Summer Reading List for Kids of All Ages
When it comes to relaxing summer activities, there’s nothing more peaceful than enjoying a great book. Having a summer reading list is an awesome way to pass some time while also keeping your kids’ creative juices flowing and not falling into the summer slide!
Whether the kids are sitting at home, away at camp, or on the beach during vacation, a good book opens our kids to adventure, new worlds and broadens their own world.
In the world of books, there are so many stories and genres that will appeal to kids of all ages and reading levels. We’ve come up with a list of some summer reading books for each age group that will keep kids engaged all summer long!
Psst… The Regal Summer Movie Express is Back!
Early Readers
Bye Bye Brain Bully: Knocking Out Self-Doubt by Carin Bail & Carina Hale
Trying to tackle life is something that every child has to navigate while growing up. With the help of Captain Communicator and Believer Achiever, Kate tries to fight against the evil brain bully and to be able to use her voice and develop some courage within herself!
Your kids will learn how to combat any mental struggles they have while growing up and how to be confident with themselves! Grades Preschool-3.
Floaty by John Himmelman
Mr. Raisin lives alone in a little house, and that is the way he prefers it. One day he comes across a basket on his front step. When he opens the basket, he doesn’t see anything inside until he looks up to find a floating dog!
This funny story focuses on embracing the unexpected and finding friendships that you didn’t know you needed. Floaty is the perfect first book to show little ones how fun reading can be! Grades Preschool-3.
The Circles All Around Us by Brad Montague
It’s so important to understand the individuals that make us who we are. From immediate family to classmates and teachers, everybody has their unique group community around them.
The Circles All Around Us, teach the story of growth through experiences with others through the concept of kindness and inclusion toward others. Not only does this book teach a great lesson, but is filled with simplistic hand-drawn characters and writing. Grades K+
Fry Bread: A Native American Family Story by Kevin Noble Millard
Bread played a very significant role in the history and lives of Native Americans. Teach your child the history of Native Americans and what concepts such as fry bread mean to various peoples.
Written by a member of the Seminole Nation, this story was thoughtfully written and is filled with fine details within its beautiful illustrations. This is a book that your kids will continue coming back to and gain a new understanding each time. Grades Preschool-1
Bo’s Magical New Friend (Unicorn Diaries) by Rebecca Elliott
This book is aimed at newly independent readers and includes easy-to-read text in order to boost reading confidence! Bo Tinseltail is one of the many unicorns that attend Sparklegrove School and has the cool power of granting wishes. Something that Bo wants more than anything is to find a best friend.
A new unicorn named Sunny Huckleberry comes to the forest, and we are left wondering if Sunny will be the best friend Bo has been looking for. With this high-interest content and colorful illustrations, kids will not want to put this book down! Grades K-2.
Summer Camp Critter Jitters by Jory John
At this summer camp, all of the animals are nervous about going! The duck is nervous about the other campers finding out he can’t swim, and the sloth is worried that he will have to catch his own lunch.
This hilarious book shows how each animal prepares for camp and brings up the question of if the animals will ever get over their nerves and make new friends. Grades Preschool-3.
Memory Jars by Vera Brosgol
After picking berries Freda is disappointed to hear that she can’t keep her blueberries forever and must wait until next season for more. However, Freda then discovers that her berries can be salvaged through a jam, so she beings saving all of her favorite things and collects an overwhelming amount.
Realizing that she can’t save everything, she learns that some things are better saved as memories rather than collected over time! With engaging illustrations, this is a humorous read that includes a great life lesson as well. Grades Preschool-3
Knight Owl by Christopher Denise
Owl has been determined to become the knight he hatched. With this dream comes his responsibility, so he protects the castle. However, Owl is slightly frightened to see that there is a real intruder present this time! Read about Owl’s adventure while protecting the castle and becoming a real knight.
This story touches on family, cleverness, and bravery and is a great read for anyone looking to enjoy a light-hearted and optimistic summer read. Grades Preschool-3
Middle Grade Books
Skandar and The Unicorn Thief by A.F. Steadman
Books are meant to take readers to a whole new world, and this book does exactly that. Follow Skander through his journey to saving the secret Island where unicorns run free.
