Third Grade Summer Reading List

The summer before third grade is an exciting time for readers--they are able to read longer, more involved books with chapters and complex characters. “Third graders are in the nascent stages of developing their reading preferences,” says Deirdre Hockett, Vice Chairman of the Board of the Friends of the San Francisco Public Library and co-founder of GiftLit, an online retailer of books hand-selected by experts. “Use the summer as a time to explore different genres and authors to find out what books really engage your child.” Stumped on where to find engrossing books for your burgeoning reader? We've got you covered. We've combed the shelves for new summer titles. Here are the ones that really knocked our socks off:

Melonhead by Katy Kelly
Silly pranks, sweaty feet, and troublesome tree climbing may not be your idea of story fodder, but they're just the right fuel to get this tale going. Ten-year old Adam Melon is a self-proclaimed expert on famous inventors and the intricacies of toilet paper. When his science teacher announces that every kid in the class will be competing in Challenge America!, an inventing fair, he figures he and his best friend Sam are a shoo-in for first prize. Now they just need to come up with an idea for something explosively cool, without making his mom nervous. A fun read full of pitch-perfect kid humor. (Delacorte Press, 2009, $12.99) Where to buy

Dessert First by Hallie Durand
It's not always easy being eight. Dessert Schneider finds that out first hand, when her new teacher, Mrs. Howdy Doody, comes into class in her white snowball slippers and urges all her new third graders to learn to march to the beat of their own drummers. For Dessert, that means figuring out her own personal coat of arms, trying to convince her family to eat dessert before dinner, and doing her best to stay out of trouble. If only there weren't so many temptations! Can Dessert resist? Soon-to-be third graders, especially those who've gotten their feet wet with easier chapter books, will enjoy the challenge of reading this confection on their own, while less advanced readers will enjoy it as a read-aloud. Either way, we bet kids will have trouble resisting Dessert! (Atheneum Books, 2009 $14.99) Where to buy

Wishworks, Inc. by Stephanie Tolan, illustrated by Amy June Bates
To distract himself from the struggles of being the new kid at school, Max imagines a great big dog at his side named King. King is the best dog a kid could want--he's brave, loyal, and intelligent. Unfortunately, he is also highly fictional. When the shopkeeper of a mysterious store called "Wishworks, Inc." guarantees any wish, you can guess what Max wants. But, when a small, ratty dog shows up at the door, he's in for more than he expected. A thoughtful and magical read for kids getting into the groove of chapter books and real-to-life characters. (Arthur A. Levine Books, 2009, $15.99) Where to buy

Ivy and Bean: Bound to Be Bad by Annie Barrows
Best friends Ivy and Bean are at it again in this fifth paperback installment in the popular series. When the two troublemakers decide that they are going to be so good and pure that wild animals will befriend them, they discover that being good is harder than it seems. Is a little badness a bad thing? Author Annie Barrows' clever and kid-friendly wit, coupled with illustrations that give a kids-eye view of the world, make these books a hit with readers transitioning to chapter books. (Chronicle, 2009, $5.99) Where to buy