Best Reading Comprehension Workbooks for 3rd Grade (2026)
Five 3rd grade reading comprehension workbooks compared by reading age, grade level, page count, publication date and whether an answer key is listed.
At a glance
Top picks
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If you are looking for the best reading comprehension workbooks for 3rd grade, start with the child who finishes a page and cannot say what happened. This list is for a student practicing passages, main ideas and vocabulary at home or in class. We compared each listing by reading age, grade level, page count, publication date, answer key and practice tests, so you can match the book to the reader in front of you.
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Quick picks
- Best Overall Daily Reading Comp by Evan-Moor: 150 daily lessons of 10 to 15 minutes, with an answer key listed Check price
- Best for Test Practice Reading Tests Grade 3 by Scholastic: Ready-to-take reading tests on main idea, inference and cause and effect Check price
- Best for Passages and Answers Skill Builders by Carson Dellosa: Fiction and nonfiction passages with an answer key in the back Check price
- Best for a Phonics Mix Kumon Grade 3 Reading by Kumon: Book 3 of 6 in a series that mixes phonics and whole-language instruction Check price
- Best for Many Subjects 3rd Grade BIG Workbook by Gold Stars: 320 pages and more than 220 activities, with comprehension among many subjects Check price
Compare the picks
| Book | Shelf Score | Pages | Reading age or grade | Published |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Daily Reading Comp by Evan-Moor | 8.9/10 | 208 | 8 to 9 years; grade 3 and up | January 1, 2018 |
| Skill Builders by Carson Dellosa | 8.1/10 | 80 | 7 to 9 years, from customers; Grades/Ages 2-5 | January 3, 2011 |
| Reading Tests Grade 3 by Scholastic | 7.6/10 | 48 | 7 to 9 years, from customers; grade 3 and up | February 1, 2022 |
| Kumon Grade 3 Reading by Kumon | 7.2/10 | 80 | 7 to 8 years, from customers; grade 3 and up | June 14, 2010 |
| 3rd Grade BIG Workbook by Gold Stars | 6.7/10 | 320 | 8 to 9 years, from customers; grade level not stated | October 26, 2021 |
Book details as published on each listing, collected 15 October 2026.
The picks
| # | Product | Shelf Score | Buy |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 |  Daily Reading Comp by Evan-Moor | 8.9/10 | Buy |
| 2 |  Skill Builders by Carson Dellosa | 8.1/10 | Buy |
| 3 |  Reading Tests Grade 3 by Scholastic | 7.6/10 | Buy |
| 4 |  Kumon Grade 3 Reading by Kumon | 7.2/10 | Buy |
| 5 |  3rd Grade BIG Workbook by Gold Stars | 6.7/10 | Buy |
Daily Reading Comp by Evan-Moor
A daily grade 3 reading comprehension book of 150 lessons, each described as 10 to 15 minutes, meant to supplement reading instruction.
Pros
- 150 daily lessons, each described as 10 to 15 minutes a day
- Answer key listed in the spec table
- Covers reading comprehension, vocabulary and poetry, per the spec table
- 208 pages, shorter than the 320-page Gold Stars listing
Cons
- Listed as a Teacher's Edition, so check that it suits a student working alone
- Published January 1, 2018, older than the Scholastic and Gold Stars listings
- The spec table shows no data for phonics or spelling
- Ties the lessons to state exams, so general reading practice may suit another listing better
Detailed Review
The description says the book offers 150 daily lessons of 10 to 15 minutes to supplement reading instruction and prepare students for state exams. The listing gives 208 pages, grade level 3 and up, a reading age of 8 to 9 years and a publication date of January 1, 2018. The title calls it a Teacher's Edition, and the spec table lists an answer key.
Who it's for: a teacher or parent who wants a short daily routine covering reading comprehension, vocabulary and poetry. Who should skip it: a family looking for phonics or spelling practice, since the spec table shows no data for either.
Its Shelf Score of 8.9/10 comes from fit 32/35, contents and edition 22/25, value 21/25 and reading age or level 9/10.
Book Details
| Publisher | Evan-Moor Educational Publishers |
|---|---|
| Print length | 208 pages |
| Published | January 1, 2018 |
| Grade level | 3 and up |
| Answer key | Listed |
Details as published on the retailer listing, collected 15 October 2026. Editions and formats change; check the listing before you buy.
