Skip to content
Pragmatic Mom
Menu
  • Home
  • About
    • Contact
    • Policies
    • Media Kit
    • Privacy Policy
    • Copyright
    • KidLit Blogroll
  • My Book Lists
    • My List of Lists
    • Multicultural Books for Children: 60+ Book Lists
    • #OwnVoices
    • Summer Reading Lists for Middle School Kids
    • Asian American Children’s Books
    • African American Children’s Books
    • Arab American Children’s Books
    • Latinx American Children’s Books
    • Native American Children’s Books
    • LGBTQIA+ Children’s Books
    • Diverse Books for Kids
    • Best Books for Kids
  • Education
    • STEM/STEAM
    • Math
    • Social Studies
    • Art Projects for Kids
    • Applying to Art School
    • Applying to College
    • Book Club for Kids
    • 70+ Free Educational Games
  • Controversial
    • Sexual Misconduct in Children’s Book Publishing #MeToo #TimesUp
    • Rethinking & Examining Dr. Seuss’ Racism
    • Blood Feud over YA #BloodHeir
    • Tulsa Race Massacre: What They Don’t Teach You in History Books
    • The Chinese Exclusion Act – What They Don’t Teach in History Books
    • Segregation in California Schools: What They Don’t Teach in History Books
    • SCBWI Minnesota Racist Illustration and Gaslighting Response
  • My Books
    • My Book Announcements
    • Book Announcement: A Place to Call Home! {and a new title …}
    • FOOD FOR THE FUTURE makes Sunshine State Young Readers Award Orange Blossom List for Nonfiction!
    • Cover Reveal of my latest picture book … FORTUNE COOKIES FOR EVERYONE!
    • Picture Book Announcement! BARBED WIRE BETWEEN US, illustrated by Violeta Encarnación
    • We Sing From the Heart gets a few stickers!
    • Book Announcement! Postcards from Malcolm X: How Yuri Kochiyama Became a Civil Rights Activist
    • Kirkus Reviews My Newest Picture Book: THE TRAVELING TACO
    • We Sing From the Heart is a Notable Social Studies Trade Books for Young People Winner!
    • We Sing From the Heart gets a few stickers!
    • WE SING FROM THE HEART wins California Eureka! Nonfiction Children’s Book Award
    • WE SING FROM THE HEART is Orbis Pictus Recommended Book
    • WE SING FROM THE HEART is a Junior Library Guild Gold Selection
    • Dorktales Podcast: Simon Tam, Hidden Hero of History
    • Food for the Future Wins Nautilus Silver Book Award
    • Food for the Future makes Mass Book Award Long List!
    • FOOD FOR THE FUTURE Makes Green Earth Book Award Long List!
    • Food for the Future is a finalist for 2023 INDIES Book of the Year!
    • New! Food for the Future Activity and Discussion Guide!
    • FOOD FOR THE FUTURE is a Junior Library Guild Gold Selection!
    • ‘Food for the Future’ selected for Chicago Public Library’s Best of the Best books
    • Scholastic Purchased CHANGING THE GAME!
    • Starred Review for FOOD FOR THE FUTURE from School Library Journal!
    • Sumo Joe makes Bank Street Best Children’s Books of the Year list!
    • How To Coach Girls wins Silver Award!
    • Posts on My Books
  • My Book Events
    • My Book Events
    • OCA Reads: A Virtual Conversation with Mia Wenjen
    • The Traveling Taco Storytime and Craft at Ten Trees Books
Menu
3rd Grade Chapter Books

15 Books My 3rd Grade Son Recommends

Posted on November 18, 2013May 19, 2024 by Pragmatic Mom

My son is just 9-years-old and in third grade and I’m trying to keep track of the books that he’s read as a third grader. This is his list so far, as of November 2013. I’ve included his rising 3rd-grade summer reading as well.

During my parent-teacher conference, his teacher told me that my son was reading well and had a good vocabulary. I had a confession for her. (This is a little embarrassing!.) Every night, my son insists on bedtime reading and it works like this: I read aloud to him while he plays on his DSi or a (noneducational) video game on the iPad.

