As children get older, I think it becomes more and more important to give them access to entertaining books that are going to help grow their love of reading and keep their brains engaged over the summer. For this reason, I’ve included a variety of genres of stories that my children and I couldn’t get enough of.
Choice is so important when it comes to getting kids to read especially over the summer. I highly recommend getting your child involved in picking which books to dive into this summer.
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Refugee by Alan Grantz
Alan Gratz is a must-read middle grade author who brings history to life through powerful, emotionally resonant storytelling. In Refugee, readers follow three gripping, alternating narratives incluing a Jewish boy fleeing Nazi Germany, a Cuban girl braving the ocean on a homemade raft, and a Syrian boy escaping the devastation of war. Each story highlights the courage and resilience of young people in the face of unimaginable danger.
Gratz’s vivid writing and well-developed characters help readers develop empathy and a greater understanding of both historical and current global crises. My twelve-year old son has devoured all of this books and highly recommends each one.
Impossible Creatures (series) by Katherine Rundell, Ashley Mackenzie
When Christopher moves in with his grandfather, he quickly learns he is part of a long lineage of guardians tasked with safeguarding a hidden magical realm. Before he knows it, he’s pulled into an epic quest with a girl named Mal to save the magical creatures who are mysteriously dying.
The detailed illustrations help immerse the reader into this enchanting world and the glossary featuring the creatures is a real standout. Packed with fascinating characters, thrilling adventure, and boundless imagination, this powerful story is a must-read for fantasy lovers.
Confessions of a Class Clown by Arianne Costner, 2022
Based on the fact that goofball seventh grader Jack Reynolds has thousands of MyTube channel followers, one may believe he is the most popular kid in school. In reality, however, he struggles with making and keeping friends. When he is desperate to find a new partner for a prank for his MyTube channel, he turns to a friendship speed-dating program in his school with surprising results. I just love how authentic the characters in this book feel and how they grow and develop throughout the story.
This book is an important conversation starter on navigating social media and friendships providing prompts for what it means to be a good friend, how to resolve conflict, and the importance of respecting others.
Starfish by Lisa Fipps
This brilliant novel in verse follows Ellie, a funny and bright twelve-year-old girl, who is bullied about her weight. To cope with the negative attention from her classmates and the constant pressure she feels from her mother, Ellie develops her own “Fat Girl Rules” to live by and finds solace floating weightlessly in her pool. Between the support of her father, therapist, and new friend Catalina, Ellie’s self-confidence grows until she is ready to shed her shame and own her beautiful self.
Nic Blake and the Remarkables (series) by Angie Thomas
Nic Blake and her dad belong to a hidden magical society called the Remarkables. They’ve been living undercover in the human world until Nic’s twelfth birthday, when a shocking betrayal sends her, her best friend, and the brother she never knew existed on a thrilling quest to find a powerful magical tool and uncover the truth about her past.
This fast-paced adventure masterfully blends African American history and folklore with mythology and magic. With rich world-building and relatable characters, it’s a powerful story of courage, identity, and the meaning of family.
The Remarkable Journey of Coyote Sunrise (series) by Dan Gemeinhart, 2019
This poignant story about a girl and her dad grappling with grief by driving across the country in an old school bus could not be more moving or beautiful! Coyote is such a hopeful and charismatic character you can’t help but love her. They meet many new friends in their journey who ultimately give Coyote the courage she needs to return home and face the grief she has been avoiding.
This is such a special story that will rock you to your core. I can’t wait to read the next book in the series Coyote Lost and Found.
Not an Easy Win by Chrystal D. Giles
Lawrence is having a hard time adjusting to his move from Charlotte to Larenville, NC. He’s struggling with shifting family dynamics and wort of all, gets expelled from school for fighting. When he becomes involved in a chess program at a local rec center, however, everything begins to change and Lawrence finds a fresh start. With authentic, complex characters grappling with issues of identity and resilience, this compelling story is a fantastic choice for tweens.
The Liars Society (series) by Alyson Gerber
This thrilling mystery featuring a secret society and a mysterious island is an absolute page turner. Told in alternating perspectives, the story follows Weatherby, a scholarship student navigating a new world of privilege, and Jack, a legacy student burdened by expectations. Each character hides their own secrets and are put to the ultimate test when they are challenged to solve the mystery of stolen money for a class trip or have their secrets exposed. With layers of suspense and intrigue, this gripping novel is a fun and fast-paced read for middle-grade mystery fans.