Reading Age and Edition
What this listing states. Grade level 3 and up and a reading age of 8 to 9 years, so reading age or level scores 9 of 10. Books carry no warranty, so warranty is not part of the score. See How We Pick.
Check the grade and the answer key. Workbook levels differ between publishers. Confirm the grade level and whether answers are included in the book or sold separately.
Listed reading ages and grade levels are a guide, not advice about a particular reader. Editions and formats change, so check the listing before you buy. See our Reading Age Disclaimer.
Skill Builders by Carson Dellosa
An 80-page reading comprehension workbook with fiction and nonfiction passages, vocabulary activities and an answer key.
Pros
- Fiction and nonfiction passages, as the title states
- Answer key included, per the description's contents list
- Over 70 perforated pages of reproducible activities in an 80-page book
- Sized at about 6 by 9 inches, per the description
Cons
- The title says 3rd grade, but the spec table lists Grades/Ages 2-5
- The description says kids ages 8+, but the spec table gives a reading age of 7 to 9 years
- The edition field reads ACT, which the listing does not explain
- Published January 3, 2011, one of the older dates here
Detailed Review
The title and description present this as a 3rd grade reading comprehension workbook with reading passages, reading activities and an answer key. The listing gives 80 pages and a publication date of January 3, 2011. The spec table lists Grades/Ages as 2-5 and a reading age of 7 to 9 years, and the description's ages 8+ do not match that table, so the title and description are the better guide.
Who it's for: a child in 3rd grade who needs passages and an answer key to check work at home. Who should skip it: a buyer who wants one consistent grade level, since the listing gives 3rd grade in the title and 2-5 in the spec table.
Its Shelf Score of 8.1/10 comes from fit 30/35, contents and edition 21/25, value 20/25 and reading age or level 5/10.
Book Details
| Publisher | Carson Dellosa Education |
|---|---|
| Print length | 80 pages |
| Published | January 3, 2011 |
| Reading age | 7 to 9 years, from customers |
| Grades/Ages | 2-5 |
Details as published on the retailer listing, collected 15 October 2026. Editions and formats change; check the listing before you buy.
Reading Age and Edition
What this listing states. Reading age of 7 to 9 years, marked as from customers, and a Grades/Ages field of 2-5, so reading age or level scores 5 of 10. Books carry no warranty, so warranty is not part of the score. See How We Pick.
Check the grade and the answer key. Workbook levels differ between publishers. Confirm the grade level and whether answers are included in the book or sold separately.
Listed reading ages and grade levels are a guide, not advice about a particular reader. Editions and formats change, so check the listing before you buy. See our Reading Age Disclaimer.
Reading Tests Grade 3 by Scholastic
A 48-page workbook of ready-to-take practice tests for standardized reading, covering main idea, inference, cause and effect and fact and opinion.
Pros
- Covers main idea, inference, cause and effect, author's purpose and fact and opinion
- Ready-to-take practice tests, described as just for 3rd graders
- Most recent publication date among the five listings, February 1, 2022
- 48 pages, the shortest listing here
Cons
- No answer key is stated in the listing
- The number of practice tests is not stated
- No edition is stated, only the publication date
- Test-format pages, so it is less useful for general passage reading
Detailed Review
The description offers ready-to-take practice tests for 3rd graders, with a review of main idea, reading for detail, vocabulary, inferences, sequencing, cause and effect, author's purpose and fact and opinion. The listing gives 48 pages, grade level 3 and up, a reading age of 7 to 9 years marked as from customers, and a publication date of February 1, 2022.
Who it's for: a student who needs practice in the format of standardized reading tests. Who should skip it: a family looking for a longer book of passages, since the listing gives 48 pages and states no answer key.
Its Shelf Score of 7.6/10 comes from fit 30/35, contents and edition 18/25, value 16/25 and reading age or level 8/10.
Book Details
| Publisher | Scholastic Teaching Resources |
|---|---|
| Print length | 48 pages |
| Published | February 1, 2022 |
| Grade level | 3 and up |
| Practice tests | Ready-to-take, number not stated |
Details as published on the retailer listing, collected 15 October 2026. Editions and formats change; check the listing before you buy.
Reading Age and Edition
What this listing states. Grade level 3 and up and a reading age of 7 to 9 years, marked as from customers, so reading age or level scores 8 of 10. Books carry no warranty, so warranty is not part of the score. See How We Pick.
Check the grade and the answer key. Workbook levels differ between publishers. Confirm the grade level and whether answers are included in the book or sold separately.