I do find this irritating, so periodically I ask him what a word means as I come across it in the story or ask him what has just happened in the chapter book. If he can’t give me a reasonable answer, I shut down his game. If he answers my question reasonably well, he keeps on playing. Perhaps this is giving him multi-tasking skills.  I’m not sure. We do take turns reading though I do the bulk of the reading at home. He gets reading time at school and takes his book back and forth each day which helps us move through the book.

We’ve made our way through every word that Rick Riordan has ever written in this manner. Now, we are working through Harry Potter and after that, we’ll finish the last four books of the Half Magic series. I hope we will read some Roald Dahl this year as well.

Here’s my son’s book list with his reviews. He highly recommends all of these books!

p.s. His sister’s favorite books in 3rd grade: Top 10: Best Books For 3rd Graders By Me (A 3rd Grade Girl Who Is Very Picky)

15 Books My 3rd Grade Son Recommends

Timmy Failure: Mistakes Were Made by Stephan Pastis*

* Stephan Pastis has been accused of sexual misconduct.

I think it’s very funny and it’s a very good book because he kept failing at life and being a detective but he thought he was the greatest detective in the world.

Big Nate Flips Out by Lincoln Peirce

I think that it’s very funny also.

Otis Dooda: Strange But True by Ellen Potter

It is a very silly and funny book and I like all the characters in the book.

Action Adventure Chapter Books for Third Grade

Samurai Kids: White Crane by Sandy Fussell

It’s a very cool book about samurai kids in training.

Son of Sobek by Rick Riordan

I think it’s very cool how the Percy Jackson series and the Kane Chronicle series collide together.

House of Hades by Rick Riordan

By far, it’s the best book I’ve read this year. I love all the scenes of Tartarus and all the adventures they have.

Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stone by J. K. Rowling

It is probably one of the coolest books I’ve read. It’s so good, me and mom read the past two books in one and a half weeks.

Harry Potter and The Chamber of Secrets by J. K. Rowling

It is a very good book and my favorite scene is the epic battle between Harry Potter and Tom Riddle/Voldemort.

Magic by the Lake by Edward Eager

Like all the other Half Magic series books, it is very good and cool how they can use magic with the magic turtle to go on adventures.

Knight’s Castle by Edward Eager

It’s a very cool book on how in the characters’ dreams, they go to a new world out of another book with knights and lots of other medieval features.

Zombie Baseball Beatdown by Paolo Bacigalupi

It’s very good. My favorite part is when they were fighting the Zombie Apocalypse with baseball bats. Another good part was when Sammy the bully was desperate to get to the only place that was safe from the Zombie Apocalypse and promised that he would be nice to them.

 

3rd Grade Read Aloud Chapter Books

My son’s third-grade teacher is reading these books aloud to the class. So far, the kids have all raved about them. (I eavesdrop during the morning drop-off at the lockers.)

Because of Winn-Dixie by Kate DiCamillo

It is a very funny book and my mom’s all-time favorite. I’m reading it in school as a read-aloud and I absolutely love it.

Charlotte’s Web by E. B. White

It is a very good story about a girl named Fern, her pig Wilbur, and a spider named Charlotte who helped Wilbur to become famous.

 

Non-Fiction Books for 3rd Grade Boys

My son doesn’t seem to gravitate towards much non-fiction lately so I make a special note when he comes home from the school library.

The Big Book of How by Editors of Time for Kids Magazine

It is a really cool book that tells you how to do a lot of awesome stuff. Example: make blubber, find the sweet spot on a baseball bat, and how to grow a plant in a glass jar.

The Adventures of Thor the Thunder God by Lise Lunge-Larsen

It’s a very awesome book about Thor and what he did to protect his family/city.

 

p.s. Related posts:

10 Perfect Read Aloud Books for 3rd Grade

Best Beginning Chapter Books for 2nd and 3rd Grade

Massachusetts Book Award Books for 3rd through 7th Grade

Funny Books for 3rd Grade Boy: Reluctant Reader Challenge

Books for 3rd Grade & 4th Grade

My 7yOld Son’s Favorite Books for Beginning Readers

My Son’s 4th Grade Reading List

My Son’s 7th Grade Recommended Reading List

My 9th Grade Son’s Recommended Book List

 

To examine any book more closely at Amazon, please click on image of book.

