I have always been an avid reader. In fact, my dream day includes curling up with a great dystopian novel and reading for the entire day. Lately, my daughter has discovered a love for reading. However, finding a series that will both captivate her interest and stay appropriate for her age has been an adventure. I decided to save you some time and research and share 10 great book series for 3rd graders. If you have another one you think should be added leave me a comment.

 

Books for 3rd Graders

All AR points are from the Accelerated Reader official website.

 The Complete Wreck (A Series of Unfortunate Events, Books 1-13)

We love this series. While it is packed with all kinds of crazy adventures it also a really fun story about 3 siblings who endure much together. If you want to add a little fun, let them watch the movie and Netflix original after finishing the books to see where the differences lie. It could be a really fun way to engage your child in the series.

About the book:
“In the tradition of great storytellers, from Dickens to Dahl, comes an exquisitely dark comedy that is both literary and irreverent, hilarious and deftly crafted. Never before has a tale of three likeable and unfortunate children been quite so enchanting, or quite so uproariously unhappy.
Violet, Klaus, and Sunny Baudelaire are intelligent children. They are charming, and resourceful, and have pleasant facial features. Unfortunately, they are exceptionally unlucky.
In the first two books alone, the three youngsters encounter a greedy and repulsive villain, itchy clothing, a disastrous fire, a plot to steal their fortune, a lumpy bed, a deadly serpent, a large brass reading lamp, a long knife, and a terrible odor.”

AR points – 4
ATOS Book Level 6.4

Imagination Station Books

This series combines the fun of Adventure in Odyssey’s Imagination Station with different points in history. My daughter reads these without me and can’t put them down. Be aware that they are faith-based. I highly recommend this series. It is a lot of fun. Update – My son is now headed into 3rd grade and he loves this series as well!

About the book series:
“While visiting Mr. Whittaker at Whit’s Soda Shoppe, Beth and Patrick find a mysterious letter in the Imagination Station requesting a Viking sunstone. The letter is old and says that someone named Albert will be imprisoned if the sunstone isn’t found. Mr. Whittaker sends cousins Patrick and Beth to Greenland circa 1000. On their quest for the sunstone, the cousins meet Vikings Erik the Red and Leif Eriksson―and find the sunstone as they join Leif on his first voyage to North America. But the adventure is just beginning, for when they return to Mr. Whittaker’s workshop with the sunstone, there is another note waiting for them, requesting a silver goblet.”

AR Points 2
ATOS Level 3.6

The Boxcar Children

I read this series as a kid and loved them. I am so excited to get my daughter started on them. This is a fun story about orphans who choose to live in an old boxcar. I know it made me want to run off and have adventures when I read it. If you have a struggling reader there is also a graphic novel version of this series.

About the book:
“Henry, Jessie, Violet, and Benny are brothers and sisters. They’re orphans too, and the only way they can stay together is to make it on their own. When the children find an abandoned boxcar in the woods, they decide to call it home―and become the Boxcar Children!”

AR Points 2
ATOS Level 3.9

Choose Your Own Adventure

These books are fun for the child who gets bored with reading. The adventure is really up to you. Will you solve the mystery or will you die an untimely death? R LOVES reading these. I am pretty sure she would read them all day if I let her.

About the book:
“This action-packed boxed set takes YOU on over one hundred adventures: travel back in time to become a great Mayan warrior, unpack your bags on your new planet that is located in a galaxy full of black holes, and sniff out clues at a creepy house full of counterfeiting chimpanzees, life-size Venus flytraps, and portals back to the Civil War era. At the bottom of every page, YOU must make a choice: 
If you try to use your new mental and psychic powers right away, turn to page 31. 
If you decide to retreat back through the tunnel and have the professor explain how to use the powers on the way, turn to page 50.”

AR Points – 1
ATOS Level – 3.4

Diary of a Wimpy Kid

This series is great for the more visual child who still wants a few pictures and a different format. R has flown through this series. They are a fairly quick read but a great series of books. I highly recommend them especially if you have a dyslexic child. Update – My son is going into third grade and has devoured every book in this series. He just loves them!