Not only is this book filled with epic battles, villains, and newfound friendships, but also takes a spin on traditional fantastical unicorns. This book is perfect for anyone looking for a riveting story to add to their summer fun! Grades 3-7
Restart by Gordan Korman
Chase wakes up in the hospital one day to find out that he has completely lost all of his memory. After his first day back at school, he realizes that this restart into who he once was will take a bit more effort than he realized.
Chase must figure out who he was and who he will be. Indulge in this mysterious and comical tale that also brings up issues of bullying, choices, identity, and inclusivity. Grades 3-7
Marcus Makes a Movie by Kevin Hart
Marcus is stuck in a film class he has no interest in being in but realizes he can use it as an opportunity to make the cartoon superhero he has been drawing into a movie!
This book, written by comedian Kevin Hart, follows Marcus’ journey through his film endeavors and how he and some helpful friends make his imagination become a reality!
Hart shows through this book that if you have a dream you want to come true, you have to work hard in order to achieve it, which is something that all kids should learn. Grades 3-7.
Northwind By Garry Paulsen
Award-winning author, Garry Paulsen’s, newest book Northwind similarly transforms his well-known book Hatchet from the woods to the ocean. Leif, an orphan living in the coastal wilderness, is forced to take out his boat as a plague has gotten to the fish in the area.
Unsure of his next destination, follow along with Leif as he ventures down the water. This book can be a great family read as it’s fitting for all ages (as long as you can handle a big adventure!) and follows a captivating plot. Grades 4-6
A Crooked Kind of Perfect by Linda Urban
Ten-year-old Zoe has always dreamed of becoming a great piano player and is waiting to get her first piano in order to start her lessons. When her dad ends up buying her an organ instead of a piano, Zoe’s hopes and dreams seem farther away than ever.
However, when Zoe enters an annual organ competition, she realizes that life hands you some unexpected surprises. This book shows kids that even though we might strive for perfection, sometimes it’s better to be a little off-center. Grades 5-7.
Jude Banks, Superhero by Ann Hood
This book is written by New York Times bestselling author Ann Hood and tackles the hard topics of loss, resilience, and how families start to heal. Jude’s sister Katie was his favorite person in the world. She was the one who always called him “Jude Banks, Superhero” and made him feel special.
When his sister unexpectedly passed away, Jude didn’t feel like the superhero he was told he was. While trying to figure out how life will be without Katie, Jude meets a new friend with similar struggles and they decide that they will try to tackle their tragedies together. Grades 3-7.
Spy School the Graphic Novel by Stuart Gibbs
Despite being an awkward middle schooler, Ben Ripley has been placed in the junior CIA academy which focuses intensely on his science capabilities. Follow along as Ben endures hilarious misadventures and realizes that he’s not half bad at being a spy.
Just because it’s a chapter book doesn’t mean that it can’t have pictures! This is a great read for middle schoolers or anyone looking for a fun graphic novel this summer. Try out Spy School the Graphic Novel this summer for a fun middle school adventure story. Grades 3-7
Turtle Boy by M. Evan Wolkenstein
Middle school can be rough, and as kids will be returning to school full time the next school year- this coming sweet book is a must summer read for Tweens and even adults. The story is about Will Levine and how the seventh grade is not going so great.
With a considerable part of this from being bullied due to his funny-looking chin. His friendship with the ill older boy RJ changes Will’s life as a friendship is bonded through turtles and RJ’s guidance and bucket list.
This book is a heartfelt coming of age story perfect for a summer read for this age group to learn about being brave and getting out of your shell. Grades 5-6.
Young Adult
The Girl Who Drank the Moon by Kelly Barnhill
As the winner of the 2017 Newbery Medal, The Girl Who Drank the Moon does not disappoint. In the land of Protectorate, babies are given as offerings to Xan, who they believe to be an evil witch.
However, this witch is kind and sends these babies to new families on the other side of the forest and nourishes them with starlight on the way. One day Xan accidentally gives one baby moonlight instead and decides then to raise the child whose newfound powers will slowly emerge.