3rd grade chapter books from a 3rd grade boy

As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases.

 

Follow PragmaticMom’s board Multicultural Books for Kids on Pinterest.

Follow PragmaticMom’s board Children’s Book Activities on Pinterest.

 

My books:

We Sing From the Heart picture book cover reveal of The Slants Simon Tam

 Amazon / Signed or Inscribed by Me

Cover Reveal: Boxer Baby Battles Bedtime!Amazon / Signed or Inscribed by Me

Food for the Future: Sustainable Farms Around the World by Mia Wenjen, illustrated by Robert Sae-Heng

Food for the Future: Sustainable Farms Around the World

  • Junior Library Guild Gold selection
  • Massachusetts Book Award Long List
  • Selected as one of 100 Outstanding Picture Books of 2023 by dPICTUS and featured at the Bologna Children’s Book Fair
  • Starred review from School Library Journal
  • Chicago Library’s Best of the Best
  • 2023 INDIES Book of the Year Awards Finalist
  • Green Earth Book Award Long List
  • Imagination Soup’s 35 Best Nonfiction Books of 2023 for Kids

 Amazon / Barefoot Books / Signed or Inscribed by Me

cover for Sumo JoeChanging the Game: Asian Pacific American Female Athletes by Mia WenjenAmazon / Scholastic / Signed or Inscribed by Me

The Elusive Full Ride Scholarship: An Insider’s Guide

How To Coach Girls by Mia Wenjen and Alison FoleyAsian Pacific American Heroes

16 thoughts on “15 Books My 3rd Grade Son Recommends”

  1. Erica says:
    November 18, 2013 at 11:54 am

    It’s interesting to see the difference between our 3rd graders’ reading. My 3rd grader doesn’t read so much action adventure, but he did really like Timmy Failure.

    Reply
    1. Pragmatic Mom says:
      November 20, 2013 at 12:12 am

      Hi Erica,
      My new theory is that boys who are obsessed with gaming like action adventure. It’s very similar to gaming, in a way. I base it on my three kids. My oldest and youngest like action adventure. My son plays video games the most and loves this genre the most out of my three kids. My oldest, a girl, plays video games but not as much as my son. She likes action adventure as well. My middle daughter hates action adventure (she thinks Percy Jackson is boring!!! We are not sure why!). She also games the least. I asked her if she ever “beat a video game” today to check my theory. She says only once. Most games bore her before she gets past a mid-level.

      Reply
  2. Lori says:
    November 18, 2013 at 1:17 pm

    As a former third grade teacher I love this list!

    Reply
    1. Pragmatic Mom says:
      November 20, 2013 at 12:12 am

      Thanks Lori! I will try to extract more of a review from my son the next go around!

      Reply
  3. maryanne @ mama smiles says:
    November 19, 2013 at 1:09 am

    Emma loves Chamber of Secrets! I could see Johnny loving this list in a couple years!

    Reply
    1. Pragmatic Mom says:
      November 20, 2013 at 12:15 am

      Hi MaryAnne,
      We are working our way through Harry Potter quite happily! I’m glad I am finally reading it! My son prefers Percy Jackson but he’s into Harry Potter now that we’ve finished all the Rick Riordan books.

      What else does Emma like? I wonder if she and my son like the same kinds of books?

      Reply
  4. Cool Mom says:
    November 21, 2013 at 5:50 pm

    What a great list! My daughter (ten) LOVES Percy Jackson and would take them over the Harry Potter books if she was forced to choose but she does love those as well – she\’s read all of the extra books, too. When she finished reading House of Hades she gave it 22 stars (out of 5) – I guess she liked it (?). 🙂 I just started reading it but I don\’t get as much time to catch up – too busy visiting awesome blogs like yours (wink). Thanks for sharing on the Kid Lit Blog Hop. Have a great rest of the week and weekend ahead!

    Reply
    1. Pragmatic Mom says:
      November 23, 2013 at 10:53 am

      Hi Cool Mom,
      I love that your daughter gave House of Hades 22 stars out of 5!! She would get along with my son! I overhead his two friends comparing Dairy of a Wimpy Kid to Percy Jackson last night. They said, “Dairy of a Wimpy Kid is good, but when Percy Jackson books got into town, it squashed it like a bug.” (in terms of popularity). Boy, the loyalty of Percy Jackson young fans is impressive!

