Children's Books for 3rd Graders

Ned has a cozy farm, a magic Book, and fruit trees that suit him just fine - but what happens when a lone bee cruises past the yard and leads him deep into the woods? Can Ned resist chopping down the hive for one taste of that juicy, golden honey? And if he builds his own, will the bees be a sweet treat or a total nuisance? This decodable reader practices the ‘ui’ sound in words like ‘fruit,’ ‘suit,’ ‘cruises,’ and ‘bruise.’

Alex is an enthusiastic miner - maybe a little TOO enthusiastic. With her inventory stuffed full of diamonds, gold, and fourteen spare pickaxes (but somehow no armor and no sword), she’s ready to dig deep. But when one wobbly step sends her tumbling into a dark pit full of rattling bones, will she find a way out? And can a tough miner bounce back from losing everything? This decodable reader practices the ough phonogram in words like ’thought,’ ’tough,’ ‘rough,’ ‘brought,’ and ’enough.’

Gran can juggle anything - pans, onions, even Pop’s pocket watch goes spinning through the air! But when her flipping and tossing causes a very ripe mango to go SPLAT on a grumpy shopkeeper’s head, what will Gran do next? Can she find a new pursuit that won’t leave anyone with a bruise? This lively decodable reader practices the ‘ui’ phonogram through words such as ‘fruit,’ ‘juice,’ ’nuisance,’ ‘pursuit,’ and ‘suitable.’

The town is hot, the crowds are loud, and gnats are buzzing right in Brat Cat’s ears - can she find a quiet place before her whiskers snap? Deep in a peaceful wood, she spots the perfect clearing and dreams up a cozy little hut. But will Fig Pig and Tip help her build it just right? This decodable reader practices the ‘gn’ sound in words like ‘gnats,’ ‘gnash,’ ‘sign,’ ‘design,’ and ‘aligned.’

Hantu is the biggest, boldest ghost in all of Indonesia, and scaring villagers is his favorite job. Lions whimper! Strongmen squeal! Guards drop their guns and flee! But when Hantu creeps into a tiny house to frighten one small, sleeping mouse, will the terror of the night finally meet someone too brave to shake? This decodable reader practices the ‘gh’ phonogram in words like ‘ghost,’ ’night,’ ‘fight,’ and ’thought.’

Zom steps outside one morning and freezes - his farm is covered in cake! The next day, coal. The day after that, eggs everywhere. Who keeps filling the farm with strange surprises overnight? Jack certainly finds it hilarious, but he swears it isn’t him. Even after Zom stands guard all night, the pranks keep coming. Can Skel finally catch the culprit before the whole farm falls apart? This decodable reader practices the soft c sound in words like ‘face,’ ‘slice,’ ‘races,’ ‘mercy,’ and ‘advance.’

When a shaggy, rumbly troll comes creeping out of the woods, little Nib keeps right on spinning her red wool - but what is she really planning? Can a ball of yarn and a very clever girl outwit a hungry troll big enough to snap a tree? And when her brothers spot a thin red thread winding into the forest, will they follow it in time? This decodable reader practices the ‘ough’ phonogram in words like ’though,’ ’thought,’ ‘rough,’ and ’enough.’

What do you do when every bird on the farm has a crown except you? On a sunny holiday visit, one determined child admires Rooster’s bright red comb, Peacock’s feathery fan, and Heron’s elegant plume - but none of them will share! Could there be another way to wear a crown that is just right? This decodable reader practices the ‘ui’ phonogram in words such as ‘suits,’ ’nuisance,’ ‘fluid,’ ‘pursuit,’ and ‘suitable.’

My two villagers wandered off again - and this time, the river swept them straight into a dark cave! What happens when something green and groaning lurches out of the shadows? Can I brew a cure in time, or will my silly neighbors be zombies forever? I only have ingredients for one try, so I’d better not mess this up! This decodable reader practices the ’eigh’ sound in words like ’eight,’ ’neighbors,’ ‘outweighed,’ and ’eighty.’

Meet Ambulance - a shiny truck who was born to go FAST! But Mr. Chow, her kind driver, takes it slow and steady through every street. When a new paramedic swaggers in, grinning and ready to fly, Ambulance finally gets her wish for speed. But will zooming through town be everything she dreamed? This decodable reader practices the soft c sound in words like ‘ambulance,’ ‘city,’ ‘race,’ and ‘bounce.’