Third grade is such an exciting age group for reading because most kids get into chapter books around this age. If you’re looking for books for 3rd grade boys who are resistant to titles that don’t have boys on the cover, this is the list for you.
As readers, we all know that kids can and should be open to reading any and all good books, irrespective of their gender, but sometimes it’s not that simple. Often, newer readers (with unconscious bias) are drawn to books with characters who look like them on the cover, and because we want them to fall in love with reading, we need to meet them where they are. That said, these are some of my favorite 3rd grade books that appeal to boys the most!
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15 Best Books for 3rd Grade Boys
Here are 15 great books for 3rd grade boys:
J.D. and the Great Barber Battle
Published: February 23, 2021
In J.D. and the Great Barber Battle, eight-year-old J.D. has to devise a means to correct a haircut gone wrong. His mom obviously doesn’t care much about lining his cut evenly, and J.D. gets laughed at school by his friends. Eventually, after using his little brother as a subject, J.D. figures out how to cut his own hair — and he does a fantastic job!
J.D. gets so good at cutting hair and coming up with creative hairstyles that his schoolmates start asking him to do theirs. The only barbershop in town is owned by an elderly man Mr. Henry and run by his son, Mr. Henry Jr. Unlike J.D., they only know three cut styles, so there’s no real competition. Until Mr. Henry Jr. tries to stop J.D. from running the business out of his house and the two have to engage in a “Barber Battle.”
Accidental Trouble Magnet (Planet Omar #1)
Published: February 4, 2020
This is a charming chapter book about the life of a Muslim imaginative boy during Ramadan, adjusting to a new school, befriending a bully, and navigating family/sibling relationships. It’s told in prose with some illustrations, illustrated text, and speech bubbles (almost doodly like Wimpy Kid).
The Great Shelby Holmes
Published: September 6, 2016
Sixth grader Shelby Holmes loves to solve neighborhood crimes and shes’ good at it. But when a new boy moves in next door, she gets something she’s never had before: a friend and detective partner. Although Shelby is a girl, no third grade reader will be able to resist her smarts and mystery-solving prowess.
Super Pancake
Published: February 14, 2023
Set in Breakfast Town, this story is about a young Pancake who develops superhero activities after she’s exposed to a special serum. Peggy Pancake is always late for the bus, constantly losing track of time, and nowhere near as perfect as her brother. But with superpowers, can she save her town from evil and finally impress her family? This is totally delightful, funny, and perfect for kids who like kooky stories with a relatable protagonist and a dash of superheroes
Fly on the Wall
Published: September 15, 2020
Henry Khoo’s family treats him like a baby. He’s not allowed to go anywhere without his sister/chaperone/bodyguard. And he definitely CAN’T take a journey halfway around the world all by himself!
But that’s exactly his plan.
After his family’s annual trip to visit his father in Singapore is canceled, Henry decides he doesn’t want to be cooped up at home with his overprotective family and BFF turned NRFF (Not Really Friend Forever). Plus, he’s hiding a your-life-is-over-if-you’re-caught secret: he’s the creator of an anonymous gossip cartoon, and he’s on the verge of getting caught. Determined to prove his independence and avoid punishment for his crimes, Henry embarks on the greatest adventure ever. . . hoping it won’t turn into the greatest disaster ever.
Bobby Vs. Girls (Accidentally)
Published: September 1, 2009
Meet Robert Carver Ellis-Chan — a perfectly normal fourth-grader who gets into perfectly crazy situations! Like when he was running for class president and discovered his big sister’s panties (static-) clinging to the back of his sweater. Or when he got stuck to the rare sticky (and stinky) Koloff tree on a field trip. . . . Then there’s his family — busy mom, ex-pro football player dad, a bossy older sister and an adoring younger one — and best friends (one of whom is a secret, because she’s a *girl*). Life may be complicated for Bobby, but it’s going to turn out just fine.
The Mouse and the Motorcycle
Published: June 15, 2021
When the ever-curious Ralph spots Keith’s red toy motorcycle, he vows to ride it. So when Keith leaves the bike unattended in his room one day, Ralph makes his move. But with all this freedom (and speed!) come a lot of obstacles. Whether dodging a rowdy terrier or keeping his nosy cousins away from his new wheels, Ralph has a lot going on! And with a pal like Keith always looking out for him, there’s nothing this little mouse can’t handle.
