Why reading over the summer is important!
Have you ever heard of the summer slide? The summer slide is the loss of skills during the time when kids are not in school. One of the best ways to keep those skills is by reading! Below are some of my favorite suggestions for summer reading! Take a book on your flight, or even to the beach. They really do make the best traveling companions. Who knows, maybe you'll read about a place you'll want to visit? If you're looking to pass some time just grab a book. Your brain and your teachers will thank you!
Granted by John David Anderson
Imagine you had the power to grant wishes. How do you decide which wishes to grant?
Endling: The Last by Katherine Applegate
If you were suddenly all alone in the world how would you survive? Follow Byx on her journey for survival.
The One and Only Ivan by Katherine Applegate
Ivan the Gorilla lives at the Exit 8 Big Top Mall and has been content with his life, until a little elephant named Ruby moves in, and changes is world in ways he never expected.
Aru Shah and the Eonf of Time
Aru has a bad habit of telling lies and her classmates are catching on. One day when they come to her home to confront her, they all get more than they bargain for when they realize maybe she isn't lying after all.
The Serpent's Secret by Sayantani DasGupta
One day Kiran wakes up to find out that she's been a princess he whole life, her parents are missing, and she has to fight the Serpent King to save the world! Everyone's survival depends on her. All of a sudden being a regular 12 year old doesn't seem so bad.
Small Spaces by Katherine Arden
When Ollie's bus breaks down on her class trip strange and scary things begin to happen. Read to find out why it's important to keep to small spaces!
Escape from Mr. Lemoncello's Library by Chris Grabenstein
A new state of the art library has come to Kyle's town and it's run by Mr. Lemoncello. He decided to have a contest to see who can escape the library. Will Kyle be able to solve all of the clues and get out in time to win the grand prize?
The Last Last Day of Summer by Lamar Giles
Otto and Sheed are the local sleuths in their zany Virginia town, masters of unraveling mischief using their unmatched powers of deduction. And as the summer winds down and the first day of school looms, the boys are craving just a little bit more time for fun, even as they bicker over what kind of fun they want to have. That is, until a mysterious man appears with a camera that literally freezes time. Now, with the help of some very strange people and even stranger creatures, Otto and Sheed will have to put aside their differences to save their town—and each other—before time stops for good.
Gloom Town by Ronald Smith
When twelve-year-old Rory applies for a job at a spooky old mansion in his gloomy seaside town, he finds the owner, Lord Foxglove, odd and unpleasant. But he and his mom need the money, so he takes the job anyway. Rory soon finds out that his new boss is not just strange, he’s not even human—and he’s trying to steal the townspeople’s shadows. Together, Rory and his friend Isabella set out to uncover exactly what Foxglove and his otherworldly accomplices are planning and devise a strategy to defeat them. But can two kids defeat a group of ancient evil beings who are determined to take over the world?
Ghost Squad by Claribel Ortega
Shortly before Halloween, Lucely and her best friend, Syd, cast a spell that accidentally awakens malicious spirits, wreaking havoc throughout St. Augustine. Together, they must join forces with Syd's witch grandmother, Babette, and her tubby tabby, Chunk, to fight the haunting head-on and reverse the curse to save the town and Lucely's firefly spirits before it's too late.
The Night Gardener by Jonathan Auxier
Molly and Kip are orphans who are sent to work as servants in the mysteriously Windsor Estate. The locals warn them about cursed mansion and the "sour woods" that surround the estate. Molly and Kip must figure out the mystery before they too become cursed.
Fuzzy Mud by Louis Sachar
Tamaya and Marshall are walking home from school, and begin to get chased by a bully. When they take a shortcut through the woods Tamaya see some fuzzy looking mud. In an attempt to distract the bully she throws some fuzzy mud at him, and well....you'll just have to read to find out what happens.
Front Desk by Kelly Yang
Mia and her family just arrived from China and are hoping for success. Instead they discover how hard it can be for immigrants. They live in a hotel that her parents help manage. Mia works at the front desk and pitches in where she can to help the family adjust to a new life in America.
No Fixed Address by Susin Neilson
Felix and his mom lose their apartment and have to live out of their van. Could Felix's amazing knack for trivia solve all of their problems?
New Kid by Jerry Craft
Jordan loves to draw, and has a remarkable talent. His parents decide to send him to a distinguished art school, where he struggles to fit in.
The Season of Styx Malone by Kekla Magoon
Are you tired of having another boring summer? Caleb and his brother, Bobby Gene are about to have an anything but ordinary summer once Styx Malone moves next door. Styx opens their world to many possibilities.
Where the Watermelons Grow by Cindy Baldwin
Della's summer couldn't get any worse. Her Momma is sick again, and the family farm is in trouble. Will Della be able to fix everything?
