I love third grade. If I could teach third grade all day, I would love it. Author studies are perfect for third grade because there are so many excellent books to introduce students to that will get their creativity flowing and send the books flying off the shelves.

Tips for Third Grade Author Studies:

• Pick various books, including comics, nonfiction topics, biographies, and picture books (both funny and realistic).
• Don’t forget to share chapter books with students! Do this by talking about a few chapter books each class. Grab some off the shelves, show the covers, and read the blurbs.
• Incorporate those research skills! Research projects do not have to be multiple classes. They can be one-class activities that use an engaging nonfiction read aloud, a simple library skill like note-taking or learning through photos, and a simple activity.

Third Grade Author Study – Kate Riggs

I love this Amazing Animals series by Kate Riggs. They’re perfect for simple, one-class research. Buy 10 or more of the books in the series and have students work in partners to take notes about an animal. Then, have them turn their fact into something fun!

Favorite Books:

All of them! Pick the animals that you have the least amount of books about. Let students vote for which book to read aloud!

Third Grade Author Study – Stevie Lewis

I love the variety of books that Stevie Lewis illustrates. The fun thing about illustrator studies is to see if the illustrator has a distinct style or a variety of styles.

Favorite Books:

How to Eat in Space

Our Universe Series (Moon, Sun, Mars)

Fatima’s Great Outdoors

Third Grade Author Study – Jonathan Fenske

Tell me you can look at that cover and not laugh. I love it. I love reading aloud comics to third grade (and this one is short enough to be read aloud!) and having students create their own comic ideas. Super engaging, super fun, and super easy.

Favorite Books:

The Crabby Series

A Unicorn, a Dinosaur, and a Shark Walk into a Book

Something Stinks

Third Grade Author Study – Matt de la Peña

Matt de la Peña’s books are thought-provoking and beautiful. They’re perfect for making connections, discussions, and learning about each other.

Favorite Books:

Patchwork

Last Stop on Market Street

Carmela Full of Wishes

Love