Rising Third Grade Summer Reading 2018  We would like our Holy Trinity rising 3rd graders to “read at whim” all summer long, so we’ve compiled this extensive list of tried and true HTS favorites - and some new titles to explore - for your reference. We recommend that our rising 3rd grade students read a minimum of 20 minutes per day. Ideally their amount of reading time should match or exceed their daily minutes of "screen time."   As parents, one of our major roles is to make sure that children set aside time every day to read - to read for pleasure, for information, for the vicarious thrill of living in an imaginary world. The good news is that if children read just six books over summer vacation, they will likely avoid summer reading loss.   We hope you enjoy exploring this list with your child to identify wonderful summer reading options.  Happy Reading! Mary Beth Morell, and Julie Ingoglia, HTS Library Media Specialists, and the 3rd grade team.   

 

  

Favorite Chapter Books (series) Ramona Quimby (and Henry Huggins) - Beverly Cleary Ivy and Bean - Annie Barrows Clementine - Sara Pennypacker Eerie Elementary - Jack Chabert Mercy Watson - Kate DiCamillo Nancy Clancy - Jane O’Connor 

Wayside School - Louis Sachar My Weird School - Dan Gutman Dragon Masters - Tracey West Haggis and Tank - Jessica Young Magic Tree House - Mary Pope Osborne Magic Bone - Nancy Krulick Project Droid - Nancy Krulick The Notebook of Doom - Troy Cumming 

 School Capers and Classics 

 Stink: The Incredible Shrinking Kid by Megan McDonald (series). The shortest kid in his grade, James Moody, also known as Stink, learns all about the shortest president of the United States, James Madison, when they celebrate President’s Day at school.   Judy Moody by Megan McDonald (series). Third grader Judy Moody is in a first day of school bad mood until she gets an assignment to create a collage all about herself and begins creating her masterpiece, the Me collage.    Just Grace by Charise Mericle Harper (series). Misnamed by her teacher, seven-year-old Just Grace prides herself on being empathetic, but when she tries to help a neighbor feel better, her good intentions backfire.  

Alvin Ho: Allergic to Girls, School, and Other Scary Things by Lenore Look (series). A young boy in Concord, Massachusetts, who loves superheroes and comes from a long line of brave Chinese farmer-warriors, wants to make friends, but first he must 

overcome his fear of everything. 

 Calvin Coconut: Trouble Magnet by Graham Salisbury (series). Nine-year-old Calvin catches the attention of the school bully on the day before he starts fourth grade, while at home, the unfriendly, fifteen-year-old daughter of his mother's best friend has taken over his room. 

 Justin Case: School, Drool, and Other Daily Disasters by Rachel Vail (series). Justin is very nervous about starting third grade and must make the best of things when he does not get the teacher he wanted, his best friend is in 

another class, and his favorite stuffed animal disappears.  Galaxy Zach by Ray O'Ryan. Moving from Earth to the futuristic planet Nebulon in 2120, eight-year-old Zack is nervous about starting school and meeting people.   Spaceheadz by Jon Scieszka (series). Michael moves to a new school and learns that some of his friends are really aliens who have come to Earth in order to convince millions of kids to be Space Heads.    

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 Being Teddy Roosevelt by Claudia Mills. When he is assigned Teddy Roosevelt as his biography project in school, fourth-grader Riley finds himself inspired by Roosevelt's tenacity and perseverance and resolves to find a way to get 

what he most wants--a saxophone and music lessons. (Look for other titles by Claudia Mills) 

 Third Grade Angels by Jerry Spinelli. George, aka "Suds," has just entered 3rd grade, and he's heard the rhyme about "first grade babies/second grade cats/third grade angels/fourth grade rats," but what does this mean for his school year? It means that his teacher will hold a competition every month to 

see which student deserves to be awarded "the halo".  Ruby and the Booker Boys: Brand New School, Brave New Ruby by Derrick Barnes and Vanessa Brantley Newton (series). Eight-year-old Ruby Booker. She sings like nobody's business; she has a pet iguana named Lady Love; her favorite color is grape-jelly purple; and when she grows up, she's going to be 

the most famous woman animal doctor on the planet.   The Tiny Hero of Ferny Creek Library by Linda Bailey. Eddie is a tiny green bug who loves to read and who lives behind the chalkboard in the fourth-grade classroom. But when Aunt Min goes to the school library to read a book and never returns, Eddie leaves the comfort of his home for the first time and makes the dangerous trek through Ferny Creek 

Elementary School to find her. He dodges running sneakers, falling books, and terrifying spiders!  