Louisiana's Way Home by Kate DiCamillo
It's 3 a.m. and your Granny shakes you awake. She yells at you to hurry and pack because the day of reckoning has arrived. You need to leave now! That's just what happens to Louisiana. Where will they go? What about Louisiana' s friends? Will they every come back?
The Remarkable Journey of Coyote Sunrise by Dan Gemeinhart
Five years. That's how long Coyote and her dad, Rodeo, have lived on the road in an old school bus, crisscrossing the nation. It's also how long ago Coyote lost her mom and two sisters in a car crash.
Coyote hasn’t been home in all that time, but when she learns the park in her old neighborhood is being demolished - the very same park where she, her mom, and her sisters buried a treasured memory box - she devises an elaborate plan to get her dad to drive 3,600 miles back to Washington state in four days...without him realizing it.
Along the way, they'll pick up a strange crew of misfit travelers. Lester has a lady love to meet. Salvador and his mom are looking to start over. Val needs a safe place to be herself. And then there's Gladys....
Over the course of thousands of miles, Coyote will learn that going home can sometimes be the hardest journey of all...but that with friends by her side, she just might be able to turn her “once upon a time” into a “happily ever after”
Coyote hasn’t been home in all that time, but when she learns the park in her old neighborhood is being demolished - the very same park where she, her mom, and her sisters buried a treasured memory box - she devises an elaborate plan to get her dad to drive 3,600 miles back to Washington state in four days...without him realizing it.
Along the way, they'll pick up a strange crew of misfit travelers. Lester has a lady love to meet. Salvador and his mom are looking to start over. Val needs a safe place to be herself. And then there's Gladys....
Over the course of thousands of miles, Coyote will learn that going home can sometimes be the hardest journey of all...but that with friends by her side, she just might be able to turn her “once upon a time” into a “happily ever after”
Emmy in the Key of Code by Aimee Lucido
Emmy’s lonely at her new San Francisco school. When her pianist dad got a dream job at the symphony, the family moved from Wisconsin—her mom’s opera career is portable—but Emmy’s miserable. Devastated she doesn’t have the talent to follow in her parents’ footsteps, she ends up in computer club instead of choir. And it’s there, learning Java, that Emmy makes friends with Abigail—and discovers that coding gives her a joy she’d believed came only from music
Pay Attention Carter Jones By Gary Schmidt
Carter Jones is astonished early one morning when he finds a real English butler, bowler hat and all, on the doorstep—one who stays to help the Jones family, which is a little bit broken.
In addition to figuring out middle school, Carter has to adjust to the unwelcome presence of this new know-it-all adult in his life and navigate the butler's notions of decorum. And ultimately, when his burden of grief and anger from the past can no longer be ignored, Carter learns that a burden becomes lighter when it is shared.
In addition to figuring out middle school, Carter has to adjust to the unwelcome presence of this new know-it-all adult in his life and navigate the butler's notions of decorum. And ultimately, when his burden of grief and anger from the past can no longer be ignored, Carter learns that a burden becomes lighter when it is shared.
The Crossover by Kwame Alexander
Jordan and his twin brother Josh are trying to balance school, and basketball along with all of the other stresses that come along with being a teen. Not to mention that their father is a former professional basketball player. Playing by the rules is important. Read to find out what happens when the rules get broken.
Game Changers: The Story of Venus and Serena Williams by Lisa Cline-Ransome
Two supports sisters who push each other to be the best they can be. This biography is a must read about two of the most famous tennis players in the world!
Goodbye Mr. Spalding by Jennifer Robin Barr
Jimmy and his friend Lola live across the street from the Philadelphia Athletics baseball stadium. They love the team, and the view of the field from their rooftops. When the owner of the team wants to build a wall to block the view Jimmy and Lola must form a plan and put it into action. Can their friendship survive the wall?
Fantasy League by Mike Lupica
Charlie is an okay athlete, but where he really shines is his knowledge of the game, and its players. His fantasy teams always take home first place. When his picks become showcased on a podcast his celebrity is about to take off.
Braced by Alyson Gerber
Rachel is excited for antoher year at school. She's finally made her soccer teams and things are looking up. Until she goes to the doctor, and he tell her that because of her scoliosis she'll have to wear a back brace all day. How will she handle all of the changed that this back brace brings?
Save me a seat by Sarah Weeks
Joe and Ravi might be from very different places, but they're both stuck in the same place: SCHOOL.Joe's lived in the same town all his life, and was doing just fine until his best friends moved away and left him on his own.Ravi's family just moved to America from India, and he's finding it pretty hard to figure out where he fits in.Joe and Ravi don't think they have anything in common -- but soon enough they have a common enemy (the biggest bully in their class) and a common mission: to take control of their lives over the course of a single crazy week.
