GARY PAULSEN books at the 3rd Grade level (Young Children)

Gary Paulsen is so prolific that we couldn't reasonably squeeze all of his books at the 3rd Grade level onto one page. (Imagine the scrolling... and scrolling!) So we are breaking them down into groups based on interest level.  NIGHTJOHN, for example, is definitely not for little ones.  It's a Young Adult book with some heavy themes.

The books on this list are at the Third Grade Reading level, but they are for young children.


bookcover of Full of Hot Air by Gary PaulsenFULL OF HOT AIR
Launching, Floating High, and Landing

4.4 STARS from 5 GoodReaders

Couldn't find a copy to review so we'll have to resort to the backcover description which says, "Gary Paulsen knows a lot about hot air ballooning, and he shares the information in witty high style. Illustrated with glorious color photographs taken by an internationally known balloonist."

No longer in print. This book is available on the used market --and at some lucky libraries.

Reading Information:
Word Count: 782
Accelerated Reading level: 3.0 / points: 0.5
AR quiz: 7567


bookcover of WORKSONG by Gary PaulsenWORKSONG
illustrated by Ruth Wright Paulsen

3.53 avg rating — 34 ratings

People work. And in this book Gary and his wife, Ruth, celebrate all the different sorts of jobs and work that people do.

Personally, I like the artwork more than the poem.  But this is still a lovely book to share. One that can get conversation flowing...
It is keening noise and jolting sights,
and hammers flashing in the light,
and houses up 
and trees in sun,
and trucks on one more nighttime run. 
sample page #1 from WORKSONG by Gary Paulsen

sample page #2 from WORKSONG by Gary Paulsen

Word Count: 177
Page Count: 32
Accelerated Reader: 3.1 / points: 0.5
AR quiz: 35675
Lexile: AD290L

bookcover of DOGTEAM by Gary PaulsenDOGTEAM
illustrated by Ruth Wright Paulsen

3.54 avg rating — 61 ratings

In Dogteam, Paulsen draws upon his experience as a musher to bring to life a night run. The air is crisp..., frigid, and the dogs are eager to run. You will feel like you are whisking over the snow, past shadowed trees and wildlife on a moonlit night.

I really like this book. Here is a sample of the verse:
Wolves.
They come alongside in the moonlight,
moonwolves, snowwolves, nightwolves,
they run with us,
pace the dogs, pace our hearts and our lives
and then turn, turn away into the blue dark.
Ruth Wright Paulsen accompanies her husband's text with perfect images that capture the cold and motion and excitement of racing through the dark.

sample page #1 from DOGTEAM by Gary Paulsen

sample page #2 from DOGTEAM by Gary Paulsen

Word Count: 469
Page Count: 32
Accelerated Reader: 3.2 / points: 0.5
AR quiz: 61739
--sample pages available


bookcover of CANOE DAYS by Gary PaulsenCANOE DAYS
illustrated by Ruth Wright Paulsen

3.72 avg rating — 67 ratings

Canoe Days takes a look at the life in and around a lake. The book begins with at paddler launching a canoe. It talks about the wonder of silence and beauty of sliding across the water. Children get to see a pike moving in the murky depths, and animals like foxes and racoons that frequent the shore in search of food and a drink.

The colors in Canoe Days are sunny. Bright blues and cheerful greens that are evocative of spring and summer. The text is lyrical and describes what the paddler hears and sees.

Sample:
Sometimes when it is still so still,
you can hear the swish
of a butterfly's wing --

sometimes when it is that still I take the canoe
out on the edge of the lake.

One stroke of the paddle and we are gone, the
canoe and me, moving silently.
sample page #1 from CANOE DAYS by Gary Paulsen

sample page #2 from CANOE DAYS by Gary Paulsen

sample page #3 from CANOE DAYS by Gary Paulsen

Word Count: 379
Page Count: 32
Accelerated Reader: 3.5 / points: 0.5
AR quiz: 31078
Lexile: AD840L
--sample pages available


To Find Gary Paulsen books at the 2rd Grade level, click here.

compiled by Pam
updated July 2014