 Gooney Bird Greene by Lois Lowry. There’s never been anyone like Gooney Bird Greene at Watertower Elementary School. What other new kid comes to school wearing pajamas and cowboy boots one day and a polka-dot t-shirt and tutu on another? She is the star of story time and keeps her teacher 

and classmates on the edge of their seats with her “absolutely true” stories.  

 Nikki & Deja by Karen English (series). When an arrogant new girl comes to school, third-graders and best friends Nikki & Deja decide to form a club that would exclude her 

but find the results not what they expected.   Friends and Families 

 A Crazy Mixed-up Spanglish Day by Marissa Montes. In Northern California, Maritza Gabriela Morales Mercado struggles to deal with the third grade bully, to control her temper, and to remember to speak Spanish at home and English at school.  

The Friendship Garden by Jenny Meyerhoff (series).   Eight-year-old Anna Fincher and her family have just moved to Chicago for her mom’s new job. Not only does Anna miss her tiny hometown and her true-blue best friends, but she misses her garden. Now, Anna is stuck in a boring apartment with no yard, and starting a brand-new school with kids who 

are anything but friendly.  

 Cilla Lee Jenkins by Susan Tan. Cilla Lee-Jenkins is 50% Chinese, 50% Caucasian, and 100% destined for literary greatness! Her baby sister is about to be born, and Cilla needs to become a bestselling author before her family forgets all about her. Cilla has a lot to write about: How did she deal with being 

bald until the age of five? How did she overcome her struggles with reading? How do family traditions with Grandma and Granpa Jenkins differ from family traditions with her Chinese grandparents, Nai Nai and Ye Ye? 

 The Stupendously Spectacular Spelling Bee by Deborah Abela. India Wimple can spell. Brilliantly. Every Friday night, she and her family watch the Stupendously Spectacular Spelling Bee on TV. When the Wimples suggest she enter the next Bee, India feels nothing but trepidation. She's sure she's not good enough  but with the support of her family, India finds the courage to sign up. 

Unusual Chickens for the Exceptional Poultry Farmer by Kelly Jones. Twelve-year-old Sophie Brown feels like a fish out of water when she and her parents move from Los Angeles to the farm they’ve inherited from a great-uncle. But farm life gets more interesting when a cranky chicken appears and Sophie discovers the hen can move objects with the power of her little chicken 

brain: jam jars, the latch to her henhouse, the entire henhouse.  Two Naomis by Audrey Vernick and Olugbemisola Rhuday-Perkovich. Other than their first names, Naomi Marie and Naomi Edith are sure they have nothing in common, and they wouldn’t mind keeping it that way. Naomi Marie starts clubs at the library and adores being a big sister. Naomi Edith loves quiet Saturdays and hanging with her best friend in her backyard.   A Piece of Home by Jeri Watts. Illus. by Hyewon Yum. In this compassionate immigration story, Hee Jun and his family slowly adjust to their new life in West Virginia after moving from Korea.   

Clementine by Sara Pennypacker (series). While sorting through difficulties in her friendship with her neighbor Margaret, eight-year-old Clementine helps her father in his efforts to banish pigeons from the front of their apartment building.    

How Oliver Olsen Changed the World by Claudia Mills. Afraid he will always be an outsider like ex-planet Pluto, nine- year-old Oliver finally shows his extremely overprotective parents that he is capable of doing great things without their 

help while his class is studying the solar system.  Weekends with Max and his Dad by Linda Urban. Max and his dad love their weekends together. Weekends mean pancakes, pizza, spy games, dog-walking, school projects, and surprising neighbors! Every weekend presents a small adventure as Max gets to know his dad’s new neighborhood. 

 When Mischief Came to Town by Katrina Nannestad. When Inge Maria arrives on the tiny island of Bornholm in Denmark to live with her grandmother, she's not sure what to expect. Her grandmother is stern, the people on the island are strange, and children are supposed to be seen and not heard. But no matter 

how hard Inge tries to be good, mischief has a way of finding her.  

