Summer is a Great Time to Read!

Looking for an excuse to relax with a good book this summer? Here are three great reasons:

1. A good book makes a great summer companion — lounging poolside or in a hammock. It even reduces stress!
2. Summer learning loss is a real risk. Reading is an excellent way to fight it.
3. Reading not only stimulates your child’s brain and helps them develop better speech skills, it can actually help your relationship and improve their concentration. Even 5 minutes a day is an investment in your child, and you!

Now that you have plenty of “excuses” to read, we’re making it even easier with this helpful list of recommended summer reading for the whole family. 

For preschool kids
A wordless picture book your little one is sure to enjoy, The Lion and the Mouse by Jerry Pinkney is a Caldecott Award-winning adaptation of one of Aesop’s most popular fables. It’s a story of compassion and kindness.

For early elementary-aged readers
Who Says Women Can’t Be Doctors? by Tanya Lee Stone. This brightly-illustrated picture book tells the story of Elizabeth Blackwell, the first female to earn a medical degree in the United States. Inspiring, clever and true.

For upper elementary kiddos
From the author of Because of Winn-Dixie comes a funny and poignant tale, Flora & Ulysses: The Illuminated Adventures. What’s not to love about a book that introduces a main character who receives superhero strength after being sucked up by a quirky neighbor’s huge vacuum cleaner?

For your favorite middle schooler
The Misadventures of Max Crumbly 2: Middle School Mayhem
Your middle schooler is sure to love the next installment of the Max Crumbly series from New York Times’ bestselling Dork Diaries author Rachel Renee Russell. Haven’t read the first one? Pick up Locker Hero, then shoot to finish both this summer!

For high school students
Is your child a fan of Veronica Roth? If they loved the Divergent series, they should check out Carve the Mark, or Chosen Ones released in 2020. Even better, read a free sample of this science-fiction fantasy here.

If one book just isn’t enough, how about a summer reading challenge? Here’s a helpful list of challenges your children can enroll in — many with fun rewards or free books.