Listed reading ages and grade levels are a guide, not advice about a particular reader. Editions and formats change, so check the listing before you buy. See our Reading Age Disclaimer.
Kumon Grade 3 Reading by Kumon
Book 3 of a six-book series of reading workbooks, with step-by-step lessons that mix phonics and whole-language instruction.
Pros
- Step-by-step lessons, per the description
- Mixes phonics and whole-language instruction, per the description
- Part of a six-book series, so the set can be followed in order
- 80 pages, the same length as the Carson Dellosa listing
Cons
- No answer key is stated in the listing
- Published June 14, 2010, the oldest date among the five listings
- Book 3 of 6, so it is not the first volume in the series
- Reading age of 7 to 8 years, marked as from customers, sits lower than the 8 to 9 years on two other listings
Detailed Review
The description says the workbook builds comprehension through step-by-step lessons and combines phonics with whole-language instruction. The listing gives 80 pages, grade level 3 and up, a reading age of 7 to 8 years marked as from customers, and a publication date of June 14, 2010. It also says the book is Book 3 of 6, so it is not the first volume.
Who it's for: a 3rd grade reader who wants a series that builds skills in order. Who should skip it: a family that needs an answer key or a newer edition, since the listing states neither.
Its Shelf Score of 7.2/10 comes from fit 27/35, contents and edition 18/25, value 16/25 and reading age or level 8/10.
Book Details
| Publisher | Kumon Publishing North America |
|---|---|
| Print length | 80 pages |
| Published | June 14, 2010 |
| Series | Book 3 of 6 |
| Grade level | 3 and up |
Details as published on the retailer listing, collected 15 October 2026. Editions and formats change; check the listing before you buy.
Reading Age and Edition
What this listing states. Grade level 3 and up and a reading age of 7 to 8 years, marked as from customers, so reading age or level scores 8 of 10. Books carry no warranty, so warranty is not part of the score. See How We Pick.
Check the grade and the answer key. Workbook levels differ between publishers. Confirm the grade level and whether answers are included in the book or sold separately.
Listed reading ages and grade levels are a guide, not advice about a particular reader. Editions and formats change, so check the listing before you buy. See our Reading Age Disclaimer.
3rd Grade BIG Workbook by Gold Stars
A 320-page all-subjects workbook with more than 220 activities, covering reading and story comprehension among many other topics.
Pros
- 320 pages with more than 220 activities
- Includes reading and story comprehension alongside grammar, writing and math
- Answer key at the back of the book, per the description
- Parent notes in each lesson, per the description
Cons
- Comprehension is one of many subjects, so it is less focused than the reading-only listings
- The spec table lists ages 3-5, which does not match the title's kids 8 - 9 or the 8 to 9 year reading age
- Grade level not stated
- The publisher field reads Lodi Publishing while the author field reads Gold Stars
Detailed Review
The title says All Subjects for Kids 8 - 9, and the description lists more than 220 activities across English language arts, spelling, grammar, writing, phonics, math and more. The listing gives 320 pages, a publication date of October 26, 2021 and a reading age of 8 to 9 years, marked as from customers. The spec table lists ages 3-5, which contradicts the title and the reading age, so the title and bullets are the better guide here.
Who it's for: a parent who wants one large book across many subjects, with comprehension as one part. Who should skip it: a family that wants a reading comprehension workbook only, since the listing covers many subjects beyond reading.
Its Shelf Score of 6.7/10 comes from fit 22/35, contents and edition 19/25, value 19/25 and reading age or level 4/10.
Book Details
| Author | Gold Stars |
|---|---|
| Publisher | Lodi Publishing |
| Print length | 320 pages |
| Published | October 26, 2021 |
| Activities | 220+ |
Details as published on the retailer listing, collected 15 October 2026. Editions and formats change; check the listing before you buy.
Reading Age and Edition
What this listing states. Reading age of 8 to 9 years, marked as from customers, while the spec table lists ages 3-5, so reading age or level scores 4 of 10. Books carry no warranty, so warranty is not part of the score. See How We Pick.
Check the grade and the answer key. Workbook levels differ between publishers. Confirm the grade level and whether answers are included in the book or sold separately.
Listed reading ages and grade levels are a guide, not advice about a particular reader. Editions and formats change, so check the listing before you buy. See our Reading Age Disclaimer.
As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.
