3rd-4th Grade Reading List
Click HERE for a one-page printable PDF of the list
Clicking on the covers below will take you to the Common Sense Media parent review if there is one OR to the book's Amazon page.
Parents who want to read with their students might also find the "Teaching Resources" helpful (available on the Schools page) as they often include discussion questions and follow-up ideas
Alvin Ho: Allergic to Girls, School, and Other Scary Things
Alvin Ho: Allergic to Girls, School, and Other Scary Things
LENORE LOOK
An easy read and lots of fun! There are other books about Alvin too, so you can spend even more time with this smart, funny kid.
"Here's the first book in the beloved and hilarious Alvin Ho chapter book series, which has been compared to Diary of a Wimpy Kid and is perfect for both beginning and reluctant readers.
Alvin, an Asian American second grader, is afraid of everything—elevators, tunnels, girls, and, most of all, school. He’s so afraid of school that, while he’ s there, he never, ever, says a word. But at home he’s a very loud superhero named Firecracker Man, a brother to Calvin and Anibelly, and a gentleman-in-training, so he can be just like his dad.
From Lenore Look and New York Times bestselling illustrator LeUyen Pham comes a drop-dead-funny and touching series with a truly unforgettable character."(from the publisher)
"Here's the first book in the beloved and hilarious Alvin Ho chapter book series, which has been compared to Diary of a Wimpy Kid and is perfect for both beginning and reluctant readers.
Alvin, an Asian American second grader, is afraid of everything—elevators, tunnels, girls, and, most of all, school. He’s so afraid of school that, while he’ s there, he never, ever, says a word. But at home he’s a very loud superhero named Firecracker Man, a brother to Calvin and Anibelly, and a gentleman-in-training, so he can be just like his dad.
From Lenore Look and New York Times bestselling illustrator LeUyen Pham comes a drop-dead-funny and touching series with a truly unforgettable character."(from the publisher)
Chester Nez and the Unbreakable Code: A Navajo Code Talker's Story
Chester Nez and the Unbreakable Code: A Navajo Code Talker's Story
JOSEPH BRUCHAC
An important biography of one of the WWII Navajo heroes who helped the Allies win the war.
"A perfect, well-rounded historical story that will engage readers of all ages."--Kirkus Reviews (starred review)
"A can't-miss picture book biography." --School Library Journal
"Bruchac movingly draws a parallel between the trauma of indigenous boarding schools and war. Amini-Holmess paintings capture the nightmarish atmosphere of both." --Publishers Weekly
2018 Cybils Award Finalist, Elementary Non-Fiction
"A perfect, well-rounded historical story that will engage readers of all ages."--Kirkus Reviews (starred review)
"A can't-miss picture book biography." --School Library Journal
"Bruchac movingly draws a parallel between the trauma of indigenous boarding schools and war. Amini-Holmess paintings capture the nightmarish atmosphere of both." --Publishers Weekly
2018 Cybils Award Finalist, Elementary Non-Fiction
Fight of the Century: Alice Paul Battles Woodrow Wilson for the Vote
Fight of the Century: Alice Paul Battles Woodrow Wilson for the Vote
BARB ROSENSTOCK
On August 18, 2020 we mark 100 years since the ratification of the 19th Amendment, finally giving US women the right to vote!
"Rosenstock explains the history of women’s suffrage and the eventual ratification of the 19th amendment in the form of a boxing match between activist Alice Paul and President Woodrow Wilson. The diligence and coordination of Paul and her supporters and their battle to win public support, especially in light of World War I, are portrayed in an enticing and accessible manner. The full-color illustrations, rendered in muted tones, are reminiscent of vintage boxing posters and add to the boxing match aesthetic. This title, especially with the 100th anniversary of the ratification of the 19th amendment approaching, is likely to be a favorite for children interested in history and activism, as well as educators." —School Library Journal
"Rosenstock explains the history of women’s suffrage and the eventual ratification of the 19th amendment in the form of a boxing match between activist Alice Paul and President Woodrow Wilson. The diligence and coordination of Paul and her supporters and their battle to win public support, especially in light of World War I, are portrayed in an enticing and accessible manner. The full-color illustrations, rendered in muted tones, are reminiscent of vintage boxing posters and add to the boxing match aesthetic. This title, especially with the 100th anniversary of the ratification of the 19th amendment approaching, is likely to be a favorite for children interested in history and activism, as well as educators." —School Library Journal
Framed!