About the books:
“It’s a new school year, and Greg Heffley finds himself thrust into middle school, where undersized weaklings share the hallways with kids who are taller, meaner, and already shaving. The hazards of growing up before you’re ready are uniquely revealed through words and drawings as Greg records them in his diary.”

AR Points 3
ATOS Level 5.5

The Chronicles of Narnia

This is one of my all-time favorite series. We will be starting this one very soon. Make sure to start with The Magician’s Nephew if you are going to read it. Otherwise, you will miss out. I really enjoyed reading these and can’t wait to read them to my kids.

About the book series:
“Fantastic creatures, heroic deeds, epic battles in the war between good and evil, and unforgettable adventures come together in this world where magic meets reality, which has been enchanting readers of all ages for over sixty years. The Chronicles of Narnia has transcended the fantasy genre to become a part of the canon of classic literature.”

AR Points 6
ATOS Level 5.7

The Magic School Bus Chapter Books

Do you have a Science lover in the house? The Magic School Bus chapter books are for you. It’s all the fun of the show crammed into great chapter books your child can curl up with.

About the books:
“Ms. Frizzle takes her class on amazing field trips in the Magic School Bus. They never know what will happen when they get on the bus, but they always learn something new about science!”

AR Points – 0.5
ATOS Level – 4.1

The Hardy Boys

Are you looking for mystery? Don’t miss the Hardy Boys series. You are sure to have an adventure in every book.

About the book:
“A dying criminal confesses that his loot has been stored “in the tower.” Both towers of the looted mansion are searched in vain. It remains for the Hardy boys to make an astonishing discovery that clears up the mystery and clears the name of a friend’s father.”

AR Points – 4
ATOS Level – 4.4

Amber Brown Series

This is a fun series from the perspective of Amber Brown. She is sure to make you laugh with her many experiences and her silly ways of trying to solve problems. R read a few of these and really enjoyed them.

About the book:
“Amber Brown and Justin Daniels are best friends. They’ve known each other for practically forever, sit next to each other in class, help each other with homework, and always stick up for each other. Justin never says things like, “Amber Brown is not a crayon.” Amber never says, “Justin Time.” They’re a great team—until disaster strikes. Justin has to move away, and now the best friends are fighting. Will they be able to work it out before it’s too late?”

AR Points – 2
ATOS Level – 3.7

The Littles

This is a really fun series. I read them as a kid and constantly wondered if there were really Littles living in my home somewhere. I highly recommend this series to get your child’s imagination going.

About the book:
“The Littles live in the walls of the Biggs’ house. But when the Biggs go on vacation a messy family comes to stay, the trouble begins. Mice! Cats! How much can one small family take? Will Tom and Lucy, the littlest Littles of all, be able to save the day”

AR Points – 1
ATOS Level – 3.3

More Books for 3rd Graders

Pages & Co. is sure to be a hit with most children! With storytelling that draws the reader in and a comfortable reading pace, this book will grow with your child.
AR Points – 9
ATOS Level – 5.4

Cam Jansen is a decedent of Nancy Drew and is ready to take your young reader on a reading adventure they are sure to enjoy!
AR Points – 1
ATOS Level – 3.4

Charlotte’s Web is a classic for a reason. This story is sure to keep kids engaged while giving them the reward of a movie to watch when they finish it.
AR points – 5
ATOS Level – 4.4

The BFG is a splendiferous adventure into words that are larger than life and a story that is sure to keep kids captivated. There is also a movie to enjoy after finishing it.
AR points – 6
ATOS Level – 4.8

One and Only Ivan is a journey your kids are sure to enjoy. Follow our main characters as they share a larger-than-life story.
AR points – 4
ATOS Level – 3.6

The Magic Thief is drawn into a world of magic after pickpocketing a famous magician.
AR points – 9
ATOS Level – 4.5

Big Nate is a graphic novel that won’t have as many AR points but is a fun way to get kids engaged with reading.
AR points – 1
ATOS Level – 2.5

Sideways Stories from Wayside School brings your child along for some hilarious misadventures of a school that was built wrong and has some wonky special features.
AR points – 3
ATOS Level – 3.3