Books for 3rd grade reader

[bookmomma]

I am looking for some books for my 3rd grader. He is a slow reader and easily discouraged. He probably reads on a late 2nd grade early 3rd grade level. He has been reading Magic Tree House books for almost a year now (not exclusively) and that seems to keep his interest and it's the right level. Now I'm trying to plan for the next level or stage of his reading, but most books are too big/intimidating.

Interests: magic, adventure, travel, animals, and other boys things. We lived in rural area and he and his brother spend a lot of time in the woods, climbing trees, finding treasure and building forts.

Any suggestions?

[Nakia]

Maybe this leveled book list (http://home.comcast.net/~ngiansante/) will help.

[sixpence1978]

My DS really liked the My Father's Dragon Trilogy. He also is into the Spiderwick Chronicles, The Sword in the Tree, some of the easier Roald Dahl books, Nate the Great...

I know there are more that I am missing, but they have escaped my memory.

[Deana FL]

Time Warp Trio was a winner w/my 3rd grader. They are very similar to the Magic Tree House series.

I have the same issue here...I've got him reading now, CS Lewis' The Magician's Nephew. It seems to be a good match for him, not too intimidating. But there was some resistance initially.

Another series that I think is a good step up would be A Series of Unfortunate Events. These have the feel of a "big" book, but they are not. They are great about introducing new words and defining them within the text. He hasn't read any of these yet, but I think he'll enjoy them.

HTH...

[Another Lynn]

I'm not sure if these would be too hard for him or not, but there's a series of mysteries by Peggy Parrish (sp?). (Yes, she's the same author of Amelia Bedelia - but these are not picture books). I think Veritas Press sells them, but I can't remember the names of them. I know my ds enjoyed one or two of them as his reading took off.

[Stacia]

The Littles series
Flat Stanley books
Ralph S. Mouse series
Henry Huggins books and Socks by Beverly Cleary
Haffertee Hamster books (OOP, but your library may have them)
Safari Adventure in Lego Land and Adventure in Lego Land (both OOP)
Homer Price
Funny Frank

If you're open to something other than 'chapter' books, check out The Good Times Travel Agency (http://www.amazon.com/s/ref=nb_ss_b?url=node%3D4&field-keywords=good+times+travel+agency) series by Linda Bailey. They're awesome, fun, and have lots of historical facts in them. They're in a comic style format.

Also, what about DK books on subjects that interest him? It's not chapter-book reading, but there is a weath of information in there in bite-sized pieces, much of it at a higher reading level.

Many picture books are also at higher reading levels & those may appeal to him too. One picture book series I'm thinking of is the Young Arthur books by Robert San Souci. (Young Arthur, Young Merlin, Young Lancelot, and Young Guinevere.) An author w/ the last name of Talbott also has a picture book series of King Arthur stories at a little higher reading level.

[workingmom]

A to Z Mysteries very interesting with short chapters
Nate the Great
Frog and Toad ( a bit more basic)

[Lovedtodeath]

How to Eat Fried Worms and the sequels

Horrible Harry

And... use the closed captioning on the TV! I am amazed at what DD has learned. She already knew the meanings/spelling of homonyms, and I am sure it was from CC (we just got to those in OPG).

[Susie in CA]

My boys have loved:

Moongobble and me by Bruce Coville (I think there are 4 in the series)
Geronimo Stilton series
anything by Roal Dahl
Unfortunate Events
The Adventures of ... series by Enid Blyton
How to Twist a Dragon's Tail by Cressidea Cowell ( there are more titles)

I hope this helps.

Susie