Framed!
JAMES PONTI
Florian is a kid who just moved with his family to Washington, D.C. Oh yeah, he's also an FBI agent!
"So you’re only halfway through your homework and the Director of the FBI keeps texting you for help . . . What do you do? Save your grade? Or save the country?
If you’re Florian Bates, you figure out a way to do both."(from the publisher)
"Mystery buffs and fans of Anthony Horowitz’s “Alex Rider” series are in for a treat. . . . With elements of Alex Rider, James Bond, and Sherlock Holmes stories, this is likely to be popular with mystery and action/adventure fans." --School Library Journal
"So you’re only halfway through your homework and the Director of the FBI keeps texting you for help . . . What do you do? Save your grade? Or save the country?
If you’re Florian Bates, you figure out a way to do both."(from the publisher)
"Mystery buffs and fans of Anthony Horowitz’s “Alex Rider” series are in for a treat. . . . With elements of Alex Rider, James Bond, and Sherlock Holmes stories, this is likely to be popular with mystery and action/adventure fans." --School Library Journal
Harriet the Spy
Harriet the Spy
LOUISE FITZHUGH
Harriet is spoiled, nosy, and sometimes even mean. But she's also brave, funny--and determined to make things right when she's caught making trouble.
"Harriet M. Welsch is a spy. In her notebook, she writes down everything she knows about everyone, even her classmates and her best friends. Then Harriet loses track of her notebook, and it ends up in the wrong hands. Before she can stop them, her friends have read the always truthful, sometimes awful things she’s written about each of them. Will Harriet find a way to put her life and her friendships back together?"(from the publisher)
1960–1964 ALA Notable Books ListSequoyah Book Award 1967
"Harriet M. Welsch is a spy. In her notebook, she writes down everything she knows about everyone, even her classmates and her best friends. Then Harriet loses track of her notebook, and it ends up in the wrong hands. Before she can stop them, her friends have read the always truthful, sometimes awful things she’s written about each of them. Will Harriet find a way to put her life and her friendships back together?"(from the publisher)
1960–1964 ALA Notable Books ListSequoyah Book Award 1967
Inkling
Inkling
KENNETH OPPEL
Magical Surrealism is a genre of fiction where things feel realistic and normal--except for a few very unnatural details! Inkling is the magic in this story and you'll wish you had an inkling too!
"Inkling is at turns hilarious, when he mimics the language of the books he reads, and poignant, when he wonders about his identity and purpose. The undercurrent of loss and grief, not to mention questions of agency and personhood, give the story weight, but do not weigh it down. Smith's energetic and expressive ink drawings are the perfect complement and contribute to the storytelling in playful ways. Oppel’s latest is serious fun."—Booklist
"Sweet and funny." —Kirkus Reviews
2021 Beehive Award Nominee
Amazon.com Best Books of the YearCBC Best Book of the YearCYBILS AwardsNew York Times NotableQuill & Quire Best BookRed Cedar Book Award (B.C.'s Young Readers' Choice Awards)Rocky Mountain Book AwardSaskatchewan Young Reader’s Choice Award - Diamond Willow AwardSilver Birch Award FinalistSundogs Award (Manitoba Young Reader’s Choice Awards)
"Inkling is at turns hilarious, when he mimics the language of the books he reads, and poignant, when he wonders about his identity and purpose. The undercurrent of loss and grief, not to mention questions of agency and personhood, give the story weight, but do not weigh it down. Smith's energetic and expressive ink drawings are the perfect complement and contribute to the storytelling in playful ways. Oppel’s latest is serious fun."—Booklist
"Sweet and funny." —Kirkus Reviews
2021 Beehive Award Nominee
Amazon.com Best Books of the YearCBC Best Book of the YearCYBILS AwardsNew York Times NotableQuill & Quire Best BookRed Cedar Book Award (B.C.'s Young Readers' Choice Awards)Rocky Mountain Book AwardSaskatchewan Young Reader’s Choice Award - Diamond Willow AwardSilver Birch Award FinalistSundogs Award (Manitoba Young Reader’s Choice Awards)
The Jumbies
The Jumbies
TRACEY BAPTISTE
Read with the light on! This one is spooky!