      You also might like this post I wrote for my two Percy Jackson obsessed kids: More Books Like Percy Jackson http://www.pragmaticmom.com/2013/06/books-like-percy-jackson/

      I know that void one feels when you’ve finished your last Rick Riordan book and realize that you have to wait years before the next one is published! It’s a sad depressing day!

      Reply
      1. Cool Mom says:
        November 23, 2013 at 12:20 pm

        And, yes, that is another great list. She’s read many of those – probably her favorites on there are the Benedict Society books. Also very entertaining. I will refer to this at her next lull between books. With school, I never know when that will be. 🙂 Thanks so much.

        Reply
        1. Pragmatic Mom says:
          November 25, 2013 at 1:52 pm

          Hi Cool Mom,
          Ho wonderful that your daughter has plenty of books she wants to read! Hope she gets a lull to read soon! Maybe over Thanksgiving break?

          Reply
  5. Keitha says:
    November 21, 2013 at 9:13 pm

    I love that you shared this list. My son is in second grade. We read together all the time and I am always looking for good book recommendations for him. We also listen to a lot of books on tape in the car. My son has really enjoyed the Brixton Brothers series by Mac Barnett, The Saturdays Quartet by Elizabeth Enright, the Humphrey the Hamster series by Betty G. Birney.

    Reply
    1. Pragmatic Mom says:
      November 23, 2013 at 10:55 am

      Hi Keitha,
      Thank you so much for sharing the books your son loves! I’ll tell my son because peer recommendations are so wonderfully powerful! We will add his list to our pile!! I love The Saturdays quartet too but my son hasn’t read it yet. My oldest loved the Humphrey series. We will have to get our hands on The Brixton Brothers because that is new to us. THANK YOU!!!!

      Reply
  6. Stacie Theis says:
    November 25, 2013 at 11:13 pm

    As a mom to two teenage boys, I remember many of the titles listed. We too have enjoyed every word written by Rick Riordan as well as the Big Nate books. Thanks for sharing your son’s favorites on the Kid Lit Blog Hop.

    Reply
    1. Pragmatic Mom says:
      November 27, 2013 at 8:56 pm

      Thanks Stacie,
      I’m glad your boys liked the same books as my son! I’ll let him know! It will make him happy!

      Reply
  7. Erik TKRB says:
    November 30, 2013 at 11:57 am

    Great list! The Thor one sounds good! I love Norse mythology! 😀

    Reply
    1. Pragmatic Mom says:
      December 2, 2013 at 1:32 pm

      Hi Erik TKRB,
      I think that movie trailer of Thor got my son interested in the advanced picture book about Thor. He really liked it. I have a Norse mythology book by D’Aulaires that I might try next. He loves mythology by way of Percy Jackson! I’d love to know what you think of the Thor book!

      Reply

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Looking for something? Search here.

I’m Mia Wenjen!

Mia Wenjen Pragmatic Mom

Hi, I’m Mia Wenjen. Nice to meet you!

I blog excessively about diverse children’s books (picture books through middle grade). I am also the co-founder of Read Your World Celebrates Multicultural Children’s Book Day on Jan 25, 2024, our 11th year!

I’d love to chat with you. Let’s connect! PragmaticMomBlog (at) gmail (dot) com or through my social media handles.

Free Blog Updates in your Inbox (RSS feed)

Monthly Newsletter with Subscriber Only Giveaways in your Inbox

My Linktree (click for my links & socials)

my linktree

My Websites

  • How To Coach Girls
  • I Love Newton
  • Mia Wenjen (My New Author Website)

Camp Cody: Overnight Camp in New Hampshire

Read Your World LGBTQIA+ Books Save Lives Merch!

https://www.pragmaticmom.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/Read-Your-World-FINAL-Merchandise-Video.mp4

Purchase Read Your World Merch

LGBTQIA+ Books Save Lives Merch.

Buy it here!

Search Amazon

Find Children's Books

Newton Children’s Book Festival 2025

Newton Children's Book Festival 2025

Get My Books Signed or Inscribed through my shop (click to purchase)

Mia Wenjen signed books

Boxer Baby Battles Bedtime! (click to purchase)

Cover Reveal: Boxer Baby Battles Bedtime!

