Free Online Books For 3rd Grade Readers And Beyond!
Are you a homeschooler, teacher, or parent looking for free books online for your 3rd graders?
Perhaps you’re just trying to avoid spending any more money after that unfortunate “educational” field trip to the science museum, where you somehow ended up buying $60 worth of astronaut ice cream. (No judgment—I’m still finding foil wrappers squished between the seats of my van.)
Either way, I’ve got you covered!
Reading is fundamental for a solid education, so access to a wide variety of books is so important. But let’s be honest: books can get expensive fast.
The good news? You don’t need to choose between your child’s education and that fancy coffee you love so much. (I see you and your triple-shot, half-caf, oat milk caramel macchiato.)
There’s a treasure trove of free online books just waiting to be discovered, and I’m here to help you find them for your homeschool, classroom, and lesson plans!
So, grab a cup of that overpriced coffee, and let’s check out the wonderful world of free online books for 3rd graders and beyond!
1. Project Gutenberg – The Original Source of Free Books
Project Gutenberg Children’s Literature
Project Gutenberg is your new best friend if you’re in the market for good books.
This site has over 60,000 free eBooks, including many classic children’s books.
Think of “The Secret Garden,” “Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland,” and even “Little Women” (if your 3rd grader is feeling ambitious).
Why You’ll Love It:
- No logins, personal information, fees, or strings attached—just click, download, and read.
- A great way to introduce young readers to classic literature that stands the test of time (or at least the test of a 3rd grader’s limited attention span).
Examples of Books You Can Find At Project Gutenberg:
Five Little Peppers And How They Grew
Pro Tips:
- Use the “Bookshelves” feature to find books sorted by theme, genre, or topic. The books are not organized by grade level though, so you may need to do some digging to find things that are appropriate for your child.
- Download books in different formats—PDF, ePub, Kindle, etc.
- You can even find some rare, hard-to-find titles here. Imagine introducing your child to books from the early 1900s! Many might be more appropriate to read aloud to your child, due to the older style of language and sentence structure.
****Fun Idea: Create Your Own Book Club!
Why not start a virtual book club with some fellow homeschoolers or even family members? Pick a book from Project Gutenberg (bonus points if it’s one that even grandma remembers from her school days), and have a weekly discussion. You can talk about everything from the story’s protagonists to the fun facts you discover along the way. It’s a great way to bond over literature and bring different age groups together.
2. Open Library – A Digital Library Card for All
Open Library is like a universal library card. It’s run by the nonprofit organization, Internet Archive, and they offer over a million free books.
Out of all the free websites on this list, this is my favorite for ease of use and wide selection options.
You can “borrow” up to 10 books at a time, which means your third grader can stockpile enough material to get through at least one snow day—or one long afternoon if they read as fast as mine do.
Why You’ll Love It:
- Feels like an actual library, allowing kids to check out and return books. And the best part is you don’t have to leave the house!
- A massive selection of the best books, including many popular 3rd-grade titles: Road Dahl books galore!
- You can search this online library by reading level. Check out the Student Library page for K-12 books – which means you can also use this site for early age reading to middle school to high school!
- The library also features audio books!
Example of Books You Can Find At Open Library:
Pro Tips:
- The interface is super user-friendly for young readers, so your child can easily “check out a book.”
- There’s also a “Read Aloud” feature for reluctant readers, early readers, or those days when you’re convinced your voice will give out from reading one more chapter.
Integrating Learning: Build on What They Read
Once your child finishes a book, why not build on what they’ve learned? Create comprehension passages or task cards to reinforce the lessons. You could also do a fun craft related to the book or even plan a theme day around it (yes, a camping trip in your living room while reading about the great outdoors counts).
3. Epic! – The Netflix of Young Readers’ Books
Epic! is a little different because it’s a subscription service, but they offer a free trial and a free educator plan for teachers (unfortunately, that does not include homeschoolers at this time).
With over 40,000 books, learning videos, quizzes, and more, Epic! is like Netflix, but for young readers.
Why You’ll Love It:
- Tons of engaging, high-quality books, including popular titles like “Diary of a Wimpy Kid” and “The Magic School Bus.”
- Audiobooks, read-to-me books, and educational videos that count as reading in a pinch (no judgment).
- As an added bonus, this site allows kids to tap a word they don’t know for the correct pronunciation and a definition
Pro Tips:
- Sign up as an educator to access all these great books for free.
- Or try the free trial for 7 days to see if your kids like it before paying the $13.99 monthly fee
- Download the app on a tablet or device, so your kiddo can read on the go—perfect for those moments waiting in the car line or during a camping trip.