How we scored them
The Shelf Score weighs fit for the reader, contents and edition, value, and the listed reading age or level where one is given. Every pick lists a reading age, and three also list a grade level, so the reading age part of the score applies to all five. How we pick explains the weights.
| Book | Shelf Score | Fit /35 | Contents /25 | Value /25 | Age/level /10 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Daily Reading Comp by Evan-Moor | 8.9 | 32 | 22 | 21 | 9 |
| Skill Builders by Carson Dellosa | 8.1 | 30 | 21 | 20 | 5 |
| Reading Tests Grade 3 by Scholastic | 7.6 | 30 | 18 | 16 | 8 |
| Kumon Grade 3 Reading by Kumon | 7.2 | 27 | 18 | 16 | 8 |
| 3rd Grade BIG Workbook by Gold Stars | 6.7 | 22 | 19 | 19 | 4 |
Scores run from 0 to 10. Reading age or level counts on a list where at least one listing gives one, and a book whose listing gives none then scores zero on it. Where no listing gives one, the score is taken over the other 85 points. Books carry no warranty, so warranty is not scored.
How to choose the best reading comprehension workbooks for 3rd grade
Start with the reading age
Four of the five reading ages are marked as from customers. The Evan-Moor listing gives 8 to 9 years without that mark, while the Kumon listing gives 7 to 8 years. A reader working below grade level may want to compare the 2nd grade reading comprehension workbooks.
Single volume or series
The Kumon listing is Book 3 of 6 in its series, so it is one volume of a set. The Carson Dellosa, Scholastic and Evan-Moor listings give no series position and run 80, 48 and 208 pages. Gold Stars gives no series position either, and it covers many subjects, so reading comprehension is only one part. For the next step, see 4th grade reading comprehension workbooks.
Compare length and format
Page counts run from 48 to 320 across the five listings. The Evan-Moor book breaks its 150 lessons into 10 to 15 minutes a day, which suits a short daily routine. The table below puts the reading ages, grade levels and dates side by side.
| Book | Reading age | Grade level | Published |
|---|---|---|---|
| Daily Reading Comp by Evan-Moor | 8 to 9 years | 3 and up | January 1, 2018 |
| Skill Builders by Carson Dellosa | 7 to 9 years, from customers | Grades/Ages 2-5 | January 3, 2011 |
| Reading Tests Grade 3 by Scholastic | 7 to 9 years, from customers | 3 and up | February 1, 2022 |
| Kumon Grade 3 Reading by Kumon | 7 to 8 years, from customers | 3 and up | June 14, 2010 |
| 3rd Grade BIG Workbook by Gold Stars | 8 to 9 years, from customers | Not stated | October 26, 2021 |
Check the answer key and edition
Three listings state an answer key: Carson Dellosa, Gold Stars and Evan-Moor. The Kumon and Scholastic listings do not state one. The Kumon and Carson Dellosa listings date from 2010 and 2011, so check for a newer edition before you buy an older listing.
Before you buy
- Look for the answer key on the listing. Carson Dellosa, Gold Stars and Evan-Moor state one, and Kumon and Scholastic do not.
- Check the publication date: the Kumon listing is dated June 14, 2010, and the Scholastic listing February 1, 2022.
- Compare the reading age with the reader’s level: four of the five are marked as from customers, so they are not a publisher recommendation.
- For the Kumon series, note that the listing is Book 3 of 6, so it is not the first volume.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which workbook should I start with for 3rd grade reading comprehension?
The Evan-Moor Daily Reading Comprehension book ranks first here, with 150 daily lessons of 10 to 15 minutes and an answer key listed. Its listing gives grade level 3 and up.
Does each workbook include an answer key?
No. Carson Dellosa, Gold Stars and Evan-Moor state an answer key. The Kumon and Scholastic listings do not state one, so check the listing before buying.
What reading age do these 3rd grade workbooks list?
The listings give reading ages from 7 to 9 years, and four of them are marked as from customers. The Evan-Moor figure is not marked that way. Read each figure as the listing’s own number, not a recommendation for a particular child.
Is the Scholastic workbook good for test practice?
It is built around ready-to-take practice tests covering main idea, inference, cause and effect and fact and opinion. The listing is 48 pages long and does not state how many tests it includes.
Related lists
See every Reading and Phonics list and all Workbooks and Homeschool lists.
More lists: browse 6th grade reading comprehension workbooks, reading comprehension workbooks and 1st grade phonics workbooks.