The One and Only Ivan
Published: January 17, 2012
This is a beloved classic! Having spent 27 years behind the glass walls of his enclosure in a shopping mall, Ivan has grown accustomed to humans watching him. He hardly ever thinks about his life in the jungle. Instead, Ivan occupies himself with television, his friends Stella and Bob, and painting. But when he meets Ruby, a baby elephant taken from the wild, he is forced to see their home, and his art, through new eyes.
The Vanderbeekers of 141st Street
Published: October 3, 2017
The Vanderbeekers have always lived in the brownstone on 141st Street. It’s practically another member of the family. So when their reclusive, curmudgeonly landlord decides not to renew their lease, the five siblings have eleven days to do whatever it takes to stay in their beloved home and convince the dreaded Beiderman just how wonderful they are. This family is sure to steal any reader’s heart!
The Terrible Two
![[1419714910] [9781419714917] The Terrible Two- Hardcover](https://i0.wp.com/m.media-amazon.com/images/I/512uwV29O7L._SL500_.jpg?fit=1024%2C1024&ssl=1 "[1419714910] [9781419714917] The Terrible Two- Hardcover")
Published: January 13, 2015
This young middle grade book about two pranksters caught in a prank war manages to remain wholesome and educational, while being laugh-out-loud funny.
Horace & Bunwinkle
Published: September 15, 2020
Horace Homer Higgins III despises dirt. And the outdoors. And ducks. But when his person, Ellie, moves to a farm called the Homestead, the anxious Boston Terrier is forced to adapt. As if that isn’t enough to strain his nerves, Ellie adopts a perpetually cheerful potbellied pig named Bunwinkle to be his baby sister.
Bunwinkle is delighted to be on the farm despite the stuffiness of her new canine brother. She’s sure she’ll crack his shell eventually—no one can resist her cuteness for long—especially once they bond over watching a TV pet-tective show.
When the duo discovers that some neighborhood animals have been disappearing, they decide to use their new detective skills to team up to solve this barnyard mystery. Is it a mountain lion? Or their suspiciously shot-loving veterinarians? Only one thing seems certain: if they don’t figure it out soon, one of them might be next.
Frindle
Published: October 1, 1996
Nick Allen becomes an unwitting local icon when he starts calling the pen a frindle. This is such a fun, fun book about the power of words and being creative! Great for introducing kids to chapter books and absolutely delightful! Kids as young as ages 5 or 6 would love this.
The Bad Guys
Published: December 27, 2016
Mr. Wolf, Mr. Piranha, Mr. Snake, and Mr. Shark look scary, and they have a reputation for being bad guys, but Mr. Wolf has a plan to rebrand their reputation by doing some good deeds such as rescuing a cat stuck in a tree and breaking two hundred dogs out of a Dog Pound. He just needs to make sure Mr. Snake doesn’t swallow Mr. Piranha. This hilarious chapter book breaks the fourth wall often and will crack up young readers ages 5-8.
Honestly Elliot
Published: March 1, 2022
Elliot has ADHD and loves to cook. He lives with his mom and spends time with his dad and step-mom regularly. His step-mom is pregnant and Elliot feels a bit threatened since his dad already seems disappointed in his seemingly scatter-brained behavior and the fact that he’s not an A+ student. He also wants to go to cooking camp and his dad refuses to pay for it, insisting that Elliot can go if he himself pays for it.
When Elliot gets the chance to execute a food-related pop-up as part of a school-wide entrepreneurial project, he sees it as a chance for redemption. Unfortunately, he’s paired with popular girl Maribel who can’t eat gluten and wants them to make yummy pies without gluten. Can Elliot and Maribel pull this off without butting heads? The two quickly find that they have a lot more in common than they thought.
Dogtown
Published: September 19, 2023
Dogtown is a shelter for stray dogs, misbehaving dogs, and discarded robot dogs, whose owners have outgrown them. Chance, a real dog, has been in Dogtown since her owners unwittingly left her with irresponsible dog-sitters who skipped town.
Metal Head is a robot dog who dreams of being back in a real home. And Mouse is a mouse who has the run of Dogtown, pilfering kibble, and performing clever feats to protect the dogs he loves.
When Chance and Metal Head embark on an adventure to find their forever homes, there is danger, cheese sandwiches, a charging station, and some unexpected kindnesses along the way. This book has very short chapters and illustrations that are perfect for new chapter book readers.
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There they are: 15 of the best books for 3rd grade boys! Which of these books have you read and loved? Which ones would you recommend?
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