"A middle-grade twist on a traditional Haitian/Trinidadian folktale. Corinne and her father don't believe in jumbies, malevolent creatures that come out of the island's dark woods to prey on people. Then one day a strangely beautiful lady named Severine walks into Corinne's house and takes over, her Papa begins acting weird, and evil creatures attack the village. Corinne and her friends approach the white witch for help but she can't assist because it would affect the ancient balance between creatures and humans. However, the white witch does tell Corinne that she has a special power that can help. Readers will find Corinne engaging and her determination authentic. Corinne's friends, Dru, Bouki, and Malik are also fully formed and believable characters whose loyalty and bravery help save the day. Even the evil Severine is drawn well enough to evoke empathy in readers."--School Library Journal
"A middle-grade twist on a traditional Haitian/Trinidadian folktale. Corinne and her father don't believe in jumbies, malevolent creatures that come out of the island's dark woods to prey on people. Then one day a strangely beautiful lady named Severine walks into Corinne's house and takes over, her Papa begins acting weird, and evil creatures attack the village. Corinne and her friends approach the white witch for help but she can't assist because it would affect the ancient balance between creatures and humans. However, the white witch does tell Corinne that she has a special power that can help. Readers will find Corinne engaging and her determination authentic. Corinne's friends, Dru, Bouki, and Malik are also fully formed and believable characters whose loyalty and bravery help save the day. Even the evil Severine is drawn well enough to evoke empathy in readers."--School Library Journal
Lety Out Loud
Lety Out Loud
ANGELA CERVANTES
Making friends, a contest, summer, puppies and kitties . . . This book has everything!
"Lety Muñoz's first language is Spanish, and she likes to take her time putting her words together. She loves volunteering at the animal shelter because the dogs and cats there don't care if she can't always find the right words. When the shelter needs a volunteer to write animal profiles, Lety jumps at the chance.
But classmate Hunter also wants to write profiles-so he devises a competition to determine the official shelter scribe. Whoever gets their animals adopted the fastest wins. Lety agrees, but she's worried that if the shelter finds out about the contest, they'll kick her out of the volunteer program. Then she'll never be able to adopt Spike, her favorite dog at the shelter!" (from the publisher)
A Kirkus Best Book of 2019A NYC Public Library Best Bookof 2019A 2020 Pura Belpré Honor Award Book
"Lety Muñoz's first language is Spanish, and she likes to take her time putting her words together. She loves volunteering at the animal shelter because the dogs and cats there don't care if she can't always find the right words. When the shelter needs a volunteer to write animal profiles, Lety jumps at the chance.
But classmate Hunter also wants to write profiles-so he devises a competition to determine the official shelter scribe. Whoever gets their animals adopted the fastest wins. Lety agrees, but she's worried that if the shelter finds out about the contest, they'll kick her out of the volunteer program. Then she'll never be able to adopt Spike, her favorite dog at the shelter!" (from the publisher)
A Kirkus Best Book of 2019A NYC Public Library Best Bookof 2019A 2020 Pura Belpré Honor Award Book
The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe
The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe
C.S. LEWIS
This book is challenging, but you can do it! Adults love this book too, so maybe one will read it with you?
"Four adventurous siblings step through a wardrobe door and into the land of Narnia, a land frozen in eternal winter—but never Christmas—cursed by the power of the White Witch. Only Aslan, the Great Lion, can reverse her wicked spell.
Journeys to the end of the world, fantastic creatures, and epic battles between good and evil -- what more could any reader ask for in one book? . . . But Lewis did not stop there. Six more books followed, and together they became known as The Chronicles of Narnia." (from the publisher)
This is the first Narnia book published, but the second in the series.
