These are the books recommended by my library. It skews a little young so you can use this for Going into 3rd grade if your child loves to read. This list is from my public library (Newton Free Library) and the books are newly published this year. Check to see if they are at your library.
There is a nice mix of easy chapter books, chapter books, non-fiction, mysteries, folk tales, poetry, magazines, and audiobooks. The range of topics should also appeal to even hard-to-please reluctant readers. Can you please add any books that are your or your child’s favorites? Thank you!
I have more lists here:
Great Reading List of New Books: Kindergarten and 1st Grade
Great Reading List of New Books: 2nd and 3rd Grade
Great Reading List of New Books: 4th and 5th Grade
Great Reading List of New Books: 5th and 6th Grade
30 Books for Third Grade and Fourth Grade
Mr. Putney’s Quacking Dog by Jon Agee
There’s a Princess in the Palace by Zoe Alley
The Unforgettable Season by Phil Bildner
Zombiekins by Kevin Bolger
We the Children by Andrew Clements
The Memory Bank by Carolyn Coman
Can You Find It? America by Linda Falken
Clara Lee and the Apple Pie Dream by Jenny Han
Zita the Spacegirl by Ben Hatke
Peaceful Pieces: Poems and Quilts about Peace by Anna Grossnickle Hines
Danger & Diamonds: A Mystery at Sea by Elizabeth Levy
The Birthday Ball by Lois Lowry
School! Adventures at the Harvey N. Trouble Elementary School by Kate McMullan
Basketball Belles: How Two Teams and One Scrappy Player Put Women’s Hoops on the Map by Sue Macy
Hatch! by Roxie Munro
The Fantastic Secret of Owen Jester by Barbara O’Connor
Jack’s Path of Courage: The Life of John F. Kennedy by Doreen Rappaport
No Such Things as Dragons by Philip Reeve
Fearless: The Story of Racing Legend Louise Smith by Barb Rosenstock
Spaceheadz by Jon Sciezska
Someone Used My Toothbrush! And Other Bathroom Poems by Carol Diggory Shields
Henry Knox: Bookseller, Soldier, Patriot by Anita Silvey
What Happened on Fox Street by Tricia Springstubb
The Rooster Prince of Breslov by Ann Redisch Stampler
Gator on the Loose! (Animal Rescue Team #1) by Sue Stauffacher
Hot Diggity Dog: The History of the Hot Dog by Adrienne Sylver
Letters to Anyone and Everyone by Toon Tellegen
Hamster and Cheese by Colleen A. F. Venable
Me and Rolly Maloo by Janet S. Wong
Meadowlands: A Wetlands Survival Story by Thomas Yezerski
To examine any of the items listed, please click on image of item.
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My books:
Bookshop.org / Amazon / Signed or Inscribed by Me
Barbed Wire Between Us by Mia Wenjen, illustrated by Violeta Encarnación
- ⭐ Starred review from Kirkus
- ⭐ Starred review from Publishers Weekly
- ⭐ Starred review from School Library Journal
- Kirkus: The Most Anticipated Children’s Books of Spring 2026
Free and downloadable guide:
Barbed Wire Between Us Teacher’s Guide
Bookshop.org / Amazon / Signed or Inscribed by Me
Bookshop.org / Amazon / Signed or Inscribed by Me
- California Eureka Non-Fiction Gold Award
- Junior Library Guild Gold Selection
- Notable Social Studies Trade Books for Young People Winner (from National Council for the Social Studies and Children’s Book Council)
The Traveling Taco:
- California Eureka Non-Fiction Silver Award
- Notable Social Studies Trade Books for Young People Winner (from National Council for the Social Studies and Children’s Book Council)
- Reading Rockets’ Summer Reading Guide 2025
Bookshop.org / Amazon / Signed or Inscribed by Me
Bookshop.org / Amazon / Signed or Inscribed by Me
We Sing from the Heart: How the Slants® Took Their Fight for Free Speech to the Supreme Court
- ALSC Notable Children’s Book
- 2025 Carter G. Woodson Book Award Middle Level Honoree
- Orbis Pictus Recommended Book for Outstanding Nonfiction for Children
- 2024 Julia Ward Howe Prize for Children’s Literature Winner
- California Eureka Non-Fiction Award Honor Book
- Notable Social Studies Trade Books for Young People Winner (from National Council for the Social Studies and Children’s Book Council)
- Bank Street Best Children’s Books of the Year 2025
- Recommended Reading for the Social Justice Literature Award 2025 (International Literacy Association)
- Pennsylvania Mountain Laurel Book Award Nominee 2026-27
- Junior Library Guild Gold Selection
Amazon / Signed or Inscribed by Me
Bookshop.org / Amazon / Barefoot Books / Signed or Inscribed by Me
Food for the Future: Sustainable Farms Around the World
- ⭐ Starred review from School Library Journal!
- Junior Library Guild Gold selection
- Massachusetts Book Award Long List
- dPICTUS 100 Outstanding Picture Books of 2023
- Chicago Library’s Best of the Best
- 2023 INDIES Book of the Year Awards Finalist
- Green Earth Book Award Long List
- Nautilus Silver Winner, Nonfiction Children’s Picture Book
- Sunshine State Young Readers Award Orange Blossom List for Nonfiction
- Imagination Soup’s 35 Best Nonfiction Books of 2023 for Kids
Bookshop.org / Amazon / Signed or Inscribed by Me
Bank Street College’s The Best Children’s Books of the Year
Amazon / Signed or Inscribed by Me
Amazon / Signed or Inscribed by Me
Amazon / Signed or Inscribed by Me
This is a fabulous list and one to print-out for the holidays. I have a few nephews and nieces in this age range and I love to buy books as gifts but never quite sure if I’m buying titles in the right age range for them. Thanks for sharing.
To Geneviere,
Thank you so much! I can’t take credit; it’s from my local library but the lists are difficult to locate on their website.
Thanks for all your book lists. I have forwarded your information and blog info to friends. Great stuff!
I appreciate your hard work. 🙂
To Kim,
I’m glad you found it helpful, but I can’t take credit for the list. It’s from my local library.