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The Year of Billy Miller by Kevin Henkes. Faced with realistic challenges like a destructive sibling and stage fright, 2nd grader Billy tackles the new school year with an honest – and ultimately courageous – heart.  The Year of the Book by Andrea Cheng (series). When Anna needs company, she turns to her books. Whether traveling through A Wrinkle in Time, or peering over My Side of the Mountain, books provide what real life cannot—constant companionship and insight into her changing world. Books, 

however, can’t tell Anna how to find a true friend. She’ll have to discover that on her own.   Sports 

 Gymnastics Jitters by Jake Maddox. Dana and the rest of the Raiders gymnastics team must learn how to deal with their biggest rivals, the Superiors. When the Superiors don't play fair, the Raiders learn a valuable lesson in sportsmanship. (Look for other titles by Jake Maddox)  Kickers #1 The Ball Hogs by Rich Wallace (series). 

Nine-year-old Ben is brand-new to soccer, but he's a good athlete and knows he'll do well on the Bobcats, his team in the local Kickers soccer league. If he can only work around his obnoxious teammate Mark, the ball hog, Ben is sure he'll score his first goal. 

 Kid Athletes: True Tales of Childhood from Sports Legends by David Stabler. When all-star athletes were growing up, they had regular-kid problems just like you. Kid Athletes tells all of their stories and more with full-color cartoon illustrations on every page. Other subjects include Peyton Manning, Billie Jean King Gabby Douglas, Tiger Woods, Julie 

Krone, Bruce Lee, Lionel Messi, and more!  The Kid Who Only Hit Homers by Matt Christopher. Sylvester loved baseball, but he wasn't what you'd call a good hitter. He had decided against joining the team, when he met George Baruth. He promised Sylvester he would help him become one of the best players ever. (Look for other titles by Matt Christopher)  Winners Take All by Fred Bowen. In order to win an important baseball game, twelve-year-old Kyle claims to have made a difficult catch which he actually dropped. The unearned win gives his team,an unfair advantage in the championship series against the Cubs, and everyone considers him the hero of the game. Will the praise and attention he receive silence his 

conscience?. (Look for other titles by Fred Bowen.)  Action and Adventure 

 Who Cloned the President? by Ron Roy. KC discovers that the President of the United States has been replaced by a clone and sets out with her friend Marshall, on a dangerous mission to set things right. The first book of the Capital Mysteries Series, all set 

in the Washington DC area.  

Encyclopedia Brown, Boy Detective by Donald Sobol. Fifth grader Leroy Brown solves ten mysteries and, by putting the solutions at the back of the book, challenges the reader to do the same.   The Fenway Foul Up by David Kelly. Thanks to Kate's mom, a sports reporter, cousins Mike Walsh and Kate Hopkins have tickets to the Red Sox game and All Access passes to Fenway Park. But as they're watching batting practice before the game, the lucky bat of Red Sox star slugger Big D is stolen . . . Can 

Kate and Mike figure out who pinched the bat before Big D and the Sox chalk up a loss? Part of the The Ballpark Mysteries Series. 

 The Adventures of Sir Lancelot the Great by Gerald Morris (series). Sir Lancelot arrives in King Arthur's court and has many grand adventures after becoming the king's bravest and greatest knight. This is a lighthearted series of versions of classic tales of knights: Sir Lancelot, Sir Givret, etc.  Athena the Brain: The Goddess Girls by Joan Holub and Suzanne Williams (series). Who ever said being a goddess is easy? Follow four best friends, Athena, Persephone, Aphrodite and Artemis as they negotiate the ins and outs of Mount Olympus Academy.  Captain Awesome to the Rescue! by Stan Kirby. Eugene’s the new kid in Sunnyville who loves comics and superheroes. Inspired by his heroes, he solves problems and saves his town from “bad guys” by transforming into Captain Awesome! (Also 

see Super Turbo.)  The Princess in Black by Shannon & Dean Hale. Princess Magnolia has a secret: when her glitter stone rings, she sneaks off to transform into her alter ego, the Princess in Black, who helps protect the kingdom’s goats from hungry monsters. 

 Flight of the Phoenix: Nathaniel Fludd, Beastologist by R.L. LaFevers (series). Nathaniel Fludd’s life has taken a turn for the worst. With his parents lost at sea, he lands on the doorstep of a distant cousin—the world’s last remaining beastologist. Too bad Nate’s not the sort of boy who enjoys adventure . . .yet. 

