Read aloud time is my favorite time of the day!  However, the book we read is so important!  Here is a list of some of my favorites:

1.  Matilda by Roald Dahl

Matilda is one of my favorite characters!  She is so special, despite her horrid family.  I love that she loves books and goes to great lengths to continue learning.

Even though I love Matilda, I also thoroughly enjoy the villain of the book, Mrs. Trunchbul.  Trunchbul is the headmistress of Matilda’s school and is evil to the core.  But she is so unbelievably evil, that her antics are entertaining.

2.  James and the Giant Peach by Roald Dahl

Poor James, the main character, becomes an orphan and must live with his evil aunts.  Luckily, something magical happens that sends him on a journey with some very special friends!  Third graders love the excitement, action, and humor in this book.  I highly suggest it!

3.  The Miraculous Journey of Edward Tulane  by Kate DiCamillo

This is a quick, yet heart-wrenching read.  Edward is a china rabbit.  Through his journeys across the world and into the hands of many owners, he learns an important lesson about love.

4.  Alvin Ho:  Allergic to Camping, Hiking, and Other Natural Disasters  by Lenore Look

I love to start the year out with this realistic fiction read.  Alvin is afraid of pretty much everything and always gets into sticky situations.  Alvin is sure to keep your class in giggles.

5.  Tale of Despereaux  by Kate DiCamillo

This one is not appropriate for all third grade classes, as it follows the point of view of multiple characters.  If your class can understand the shifts in point of view, they will love it!  Despereaux is a tiny mouse with big ears who loves fairy tales and struggles to fit in to the mouse world.  Will he become the hero he dreams of being?

 

As you may have noticed that I am a fan of fantasy.  Although I try to include nonfiction read alouds into the classroom, I don’t fall in love with them like I do with fiction.  I’m working on it…