It is time to get that summer reading list ready! If you have a 3rd grader, there are a ton of different books your child will enjoy! Whether your child wants to get started with some chapter books, graphic novels, or is looking for a new book series. This summer book list for 3rd graders has some pretty incredible choices!
The Perfect Summer book List for 3rd Graders
When summer is upon your student, they may be feeling a little over the whole learning thing. Third grade summer reading is especially important because many students transition from picture books to chapter books. Even if you have a 3rd grader heading into 4th grade, they are probably transitioning from short chapter books into longer ones. It is an important transition and opens up another door to the wonders of reading and learning! These books are perfect for a 3rd grade reading list and are all about summer! Plus, it is a mixture, so feel free to use it with 2nd graders heading into 3rd or 3rd graders heading into 4th!
#1: My Weird School Special: Bummer in the Summer! By Dan Gutman
The Weird School Series is a favorite among third graders, and they are long enough to take a couple of days to read but are short enough not to be overwhelming. There are also over 50 titles in the series, so they will probably want to read the others if your child enjoys this one.
In this book, school is almost out for the summer, and A.J. (the main chapter of the series) is excited about all things summer vacation. But, he soon has a nightmare, and it is trying to convince him to change his ways!
#2: Judy Moody and the NOT Bummer Summer By Megan McDonald
Judy Moody and her brother Stink are huge hits with any 3rd grader! The Judy Moody series has over 20 titles, and even her brother Stink has his series with more than 15 books. An excellent chapter book to laugh out loud too!
In the Not Bummer Summer installment of the series, Judy comes up with a great plan. She plans to get ready for a race with tightrope walking, Scream Monster riding, and more! Her teacher also gave her a treasure hunt, and she wants to have a stakeout and grab some ice cream from a runaway truck!
#3: Sunny Side Up: A Graphic Novel By Jennifer L. Holm
Kids love graphic novels, and this book is the perfect one to start with! Although many parents and teachers believe reading graphic novels is “not really” reading. Graphic novels are a massive hit with 3rd graders, and although many think they’re not real books, children are picking them up and learning from them!
Sunny Lewin has been sent to Florida to live with her grandmother for the summer. She didn’t think it would be entertaining. Her grandmother lives with a lot of old people, like really old. She soon makes her own fun with a new friend named Buzz, who is obsessed with comic books, and they start to have their own adventure, including a mystery where neighbors keep disappearing!
#4: The Last Last-Day-Of-Summer (A Legendary Alston Boys Adventure) By Lamar Giles
If you are looking for 3rd grade boy books, the Alston Boys should be on the top of your list. A fantastically illustrated chapter book, it will get your boy excited about reading and riding along with the Alston brothers! A hilarious book to add to your mystery books,
Otto and Sheed are the local detectives in their Virginia town. As summer comes to a close and the first day of school is right around the corner, they are looking to have more fun! But, a mysterious man shows up and carries a camera that freezes time! With the help of some different people and strange creatures, Otto and Sheed try to save their town!
#5: The Forget-Me-Not Summer (Silver Sisters, 1) By Leila Howard
Series should always be on 3rd grade book lists! Educators, researchers, and others have always discussed how helping a child find a series during the transition from 2nd to 3rd grade can help enhance the reading experience and help them fall in love with chapter books.
This book follows the Silver sisters, and they can not wait for summer vacation. Each one is looking for something a little different during their summer break, but everything changes when their parents send them to Cape Cod to spend time with their Aunt Sunny. They must figure out how to share a room, live with tv, and become closer than ever!
#6: How to (Almost) Ruin Your Summer By Taryn Souder
The perfect summer read if you have a child who may want to become an entrepreneur! Starting your own business or trying to earn money for something you really want, like a new video game or scooter, can be tricky as a kid! This book may show them just how hard it is!
Chloe is going into 6th grade and DOES NOT want to ride her pink baby bike to school. She knows she has to earn money herself. But, before she can even start, she is sent off to career camp. Chloe has the perfect plan to frost cupcakes when she returns, but a lot happens at camp, and she doesn’t ever get to learn!
#7: Diary of a Wimpy Kid: Dog Days By Jeff Kinney
Another series kids become quickly obsessed with! In third grade, you may notice that your child is enjoying the illustrations and speech bubbles more than the actual story, which is 100% ok. That is the great thing about graphic novels, they can be read multiple times, and often kids find something new each time! Students from as young as second grade to middle school age enjoy them!
Greg is the main character in this series, and in this book, it is officially summertime! He doesn’t realize everything he is missing because he plays video games with the shades down inside. A battle starts between his outdoor-loving, adventure, idea-filled mom and him. Who will win?
#8: Summer Brain Quest Between 2nd and 3rd Grade OR
Summer Brain Quest Between 3rd and 4th Grade
This is technically not a book many people would put on a 3rd grade summer reading list. But the summer slide is real. Although many homeschool parents may decide to still do a day or two of sit down learning. Many take this break for vacations and more hands-on experiences like zoo trips and museum visits.
The Summer Brain Quest series is the perfect practice book and can be used in the car, while out to dinner, or even during a little quiet after the pool. It reviews old topics and explores new topics for kids to be prepared for the next grade level! Plus, a little summer school work never hurt anyone!
#9: The Lemonade War By Jacqueline Davis
Who doesn’t love 3rd grade chapter books that teach a lesson about money, friendship, family, and more? It is always important to find books children can really see themselves in, and starting a lemonade stand is always a kid’s first “get rich quick scheme.”
This title may sound familiar to many of you because it has been around for a while and people old and young love it! Plus, it is the first book in a five-book series, so there is no need to stop after reading it! Evan loves talking with people, even grownups. His sister is the complete opposite and doesn’t understand people very well! With five days of summer vacation left, they launch a lemonade war to see who can make the most money. It becomes pretty heated, and no one knows if the fight will ever stop!
#10: The Summer of Bad Ideas By Kiera Stewart
The last one on the list is the perfect book to transition from third to fourth grade. A little more challenging but full of humor, excitement, and bad ideas!
Edie and her cousin set out to enjoy their summer vacation with a list of “Good ideas for summer vacation.” They are reckless, foolish, and silly. Edie becomes a little braver this summer!
10 Books for Your Summer Book List for 3rd Graders
There you have it! 10 books centered around summer that almost any 3rd grader will enjoy! Whether you are looking for early chapter books, more advanced readers, or a workbook, you can easily find most of these books on Amazon, Target, or Barnes and Noble. Your child is going to enjoy each of these 3rd grade reading books!
If you can believe it (which I bet you can), The Relaxed Homeschool website has a WHOLE PAGE dedicated to books. Check out all of our Book Lists For Kids HERE.
