Once your child feels confident with Level 1 and Level 2 readers, it’s time for Level 3 readers! This is when reading really starts to become fun because they are truly reading to learn. Plus, the content becomes so much more interesting! However, the choices for Level 3 readers become a bit overwhelming. There are SO many to choose from that it’s difficult to know which ones are best.
My Read Through the USA Lesson Plans include fifty Level 3 (or equivalent) readers that are all set in an individual state. I recommend all 50 of those books, and many of these readers can be found in my recommendations below. To see the entire reader list for the lesson plans, click here!
On My Own Series
Lerner Books has tons of Level 3 equivalent readers in their “On My Own” series’. I have found that these are really unique in that they capture lots of little-known stories and characters from history. While there are many more than what I am listing here, I have included five of our favorite books for each category:
On My Own Folklore
On My Own History
On My Own Biography
On My Own Holidays
On My Own Science
I Can Read Level 3 Readers
The next series I would look into is the I Can Read Level 3 readers. There are lots to choose from, but I have a particular fondness for the history readers. Here are our favorites and the ones I would recommend you start with:
I Can Read History
If you’re looking for a lighter, more humorous historical series, check out this one about the eccentric Golly sisters and their wagon trip out west. It’s written by Newbery-winning author Betsy Byars, and my kids found the stories quite entertaining:
Another Level 3 history mini-series is the Long Way Series, which chronicles an immigrant family’s journey from Europe to their new home in Minnesota:
There are also a handful of I Can Read Level 3 books focused more on science that I think are really well done:
I Can Read Science
Step Into Reading Series
My kids have also really enjoyed many books from the Step Into Reading series, but these tend to be slightly easier and shorter Level 3 books. They have less content than some of the other Level 3 series’, so they are probably best for a child just transitioning out of Level 2 readers. Our favorites have definitely been those geared specifically toward history and science. I am listing five great ones here for each category, but there are MANY more to choose from if you like these:
Step Into Reading History
Step Into Reading Science
Penguin Readers
Penguin Level 3 readers are another great choice, and it’s good to know the older editions of these were called All Aboard readers. Much of the content of the Penguin readers is the same as the original All Aboard readers, but you will find different covers and publishing depending on which editions you have.
Penguin readers are a particularly great choice if you have a science-loving child or are specifically looking to supplement your science curriculum. They have TONS of choices about particular animals, and I have felt like their very best Level 3 readers are those geared toward science. Here are five great ones, but there are plenty more to choose from if you enjoy these:
Penguin Science
Penguin readers also have a few choices that are more history- or biography-related:
Penguin History
The last Level 3 series I want to mention is the DK leveled readers. I have found that these tend to be at least a full level ahead reading-wise, so Level 2 DK readers are much more in line with the rest of the Level 3 readers here. (Believe me — it can be discouraging for a young reader to open a DK Level 3 reader and not feel like they can read it yet!) Here are five of our favorite Level 2 DK readers:
I hope your kids or students enjoy these Level 3 readers as much as mine have!