The Prettiest by Brigit Young
When a list ranking the prettiest girls in the 8th grade is shared, shy Eve is stunned to find herself at Number 1 while popular Sophie is outraged to be Number 2. Meanwhile, theater star Nessa couldn’t care less about the rankings until she sees how much the list affects her best friend Eve. In an unlikely alliance, the three girls join forces to expose the creator of the list.
This powerful, unputdownable book skillfully tackles bullying, objectification, and sexism while celebrating friendship and self-acceptance in an engaging and empowering way.
Skandar and the Unicorn Thief (series) by A.F. Steadman
Prepare to be thrust into a riveting world where unicorns exist, but they are fierce bloodthirsty creatures that bond with humans to unlock immense power. Skandar has always dreamed of being a Unicorn Rider, but when his opportunity finally comes, everything goes horribly wrong.
Forced to hide a dangerous secret, he must now uncover the truth behind an evil villain building a deadly unicorn army. Packed with action, mystery, and magic, this thrilling adventure will keep readers on the edge of their seats.
Aloneby Megan E. Freeman
This gripping survival story is utterly mesmerizing. Twelve-year-old Maddie craves a break from her chaotic family, but when she wakes up one morning to find her entire town evacuated due to a mysterious threat, she realizes she’s been accidentally left behind. 
Completely alone, Maddie must learn to survive, bravely facing natural disasters, looters, and wild animals. Told in powerful verse, this novel is impossible to put down.
The companion novel Away released earlier this year and I’ve been dying to read it. Told from multiple perspectives, it follows a group of children in an evacuation camp who sneak off to investigate the mysterious threat that upended their lives.
Freewater by Amina Lugman-Dawson
A Newbery and Coretta Scott King award winner, Freewater is the incredible story of a group of escaped slaves who start their own community in a swamp. With multiple points of view from characters who grow throughout the story, this survival tale is moving, exciting, and thought-provoking.
Restart by Gordon Korman
After hitting his head, Chase has amnesia and no memory of who he is. When he returns to middle school, he is surprised to find how different kids react to him in very polarizing ways. Some kids actually seem scared of him while others relish his athletic ability. Chase comes to understand that he once was a bully and now has the opportunity to change his ways while more fully understanding who he is at the core. This is a really interesting unique story that would be a good choice for a middle school book club.
The Mona Lisa Vanishes: A Legendary Painter, A Shocking Heist, and the Birth of a Global Celebrity by Nicholas Day, illustrated by Brett Helquist, 2023
This fascinating and highly entertaining nonfiction book informs readers about the mysterious theft of The Mona Lisa; a crime which ultimately made the painting the famous piece of art it is today. The story travels back and forth through time chronicling the events of the robbery as well as the life of Leonardo da Vinci. Eye-catching artwork is included making this clever and interesting story even more of a standout.
I cannot believe how much I enjoyed this book. It was fascinating, entertaining, and educational. I learned so much from it!
The Lightning Thief (Percy Jackson and the Olympians series) by Rick Riordan
Full of humor and action, this exciting series about Greek mythology has remained popular for years for good reason. When Percy Jackson is attacked by a harpy at a museum, his mother reveals that he is actually a demi-god and he is sent to Camp Half Blood to be with other children of Greek gods. He is quickly accused of stealing Zeus’ lightning bolt and embarks upon a quest to clear his name and stop a war among the gods. This is an exciting series that is perfect for reluctant readers.
Oppenheimer and the Atomic Bond by Kai Bird and Martin J. Sherwin, adapted by Eric S. Singer
History lovers will want to check out this young readers’ adaptation of the best-selling, American Prometheus that inspired the blockbuster film, Oppenheimer.
Filled with engaging photographs, this fascinating biography explores the life and work of physicist J. Robert Oppenheimer who created the Atomic Bomb during WWII. The book dives into Oppenheimer’s brilliance and his struggle with the moral implications of his work. The book covers a great deal of geopolitical issues, science, and ethical dilemmas giving readers a lot to think about.
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