"Four adventurous siblings step through a wardrobe door and into the land of Narnia, a land frozen in eternal winter—but never Christmas—cursed by the power of the White Witch. Only Aslan, the Great Lion, can reverse her wicked spell.
Journeys to the end of the world, fantastic creatures, and epic battles between good and evil -- what more could any reader ask for in one book? . . . But Lewis did not stop there. Six more books followed, and together they became known as The Chronicles of Narnia." (from the publisher)
This is the first Narnia book published, but the second in the series.
The Mouse and the Motorcycle
The Mouse and the Motorcycle
BEVERLY CLEARY
This is the first book in a series of three. You're going to want to read the others too!
What would you do if you found a mouse in your motel room trying to steal your toy motorcycle? Keith teaches him how to ride it!
Beverly Cleary wrote many of the world's favorite children's stories. Her birthday, April 12, is D.E.A.R. Day (drop everything and read!)
What would you do if you found a mouse in your motel room trying to steal your toy motorcycle? Keith teaches him how to ride it!
Beverly Cleary wrote many of the world's favorite children's stories. Her birthday, April 12, is D.E.A.R. Day (drop everything and read!)
Operation Frog Effect
Operation Frog Effect
SARAH SCHEERGER
EIGHT different people narrate this story, sometimes in journal entries, sometimes in letters, in dramatic scenes, poetry, even graphic novel panels!
"Operation Frog Effect celebrates standing up and standing together, and tells the unforgettable story of how eight very different kids take responsibility for their actions and unite for a cause they all believe in." (from the publisher)
"Ms. Graham’s unconventional approach encourages her students to make new friends and think outside of the box . . . Her students find the strength to fight for their rights and for one another; they remember their teacher’s words: 'Remember change can take place on multiple levels. Even change within yourself is change.'" (Kirkus Review)
"Operation Frog Effect celebrates standing up and standing together, and tells the unforgettable story of how eight very different kids take responsibility for their actions and unite for a cause they all believe in." (from the publisher)
"Ms. Graham’s unconventional approach encourages her students to make new friends and think outside of the box . . . Her students find the strength to fight for their rights and for one another; they remember their teacher’s words: 'Remember change can take place on multiple levels. Even change within yourself is change.'" (Kirkus Review)
Peter & Ernesto: Sloths in the Night
Peter & Ernesto: Sloths in the Night
GRAHAM ANNABLE
This is the third installment in Graham Annable's popular graphic novel series. Annable worked for years as an animator for Lucas Films and individually on his online cartoon Grickle. After directing Box Trolls he turned to writing and illustrating graphic novels. That odd-ball sense of humor you see in those works definitely shows up with Peter & Ernesto too! You'll like how much expression and plot you can understand just in the drawings.
"The sloths are stylized beyond recognition, looking more like tall, furry stumps with arms, legs, and eyes than the familiar tree-dwelling mammals, and they are adorable. Their big expressions and body language perfectly complement the dialogue’s sweet, silly humor." (Kirkus Review)
"Peter and Ernesto love the jungle, but they know how dangerous it can be at night. From clumsy bats to crazed owls to rumors of a dragon, there are countless things that make the darkness perilous for sloths.
That’s why, one day, when their friend Bernard goes missing just as the sun is setting, Peter and Ernesto quickly gather their tribe to form a search party. However, while these sloths have some sense of the dangers that they’ll face while looking for Bernard, there are surprises lurking in the shadows that will surpass their wildest imaginings!" (from the publisher)
"The sloths are stylized beyond recognition, looking more like tall, furry stumps with arms, legs, and eyes than the familiar tree-dwelling mammals, and they are adorable. Their big expressions and body language perfectly complement the dialogue’s sweet, silly humor." (Kirkus Review)
"Peter and Ernesto love the jungle, but they know how dangerous it can be at night. From clumsy bats to crazed owls to rumors of a dragon, there are countless things that make the darkness perilous for sloths.
