Special Collections
District List: NYC Reads 365 - Third Grade
Description: NYC Reads 365 is a literacy initiative of the New York City Department of Education to create a new generation of readers. This list of high-interest titles is curated by NYC school librarians for students in Grade 3 and is updated each school year.
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Crenshaw
by Katherine ApplegateIn her first novel sinceThe One and Only Ivan, winner of the Newbery Medal, Katherine Applegate delivers an unforgettable and magical story about family, friendship, and resilience. Jackson and his family have fallen on hard times. There's no more money for rent. And not much for food, either.
His parents, his little sister, and their dog may have to live in their minivan. Again. Crenshaw is a cat. He's large, he's outspoken, and he's imaginary. He has come back into Jackson's life to help him. But is an imaginary friend enough to save this family from losing everything? Beloved author Katherine Applegate proves in unexpected ways that friends matter, whether real or imaginary.
Nominee for the 2018 Young Reader's Choice Award (Pacific Northwest Library Association)
Earmuffs for Everyone!
by Meghan McCarthyWhen your ears are cold, you can wear earmuffs, but that wasn’t true for Chester Greenwood back in 1873. Earmuffs didn’t exist yet! But during yet another long and cold Maine winter, Chester decided to do something about his freezing ears, and he designed the first pair of ear protectors (a.k.a. earmuffs) out of wire, beaver fur, and cloth. He received a patent for his design by the time he was nineteen, and within a decade the Chester Greenwood & Company factory was producing and shipping “Champion Ear Protectors” worldwide! But that was just the beginning of Chester’s career as a successful businessman and prolific inventor. In this fun and fact-filled picture book you can find out all about his other clever creations. The Smithsonian has declared Chester Greenwood one of America’s most outstanding inventors. And if you’re ever in Maine on December 21, be sure to don a pair of earmuffs and celebrate Chester Greenwood day!
EllRay Jakes and the Beanstalk
by Brian Biggs and Sally WarnerCan EllRay master the moves in time to win his friend back? EllRay Jakes may be the shortest kid in his class, and he may get into trouble from time to time, but he can always count on his best friends Kevin and Corey. But lately, Kevin has been skateboarding with the meanest boy in class. Could EllRay be losing one of his friends? Not giving up without a fight, EllRay asks his older neighbor to show him a few jaw-dropping skateboard moves--like ollies and kickflips. EllRay must learn as many tricks as he can before the secret boys-only third grade skate-off. But will it be enough?
EllRay Jakes Is a Rock Star
by Sally Warner and Jamie HarperAll the boys in EllRay's third-grade class have something they can brag about. Corey's on the swim team, Kevin is super tall, Jared's dad has an ATV. But EllRay's dad is a geologist - not much to brag about. After all, rocks are boring. Then EllRay sees the crystals in his dad's office, and they are really cool looking. If EllRay just "borrows" them to show his classmates, he knows they'd be impressed. And his dad will never have to know. It's a perfect plan . . . until things go awry.
EllRay Jakes Is Magic
by Brian Biggs and Sally WarnerSmall kid. Big Stage. Does EllRay have a talent to put on show for the entire school? When EllRay and his friends hear about the school talent show, they're not impressed. They're too old for that stuff. But their teacher, Mrs. Sanchez, isn't so quick to let her students off the hook. Five students absolutely must try-out, and EllRay somehow ends up being one of them. Now he has to figure out something he's talented at....like, maybe magic? But now the pressure's on. It's up to EllRay to take the stage and show his classmates and the whole school that he's not only talented but magic.
EllRay Jakes Is Not a Chicken
by Sally Warner and Jamie HarperEllRay Jakes is tired of being bullied by fellow classmate Jared Matthews. But when EllRay tries to defend himself, he winds up in trouble. Then his dad offers him a deal: If he stays out of trouble for one week, they'll go to Disneyland! EllRay says he can do it. But saying it and doing it are two very different things.
EllRay Jakes The Recess King!
by Sally Warner and Brian Biggs"Kids of all stripes will identify with EllRay and his unwittingly hilarious antics."--BooklistEight-year-old EllRay is down to one-and-a-half best friends, and his little sister points out the obvious: he needs more! So EllRay decides to audition other boys for the part, the way his sister is auditioning for the lead role in her day care's spring play. Now, EllRay has to come up with fun things to do at recess, because when he's the Recess King, everyone will want to be his friend!