The Lnnd of Forgotten Girls by Erin Entrada Kelly
Soledad has always been able to escape into the stories she creates. Just like her mother always could. And Soledad has needed that escape more than ever in the five years since her mother and sister died, and her father moved Sol and her youngest sister from the Philippines to Louisiana. After her father leaves, all Sol and Ming have is their evil stepmother, Vea. Sol has protected Ming all this time, but then Ming begins to believe that Auntie Jove—their mythical, world-traveling aunt—is really going to come rescue them. Can Sol protect Ming from this impossible hope?
It Ain't So Awful, Falafel by by Firoozeh Dumas
Zomorod (Cindy) Yousefzadeh is the new kid on the block . . . for the fourth time. California’s Newport Beach is her family’s latest perch, and she’s determined to shuck her brainy loner persona and start afresh with a new Brady Bunch name—Cindy. It’s the late 1970s, and fitting in becomes more difficult as Iran makes U.S. headlines with protests, revolution, and finally the taking of American hostages. Even puka shell necklaces, pool parties, and flying fish can't distract Cindy from the anti-Iran sentiments that creep way too close to home. A poignant yet lighthearted middle grade debut from the author of the best-selling Funny in Farsi.
The Usual Suspects by Maurice Broaddus
Thelonius Mitchell is tired of being labeled. He’s in special ed, separated from the “normal” kids at school who don’t have any “issues.” That’s enough to make all the teachers and students look at him and his friends with a constant side-eye. (Although his disruptive antics and pranks have given him a rep too.)
When a gun is found at a neighborhood hangout, Thelonius and his pals become instant suspects. Thelonius may be guilty of pulling crazy stunts at school, but a criminal? T isn’t about to let that label stick.
The Breadwinner by Deborah Ellis
Eleven-year-old Parvana lives with her family in one room of a bombed-out apartment building in Kabul, Afghanistan’s capital city. Parvana’s father — a history teacher until his school was bombed and his health destroyed — works from a blanket on the ground in the marketplace, reading letters for people who cannot read or write. One day, he is arrested for the crime of having a foreign education, and the family is left without someone who can earn money or even shop for food. As conditions for the family grow desperate, only one solution emerges. Forbidden to earn money as a girl, Parvana must transform herself into a boy, and become the breadwinner.
Drita My Homegirl by
Fleeing war-torn Kosovo, ten-year-old Drita and her family move to America with the dream of living a typical American life. But with this hope comes the struggle to adapt and fit in. How can Drita find her place at school and in her new neighborhood when she doesn?t speak any English? Meanwhile, Maxie and her group of fourth-grade friends are popular in their class, and make an effort to ignore Drita. So when their teacher puts Maxie and Drita together for a class project, things get off to a rocky start. But sometimes, when you least expect it, friendship can bloom and overcome even a vast cultural divide
The Faithful Spy: Dietrich Bonhoeffer and the Plot to Kill Hitler by John Hendrix
This story follows the age old tale of good and evil. Dietrich Bonhoeffer lives through Hitler's rise to power in his homeland in Germany with one goal in mind; to stop Hitler from spreading evil.
Bomb-The Race to Build- and Steal the World's Most Dangerous Weapon by Steve Sheinkin
The race between the Americans, Germans, and Soviets to build the first atomic bomb includes more than just science! Read to find out about the top secret missions and infamous spies that helped develop the most powerful weapon in the world.
Girls Think of Everything: Stories of Ingenious Inventions by Women by by Catherine Thimmesh and Melissa Sweet
Women have played in innovative role throughout history. This book explores how most inventions made by women have been created because of necessity. But, have you ever wondered how some of the everyday things we used were invented?
Capsized!: The Forgotten Story of the SS Eastland Disaster by Patricia Sutton
The SS Eastland was loading passengers on a trip across Lake Michigan when the unthinkable happens. Read about the story of the most deadly disaster on the Great Lakes.
CAMP PANDA: HELPING CUBS RETURN TO THE WILD by Catherine Thimmesh
Panda's were once in danger of going extinct. With the help of Camp Panda, those cute cuddly black and white bears are making strides once again.
The Night Diary by Veera Hiranandani
Nisha and her family are in danger and must escape Pakistan. They journey to India to start their life over again. Nisha faces many challenged on her journey and makes some amazing discoveries on her way.
Unbound by Ann E. Burg
Grace is born into slavery on a cotton. She lives with her family in a small shack. Then, when she turns 9 she is sent to work in the main house for the mean master and his wife. Grace's mouth gets her and her family into trouble. Will the be able to survive?
Navigating Early by Clare Vanderpool
After World War II Jack is sent to a boarding school in Maine, where he befriends a strange boy named Early Auden who is obsessed with black bears. When the pair go off in search of the illustrious animal they discover things they never would have imagined.
