My third grader is an avid reader. What he likes: books that are not too scary, characters that are kind and funny, comics, Pokemon, stories about friendship.

9. Adventures with Waffles

We both absolutely loved this one! The characters are nine as well, and he liked that. It's the story of a girl named Lena and a boy named Trille in a small town in Norway. They are best friends and constantly getting into mischief that sends the reader into belly laughs. Mixed with the fun are more serious issues like Lena really wanting a dad and the loss of Trille's grandmother.

Adventures with Waffles

By Maria Parr

8. Dear Mr. Henshaw

We have shared our love of this book on the blog before. He read this with his class, and it inspired him to start writing.

Dear Mr. Henshaw

By Beverly Cleary

7. Anything by Roald Dahl!

You can't go wrong with any of his books - James and the Giant Peach, Charlie and the Chocolate Factory, The Witches, so many more good ones!

James and the Giant Peach

By Roald Dahl

6. Misty of Chincoteague

This classic story of a island of wild horses and the kids who are fascinated by them is great.

Misty of Chincoteague

By Marguerite Henry

5. Any Pokemon guide

Reading is reading is reading, and while Shakespeare this ain't, he really loves it. I get to hear about all things Pokemon, and I now know way more about ways a grass type Pokemon can defeat a water type Pokemon. On the other hand, this book right here has bought me many hours of entertaining him.

Pokémon Deluxe Essential Handbook: The Need-to-Know Stats and Facts on Over 700 Pokémon

By Scholastic

4. The Frank Einstein series

We have all three of this series, and we both love the combination of humor and science.

Frank Einstein and the Antimatter Motor (Frank Einstein series #1): Book One

By Jon Scieszka

3. The Secret Garden

When I heard that he was reading this one with his class, I was skeptical that he would enjoy it. It was written a long time ago, and the language can be somewhat outdated. But believe it or not, he came home every day with something new to say about the book. It really held his attention.

The Secret Garden

By Frances Hodgson Burnett

2. The Penderwicks series

These tales of sisters who go on adventures, get into trouble, build strong friendships, and love each other very much is right up his alley because it is not too intense but remains exciting and engaging while being lighthearted at the same time.

The Penderwicks: A Summer Tale of Four Sisters, Two Rabbits, and a Very Interesting Boy

By Jeanne Birdsall

1. What we are reading now: Fortunately, The Milk

This is quirky, unusual, and fascinating with everything you would expect from Gaiman.

Fortunately, the Milk

By Neil Gaiman

My third-grader son and I recently read this together, and we loved it! Diva is a small well-bred dog who lives with her owner in an apartment building in Paris. Diva spends her day sitting in the fenced courtyard of the building too timid to imagine what lies outside her gate. Flea is an outgoing and curious alley cat who prides himself in his adventurous nature. Every day he passes by Diva's courtyard, and Diva gives him her fiercest little bark. It is so small and squeaky that it makes Flea laugh. Eventually, the two become friends, and Flea convinces Diva to leave her courtyard to explore the exciting city. What will happen when Diva leaves her courtyard and her fears behind?

Honestly, the reading level of this book was probably best for first or second grade, but even so, the story was entertaining for my third grader. It was funny and taught lessons about bravery and friendship in a light hearted way. My third grader isn't big on stories with a lot of edge or darkness, so this was up his alley in a big way. This would be great for first time novel readers because it is filled with illustrations making it a good bridge between picture book and chapter book. Check it out!