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7 Books To Get Your Kid Excited About Third Grade
When I was a kid, I couldn’t wait to turn 8 years old. I don’t know what it was about that age, but it seemed perfect to me. Even now, when I look back at my childhood, some of my fondest memories are from that year of life, especially when I think about being in the third grade.
There is just something about third grade, isn’t there? You’re not quite old enough to stress about science fair projects or school dances, but you’ve grown beyond toy kitchens, gluing noodles to construction paper, and naps. Third grade was the grade that really influenced me—you’re diving into topics a bit more deeply than before; you’re really sinking into a personality, friendships, and attitude, and you can truly get excited about learning. As a kid, it was easily one of my favorite grades, so I love the idea of getting a future third grader stoked for their new year.
With these seven books, you can talk up that sweet middle grade in elementary school and get your kids super excited about putting on their backpacks and heading off to 3rd grade. (You may cry, but it’s okay. They’re going to love it, I promise.)
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Nobody writes a coming-of-age story like Beverly Cleary and she weaves a sweet tale of third grade in Muggie Maggie. A classic, this story is about a third grade girl named Maggie who absolutely loathes writing in cursive. After she’s mocked for her poor penmanship, she decides to take matters into her own hands. Maggie is a heroine everyone will love, but her journey into third grade is what will get your kids excited for the new year.
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One of my favorites as a kid, Amber Brown Is Not a Crayon has a heroine everyone will root for. Amber is a 3rd grader dealing with the tragedy of her best friend moving away. While the storyline may sound sad, it is a great book about friendships and dealing with emotions, especially for this age level. 3rd grade is such a turning point for a child’s development and this book will really help them deal with it.
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The name says it all, right? There are a lot of concerns for rising third graders, but How to Be Cool in the Third Grade will give them the confidence they need to totally rock their year and enjoy it.
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Remember when I said third grade is the year you really start diving into learning? History is definitely a subject that gets a closer look, and Molly’s Pilgrim will have your kids ready to soak it all in. The classic novel stars recent immigrant Molly and her desire to show her third grade class what it means to be a pilgrim and to honor Thanksgiving.
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For more excitement over what third grade actually entails, pick up I Was a Third Grade Science Project for your kids. Sure, none of them are actually going to turn their best friend into a cat, but they’ll still look forward to all of the fun they’re going to have in third grade!
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I couldn’t wait to try out new things in third grade, especially the school talent show. In The Talented Clementine, Clementine is feeling a little nervous about showcasing her own talent, despite being on top of the world for most of her third grade year. This is a sweet story to open up your child’s inhibitions about school and entering a new grade, which will get them dreaming about the adventures awaiting them.
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And finally, what better way to round out your child’s third grade bookshelf than with How Not to Start Third Grade? The story is about a third grader who’s excited about school, but not so excited about helping his little brother get situated on his first day. While your child’s insecurities may not mirror the characters’, it’s still a great book to read the night before third grade to really help everyone feel more comfortable.
What books would you recommend to a newly minted third grader?