Family Books for 3rd Graders

Tomorrow is Mom’s birthday, and Heidi has a secret plan - a handmade bracelet from her very best beads! But first she has to find three bead boxes hidden in the weirdest spots around her room. Can she dig through toy chests, tumbling drawers, and a wobbly laundry mountain without turning her bedroom upside down? And what will Mom say when she sees her gift? This decodable reader practices the ei phonogram in words like ‘beige,’ ‘heights,’ ’neither,’ and ‘weighed.’

Today, I have a plan - I am going to show Mom EVERY single thing I can do! Can I really chop vegetables, water the flowers, and hang up the washing all by myself? And what about riding my bike - will my wobbly knees let me down, or will I be flying down the street? This decodable reader practices the ‘kn’ sound in words like ‘knack,’ ‘knew,’ ‘knelt,’ and ‘knuckles.’

Have you ever waited weeks and weeks for someone special to arrive? When a cousin finally comes walking up the road, there’s one kid with a big, big plan: a farm to show off, a fish to catch with bare hands, and the best snack in the whole wide world. But can one day really be the best day ever? This decodable reader practices the ‘augh’ sound in words like ‘caught,’ ’taught,’ ’laughter,’ and ‘granddaughter.’

Biscuit the cat never misses dinner - so why isn’t he coming when Deb calls? Following him across the yard, Deb discovers a deep hole in the dirt and something very unexpected hiding inside. Can she keep her surprise guest safe from a curious cat? And when the bucket tips over, will Deb catch the tiny escapees before they vanish into the sand? This decodable reader practices the si making /zh/ sound in words like ‘unusual,’ ’treasure,’ ‘vision,’ and ‘pleasure.’

Lily woke up with a pain so big it felt like a giant monkey clinging to her back, heavy and squeezing and impossible to shake off. Everywhere she went, the monkey came too - even when she tried picking tomatoes in the garden or practicing her dance for the village art festival. But what happens when the festival is only three days away and the monkey just won’t let go? This decodable reader practices the soft g sound in words like ‘gentle,’ ‘huge,’ ‘village,’ and ‘magic.’

Big Sis is the coolest kid in the whole world. She climbs to dizzy heights, laughs off a feisty dog, and never, ever cries - not even when she tumbles smack into the dirt! So when her little sibling spots real, wet tears rolling down her cheeks in the kitchen, what on earth could have finally cracked the bravest kid around? This decodable reader practices the ’ei’ phonogram in words like ’eight,’ ‘height,’ ‘weird,’ and ’neither.’

What happens when a sticky orange ice block meets a whole market full of fancy things to touch? Grace had the best day ever at the city market - she danced to flute music, spotted lace skirts, and hugged a crying boy. But her fingers got stickier and stickier, and every single thing she touched seemed to notice! Can she make it home without causing more trouble? This decodable reader practices soft c words such as ‘city,’ ‘ice,’ ‘juice,’ and ‘fancy.’

The water rises fast, swallowing streets and rooftops, and all Mel has left is a wooden pole and her toy giraffe, Gus. When a kind helper named Jen pulls her to safety, can Mel find the courage to speak, to eat, and to help the other frightened kids at the shelter? And will Jen keep her biggest promise of all? This decodable reader practices the ’ei’ phonogram in words like ‘weight,’ ‘ceiling,’ ’eiderdown,’ and ‘feisty.’

Meet Sophia, a girl who never gives up, even when things get tough. From learning to ride a bike to facing her biggest fears, she discovers that with courage and persistence, anything is possible. What would YOU do if you were afraid to try something new?