Grade 3 · ages 8–9 · levels R15–R17
3rd Grade Reading Books – Leveled Stories and Non-Fiction
32 books for third graders: longer stories with more than one problem, first biographies of real people, and information books that explain with diagrams and headings.
Ages 8–9Grade 3Levels R15–R1732 books4 free to read
Free reading level test
Not sure which book to start with?
Read a few short texts and answer two questions about each. Young children tap the picture that matches the words. The test finds your exact level, from R1 to R29, and opens the right shelf of books.
- Ages 4 and up
- 5–10 minutes
- No timer
- Picture questions for young readers
Third-grade books sit at levels R15–R17. A book runs to six hundred to a thousand words over twelve pages; sentences join ideas with because, when and although, and non-fiction starts to compare things and explain why they happen.
The grades are a guide, matched to the levels children read at school in the US (R15–R17 on the 7ESL ladder). Children read at different speeds, so start where the quiz feels comfortable and move up one level at a time. Older beginners and adult learners use the same books.
What the 32 books for 3rd grade are about: animals (6), how things work (5), earth, water & weather (3), history & long ago (3), materials, forces & energy (3), and 8 more topics.
Level R15
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Level R16
Level R17
Questions about 3rd grade reading books
What reading level is 3rd grade?
R15 to R17 on the 7ESL ladder – levels N to P on the Raz-Kids scale.
How long does one book take?
About ten minutes to read, and a few more for the eight quiz questions.
Can teachers assign these books?
Yes. Teachers with a 7ESL Teacher plan can assign any book to a class and see each student's quiz score.