1980s books assigned in 3rd grade
US schools assign 43 books written in the 1980s to 3rd grade students, across 16 states, spanning 550L–860L. Every title below is cited from a state ELA standard, district reading list, or AP/IB syllabus.
- Titles
- 43
- Written
- 1980–1989
- Lexile range
- 550L–860L
- States assigning
- 16
The list — 1980s, 3rd grade
Reading the whole 1980s 3rd grade reading list? Kids who struggle with the print versions often finish the assigned books by listening.
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Try it on audio — free. Kids who struggle with the print versions often finish the assigned books by listening.
Listen free on Audiblestarts instantlyNew members only · many assigned titles are included with the membership. As an Amazon Associate, ReadingList earns from qualifying purchases and membership trials at no extra cost to you.
A Chair for My MotherVera B. Williams
A Visit to William Blake's InnNancy Willard
Abraham Lincoln and Frederick DouglassRussell Freedman
AlphabaticsSuse MacDonald
Anno's Medieval WorldMitsumasa Anno
Baby-Sitting Is a Dangerous JobWillo Davis Roberts
C.L.O.U.D.S.Pat Cummings
Class ClownJohanna Hurwitz
Dear Mr. HenshawBeverly Cleary
Dicey's SongCynthia Voigt
FablesArnold Lobel
Hey, AlArthur Yorinks
Jacob Have I LovedKatherine Paterson
Joyful NoisePaul Fleischman
JumanjiChris Van Allsburg
Lon Po PoEd Young
Mama Don't Allow 25th Anniversary EditionThacher Hurd
MatildaRoald Dahl · 840L
My Teacher Is an AlienBruce Coville
Night of the TwistersIvy Ruckman
Nightmare MountainPeg Kehret
Number the StarsLois Lowry · 670L
Outside Over ThereMaurice Sendak
Owl MoonJane Yolen
Show all 43 titles
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- Ramona Quimby, Age 8 · Beverly Cleary · Buy →
- Sarah, Plain and Tall · Patricia MacLachlan · Buy →
- Shy Charles · Rosemary Wells · Buy →
- Sixth Grade Can Really Kill You · Barthe DeClements · Buy →
- Song and Dance Man · Karen Ackerman · Buy →
- Stone Fox · John Reynolds Gardiner · Buy →
- The BFG · Roald Dahl · Buy →
- The Butterfly Jar · Jeffrey Moss · Buy →
- The Cybil War · Betsy Byars · Buy →
- The Dollhouse Murders · Betty Ren Wright · Buy →
- The Glorious Flight · Alice Provensen · Buy →
- The Hero and the Crown · Robin McKinley · Buy →
- The Polar Express · Chris Van Allsburg · Buy →
- The Shadow of Beauty · S. Talmond Brown · Buy →
- The Stranger · Chris Van Allsburg · Buy →
- The Whipping Boy · Sid Fleischman · Buy →
- Wayside School Is Falling Down · Louis Sachar · Buy →
- When the Boys Ran the House · Joan Davenport Carris · Buy →
- Who Needs a Bratty Brother? · Linda Gondosch · Buy →
Most-assigned 1980s authors in 3rd grade
Chris Van Allsburg (3) · Beverly Cleary (2) · Roald Dahl (2) · Russell Freedman · Mitsumasa Anno · Willo Davis Roberts
Common questions
- How many 1980s books are assigned in 3rd grade?
- 43 books written between 1980 and 1989 appear on 3rd grade reading lists tracked by ReadingList. Each one is cited from a state department of education, district list, or AP/IB syllabus.
- What Lexile range do these 1980s books cover?
- Lexile measures for the 1980s titles assigned in 3rd grade run from 550L to 860L. Poetry, drama, and graphic novels without a published Lexile measure are not counted in that range.
- Are these assigned nationally or in a few states?
- 16 states assign at least one 1980s title at 3rd grade in the lists tracked here, so this is a broad pattern rather than a single state's canon. Per-state lists are on each state page.