “just-right” book should feel exciting and achievable, not exhausting or frustrating.

How to Encourage Reading at Home and School

Even the best 3rd grade reading books need the right environment to truly make an impact. Setting a daily reading routine of 15 to 30 minutes helps children build consistency. Reading together and talking about the story can deepen understanding and enjoyment.

Regular visits to the library give kids more choice and excitement. It’s also important to let children stop reading books they genuinely don’t enjoy. Reading should feel like a choice, not a chore.

Our Curated List of 3rd Grade Reading Books

If you don’t have these books at hand and want to find some English reading materials for your third grade child, you can download Wukong’s English reading resources for free.

Below are some of the most recommended 3rd grade reading books, grouped by genre to help you find the perfect match for every reader.

List of 3rd Grade 22 Reading Books

Part 1 : Fantasy、Adventure and Mystery Books for 3rd Graders

Fantasy adventure puzzle books not only transform reading from a ‘task’ into an addictive pleasure, which helps cultivate children’s reading interest, but also expand their imagination and logical thinking abilities. In the course of various adventure journeys, children can develop problem-solving skills, resilient character, and maintain a curious and open-minded attitude towards the complex world.

1. Nate the Great Series by Marjorie Weinman Sharmat (1972–Present)

Genre: Mystery

Nate the Great follows a young detective who solves simple mysteries. Each book is short and clearly structured. The predictable format helps third graders practice comprehension and logical thinking while enjoying a fun story.

Adventure and mystery stories are excellent for building reading stamina. They keep kids turning pages and guessing what happens next.

2. The Boxcar Children by Gertrude Chandler Warner (1924–Present)

Genre: Mystery | Adventure

The Boxcar Children series follows four siblings who solve mysteries and overcome challenges together. Each story focuses on problem-solving, teamwork, and independence. The language is simple, chapters are short, and plots are easy to follow, making it ideal for third graders who are building confidence with chapter books.

3. The BFG by Roald Dahl (1982)

Genre: Fantasy | Adventure

The BFG tells the story of a young girl named Sophie and a kind giant who brings good dreams to children. Together, they work to stop the other giants who cause harm. The book is full of imagination, playful language, and humor. It helps third graders explore themes of friendship, courage, and kindness while enjoying an exciting fantasy adventure.

4.Charlotte’s Web by E.B. White (1952)

Genre: Fantasy | Friendship

Charlotte’s Web by E.B. White is a classic story about friendship and kindness. The book follows Wilbur, a small pig whose life is saved by a girl named Fern and later by a wise spider named Charlotte. When Wilbur is in danger again, Charlotte helps him by weaving words into her web to protect him. The story teaches themes of friendship, loyalty, and caring for others. With its gentle tone and talking animals, Charlotte’s Web is a meaningful and engaging read for third graders.

5. The Land of Stories by Chris Colfer (2012–Present)

Genre: Fantasy | Adventure

The Land of Stories follows twins who fall into a magical world filled with fairy-tale characters. Familiar stories are retold with exciting twists and modern humor. The fast-moving plot and clear chapter structure help third graders stay engaged while reading longer fantasy books.

6. The Magic Tree House Series by Mary Pope Osborne (1992–Present)

Genre: Adventure | Historical Fiction

The Magic Tree House series is an excellent introduction to chapter books for third graders. The stories follow siblings Jack and Annie, who travel through time and space in a magical tree house. Each book takes them to a new place or time period, such as ancient Egypt, the age of dinosaurs, or outer space. The series blends exciting adventures with real facts about history, science, and geography, making reading both fun and educational.

7. The Spiderwick Chronicles by Tony DiTerlizzi & Holly Black (2003–2009)

Genre: Fantasy | Adventure

The Spiderwick Chronicles follows three siblings who discover a hidden world of magical creatures. The books are short, fast-paced, and include illustrations that support understanding. This series is great for third graders who enjoy fantasy but are not ready for very long novels.

Part 2 : Realistic Fiction and Life Lessons Reading Books

Realistic novels are closely related to real-life scenarios such as school, family, and peer interactions.They cultivate empathy, sense of right and wrong, and problem-solving abilities imperceptibly, while also enhancing reading comprehension and emotional perception, laying a solid foundation for subsequent in-depth reading and personality development.These 3rd grade reading books help children understand emotions, relationships, and real-life challenges.

1. The Penderwicks by Jeanne Birdsall (2005)

Genre: Realistic Fiction | Family

The Penderwicks tells the story of four sisters and their summer adventures. The book focuses on family relationships, friendship, and growing up. The language is clear and descriptive, making it a good choice for third graders who are ready for slightly longer chapter books with strong characters.

2. Tales of a Fourth Grade Nothing by Judy Blume (1972)

Genre: Realistic Fiction | Humor

This book follows a young boy dealing with everyday family life and a troublesome younger sibling. The story is funny, relatable, and easy to understand. Judy Blume’s writing helps third graders connect reading with real-life experiences.

3. Because of Winn-Dixie by Kate DiCamillo (2000)

Genre: Realistic Fiction

This story follows a young girl who makes new friends after adopting a stray dog. The book focuses on friendship, kindness, and understanding others. It is well suited for read-alouds or independent reading for more confident third graders.