This story is one of magic and adventure mixed in with twists. This enchanting tale is perfect for anyone who loves classic fairy tales. Young Adult.
Lola: A Ghost Story by J. Torres
Lola is the Tagalog word for a grandmother who Jesse barely knew but was aware, like most of the family, she had visions and was able to see ghosts. Jesse shares this secret power, and while in the Philippines for Lola’s funeral, Jesse sees ghosts and realizes he must face his demons.
The book shares Filipino culture and mythology. While this story is beautiful with many visuals, it does have a bit of darkness- like the grandmother trying to drown Jesse as a baby (it was not what it seems, as you will find out later) and a drunk adult. Young Adult.
Holding Up the Universe by Jennifer Niven
Sometimes others have the power to change our world. Libby Strout and Jack Masselin, on the outside, are unsimilar. But after the two get tangled up in a high school game that results in them in group counseling and community service, they learn what it means to love someone for who they truly are.
The story of Holding Up the Universe is one of friendship, understanding, identity, and strength. This is a great read for young adults and a must-read for those who previously loved The Fault in Our Stars by John Green. Young Adult.
Firekeepers Daughter by Angeline Boulley
As an instant New York Times bestseller, Firekeepers Daughter has become a must-read for young adults this summer! The book follows Daunis Fontaine, a teenager who lives on the Ojibwe reservation, who put her dreams of getting out of her hometown on hold after a family tragedy struck.
After witnessing a shocking murder, Fontaine gets involved with an FBI investigation and finds out that finding the truth behind these crimes is harder than she expected. If your kids love crime and mystery books, this will be one your kids will not want to put down this summer. Young Adult.
The Summer I Turned Pretty by Jenny Han
From the author of To All The Boys I Loved Before and the inspiration of a new hit Prime Video series, Jenny Han is back in The Summer I Turned Pretty. This contemporary fiction story is about a girl named Belly. Belly measures her life in the summers.
They consist of the beach, ocean air, romance, and most importantly her, closest friends. However this summer everything changes for the better. This book is a hot pick for the summer and if you don’t have access (or even if you do) to the beach, this is the perfect summer read to evoke that sweet beach feeling. Young Adult.
Americanized: Rebel Without a Green Card by Sara Saedi
This book is based on a true story and is the perfect combination of funny and informative. Readers will be focusing on author and main character Sara Saedi as she tackles the struggles of being an undocumented immigrant in America.
On top of the steady progression towards getting her green card, Saedi is also worried about normal teenage things such as whether or not she will be able to get a prom date or if she will ever be able to properly maintain her unibrow.
Saedi’s memoir is relatable and is a necessary book to read during today’s climate. Young Adult.
Shadow and Bone by Leigh Bardugo
This book is the start of the Shadow and Bone trilogy and takes you on an adventure with magical spells and monsters. Alina Starkov is a soldier who has embarked on her first trek into the Shadow Fold.
When she and the other soldiers get ambushed, Alina unleashes powerful magic that she didn’t know she had. Now Alina is training with her country’s magical military elite and is uncovering secrets in her past that can put her family and country in danger. Young Adult.
Rule Of Wolves by Leigh Bardugo
If Shadow and Bones seems like a book your kids would enjoy, pick up this other magical story written as part of Bardugo’s King of Scars Duology.
This book is the second of the duology and follows three people, the demon king preparing for an invasion, the stormwitch who is embracing her powers for her country, and the spy that is going undercover to seek revenge.
Together, these three are working to fight off the darkness that is taking over their country before it is too late. Young Adults.
All My Rage: A Novel by Sabaa Tahir
This book depicts a love story of tragedy and what it means to feel different. Switching between the past and present, this story is both about a Pakistani family who moves to Juniper, California for a fresh start as well, as the perspective of their son who is now struggling to hold it all together.
This raw novel meshes concepts relating to family relationships and intense love and anger, while also piecing in the importance of forgiveness and redemption. This book is an emotional one, so get your tissues ready and begin reading! Young Adult.
