Beginner Chapter Books

Dakota loves to read.  Shortly after he started 1st grade I had to wake him up for school, and this is the conversation we had:

Dakota:  Mom, it's not fair!
Me:  What's not fair?
Dakota:  You and the girls get to read more than I do!
Me:  Don't you read at school?

I don't remember how he responded to this question, but he was upset because he didn't have enough time to read what he wants to read because he is in school all day.  (1st grade has been a tough adjustment for him).  He loves to read, but is pretty picky about the books he wants to read.  I like to find him books that he likes, are at his reading level (3rd grade), and age appropriate.  Sometimes it is a daunting task.  I want to get him a book for Christmas, so I thought writing a list of what he likes would help me narrow it down.  And I might as well put my list on my blog so I can find it.

Books I tried to get him to read, but he didn't like:
Junie B. Jones by Barbara Park and Denise Brunkus
Magic Tree House

Books I didn't necessarily like, but let him read anyway because he loves them:
Diary of the Wimpy Kid series (all the were out while he was in Kindergarten)
Captain Underpants series (ALL of them & everything else by Dav Pilkey)

Books he liked, and I approved:
Ricky Ricotta's Mighty Robot series by Dav Pilkey
Hot Dog and Bob series by Bob Rovetch and Dave Whamond
The Littles by John Peterson

Books he read that I didn't look at (so I have no opinion on):
The Secrets of Droon by Tony Abbott (he read the 1st one, is currently reading Journey to the Volcano Palace)
Knights of Right series by M'Lin Rowley (he's currently on #2)

Wow, we apparently like series.  I know he's read more, but I can't remember them right now.  Maybe I'll update later.  (Is he too young for Goodreads)?  Anybody have suggestions?