5 Chapter Books Perfect for Summer Reading
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The Children’s Book Review
One of the best parts of summer is the extra time for reading! Reading by the pool, reading outside, time for book club, or staying up a little later for just one more chapter. Grab a picnic blanket, some sunscreen, and your favorite young readers because the following five outstanding books all offer quintessential summer reading experiences.
Maybe Maybe Marisol Rainey
Written and Illustrated by Erin Entrada Kelly
Ages 7-12 | 160 Pages
Publisher: Greenwillow Books | ISBN-13: 978-0062970428
Maybe Marisol Rainey is an incredible story that beautifully demonstrates the importance of personal growth and the value of a solid friendship. Eight-year-old Marisol Rainey is an endearing new character with an active imagination that, in her first story, offers readers a charming depiction of conquering fears. In Marisol’s backyard, there is a magnolia tree perfect for climbing. If only she could build the courage to climb the tree and discover the wonders hidden within its branches. Marisol has so many fears, but her greatest one is falling. Maybe she’ll climb the tree. Maybe!
There is so much to love about this book, including a strong sense of season with descriptions of hot summer days and carefree bike rides with friends. Highly Recommended.
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Pea, Bee, & Jay
Written and Illustrated by Brian “Smitty” Smith
Ages 6-10 | 64 Pages
Publisher: HarperAlley | ISBN-13: 978-0062981172
Is there anything more summer than strawberries and thunderstorms? Well, this early reader graphic novel has both of these. When a rascally strawberry dares Pea to roll all the way off the farm, and a thunderstorm sends him off course, Pea rolls right into two new friends: A know-it-all bee and a bird named Jay who cannot fly. Together, this unlikely trio may be able to help Pea find his way back home to the farm. This is a super fun choice for the emerging reader!
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Here in the Real World
Written by Sara Pennypacker
Ages 8-12 | 64 Pages
Publisher: Balzer + Bray | ISBN-13: 978-0062698957
An introvert seeking acceptance from his parents discovers meaningful friendship and a solid sense of himself in New York Times bestselling author Sara Pennypacker’s middle-grade novel, Here in the Real World. Ware’s plans to stay with his grandma for the summer come to an abrupt end when a bad fall lands her in the hospital. With his parents working double shifts to save enough money to buy the home they have rented for years, his mother insists that he attend the rec center summer camp.
Idealism and realism beautifully collide, making it an excellent choice for readers of books like Kate Dicamillo’s Because of Winn-Dixie and Katherine Paterson’s Bridge to Terabithia.
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Billy Miller Makes a Wish
Written and Illustrated by Kevin Henkes
Ages 8-12 | 192 Pages
Publisher: Greenwillow Books | ISBN-13: 978-0063042797
t’s summertime! Billy Miller makes a birthday wish, but after a series of particular events, he begins to regret that he’d ever made this wish. With his dad away at an art camp for adults and his best friend Ned on a family road trip, Billy is stuck spending time with his bothersome little sister—and even more so since his mom has been extra tired lately. Every day his dad is away, an unwanted and unexpected event takes place. Could these events be related to the wish? Can you take a wish back once it’s been made?
In true Kevin Henkes style, this story captures believable and relatable moments in a knowing, wise, and humorous way. Henkes knows his characters as well as he knows his audience. The theme of ‘family’ also makes it a wonderful book for parent and child to read together.
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A Whale of the Wild
Written by Rosanne Parry
Illustrated by Lindsay Moore
Ages 8-12 | 336 Pages
Publisher: Greenwillow Books | ISBN-13: 978-0062995926
It wouldn’t be a summer reading list without including at least one maritime adventure! Set in the Salish Sea, a pod of orca whales is searching for salmon—their source of sustenance—but with the changing seascape, salmon are becoming increasingly harder to find. When the pod experiences a family loss, followed by a devastating earthquake and tsunami, Vega and her brother Deneb find themselves separated from their kin. If they are to reunite with their family, Vega must assume her role as a Wayfinder to lead her brother to safety. She will need to lean into the accumulated wisdom the elders have been sharing with her if she and Deneb are to survive the ocean’s deep blue wilderness.
A Whale of the Wild is a poignant animal adventure that demonstrates the importance of coming together in a crisis. Readers will readily journey with the two siblings as they find their place among their kin.
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The article 5 Kids’ Books Perfect for Summer Reading was curated by The Children’s Book Review and sponsored* by HarperCollins. For similar books and articles, follow along with our content tagged with Chapter Book Series, Humorous Books, and Illustrated Chapter Books.
