3rd Grade Reads

Evelyn Del Rey is Moving Away

Evelyn Del Rey is Daniela's best friend. They do everything together and even live in twin apartments across the street from each other: Daniela with her mami and hamster, and Evelyn with her mami, papi, and cat. But not after today--not after Evelyn moves away. Until then, the girls play amid the moving boxes until it's time to say goodbye, making promises to keep in touch, because they know that their friendship will always be special. The tenderness of Meg Medina's beautifully written story about friendship and change is balanced by Sonia Sánchez's colorful and vibrant depictions of the girls' urban neighborhood.

Author: Meg Medina Call Number: E MED

Frankie Sparks series

Frankie Sparks, the self-proclaimed "best inventor in the third grade," does research and creates a tool to try to persuade her classmates that a rat would make the best class pet.

Author: Megan Frazer Blakrmore Call Number: J FICTION BLA

Saving Winslow

Louie doesn't have the best luck when it comes to nurturing small creatures. So when his father brings home a sickly newborn mini donkey, he's determined to save him. He names him Winslow. Taking care of him helps Louie feel closer to his brother, Gus, who is far, far away in the army. Everyone worries that Winslow won't survive, especially Louies quirky new friend, Nora, who has experienced loss of her own. But as Louie's bond with Winslow grows, surprising and life-altering events prove that this fragile donkey is stronger than anyone could have imagined.

Author: Sharon Creech Call Number: J FICTION CRE

Dragons in a Bag

In Brooklyn, nine-year-old Jax joins Ma, a curmudgeonly witch who lives in his building, on a quest to deliver three baby dragons to a magical world, and along the way discovers his true calling.

Author: Zetta Elliott Call Number: J FICTION ELL

Jasmine Toguchi, Mochi Queen

Eager to do something her big sister has not done first, Jasmine Toguchi, eight, decides to pound mochi with the men and boys when her family gets together for New Year's.

Author: Debbi Michiko Florence Call Number: J FICTION FLO

Dory Fantasmagory series

Dory, the youngest in her family, is a girl with a very active imagination, and she spends the summer playing with her imaginary friend, pretending to be a dog, battling monsters, and generally driving her family nuts.

Author: Abby Hanlon Call Number: J FICTION HAN

Isadora Moon Goes to School

Isadora Moon, a vampire fairy, has to decided which school she wants to got to--vampire or fairy. This is the first book in the Isadora Moon series.

Author: Harriet Muncaster Call Number: J FICTION MUN

The Adventures of Henry Whiskers

Henry Whiskers must face his fears and rescue his little sister from the scary Rat Alley in this fun, fast-paced debut chapter book set in Queen Marys historical dollhouse at Windsor Castle.

Author: Gigi Priebe Call Number: J FICTION PRI

The Sasquatch Escape

Spending the summer in his grandfather's rundown town, ten-year-old Ben meets an adventurous local girl and together they learn that the town's veterinarian runs a secret hospital for imaginary creatures.

Author: Suzanne Selfors Call Number: J FICTION SEL

Road Trip with Max and His Mom

Max and his mom embark on a road trip as they adjust to their new understanding of family

Author: Linda Urban Call Number: J FICTION URB

Inspector Flytrap series

Hoping to become the greatest detective that ever grew, Inspector Flytrap, a Venus Flytrap, and his assistant, Nina the Goat, investigate "big deal" mysteries at an art museum, a cookie shop, and a garden.

Author: Tom Angleberger Call Number: J MYSTERY ANG

Ra the Mighty: Cat Detective

In ancient Egypt, the Pharaoh's pampered cat Ra and his scarab-beetle sidekick question the royal palace's animal inhabitants, solve a crime, and exonerate a servant girl falsely accused of theft.

Author: A. B. Greenfield Call Number: J MYSTERY GRE

Little Green Men at the Mercury Inn

Two boys race to get an undercover alien back to her mothership while dodging an oddball group of UFO-chasers, TV newspeople, and Florida retirees

Author: Greg Smith Call Number: J SCIENCE FICTION SMI

Bird & Squirrel series

A happy-go-lucky Bird and a cautious acorn-collecting Squirrel become unlikely best friends when Squirrel loses his winter stash while saving Bird from Cat, prompting a zany road-trip adventure in search of warm weather and plentiful food.