EllRay Jakes Rocks the Holidays!
by Sally Warner and Brian BiggsIt's December at Oak Glen Primary School and all EllRay can think about is Christmas. As far as he's concerned, Christmas is the best--no school, presents, fun parties, and lots of cookies! But before EllRay can celebrate with his family, he must lead half the school in the Winter Wonderland assembly. How tough can it be to memorize a few lines? Very tough, especially when EllRay's soon-to-be ex-friend gives him a challenge to perform onstage. If he completes the challenge, he'll save his friendship...but he'll also ruin the assembly. EllRay is in for a not-so holly jolly time.
EllRay Jakes Stands Tall
by Sally Warner and Brian BiggsEllRay Jakes finally grows up (a little) by playing basketball in this ninth book in the series. There's a new game in town--basketball! Or in Ellray's case, pre-basketball. Coach Havens has all the third graders dribbling, passing, and shooting, and he's quick to compliment EllRay's skills. No one else seems to notice them, however, and as 'the shortest kid in the class,' EllRay is still chosen last for teams at recess. What's a short guy gotta do to get noticed?? When EllRay comes up with a plan that involves the off-limits teacher's lounge, everyone does a double take! PRAISE FOR THE ELLRAY JAKES SERIES:"Warner is a dead-on observer of playground politics, and has a great ear for dialogue."--School Library Journal on EllRay Jakes Is Not a Chicken!"...ideal for reluctant readers."--Booklist on EllRay Jakes Is Not a Chicken!"Young readers can identify with EllRay, who is neither a bad seed nor a goody-two-shoes; he and his sense of humor are just right."--Kirkus on EllRay Jakes Is a Rock Star!"The EllRay Jakes stories are just right for his real-life peers."--Kirkus on EllRay Jakes Walks the Plank
Ellray Jakes the Dragon Slayer
by Brian Biggs and Sally WarnerEllRay Jakes is a small kid with big problems! EllRay Jakes may be the smallest kid in his class at Oak Glen Primary School, but he's also his sister Alfie's big brother. So when it looks like Alfie is being bossed around by a dragon-like girl at her school, EllRay feels responsible. As her older (and wiser!) brother, shouldn't he show her that she should stand up for herself? But little sisters and four year old dragons are a bit more complicated than he thought. . . . Check out the other books in the EllRay Jakes series: EllRay Jakes Is Not A Chicken!, EllRay Jakes is a Rock Star!, and EllRay Jakes Walks the Plank!
Ellray Jakes Walks the Plank
by Sally WarnerDead goldfish + bossy girls = big trouble! Things are going just swimmingly for EllRay. He's getting along with most of the kids at school. He's even getting along with his family. But then everything comes screeching to a halt when his younger sister accidentally overfeeds Zip, the classroom goldfish that EllRay was taking care of over spring vacation. Zip is a goner. What is EllRay going to tell the kids in his third-grade class? Fortunately, most of them are sympathetic. But not bossy Cynthia. She sees this as an opportunity to blame EllRay for her own mess-ups. Must EllRay now walk the plank for stuff that he didn't do?
Feathers
by Melissa Stewart and Sarah S. BrannenYoung naturalists explore sixteen birds in this elegant introduction to the many, remarkable uses of feathers. A concise main text highlights how feathers are not just for flying. More curious readers are invited to dig deeper with informative sidebars that underscore how feathers of all shapes and sizes help birds with warming or cooling, protect them from the sun, help them swim, glide or even dig. With a range of common and exotic species readers will be engaged by both the new and the familiar. Beautiful and delicate watercolor illustrations showcase life-size feathers and compare them to everyday objects. With a scrapbook design, Feathers is part science journal, part read-along nonfiction, making it a wonderful resource for nature studies and a delight for the youngest bird lovers.
Flora And Ulysses
by K. G. Campbell and Kate DiCamilloWinner of the 2014 Newbery Medal. Holy unanticipated occurrences! A cynic meets an unlikely superhero in a genre-breaking new novel by master storyteller Kate DiCamillo. It begins, as the best superhero stories do, with a tragic accident that has unexpected consequences. The squirrel never saw the vacuum cleaner coming, but self-described cynic Flora Belle Buckman, who has read every issue of the comic book Terrible Things Can Happen to You!, is the just the right person to step in and save him. What neither can predict is that Ulysses (the squirrel) has been born anew, with powers of strength, flight, and misspelled poetry -- and that Flora will be changed too, as she discovers the possibility of hope and the promise of a capacious heart.
