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.
The books on this list are at the Third Grade Reading level, but they are for young children.
FULL 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.
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
WORKSONG 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...
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 upand trees in sun,and trucks on one more nighttime run.
Page Count: 32
Accelerated Reader: 3.1 / points: 0.5
AR quiz: 35675
Lexile: AD290L
DOGTEAM 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.
Word Count: 469
Page Count: 32
Accelerated Reader: 3.2 / points: 0.5
AR quiz: 61739
--sample pages available
CANOE DAYSillustrated 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.
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