Author: James Burks Call Number: J FICTION BUR (GRAPHIC NOVEL)

Shirley and Jamila Save Their Summer

When ten-year-olds Shirley and Jamila meet, Jamila is simply hoping for a friend in her new neighborhood but Shirley is a detective and together they seek a missing gecko.

Author: Gillian Goerz Call Number: J FICTION GOE (Graphic Novel)

Max and the Midknights

Max and a group of friends dubbed the Midknights go on a quest to rescue the Kingdom of Byjovia from the mean King Gastley!

Author: Lincoln Peirce Call Number: J FICTION PEI (Graphic Novel)

Kerry and the Knight of the Forest

Kerry gets lost on his way home and has to navigate through a fantastical forest to find his way out, only most the creatures in the forest are not there to help him

Author: Andi Watson Call Number: J FICTION WAT (Graphic Novel)

My Little Book of Big Questions

What will my life be like? Will I be happy? Will I ever be able to reach the stars? There are no answers to these questions, but in this eloquent picture book Britta Teckentrup lets children know that they are not alone in asking them and gives parents an opportunity to start a conversation with their children about the questions that come up in their lives. A young girl stands on a chair to see what it's like to be tall. A boy stares towards the sky and wonders if birds enjoy flying. Friends argue, lovers embrace, the distant sun warms the earth, and people grow old. Using soft hues, bold outlines, and unusual textures, Teckentrup's illustrations help evoke the feelings surrounding each question. As they flip through the pages children and their parents will find endless opportunities to think about life's big questions and to have conversations that will be remembered for years.

Author: Britta Teckentrup Call Number: J100 TEC

It Feels Good to Be Yourself

A picture book that introduces the concept of gender identity to the youngest reader from writer Theresa Thorn and illustrator Noah Grigni. Some people are boys. Some people are girls. Some people are both, neither, or somewhere in between. This sweet, straightforward exploration of gender identity will give children a fuller understanding of themselves and others. With child-friendly language and vibrant art, It Feels Good to Be Yourself provides young readers and parents alike with the vocabulary to discuss this important topic with sensitivity.

Author: Theresa Thorn Call Number: J305.3 THO

Brilliant Deep: Rebuilding the World's Coral Reefs

Looks at the life of the coral restoration pioneer Ken Nedimyer, from his early fascination with the ocean to his ongoing efforts to save and rebuild the world's coral reefs.

Author: Kate Messner Call Number: J333.955 MES

Boy, Were We Wrong about the Human Body

Examines what is known about the human body today, and how different the facts are from what scientists, from ancient Egyptians to the recent past, believed to be true.

Author: Kathleen V. Kudlinkski Call Number: J610.9 KUD

Her Right Foot

If you had to name a statue, any statue, odds are good you'd mention the Statue of Liberty. Have you seen her? She's in New York. She's holding a torch. And she's in mid-stride, moving forward. But why? In this fun take on nonfiction, Dave Eggers and Shawn Harris investigate a seemingly small trait of America's most emblematic statue. What they find is about more than history, more than art. What they find in the Statue of Liberty's right foot is the powerful message of acceptance that is essential to an entire country's creation.

Author: Dave Eggers Call Number: J973 EGG

Dream Builder: The Story of Architect Philip Freelon

A biography of Philip Freelon, whose rich family history and deep understanding of Black culture brought him to the role of lead architect for the Smithsonian's National Museum of African American History and Culture.

Author: Kelly Starling Lyons Call Number: J BIO FREELON

Hedy and Her Amazing Invention

The latest by prolific children's book author Jan Wahl, Hedy and her Amazing Invention teaches kids about the pioneering scientific work and inspiring courage of Hedy Lamarr, the famous Hollywood actress who fought against old-fashioned parents, a domineering husband, prejudice, and stereotypes to become an accomplished inventor whose work helped pave the way for many of the communications technologies we enjoy today.

Author: Jan Wahl Call Number: J BIO LAMARR

Fascinating: The Life of Leonard Nimoy

Fascinating is the story of how one boy followed his dreams to become one of the most beloved figures of our time.

Author: Richard Michelson Call Number: J BIO NIMOY