Pick of the Decade 1995-2005:
3rd Grade

Chapter Books

Cameron, Ann. Gloria Rising , 2002.

Gloria, an African-American girl, is headed for fourth grade with some trepidation for her new teacher is known as, "the Dragon of Doom." When Gloria finds herself struggling in her class, she remembers advice from the astronaut she met over the summer and strives to be the best she can be. (Newest in a series that began with, The Stories Julian Tells .)

Danziger, Paula. Amber Brown Is Green with Envy , 2003.

Fourth-grader Amber Brown must make some important decisions when her mother and Max move their wedding date up and prepare to buy a house together, while her father makes some bad choices of his own. (Newest in a series which began with , Amber Brown Is Not a Crayon .)

Doyle, Roddy. The Giggler Treatment , 2000.

Adults who mistreat children, beware, the Gigglers, furry little creatures of justice, will punish you. Their favorite method of punishment? Placing dog poo in your path. (Sequel: Rover Saves Christmas .)

Fine, Anne. The Jamie and Angus Stories , 2002.

Jamie sees Angus in the toy-shop window and knows right away that he and the bull must be together. From the moment he receives him as a Christmas present, the two are inseparable and have a variety of adventures.

Hesse, Karen, Just Juice , 1998.

Talented, nine-year-old, Juice, is good at working with her hands, but she has difficulty reading and working with numbers. School is so hard that she would rather just stay home, but when she learns that her family is in danger of losing their home, she decides to take action to save them.

Hill, Elizabeth Star. Bird Boy , 1999.

Chang lives in contemporary China on a houseboat with his family. His father earns a living by using cormorants, great black birds that dive for fish, to fish. Although Chang has been mute since birth, he can make bird sounds and is looking forward to the day when his father will let him train one of the amazing birds. (Sequel: Chang and the Bamboo Flute .)

Kelly, Katy. Lucy Rose: Here's the Thing About Me , 2004.

Eight-year-old Lucy Rose keeps a diary of her first year in Washington , D.C. , her home since her parents separation, where she spends time with her grandparents, makes new friends, and longs to convince her teacher to let her take care of the class pet during a holiday. (Sequel: Lucy Rose: Big on Plans .)

King-Smith, Dick. Jenius: The Amazing Guinea Pig , 1996.

Although her parents tell her that guinea pigs can't be trained, Judy works diligently at teaching Jenius. Meanwhile Jenius' parents tell him that guinea pigs can't do tricks. In the end, both surprise their parents.

Kinsey-Warnock, Natalie. Lumber Camp Library , 2002.

Ruby was raised in a logging camp. She loved the woods and adored her father, but when a tragic accident takes his life, she, her mother and ten siblings must move to town and find a way to make it on their own.