A few parents have mentioned that it is difficult to find advanced reading material for their child. Some students find that they can read several years higher then their age, but the issue is that the content is too mature. I have compiled a list of strategies and suggestions for these children and have also included a few suggested books. More lists can be found by conducting a google search along the lines of “books for advanced 3rd graders”. Just sub the grade of your student in to the search query.
Tips and Suggestions
- Award winning books and classics are often excellent for these readers. These books have a depth of content and richness in both content and language that is beneficial for students. You can find a list and brief summary of Newberry Award winning books at http://www2.scholastic.com/browse/article.jsp?id=7931
- Try encouraging your child with new genres of books. Poetry is also excellent and exposes the reader to rich language and use of literary devices.
- Although it is beneficial to challenge and encourage students to read a wide variety of texts, and to read challenging material, there is also a huge benefit to a child reading what he or she wants for pleasure. Choice is really important in reading so that students see themselves as readers. Most advanced readers are voracious readers and it is beneficial to encourage this, you can do this by having the child read what they enjoy, even if it is at a lower level then they are capable of reading. This encourages the child to develop a lifelong enjoyment of reading and see himself or herself as a reader.
Suggested books
I have compiled a list of suggested books, that should give you some ideas. Please note I have not read all these books so if you are concerned about themes and content you may want to read the book first. Also many parents and students have contributed to this list, so Thank You, if you have additional suggestions I encourage you to add them in the comments section.
Happy Reading!
Treasure Island Robert Louis Stevenson
Call of the Wild by Jack London
Where the Red Fern Grows by Wilson Rawls
The Hitchhiker’s Guide to the Galaxy by Douglas Adams
The Chronicles of Narnia Series
Anything by Roald Dahl
A Wrinkle in Time by Madeline L’Engle
The Giver or anything by Lois Lowry
Frindle or anything by Andrew Clements
Hugo Cabret or anything by Brian Selznick
Inkheart by Cornelia Funke
The Phantom Tollbooth by Norton Juster
Count by 7s by Holly Goldberg Sloan
Books by Eva Ibbotson
The Thing About Luck by Cynthia Kadohata
The Redwall series by Brian Jacques
The Silverwing Series by Kenneth Opel
Tips and Suggestions
- Award winning books and classics are often excellent for these readers. These books have a depth of content and richness in both content and language that is beneficial for students. You can find a list and brief summary of Newberry Award winning books at http://www2.scholastic.com/browse/article.jsp?id=7931
- Try encouraging your child with new genres of books. Poetry is also excellent and exposes the reader to rich language and use of literary devices.
- Although it is beneficial to challenge and encourage students to read a wide variety of texts, and to read challenging material, there is also a huge benefit to a child reading what he or she wants for pleasure. Choice is really important in reading so that students see themselves as readers. Most advanced readers are voracious readers and it is beneficial to encourage this, you can do this by having the child read what they enjoy, even if it is at a lower level then they are capable of reading. This encourages the child to develop a lifelong enjoyment of reading and see himself or herself as a reader.
Suggested books
I have compiled a list of suggested books, that should give you some ideas. Please note I have not read all these books so if you are concerned about themes and content you may want to read the book first. Also many parents and students have contributed to this list, so Thank You, if you have additional suggestions I encourage you to add them in the comments section.
Happy Reading!
Treasure Island Robert Louis Stevenson
Call of the Wild by Jack London
Where the Red Fern Grows by Wilson Rawls
The Hitchhiker’s Guide to the Galaxy by Douglas Adams
The Chronicles of Narnia Series
Anything by Roald Dahl
A Wrinkle in Time by Madeline L’Engle
The Giver or anything by Lois Lowry
Frindle or anything by Andrew Clements
Hugo Cabret or anything by Brian Selznick
Inkheart by Cornelia Funke
The Phantom Tollbooth by Norton Juster
Count by 7s by Holly Goldberg Sloan
Books by Eva Ibbotson
The Thing About Luck by Cynthia Kadohata
The Redwall series by Brian Jacques
The Silverwing Series by Kenneth Opel