Activity Suggestion: Turn Books into Themed Activities
After reading a book on Epic!, create activities based on the story. Did they just read about a funny tale involving a young girl and her pet dragon? Set up a dragon-themed day with crafts, snacks, and even a “dragon hunt” around the house. Learning is always more fun when it involves a little make-believe.
4. Storyline Online – Celebrities Read Free Books to Your Kids!
Storyline Online is a gem for those days when your brain just can’t handle reading aloud anymore. This site, run by the Screen Actors Guild, offers a collection of popular children’s books read by celebrities.
Think Betty White, Oprah, or Chris Pine—yes, Captain Kirk himself reading books to your child.
Why You’ll Love It:
- It’s like having a guest reader pop into your home for free. This can be a lifesaver when you have a cold or you’re too tired to read.
- Engaging videos that make stories come alive.
- These picture books are broken up by grade level, so you can easily see what is appropriate for your child. There are stories for 1st grade, second grade, and so on.
Pro Tips:
- Use this as a treat or a reward for getting through a tough lesson or when you just really, really need a break.
- Make popcorn – it’s like story time at the movies!
Bonus Idea: Celebrity Reading Bingo!
Create a bingo card with different celebrity readers and book titles. Every time your child completes a story read by a new celebrity, they can mark it off their card. A full card gets them a special treat (like an extra episode of their favorite TV show). This is a great way to keep them motivated and excited about reading.
5. ManyBooks – Where Classic Meets Contemporary
ManyBooks is a fantastic site with over 50,000 free eBooks. Whether your third grader wants to dive into vintage fairy tales or find a quirky new adventure story, there’s something for everyone.
Why You’ll Love It:
- Easy to navigate with options to search by genre, language, and reader age.
- Great for discovering new and interesting reads for young readers and reluctant readers alike.
Examples Of Books You’ll Find on Many Books
Pro Tips:
- Browse the “New Releases” section for new books that your child might love.
- Compatible with all devices—perfect for distance learning setups.
- Use this link – Young Readers – to go right to their children’s section
Get Creative: Start a “Books Around the World” Challenge
Pick books from different countries or about different cultures and keep track on a map or globe. As your child reads, they “visit” different parts of the world. This approach is also perfect for integrating geography, culture, and social studies into your reading lessons—it’s a great option for multi-disciplinary learning.
6. International Children’s Digital Library (ICDL) – A Global Reading Adventure
The International Children’s Digital Library (ICDL) is where your child can discover books from all over the world. It’s an excellent resource for finding books in different languages, making it perfect for bilingual education or introducing global diversity to your curriculum.
Why You’ll Love It:
- Search by language, genre, and even country.
- Interactive and colorful interface that appeals to young readers.
Pro Tips:
- Explore books from different countries each week for a mini-cultural study.
- Great for finding a short story or book featuring Native Americans and other diverse characters.
- Click this link – Alphabetical BookList – as a shortcut to the master list of 1,000s of books in their library!
Mini-Lesson Idea: “Travel” the World with Books
Use the ICDL to plan a “trip” to a new country every week. Read a book from that country, cook a simple dish, listen to some music, and maybe even learn a few words in the local language. It’s a great way to turn reading into a full-blown adventure without leaving your house.
7. Free Kids Books – A Great Place for No-Frills, Free Books
Free Kids Books does exactly what it says: a collection of free children’s books. They have a special section for 3rd-grade readers, so finding age-appropriate material is a breeze.
Whether you’re looking for a funny tale or a free 3rd grade classic, you’ll find it here.
Why You’ll Love It:
- No subscription, no login—just click for free books in PDF format.
- Updated regularly with new books to keep your child’s reading list fresh.
- You can find books by reading level, age level, or by subject
Pro Tips:
- If English is your child’s second language, be sure to check out the ESL tab for appropriate level books.
- Navigate to the “ALL” tab to quickly find what you’re looking for.
- Download and print activity books like Dinosaur Mazes for Kids for some wholesome, free fun!
- I recommend using the “Download PDF” option on this site. It is much smoother and easier for kids to use than the “Read Online” option. My experience was that turning pages was difficult to find and use.
Bonus Activity: DIY Book Reviews
Encourage your child to write a review for each book they read. They can create a “Top 10” list of their favorite books, or even make a site map of their most-loved characters. It’s a great way to enhance comprehension and practice writing skills while having fun.
8. Oxford Owl – Where Education Meets Fun
Oxford Owl is an award-winning website from Oxford University Press with a great collection of free eBooks for kids ages 3-11.