 Ranger in Time #1: Rescue on the Oregon Trail by Kate Messner (series). Ranger, a golden retriever, could have been a great search-and-rescue dog except for the squirrels, but one day he unearths a mysterious box and finds himself transported back to the year 1850, where his faithful service is really needed by a family traveling west along the Oregon 

Trail.   Tales from the Odyssey: The One-Eyed Giant by Mary Pope Osborne (series). When Odysseus must leave his home to fight the Trojan War, he never imagines that he’ll be away from his family for so many years. Now, at long last, he is leading his men home across the seas. But many dangers await them – and 

none is more terrifying than Polyphemus, the one-eyed giant.  Time Warp Trio by Jon Scieszka (series) A book from his magician uncle transports Joe and his friends, Fred and Sam, back in time to swashbuckling adventures fraught with dangers 

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at every turn. In the first story, quick thinking saves them from a fire-breathing dragon and a foul-smelling giant.  

The Haunted Library by Dory Hillestad Butler (series). Kaz the ghost is separated from his family and ends up in a library with Claire, a real girl who is able to see and interact with ghosts…and who may be able to reunite Kaz with his brother.   

 Secret Agents Jack and Max Stalwart by Elizabeth Singer Hunt (series). Temporarily retired from the GPF-Global Protection Force-and on family vacation, Jack Stalwart and his older brother, Max, are motivated to act when a band of thieves takes the Emerald Buddha from the Grand Palace in Bangkok.   

The Spy Next Door by Jay Cooper. Nothing exciting ever happens to boring Dex at his boring home or at boring school. He oversleeps (again!), he daydreams while his science teacher Mr. McFur babbles on about his lab rat Princess Pretty Fabulous (Pretty for short)! Then one day, a mystery man 

convinces Mr. McFur to feed Pretty radioactive gamma broccoli, which turns the rat into a rabid rodent the size of a hippo and launches Dex into an underground world of kid spies and rat gas power. 

Dying to Meet You by Kate Klise (series). Ignatius B. Grumply moves into the Victorian mansion at 43 Old Cemetery Road hoping to find some peace and quiet so he can crack a wicked case of writer's block. But 43 Old Cemetery Road is already occupied by eleven-year-old 

Seymour, his cat Shadow, and an irritable ghost named Olive. It's hard to say who is more outraged. But a grumpy old ghost just might inspire this grumpy old man--and the abandoned kid? Well, let's just say his last name's Hope.   Just Plain Fun 

 The Witches of Benevento by John Bemelmans Marciano (series). These aren't your run-of-the-mill witches; rather, they are spirits, fairies, ghosts, and demons, and lesser-known varieties including Manalonga, Clopper, and Janara. Janara witches transform at night by rubbing magical oil on 

themselves, and cause mayhem wherever they go.   Narwhal and Jelly by Ben Clanton (series). Narwhal is a happy-go-lucky narwhal. Jelly is a no-nonsense jellyfish. The two might not have a lot in common, but they do they love waffles, parties and adventures.   Calpurnia Tate, Girl Vet Book by Jacqueline Kelly (series). Animal lovers will revel in the abundant anecdotes about the benevolent country vet and Travis' mangy strays―some heart-wrenching, some hilarious―while learning plenty about nature ("from pond water up to the stars"), and early Texas history as recounted by Callie's Granddaddy.  

 EllRay Jakes is Not a Chicken by Sally Warner (series). Eight-year-old EllRay Jakes's attempts to defend himself against the class bully always end up getting him in trouble, but he promises to do his best when his dad offers to take him to Disneyland if he can be good for an entire week. 

 George Brown, Class Clown: Super Burp! by Nancy Krulikn (series). When fourth-grader George starts at a new school, he vows to become a model student instead of the class clown he has always been, but just as his plan is going really well, he is overtaken by a magic burp that turns him back into a 

mischief-maker.   Lulu and the Brontosaurus by Judith Viorst (series). Having not received the pet brontosaurus she demanded for her birthday, Lulu packs her bag and sets off to find the elusive animal.    The Twits by Roald Dahl. Mr. and Mrs. Twit hate almost everything including their trained monkeys, the Muggle-Wumps. But now the Muggle-Wumps want revenge. (Also look for other titles by Roald Dahl.) 