4. Ramona Quimby Series by Beverly Cleary (1955–Present)

Genre: Realistic Fiction

The Ramona Quimby books focus on school, family, and friendships. Ramona’s thoughts and actions feel very real to young readers. These books help third graders understand emotions and everyday challenges through humor and warmth.

5. Junie B. Jones Series by Barbara Park (1992–2013)

Genre: Humor | Realistic Fiction

The Junie B. Jones series follows a spirited young girl navigating school and friendships. The simple language and humorous tone make the books easy to read. They are especially popular with reluctant readers.

6. Crenshaw by Katherine Applegate (2015)

Genre: Realistic Fiction

Crenshaw tells the story of a boy who imagines a giant cat during a difficult time in his life. The book explores emotions, family, and resilience in a gentle way. It works well for thoughtful third graders and guided discussions.

7. Each Kindness by Jacqueline Woodson (2012)

Genre: Realistic Fiction | Picture Book

Each Kindness is a powerful story about friendship and missed chances to be kind. The language is simple but meaningful. It is best used as a read-aloud to encourage discussion and empathy in third grade classrooms.

8. Diary of a Wimpy Kid by Jeff Kinney (2007–Present)

Genre: Humor | Realistic Fiction

Diary of a Wimpy Kid is written in a diary format with cartoons, making it especially appealing to reluctant readers. The story follows Greg Heffley as he deals with school, friends, and family problems. The mix of text and illustrations makes reading feel easy and fun for third graders.

9. Junie B. Jones Series by Barbara Park (1992–2013)

Genre: Humor | Realistic Fiction

The Junie B. Jones series follows a lively and funny young girl as she deals with school, friends, and family life. Each book is told from Junie B.’s unique point of view, making everyday situations feel entertaining and relatable. The simple language and humorous tone make the series easy to read. It is a great choice for third graders who are transitioning to chapter books and enjoy light, funny stories.

Part 3 : Humor and Animal 3rd Grade Reading Books

Humorous and animal-themed novels can lower the reading threshold and stimulate children’s reading interest through humorous storylines, allowing children to fall in love with reading while laughing.

Additionally, they help children easily understand concepts such as friendship, courage, and responsibility.

At the same time, these works enable children to accumulate fresh vocabulary and enhance their reading comprehension and expression abilities.

1. Fantastic Mr. Fox by Roald Dahl (1970)

Genre: Fantasy | Humor | Animal Story

Fantastic Mr. Fox tells the story of a clever fox who outsmarts three greedy farmers to protect his family. The book is fast-paced, funny, and full of imagination. Roald Dahl’s playful language keeps young readers engaged while helping them develop stronger vocabulary and comprehension skills.

2. Mercy Watson Series by Kate DiCamillo (2006–2011)

Genre: Humor | Animal Story

The Mercy Watson series features a lovable pig who gets into funny situations. The books use simple sentences, large print, and illustrations. They are perfect for third graders who are transitioning from easy readers to full chapter books.

3. Babe: The Gallant Pig by Dick King-Smith

Genre: Animal Story | Fantasy

Babe: The Gallant Pig is a gentle story about a pig who learns to herd sheep. The book focuses on kindness, perseverance, and believing in yourself. Its simple language and warm message make it an enjoyable and meaningful read for third graders.

4. The Chronicles of Narnia: The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe by C.S. Lewis (1950)

Genre: Fantasy | Adventure|Animal Story

The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe follows four siblings who discover a magical world hidden inside a wardrobe. In the land of Narnia, they meet talking animals, mythical creatures, and an evil White Witch. With the help of the lion Aslan, the children set out to restore peace to the land. The story is rich in imagination and adventure, while exploring themes of bravery, choice, and good versus evil. It is a classic fantasy that continues to engage third graders who enjoy magical worlds and meaningful stories.

5.Little by E.B. White (1945)

Genre: Fantasy | Adventure|Animal Story

Stuart Little tells the story of a small but brave mouse who lives with a human family. Stuart goes on many adventures as he searches for friendship and belonging. The book is gentle, imaginative, and full of heart. Its themes of courage, determination, and being yourself make it a timeless and meaningful read for third graders.

6. The Tale of Despereaux by Kate DiCamillo (2003)

Genre: Fantasy | Adventure

The Tale of Despereaux follows a brave little mouse who loves music, stories, and a human princess. Born different, Despereaux goes on a dangerous journey to do what is right. The story focuses on bravery, forgiveness, and being true to yourself. Its gentle tone and clear storytelling make it a meaningful and engaging read for third graders.

Final Thoughts

The right 3rd grade reading books can unlock imagination, strengthen skills, and build confidence. Whether your child loves fantasy worlds, funny stories, mysteries, or realistic fiction, there’s a book that can meet them exactly where they are.

Start with interest. Add encouragement. Keep it fun.

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Elaina Zetts | WuKong ELA Teacher

Elaina Zetts, a teacher from League City, Texas, majoring in Elementary Education, has a master’s degree in K-12 Literacy. Serves as an ELA teacher in a public school in Friendswood, Texas. Has taught ELA for 15 years and is good at teaching elementary aged students how to read, write and spell. Teh teaching profession is her heart and soul and wat brings her the most joy in life. She hopes dat her love for Literacy shines through and that children grow in their love for reading and writing while in her classes.