Perfect for 3rd graders, it’s a great site for kids to browse through books and pick something that speaks to them.
Why You’ll Love It:
- Free registration gives you access to over 250 free eBooks.
- Books come with quizzes and activities to reinforce learning (perfect for comprehension passages).
Pro Tips:
- Use the quizzes to test comprehension without making it feel like a test. Make it feel like a conversation about they they’ve read. Maybe over a snack?
- Make use of their free teaching resources, including printable worksheets and activities like multiplication worksheets and halloween math games.
Fun Challenge: Book-Based Game Day
After reading a book from Oxford Owl, create a day of fun based around it. Play games that are related to the story (like a treasure hunt for pirate books) or cook food mentioned in the book. This creative use of reading is perfect for making memorable learning experiences.
9. Amazon’s Free Kindle Books – Surprisingly Useful!
Amazon offers a surprising number of free children’s books, including many suited for third graders. From early readers to best chapter books, you’ll find a range of options.
Why You’ll Love It:
- Easy to find free books – even best sellers – by using the search filter.
- Great for finding free audiobooks and graphic novels to engage reluctant readers.
- Massive selection of high quality, current books that your kids want to read!
Pro Tips:
- No Kindle device? No problem! Just download the Kindle app on any phone or tablet.
- Look for the free trial of Amazon’s Audible service for free audiobooks.
- To see their selection, search “Free Kindle Books + Your Kid’s Age/Grade Level” at the Amazon website to browse their wide selection
Mix It Up: Graphic Novels for the Win
If your child is more into pictures than words, start with a graphic novel. They are a great way to get kids engaged. Consider titles like “Dog Man” or “Cat Kid.” And don’t forget to use Amazon’s categories to find books by grade level, reading level, or age group.
10. Google Books – More Than Just a Search Engine
Many people overlook Google Books as a resource for free children’s books, but it’s full of treasures.
Their library actually boasts over 10 million books! You can often find educational materials, free eBooks, and books perfect for 3rd graders.
Why You’ll Love It:
- Easy integration with Google services.
- A wide selection (I said 10 million – yikes!), including rare and out-of-print titles.
Pro Tips:
- Search for the specific book you’re looking for to see if Google has it to read online for free.
- “Store” them in the “My Library” to find again quickly
- Great for finding supplementary materials like english language arts books.
- Google Books will allow you to have a free sample or preview of a large selection of many books (that might not be for free). This is a wonderful opportunity to see if your child likes the book and if it’s at their reading level before buying it.
Extra Learning: Research Project Tie-Ins
Pick a book about a historical event, like the American Revolution, and let your child dive into a mini research project. You can use Google Books to find both fiction and non-fiction titles that will broaden their understanding while keeping them engaged.
11. Loyal Books – Audiobooks For Every Reading Level
Loyal Books offers thousands of free audiobooks from the public domain, including many popular children’s titles. Perfect for independent work or for keeping kids entertained on the go.
Why You’ll Love It:
- No need to register or login to the website to get access to the books
- You can access the books in multiple formats: audio, text file, ePUB, Kindle, and more
- There are many classic children’s titles, such as The Tales of Uncle Remus, Black Beauty, The Adventures of Reddy Fox, and more.
Pro Tips:
- If this is your child’s first time with an ebook, consider combining the audio books with following along with a digital copy of the text. This will help build reading fluency, and it will get your child more comfortable with digital reading.
- Use audiobooks for downtime or quiet time, especially during those longer school year stretches.
Quick Tip: Use Audiobooks for Storytime Snack Sessions
Create a snack that ties into the book (like cucumber sandwiches for “Peter Rabbit”) and listen to an audiobook together. This combines sensory experience with learning and is an excellent option for multi-sensory learners.
Your Free Online Library Awaits!
There you have it—your ultimate guide to free online books for 3rd graders! With these fantastic resources at your fingertips, you’ll never run out of reading material again and your child will be more than ready for 4th grade.
Plus, you’ll have saved enough money to afford that second coffee of the day. (Victory tastes like caffeine, doesn’t it?)
Remember, the goal is to make reading fun and accessible, so don’t stress about finding “perfect” books. Just help your child search for that first book that really gets them excited about reading.
Maybe it’s a fast-paced adventure, mystery, or just a fun book about something they’re interested in.
As long as your child is reading, learning, and enjoying the journey, you’re doing great! Now, off you go—start downloading, reading, and exploring this wonderful world of free books.
Don’t forget to share this fantastic resource to social media so all of your teacher, homeschool, and parent friends can benefit!
Happy homeschooling!
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