 Buddy Files by Don Butler (series) . Mystery fans and dog lovers will be swept up by these stories featuring Buddy, a dog lead-character who interacts with humans in surprising and funny ways.   

The School Mouse by Dick King-Smith. Flora, a young mouse, lives with her family in the cupboard of a kindergarten classroom, and after she teaches herself how to read, Flora becomes determined to follow the 

children into the first grade. (Look for other titles by Dick King-Smith.) 

 The Tale of Despereaux: Being the Story of a Mouse, a Princess, Some Soup, and a Spool of Thread by Kate DiCamillo. Welcome to the story of Despereaux Tilling, a mouse who is in love with music, stories, and a princess named Pea. It is also the story of a rat called Roscuro, who 

lives in the darkness and covets a world filled with light. And it is the story of Miggery Sow, a slow-witted serving girl who harbors a simple, impossible wish. These three characters are about to embark on a journey that will lead them down into a horrible dungeon, up into a glittering castle, and, ultimately, into each other's lives.  Historical Fiction 

 The American Girls by Valerie Tripp. (series) These stories are a fantastic introduction to American history as told through six stories of each of the young girls who live it, such as Felicity in Colonial Williamsburg, Addy escaping from Slavery, Kit in the Great Depression.   

I Survived: The Sinking of the Titanic by Lauren Tarshis. (series) Ten-year-old George Calder can't believe his luck -- he and his little sister, Phoebe, are on the famous Titanic, crossing the ocean with their Aunt Daisy. The ship is full of exciting places to explore, but when George ventures into the first class storage cabin, a terrible boom shakes the entire boat. Suddenly, water is everywhere, and George's 

life changes forever.    

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 Non-Fiction 

 The 50 States: Explore the U.S.A with 50 fact-filled maps! by Gabrielle Balkan. Be inspired by the inventiveness, beauty and diversity of the United States in this curious collection of fact-filled maps. Explore thousands of wondrous locations and be awed by the achievements of hundreds of people. 

 The American Story - 100 True Tales from American History by Jennifer Armstrong. This magnificent treasury tells the story of America through 100 true tales. Some are tales of triumph—the midnight ride of Paul Revere, the Wright brothers taking to the air, Neil Armstrong’s first steps 

on the moon. Some are tales of tragedy—the fate of the Donner Party, the great fire in Chicago, the eruption of Mount Saint Helens.  

 Cleared for Takeoff: The Ultimate Book of Flight by Rowland White. This detailed history of flight will delight readers with everything a budding aviation enthusiast needs to dive into this fascinating topic, including poems, essays, fact cards, and even a few flight-based experiments. 

 Creature Features by Steve Jenkins. Packed with many cool facts and visuals on where certain animals live and what they eat, this book captures twenty-five humorous—and very true—explanations of why animals look the way they do in 

order to exist in this world.   Creaturepedia: Welcome to the Greatest Show on Earth by Adrienne Barman. Welcome to this collection of best-loved animals from all over the world, chosen for their special talents and characteristics, with fun illustrations by Adrienne Barman. Meet 'the architects', the 'noisy neighbors', the 

'homebodies', the 'forever faithfuls', the 'champions of forgetfulness' and more in this alphabetically ordered encyclopedia. 

 Green City: How One Community Survived a Tornado and Rebuilt for a Sustainable Future by Allan Drummond. In 2007, a tornado destroyed Greensburg, Kansas, and the residents were at a loss as to what to do next--they didn't 

want to rebuild if their small town would just be destroyed in another storm. So they decided they wouldn't just rebuild the same old thing; this time, they would build a town that could not only survive another storm, but one that was built in an environmentally sustainable way. Told from the point of view of a child, it includes plenty of rebuilding scenes and details for construction lovers, too! 

 The Lonely Planet Kids Travel Book: Mind-Blowing Stuff on Every Country in the World. Take a world tour through 200 countries with this brand new edition of the bestselling kids' version of Lonely Planet's popular The Travel Book, loaded with 

thousands of amazing facts on wildlife, how people live, sports, hideous and mouthwatering food, festivals and a wide range of other quirky insights on every page. Every single country gets its own dedicated page, and a mix of photography and beautiful illustrations brings each land to life.  

