By Lisa Batchelder-Hetrick
It’s time to grab a good book and head outside! No matter where you are, a book offers a change of scenery, and can truly soothe the soul. During the months of June through August, many students are impacted by a “summer slide,” which can set them up for challenges the next school year. One of the ways parents can avoid this summer slide is to encourage a love of reading by helping their children to choose fun and exciting books about topics they love, at a reading and comprehension level that is appropriate.
Reading during the summer months, when students are not usually involved in academic programs, can help students to retain learned content as well as reinforce reading and comprehension skills. Reading comprehension is a key part of the learning process. Often, students who read over the summer feel more confident going into the next school year and may perform better than peers who did not read over the summer months. Also, by creating and helping your child to follow a reading routine or schedule, you can help them to develop great reading habits! Parents looking for reading programs with more structure can check out programs like Read Naturally Live, Collaborative Summer Library Program, or check out what is happening at your local library.
Check out the list of children’s books below, which includes some new 2021 releases, as well as some classics, that will help your student start their summer reading fun! These books can be found anywhere books are sold, in-store and online.
Noodlephant, by Jacob Kramer
Noodlephant loves pasta—hence her nickname. When the kangaroos start making one unfair law after another, Noodlephant stands up for everyone’s right to enjoy pasta.
National Geographic Little Kids First Book of Where, By Jill Esbaum
Kids are always looking for answers and explanations. This book has answers to all of your curious kid’s questions!
Flashlight Night, By Matt Forrest Esenwine
One of the best parts of summer as a kid is staying up late and playing with a flashlight! These adventures will light up your kids’ imaginations on these warm summer evenings.
Big Brown Bear’s Cave, By Yuval Zommer
This book provides an opportunity to talk about chores, in this case cleaning out the garage (or attic or basement) during the summer break. Based on his observations of humans’ ‘caves,’ Big Brown Bear thinks he needs more stuff to make his own home feel cozy. But does he really?
Donut Feed The Squirrels, By Mika Song
Norma and Belly are hungry squirrels who desperately want a nut. A donut, that is! Join these two on their silly donut-driven adventures. This early-reader graphic novel is sure to keep kids laughing.
Pick Your Own Quest: Dragon vs. Unicorn, By Conner Hoover
Enjoy the latest in the The Pick Your Own Quest series! There is the opportunity to experience a new story each time you read.
West Meadows Detectives: The Case of Maker Mischief, By Liam O’Donnell and Aurélie Grand
This is the second book in a series starring Myron, a young detective who speaks openly about his autism in a positive way. Enjoy the story of how he works to find his classmate’s stolen robot.
Pea, Bee, & Jay: Stuck Together, By Brian “Smitty” Smith
These three unlikely friends find themselves in a situation where they have to stick together to reach their goal. Along the way they discover their friendship makes them stronger than ever!
Ellie, Engineer, By Jackson Pearce
Building a fort is a childhood right of passage. This girl-powered STEM story is about a neighborhood building project. Get out your tool belt and get ready to be inspired explore!
The Girl Who Drew Butterflies: How Maria Merian’s Art Changed Science, By Joyce Sydman
This is a true story about a woman who lived hundreds of years ago, and who dared to step out of her traditional female role to pursue her interests in science, insects, and art. Her illustrations changed the way scientists view the world of insects and how they change.
Spy School Revolution, By Stuart Gibbs
This is the latest in the series featuring superspy-in-training Ben Dash. Just when he is hoping to get his life back to normal, everything is turned upside down. He is tasked with proving that his friend Erica is not a double agent. In order to do so, he will have to track down an insurgent group that dates back to colonial times. Join Ben on this latest exciting adventure!
Hatchet, By Gary Paulsen
This is the first in the Hatchet series and tells the story of Brian Robeson’s survival in the Canadian wilderness. The story follows Brian’s journey living alone in the wild, and how he has to change his view on the world around him in order to stay alive.
Charlotte’s Web, By E.B. White
This classic story of friendship shows that no matter how big or small you are, you have the power to make a difference!
The Secret Garden, By Frances Hodgson Burnette
This story is about two selfish, disagreeable English cousins, Mary and Colin, whose lives and dispositions are transformed when they find their way into a locked, walled garden.
Great Expectations, By Charles Dickens
This story takes place during the mid-19th century and follows Pip, a young orphan in England’s marsh country. Along his journey of self-discovery, he learns the value of friendship, the power of romantic and familial love, and the ultimate meaning of wealth and material gain.
The Outsiders, By S. E. Hinton
This classic novel tells the story of Ponyboy Curtis and his family of rough-necks who live on the wrong side of town. Their story is rich with friendship, heartache, love, and violence. Even though they feel like outsiders in their own town, Ponyboy realizes that love and suffering feel the same no matter which side of town you’re from.
If your child is struggling with reading, you can learn more about how Lighthouse Learning Solutions addresses these challenges, and how we might be able to support your family, by contacting us or submitting a Learning Support Inquiry. Even if we can’t travel the world on a plane or in a car this summer, we can help our children explore the world through reading!
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