Nory Ryan's Song by Patricia Reilly Giff
Nory and her family live on a potato farm in Ireland. When the potato famine strikes Nory must find any way she can to pay the rent to the cruel Lord Cunningham.
Lions and Liars by Kate Beasley
Frederick Frederickson just doesn't seem to fit in.He gets sent to a camp for troubled boys, which teaches him some important lessons about life and friendship with a lot of laughter mixed in.
The Mortification of Fovea Munson by Mary Winn Heider
Fovea is stuck working for the summer at her parent's business, a cadaver laboratory. Because of this she is known as Frankenstein's helps. Hilarity ensues when Fovea encounters three talking heads while working in the lab.
Flora and Ulysses by Kate DiCamillo
Flora is obsessed with superheros. One day she saves Ulysses, the squirrel from a vacuum and low and behold he develops superpowers. The two from an inseparable bond and teach each other the importance of being yourself.
Julius Zebra: Rumble with the Romans by Gary Northfield
Julius a gladiator fighting zebra must battle for his freedom and the chance to be returned home to his parents.
Awesome Dog 5000 vs. Mayor Bossypants by Justin Dean
Get ready for a whole lot of awesome! In this sequel to Awesome Dog 5000, gamers Marty, Ralph, and Skylar return for another action-packed, laugh-out-loud adventure. This time, the three friends must stop Mayor Bossypants from destroying their amazing robot dog. With oodles of illustrations, this follow-up novel promises to be all kinds of awesome.
Bloom by Kenneth Oppel
Kids ages ten and up will get sucked into this unputdownable science-fiction novel about a strange rain that causes alien plants to sprout. The plants climb up buildings, destroy crops, and devour animals and people. Only three teens are immune to the mysterious plants, and nobody knows why. This action-packed book is the first in an exciting new series that will keep kids up all night.
Wink by Rob Harrel
Beloved cartoonist Rob Harrell drew inspiration from personal experiences for his upcoming middle grade novel. Ross Maloy wants to fly under the radar and survive middle school, but that's pretty hard to do when you've been diagnosed with eye cancer. Instead of blending in, Ross sticks out in all the wrong ways. This humorous and heartfelt story will have kids laughing, crying, and cheering for the unlucky hero.
When Stars are Scattered by Victoria Jamieson and Omar Mohamed,
This book is a perfect example of how graphic novels can tackle important and timely issues that will resonate with kids. When Omar gets the opportunity to go to school, he is excited. He knows an education could enable him and his younger brother to get out of the refugee camp where they've spent most of their lives. But going to school also means leaving his brother behind to fend for himself every day. Based on the real-life experiences of Omar, this heartbreaking yet hopeful graphic novel gives readers a peek into the life of a refugee.
Stepping Stones by Lucy Kinsley
Based on the author's own childhood, this delightful graphic novel will capture the hearts and imaginations of kids everywhere. When Lucy's parents divorce, she and her mom go to live in upstate New York on her mom's new boyfriend's farm. There, she adjusts to life on the farm - stinky chicken coop and all. But the real challenge comes in the form of two "stepsisters" who Lucy must learn to get along with
The Last Kids on Earth: June’s Wild Flight by Max Brallier
t's not hard to see why The Last Kids on Earth series is so popular with kids. The action-packed books are full of monsters and adventure with black and white illustrations splashed across every page. The series has even been adapted into a Netflix show. Now, June is getting her own story. Set between the events of The Midnight Blade and the forthcoming sixth book in the series, June's Wild Flight delivers a can't-miss adventure of survival that fans of the series will go wild over.
Doodleville by Chad Sell
Calling all artists! This magical graphic novel is for any kid with a big imagination and a love of art. From the creator of Cardboard Kingdom comes a funny new story about a girl and her larger-than-life doodles. Drew has created an entire world in her sketchbook called Doodleville. The only problem is that her doodles don't stay in the sketchbook! When she creates a (not so) friendly monster named Levi, she'll have to act fast in order to save her other doodles from certain doom. Full of friendship, humor, and fun, this graphic novel will be on every kid's "want-to-read" list this year.
The Elephant’s Girl by Celesta Rimington
Kids that like animal stories will gladly get lost in this magical book. Lexington can speak telepathically to elephants, and they can speak to her. When the elephant Nyah sends her a mysterious message, Lex gets caught up in a spooky and magical adventure that may provide answers about her past.
The Runaway Princess by Johan Troianowski
Princesses don't like adventure. They don't want to be kidnapped. And they certainly don't run away from home. Not unless they're like Princess Robin who (much to her parents' dismay) cannot resist the siren's call of daring deeds and exciting exploits. Kids that like humorous stories of unusual princesses will be itching to get their hands on this graphic novel.
