Nonfiction Books for 3rd Graders
Every child deserves stories that spark curiosity and build a foundation for lifelong learning. Find the best nonfiction books for 3rd graders featuring real-world facts and fascinating information. These children’s books for ages 7-8 combine educational content with grade-appropriate reading levels perfect for elementary students.
My Choices
Every day, I make a lot of choices. These choices shape not only my day, but the weeks and months ahead. They may even have weight for what happens in my future.
Dragons of Europe!
Tales involving dragons have been told around the world all through history. In this book, we will be looking at dragon stories that originated or are popular in Europe. These dragons have a lot of similarities, and their tales can tell us something about how people saw the world through the years.
Little Book of Big Facts: Biology
Did you know that octopuses are super smart and can use tools just like monkeys? Explore the amazing world of biology and discover how plants and animals adapt to survive in different places, why some creatures look alike, and how scientists unlock the secrets hidden in our DNA. Get ready to uncover the incredible connections between all living things on Earth!
My Friends
Meet Tina and her amazing friends! David loves books, Donna uses a wheelchair, Paul is from Spain, Emily’s family loves cooking, Mary is a great listener, and John thinks in creative ways. Each friend is special and different. What makes a good friend? Join Tina as she discovers how friends with different talents and backgrounds help each other grow and become better together.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why is nonfiction reading important for 3rd graders?
Third grade marks the shift from learning to read to reading to learn, and nonfiction books for 3rd graders are at the heart of that transition. The NCTE stresses that nonfiction literacy across all grades builds critical thinking, informational fluency, and content knowledge. Nonfiction for 7 year olds introduces text features like headings, captions, and glossaries that children will rely on throughout their schooling. On Bookbot, nonfiction picture books for third grade are available on the website, with many titles free to read.
How do nonfiction picture books for third grade strengthen vocabulary?
Nonfiction picture books for third grade immerse children in domain-specific words – terms like “precipitation,” “habitat,” or “legislature” – within meaningful contexts that make definitions stick. Snow, Burns, and Griffin (1998) identified vocabulary breadth as one of the strongest predictors of reading comprehension, and nonfiction delivers a higher density of new words per page than most fiction. Bookbot’s educational books for 3rd grade readers pair this vocabulary exposure with leveled, decodable text so children stretch their knowledge without being overwhelmed. For more on structured reading, see what are decodable books.
Can nonfiction books for 3rd graders help reluctant readers?
Many reluctant readers prefer facts over fiction, so nonfiction books for 3rd graders about animals, space, or sports can be the key that unlocks motivation. Stanovich (1986) demonstrated that the more a child reads, the faster vocabulary and fluency develop – meaning the right topic can trigger a positive cycle of growth. Bookbot’s nonfiction for 7 year olds is available on the website, with many titles free to read, making it easy to get an engaging book into a child’s hands. See our guide on reluctant readers for more strategies.
What nonfiction topics does Bookbot offer for third grade?
Bookbot’s educational books for 3rd grade readers cover science, history, animals, the human body, geography, and more – all organised by a phonics-based scope and sequence so each child reads at the right level. The National Reading Panel (2000) found that systematic, level-matched practice is essential for fluency growth, and Bookbot applies this principle to every nonfiction picture book for third grade. All titles are available on the Bookbot website, with many free to read.