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    Chapter Books
    Ages 8–9

    Funny Chapter Books for 3rd Graders

    Third graders are old enough for chapter books with real plot and young enough that fart jokes still slay. These ten thread that needle perfectly.

    1. 1

      The Bad Guys

      by Aaron Blabey

      Why it works: Wolf, Shark, Snake, and Piranha try to be heroes. Constant laughs.

    2. 2

      Stick Dog

      by Tom Watson

      Why it works: Stick figure illustrations + dogs trying to steal burgers.

    3. 3

      Dory Fantasmagory

      by Abby Hanlon

      Why it works: The wildest little sister in chapter-book land.

    4. 4

      My Weird School: Miss Daisy Is Crazy!

      by Dan Gutman

      Why it works: Wordplay-heavy short chapters set in a goofy school.

    5. 5

      The Princess in Black and the Hungry Bunny Horde

      by Shannon Hale

      Why it works: A princess fighting hordes of cute bunnies. Yes really.

    6. 6

      Captain Awesome to the Rescue!

      by Stan Kirby

      Why it works: A boy with an alter ego who saves his cat from a substitute teacher.

    7. 7

      Mercy Watson Goes for a Ride

      by Kate DiCamillo

      Why it works: A pig drives a Cadillac. Refined ridiculousness.

    8. 8

      Press Start! Game Over, Super Rabbit Boy!

      by Thomas Flintham

      Why it works: A chapter book that looks and reads like a video game.

    9. 9

      EllRay Jakes Is a Rock Star

      by Sally Warner

      Why it works: Genuinely funny realistic-fiction with a relatable kid.

    10. 10

      Roscoe Riley Rules: Never Glue Your Friends to Chairs

      by Katherine Applegate

      Why it works: Trouble-with-a-good-heart school stories.

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