We Sing From the Heart (click to pre-order)

We Sing From the Heart picture book cover reveal of The Slants Simon Tam

FOOD FOR THE FUTURE (click to purchase)

Food for the Future: Sustainable Farms Around the World by Mia Wenjen, illustrated by Robert Sae-Heng

CHANGING THE GAME (click to purchase)

Changing the Game: Asian Pacific American Female Athletes by Mia Wenjen

SUMO JOE (click to purchase)

Sumo Joe cover reveal

Asian Pacific American Heroes (click to purchase)

Asian Pacific American Heroes by Mia Wenjen

GNOMES & UNGNOMES: Poems of Hidden Creatures // I have 3 haiku poems (click to purchase)

GNOMES & UNGNOMES: Poems of Hidden Creatures 3 haiku by Mia Wenjen
Read Your World is Multicultural Children's Book Day

ClothingRIC- A Premium Coupon Website!

ThingsFromMars- The Wondrous World of Wacky Gift Products!

How to Get Kids Reading

  • Multicultural Books for Children: 60+ Book Lists
  • Getting Kids to Love Reading
  • Summer Reading Lists for Kids By Grade
  • Summer Reading Lists for Middle School Kids

Heim Nest Kid Mattress Exclusive Deal

Heim Nest Kid Mattress

AdvancedWriters.com is an expert writing service which helps students with academic writing.

educational toys

CEX.IO is a versatile crypto exchange platform where users can buy, sell, and trade cryptocurrencies, as well as access resources and tools to learn how to trade effectively.

MyPaperDone.com
is surely one of the best when it comes to paper writing assistance.

My Custom Essay
will guide you through academic life.

Essay Writing Services

If you ask "write my essay", Topessaywriting can help you with paper writing

TranslationReport can help you to choose the best translation service

If you are looking for the most trusted essay writing service, check this article about best essay writing service reviews at Econotimes

educational toys from dhgate stores

Assignment Writing Services Offer Assignment Assistance In UK Based Company 50% Discount Students

Playing at online casinos can be an exciting and rewarding experience, and you can find the best options at casinoszondercruksonline.com. 

For those seeking a safe and reputable gambling experience, the Meest betrouwbare buitenlandse casino lijst is an invaluable resource.

Archives

Categories

The Elusive Full Ride Scholarship (click to purchase)

The Elusive Full Ride Scholarship: An Insider’s Guide

HOW TO COACH GIRLS (click to purchase)

How To Coach Girls silver award winner

Archives

I’ll be sharing WHAT I WISH I KNEW BEFORE I STARTED MY KICKSTARTER CAMPAIGN

HOW TO COACH GIRLS book trailer by Mia Wenjen & Alison Foley

https://youtu.be/j74M0bBxrGg

Recent Posts

  • Food for the Future’s 2nd Birthday! & 2 Signed Book GIVEAWAY! May 23, 2025
  • Maui: Alexander & Baldwin Sugar Museum May 21, 2025
  • Origami French Fries: Activity for THE TRAVELING TACO May 19, 2025
  • OCA Reads: A Virtual Conversation with Mia Wenjen May 16, 2025
  • Book Announcement: A Place to Call Home! {and a new title …} May 14, 2025

Categories

© 2025 Pragmatic Mom | Powered by Superbs Personal Blog theme
This website uses cookies to improve your experience. We'll assume you're ok with this, but you can opt-out if you wish.Accept Read More
Privacy & Cookies Policy

Privacy Overview

This website uses cookies to improve your experience while you navigate through the website. Out of these cookies, the cookies that are categorized as necessary are stored on your browser as they are as essential for the working of basic functionalities of the website. We also use third-party cookies that help us analyze and understand how you use this website. These cookies will be stored in your browser only with your consent. You also have the option to opt-out of these cookies. But opting out of some of these cookies may have an effect on your browsing experience.
Necessary
Always Enabled
Necessary cookies are absolutely essential for the website to function properly. This category only includes cookies that ensures basic functionalities and security features of the website. These cookies do not store any personal information.
SAVE & ACCEPT