Classrooms have closed their doors for the season to usher in summer’s arrival. As your child steps into the space between school years, it’s important to beat the summer slide and maintain the momentum generated in the classroom. Whether you are having fun at home or find yourself on the go, summer is the perfect time to read aloud with your family. To get you started, we’ve curated a list of books filled with summer fun and no shortage of adventure.
The Guardian Test by Christina Soontornvat, illustrated by Kevin Hong
Plum leaves her farm home and her beloved grandparents for the Guardian Academy, hoping to fulfill her late mother’s dream. Once there, Plum must learn to trust her friends as she finds the confidence to trust herself.
In this first-in-the-series story, Christina Soontornvat brings the lush, tropical Lotus Island to life with its exotic plants and fantastical animals. The manga-style illustrations and brisk pacing will help guide families as they root for Plum and her classmates to find their true Guardian forms.
Rescue at Lake Wild by Terry Lynn Johnson
Twelve-year-old Madi, animal whisperer and junior rehabilitator, has pushed her parents to their limit. They lay down the law: no more wild animals. But when Madi and her friends find orphaned beaver kits, she just can’t turn away. Madi secretly cares for the babies while racing to find them a safe home. The situation becomes more serious when the town considers a bounty on beavers, viewing them as worthless pests. Madi, Aaron, and Jack put their heads together to engineer a solution that helps the town and saves the beavers. Terry Lynn Johnson’s page-turner will have families cheering for the kits and learning about the complexity of natural ecosystems.
Stella Díaz Never Gives Up by Angela Dominguez
The girl who charmed you in Stella Díaz Has Something to Say is back for more heartwarming fun. Stella’s summer vacation soon becomes one she’ll never forget – she has her first beach trip while visiting family in Oaxaca, Mexico and learns she’s been accepted into a program at Chicago’s Shedd Aquarium. Stella learns about marine life and the dangers these creatures face from humans.
Soon enough, Stella rallies both new and old friends to form a conservation club, the Sea Musketeers. Despite her quiet nature, Stella becomes a leader and forges real change in her community.
The Very, Very Far North by Dan Bar-el, illustrated by Kelly Pousette
Head to the very, very far north to beat the summer heat with Duane, the friendliest of polar bears. Dan Bar-el brings us more than a travel tale of snow and ice. Duane accumulates a disparate group of friends – from a science-loving snowy owl to a rambunctious arctic fox – and together they learn to navigate friendships with respect and care. This gentle story is told with beautiful turns-of-phrase from Bar-el, and Kelly Pousette’s charcoal drawings will delight even the youngest listener. So wrap up in a blanket with a mug of hot cocoa and experience the coziness of The Very, Very Far North.
Where the Mountain Meets the Moon by Grace Lin
Minli lives in the Valley of the Fruitless Mountain where she and her parents work tirelessly to put food on their table. Each night, Minli finds herself nourished by her father’s tales – especially the story of the Old Man of the Moon, who is said to have the answers to everything. It’s the inspiration of a talking goldfish that Minli releases in the Jade River who gives Minli the direction and confidence to leave her home with a modest bag of supplies and embark on an unforgettable journey through Ancient China. She comes to the aid of a dragon who cannot fly, dines with the King of the City of Bright Moonlight, and even comes face to face with a fierce tiger. It sets the perfect backdrop for a summer adventure you’ll never forget!
A Rover’s Story by Jasmine Warga
Resilience is the scientifically advanced Mars rover who teaches you about interplanetary exploration while he steals your heart. He is programmed for observation, not emotions. But as he observes his human supporting cast – who he terms “hazmats” – he incorporates loyalty, longing, and love into his code.
Jasmine Warga uses letters from Sophie, the daughter of the lead NASA scientist, to ground this decade-spanning, epic yet intimate tale. A Rover’s Story is a STEM-filled book that will engage your readers in questions about what constitutes a family, what makes us human, and where is home.
12-year-old Maddie Harrison awakes to a world where she’s been unintentionally left behind in a mysterious mass-evacuation from her Colorado town. She has no one to rely on—no power, no internet, no phone. Over the course of three years, she faces natural disasters, looters, and wild animals alongside a faithful Rottweiler named George. Maddie gathers resources, adapts to harsh conditions, and makes use of the town library for both practical knowledge and human connection via fiction and poetry.
Megan E. Freeman gives Maddie her voice by writing Alone in accessible free verse, creating a beautiful window into the inner workings of Maddie’s heart and mind. As Maddie navigates this new world, she battles the biggest challenge of all: loneliness. And she is able to triumphantly answer Mary Oliver’s famous poetic challenge: “Tell me, what is it you plan to do/with your one wild and precious life?”
Which of these titles are you most likely picking up for your summer reading? Let us know in the comments!