Maps by by Aleksandra and Daniel Mizielinski. This book of maps is a visual feast for readers of all ages, with lavishly drawn illustrations.. It features not only borders, cities, rivers, and peaks, but also places of historical and cultural interest, eminent personalities, iconic animals and plants, cultural 

events, and many more fascinating facts associated with every region of our planet. 

National Geographic: 100 Things to Do Before You Grow Up (National Geographic Kids) by Lisa Gerry This is THE to-do list for any adventurous kid who is not afraid to get his or her hands dirty! In this book you'll find ideas, hints, and tips for things that you can (and should!) do before 

you're too old to get away with it. Complete with expert tips from real life adventurers, weird-but-true facts, and profiles of some of the coolest kid-jobs on the planet, this book is just the start of your amazing, exciting, wonderful life! 

 Not for Parents: How to be a Dinosaur Hunter by Scott Forbes. To be a dinosaur hunter you have to be ready to journey through space and time. This book will guide you to remote corners of the world and show you where and how to find dinosaur remains, ranging from bones and teeth to eggs and footprints. It will also take you far back 

into Earth's prehistoric past to find out when, where and how dinosaurs lived - and bring you face to face with some of the biggest, scariest and weirdest creatures that ever roamed our planet.  

 Pink Is For Blobfish: Discovering the World's Perfectly Pink Animals (The World of Weird Animals) by Jess Keating. Sure, pink is the color of princesses and bubblegum, but it's also the color of monster slugs and poisonous insects. Not to mention ultra-intelligent 

dolphins, naked mole rats and bizarre, bloated blobfish. Slip on your rose-colored glasses and take a walk on the wild side with zoologist Jess Keating.  

 The Amazing Age of John Roy Lynch by Chris Barton. John Roy Lynch spent most of his childhood as a slave in Mississippi, but all of that changed with the Emancipation Proclamation. Suddenly people like John Roy could have paying jobs and attend school. While many people in the 

South were unhappy with the social change, John Roy thrived in the new era. He was appointed to serve as justice of the peace and was eventually elected into the United States Congress. This biography, with its informative backmatter and splendid illustrations, gives readers an in-depth look at the Reconstruction period through the life of one of the first African-American congressmen. 

 Ballerina Dreams by Michaela and Elaine DePrince. At the age of three, Michaela DePrince found a photo of a ballerina that changed her life. She was living in an orphanage in Sierra Leone at the time, but was soon adopted by a family and brought to America. Michaela never forgot the photo of the dancer she once saw, and quickly decided to make her 

dream of becoming a ballerina come true. She has been dancing ever since and is now a principal dancer in New York City and has been featured in the ballet documentary First Position, as well as Dancing with the Stars.   

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Fanny at Chez Panisse: A Child's Restaurant Adventures with 46 Recipes by Alice L. Waters. Chez Panisse is a restaurant in Berkeley, California, run by Alice Waters and her large group of friends. Her daughter Fanny’s stories of this busy place are a friendly and funny introduction to the 

delights of real restaurant life, and her recipes show how easy and inexpensive it is to make good food with basic ingredients and simple techniques. 

 I Dissent! Ruth Bader Ginsberg Makes Her Mark by Debbie Levy Get to know celebrated Supreme Court justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg—in the first picture book about her life—as she proves that disagreeing does not make you disagreeable!  

John Ronald’s Dragons: The Story of J.R.R. Tolkein by Caroline McAlister. A captivating picture book biography of a boy who imagined a world full of dragons and grew up to be beloved author J. R. R. Tolkien. 

 Thomas Jefferson: Life, Liberty and the Pursuit of Everything by Maira Kalman Renowned artist Maira Kalman sheds light on the fascinating life and interests of the Renaissance man who was our third president. 

 Who says Girls Can’t Be Doctors? The Story of Elizabeth Blackwell by Tanya Lee Stone In the 1830s, when a brave and curious girl named Elizabeth Blackwell was growing up, women were supposed to be wives and mothers. Some women could be teachers or seamstresses, but career options were few. Certainly no women were doctors. This inspiring story of the first female doctor 

shows how one strong-willed woman opened the doors for all the female doctors to come.  

 Who was/ Who is Series by various authors. Who Was series is a collection of nonfiction books that introduce kids to important historical and popular figures. A huge favorite of HTS students.  

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