Newbery Medal Winner
Freedom In Congo Square
by Carole Boston Weatherford and R. Gregory ChristieChosen as a New York Times Best Illustrated Book of 2016, this poetic, nonfiction story about a little-known piece of African American history captures a human's capacity to find hope and joy in difficult circumstances and demonstrates how New Orleans' Congo Square was truly freedom's heart.
How To Swallow A Pig
by Steve Jenkins and Robin PageIn the latest eye-catching escape into the kingdom of Animalia, Steve Jenkins and Robin Page reveal the skills animals use to survive in the wild in an imaginative and humorous how-to format. With step-by-step instructions, readers learn about specific behaviors; how to catch thousands of fish like a humpback whale or how to sew up a nest like a tailorbird. This fascinating and fun illustrated nonfiction melds science, art, biology, and the environment together in a detailed and well-researched book about animals who live and survive in our world today.
I, Fly
by Bridget Heos and Jennifer PlecasFly is fed up with everyone studying butterflies. Flies are so much cooler!
They flap their wings 200 times a second, compared to a butterfly's measly five to twelve times. Their babies―maggots―are much cuter than caterpillars (obviously). And when they eat solid food, they even throw up on it to turn it into a liquid.
Who wouldn't want to study an insect like that?
Inspector Flytrap
by Tom AnglebergerWith easy-to-read language and illustrations on almost every page, this early-chapter-book series is a must for beginning readers. Inspector Flytrap in the Da Vinci Cold introduces kids to the humorous and wacky world of Inspector Flytrap's Detective Agency, home to the world-renowned solver of BIG DEAL mysteries. The plant detective works tirelessly with his assistant Nina the Goat on his community's unsolved cases. There's no case too big, but there are definitely cases too small for this endearingly self-important plant detective. Combining wacky humor and a silly cast of characters with adventure, friendship, and mystery, the powerhouse team of Tom Angleberger and Cece Bell have created a uniquely engaging series that is perfect for newly independent readers and fans of Ricky Ricotta, Captain Underpants, and the Galaxy Zack series.
Lulu and the Cat in the Bag
by Hilary Mckay and Priscilla LamontWhen a mysterious bag is left on Lulu's doorstep, the last thing her grandmother expects to be in it is a cat--a huge, neon orange cat. But Lulu knows this cat doesn't mean any harm and in fact it needs a lovely new home.
Lulu and the Dog from the Sea
by Hilary Mckay and Priscilla LamontLulu loves animals. When Lulu goes on vacation, she finds there's a stray dog living on the beach. Everyone in the town thinks the dog is trouble. But Lulu is sure he just needs a friend, and that he's been waiting for someone just like her. The second book in this early chapter book series for young animal lovers.
Lulu and the Duck in the Park
by Hilary Mckay and Priscilla LamontLulu loves animals. When Lulu finds a duck egg that has rolled out of its nest, she takes it to class to keep it safe. Lulu isn't allowed to bring pets to school. But she's not really breaking the rules because it's just an egg. Surely nothing bad will happen . . . A fun-filled new series for early readers and animal lovers alike.
Lulu and the Hamster in the Night
by Hilary Mckay and Priscilla LamontWhen Lulu goes for a sleepover at her nan's house, she isn't supposed to take her new hamster. But how can she leave him behind? Lulu adopts a hamster, but she can't tell Nan about it because Nan doesn't care for most animals, especially hamsters. It's her birthday this weekend and Lulu and Mellie are staying the night. Lulu needs to bring her new hamster with her, but can she and Mellie keep it secret from Nan over the weekend?
Lulu and the Hedgehog in the Rain
by Hilary Mckay and Priscilla LamontLulu loves animals. She knows that the hedgehog she rescued isn't really a pet, but Lulu does want to make sure she's all right. And so the Hedgehog Club is born. Everyone on the street agrees to keep an eye on the little hedgehog and keep it away from the road. But come wintertime the hedgehog disappears! Where could she have gone?
Lulu and the Rabbit Next Door
by Hilary Mckay and Priscilla LamontWhen Lulu's nextdoor neighbor doesn't seem to be looking after his rabbit properly, Lulu and her cousin Mellie devise a scheme to make him pay more attention to his pet.
My Pet Human
by Yasmine SurovecA cat gets treats and backrubs from the humans who have just moved into his favorite abandoned house, then sets out to train them, all the while protesting to his friends that he has no interest in being tied down to a human pet.