First Chapter Friday is a fun way to end the week: one new book, one first chapter, and maybe a new favourite waiting to be picked up. It’s kind of like watching a movie trailer before committing to the movie! Last year my Fridays were already packed, so we did First Chapter Wednesdays instead. Any day works. The idea is the same: just read the first chapter. Not sure where to start? Grab any of these for your third graders!
First Chapter Choices for Grade 3
History for Kids: The Vikings (series) by Miguel Ángel Saura
Ages 8-11
The ultimate nonfiction book for kids — there are many bright sections, fun facts, graphic novel-esque parts, and characters that explain the history of the Vikings. Great first chapter to introduce kids to a different genre and for kids interested in learning more about history.
Find it on Amazon · Thank you to Editorial Pirata for gifting me a copy!
Julia on the Go! Swimming into Trouble (series) by Angela Ahn 🇨🇦, illustrated by Julie Kim
Ages 7-9
Follow Julia in her day-to-day life, going to swimming lessons. All is looking good for Julia’s swim competition when she dives too deep and hurts her ear — she has an ear infection! The doctor tells her she needs to keep her ear dry. Will Julia follow the doctor’s advice?
Jake Maddox (series): Nothing But Net by Jake Maddox
Ages 7-10
Layla becomes captain of her basketball team, but can she be captain and keep her friends? Such a great story that Grade 3s are sure to connect to. Jake Maddox is a high-interest series that has 100s of books to choose from.
Dungeon Runners: Hero Trial by Kieran Larwood & Joe Todd-Stanton
Ages 8-12
This cool book reads like a video game where the main character, Kieran, a gnorf (part gnome, part dwarf), tries to compete in the Dungeon Runners. First problem: he has no believers. Second problem: he doesn’t have a team. Lots of fun pauses in this book with the announcers taking on their roles in speech bubbles; there are some drawings and fun(ny!) characters.
Stella & Marigold by Annie Barrows & Sophie Blackall
Ages 7-10
This book was recommended to me by my fourth-grade student this year, who deemed it her favorite book. It is a shorter chapter book with cute drawings, and each chapter is its own adventure of the two sisters: Stella & Marigold.
Little Bee: The Buzz About the Party (series) by Danny Neville 🇨🇦, illustrated by Colleen McKeown🇨🇦
Ages 8-11
Bee and her friends LOVE a good party, but the Mother’s Day celebration coming up in her third-grade class has her feeling all squirmy inside. Are she and her dads even allowed to go? This one is full of gorgeous drawings and fun bee facts, and it’s a gentle way to build kind, empathetic readers. A perfect first chapter for a third-grade classroom!
Find out more about Little Bee on Danny Neville’s website · Thank you to Danny Neville for gifting me a copy!
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