That’s why, one day, when their friend Bernard goes missing just as the sun is setting, Peter and Ernesto quickly gather their tribe to form a search party. However, while these sloths have some sense of the dangers that they’ll face while looking for Bernard, there are surprises lurking in the shadows that will surpass their wildest imaginings!" (from the publisher)
Over the Moon
Over the Moon
NATALIE LLOYD
Dystopian novels can be scary because they show us just how bad the world might be if we don't change our ways. BUT they are also hopeful because they show us we still have a chance to change and there are heroes like Mallie who can make a difference.
"Twelve-year-old Mallie knows better than to dream. In Coal Top, you live the story you're given: Boys toil in the mines, and girls work as servants. Mallie can't bear the idea of that kind of life, but her family is counting on her wages to survive . . . So when Mallie is chosen for a dangerous competition in which daring (and ideally, orphaned) children train flying horses, she jumps at the chance. Maybe she'll change her story. Maybe she'll even find the magic she needs to dream again." (from the publisher)
"Strong themes of friendship and loyalty drive Lloyd's story, which soars under Mallie's heroic lead [whose] physical disability never holds her back. Rather, she bravely proves that questions have power and one's story can be reshaped." -Booklist, starred review
"Twelve-year-old Mallie knows better than to dream. In Coal Top, you live the story you're given: Boys toil in the mines, and girls work as servants. Mallie can't bear the idea of that kind of life, but her family is counting on her wages to survive . . . So when Mallie is chosen for a dangerous competition in which daring (and ideally, orphaned) children train flying horses, she jumps at the chance. Maybe she'll change her story. Maybe she'll even find the magic she needs to dream again." (from the publisher)
"Strong themes of friendship and loyalty drive Lloyd's story, which soars under Mallie's heroic lead [whose] physical disability never holds her back. Rather, she bravely proves that questions have power and one's story can be reshaped." -Booklist, starred review
Stargazing
Stargazing
JEN WANG
This graphic novel reminds us that friendship can be tricky and that every person is unique no matter what groups they might belong to.
"Wang tells a story that will ring true to just about any kid who’s dealt with shifting friendships, but her additional insights into navigating differences within the Chinese American community will be a balm to readers in similar situations." ―Booklist
"This rich, heart-filled narrative will resonate with any reader who has ever felt different within their community." ―Publishers Weekly
“Intimate and sweet. I’d like to hand Stargazing to every kid I know.” ―Raina Telgemeier, author of Smile
2019 Asian/Pacific American Award for Literature
"Wang tells a story that will ring true to just about any kid who’s dealt with shifting friendships, but her additional insights into navigating differences within the Chinese American community will be a balm to readers in similar situations." ―Booklist
"This rich, heart-filled narrative will resonate with any reader who has ever felt different within their community." ―Publishers Weekly
“Intimate and sweet. I’d like to hand Stargazing to every kid I know.” ―Raina Telgemeier, author of Smile
2019 Asian/Pacific American Award for Literature
Wayside School Beneath the Cloud of Doom
Wayside School Beneath the Cloud of Doom
LOUIS SACHAR
This brand-new book is the first new Wayside School story in 25 years. Hooray!
"Welcome back to Wayside School! Your favorite students and teachers are all here. That includes Sharie, who loves her striped-and-spotted umbrella more than anything; Kathy, who has a bad case of oppositosis; Jason, who has to read the longest book in the world; and the rest of Mrs. Jewls’s class on the thirtieth floor, who are busily collecting toenail clippings.
Everyone is scrambling to prepare for the all-important Ultimate Test, but meanwhile, there is a mysterious Cloud of Doom looming above them…"(from the publisher)
"Welcome back to Wayside School! Your favorite students and teachers are all here. That includes Sharie, who loves her striped-and-spotted umbrella more than anything; Kathy, who has a bad case of oppositosis; Jason, who has to read the longest book in the world; and the rest of Mrs. Jewls’s class on the thirtieth floor, who are busily collecting toenail clippings.
Everyone is scrambling to prepare for the all-important Ultimate Test, but meanwhile, there is a mysterious Cloud of Doom looming above them…"(from the publisher)