Fantasy Books for 3rd Graders

The nights grow so dark that children cry out in fear and even the great trickster Kaggen the mantis cannot fix it. When he catches a hundred fireflies, they only tumble back to earth. What happens when his own worn shoe flies off his foot and an idea takes hold? Will light ever find a way to stay in the sky? This Bookbot level practises the ‘gn’ phonogram making the /n/ sound, with words like ‘sign’, ‘gnaw’, ‘gnarled’, ‘design’, and ‘resigned’.

The fishermen of Kogelo village have not filled a net in twelve nights, and old Oloo whispers that something deep in the lake has frightened even the great fish away. When twelve-year-old Opiyo sees the water ‘bulge’ and ‘surge’ in the dark, he learns the creature below is not hungry but heartbreakingly alone. Can one boy’s shaky voice, and his grandmother’s old fishing song, calm a lonely ‘giant’? This Bookbot level practises the soft ‘g’ sound in ‘gently’, ‘village’, and ‘danger’.

Yellow Rabbit Balloon wants nothing more than to float up, up, up - past the treetops, past the kites, past everyone telling him to hold still. But what happens when the sky turns out to be full of pecking birds, scary flames, and smoggy air? Will anyone down below look up in time to catch a tired little balloon? This decodable reader practises the ‘gn’ phonogram in words such as ‘reign,’ ‘gnat,’ ‘gnarled,’ ‘gnome,’ and ‘signpost.’

Hank has big plans for the greatest garden his street has ever seen - but what happens when the sky lights up with strange swirling colours? What falls out of those clouds, and will anyone believe him when he tells the tale? Grab a shovel and dig into this wonderfully weird backyard adventure packed with surprises on every page. This decodable reader practises the eigh phonogram in words such as ’eight,’ ‘heavyweight,’ ’neighbourhood,’ ’neighbours,’ and ‘weightless.’

Kwaku Anansi has a plan so big it makes his eight eyes shine: gather all the wisdom in the world into one pot and become the wisest creature alive. But when his climb keeps ending in a slide back to the roots, who offers the simplest idea of all, and why does the pot suddenly feel so heavy? Can a clever spider learn to ’laugh’ at himself? This Bookbot level practises the ‘augh’ sound in words like ‘haughty’, ‘distraught’, ’naught’, and ‘onslaught’.

Can the Orange Cats squeeze out of their tiny dirt hut and build a real home of their own? With muddy whiskers, heavy stacks of stone, and monsters groaning in the dark, moving day turns out to be harder than they ever imagined. Will they battle the giant spider and finish their dream house before night falls again? This decodable reader practises the ‘ough’ sound in words like ‘brought,’ ‘fought,’ ’tough,’ and ’though.’

When Fig Pig gives Brat Cat a very special birthday present - a pair of wings! - she can hardly believe her eyes. But how do you learn to fly when the ground looks so very far away? Can Brat Cat be brave enough to leap off the cliff and soar into the valley below? And will Fig Pig remember to teach her everything she needs to know? This decodable reader practises the ough phonogram in words like ‘bought,’ ‘brought,’ ‘rough,’ ’tough,’ and ’through.’

In a village where magic is as common as mud, Aidan has finally saved enough coins to buy his very first wand. But what happens when the only wand he can afford is crooked, scratched, and just a little bit grumpy? Can a boy with big dreams and a dodgy wand ever cast a proper spell? Join Aidan as sparks fly, candy rains, and magic misbehaves! This decodable reader practises the soft g phonogram through words like ‘village,’ ‘magic,’ ‘courage,’ ‘huge,’ and ‘gentle.’

Tom the Baker makes the best pumpkin pies in all of Canville - at least, that’s what he says! But when sneaky creepers sneak past the golems and blow his beloved bakery sky-high, Tom is ready to pack up his pies and leave for good. Can Dr Can Do and the villagers come up with a plan to save the day? This decodable reader practises the soft c sound in words like ‘city,’ ‘face,’ ‘fence,’ ’nice,’ and ‘magnificent.’

When the sun goes down and monsters come creeping, most folks hide under the blankets - but not Ned! Tonight he’s grabbed his magic sword and marched right out the door. Can one brave farmer really fight off a giant zombie, a sneaky skeleton, and a huge spider with mean little eyes? And what strange treasure might glint on the floor when the night is done? This decodable reader practises soft g words such as ‘gem,’ ‘gentle,’ ‘giant,’ ‘danger,’ and ‘charged.’