Summertime and the Reading is Easy

by Deborah Salyer

At the end of a more difficult-than-expected year is the promise of a time of renewal, refreshment, and relaxation—Summertime! With many school doors closing, perhaps you are off to the beach or some other destination. Wherever we go, there is nothing like the simple pleasure of reading a book—just for fun. 

With that in mind, here are some titles to consider popping into your travel bag or perhaps, onto your shopping list. And remember with new school budgets opening up on July 1, the sooner you present your wish list—ready-to-purchase—the more likely you are to receive new books in time for fall. 

Elementary Reads (but don’t miss these—no matter what you teach)

Meet Sydney and Taylor Explore the Whole Wide World by Jacqueline Davies and Deborah Hocking. Two unlikely friends—a skunk and a hedgehog—brave the wilds of Miss Nancy’s backyard, looking for an adventure. 

If you haven’t seen Our Hedgehog Friend--The Story of Us by Lauren Castillo, look for it. Mutty is blown off an island and it will take a new circle of friends to find him. A modern-day classic, you’ll finish the story in anticipation of the sequel. 

When the air is hot and you find yourself wishing for the coolness of winter (it will be “winter” somewhere), grab a glass of lemonade and read Cornbread & Poppy by Matthew Cordell. Matt debuts his first early reader series about two mice preparing for the winter, sort of a grasshopper and the ants with a twist. 

For a modern-day story, try a new series, Knight of the Cape by Terry Catasus Jennings and Fátima Anaya. With four titles published since its launch in 2021, readers can quickly fill out their dance card—or library card, I suppose.

Middle Grade Reads

B. B. Alston’s Amari and the Night Brothers launched a new trend—magical girls of color—a Harry Potter meets Men in Black with a female lead. Amari must win a spot in a magical school in order to find her brother before time runs out.  Look for the sequel to release in August. In the meantime, try Dhonielle Clayton’s middle grade debut The Marvellers. Eleven-year-old Ella Durand is the first Conjuror to attend the Arcanum Training Institute, a school of magic in the clouds where Marvellers from around the world practice their cultural arts, like brewing Indian spice elixirs and bartering with pesky Irish pixies. For a male protagonist, try Cameron Battle and the Hidden Kingdoms by Jamar J. Perry—another middle grade debut. 

Coming in August,  A Taste of Magic by J. Elle. Here’s what the author says about the story. 

“And after the last couple years it feels like we’re all eager to find something that warms us up inside like buttery chocolate cookies. I wanted A Taste of Magic to be a book that makes you grin without even realizing it. It’s full of heart and laugh out loud funny. Think delightfully cute, like A Snicker of Magic by Natalie Lloyd. Peek at the first page and meet Kyana. You’ll see what I mean.”--Jess Elle

For adventure and world travel—right from the comfort of your reading spot—consider James Ponte’s City of Spies series. Book Three, Forbidden City, was just released and in Book Two, Golden Gate, our young spies visit San Francisco. Zachary Ying and and the Dragon Emperor by Xiran Jay Zhao is being called “Percy Jackson meets Tristan Strong” in this hilarious, action-packed adventure as a young boy as he journeys across China to seal the underworld shut and save the mortal realm.

Teen Reads— you might read the Middle Grade suggestions too! 

What does it mean to stay in love? Incredibly timely, Benjamin Alire Sáenz reunites us with beloved characters in Aristotle and Dante Dive into the Waters of the World. (Might need a tissue or two.) 

For adventure, try Ballad & Dagger. Rick Riordan presents Daniel José Older's music-and-magic-filled YA urban fantasy about two teens who discover each other and their powers during a political battle within a unique diaspora community. You can

can’t go wrong with Maggie Stiefvater for a rousing read. This year she has Bravely, based on the Disney princess, Merida, who has one year to save everything she loves. 

If you need more ideas for summer reading, check out the lists at TeachingBooks or make your own. Then create bookmarks to distribute to your students.  What are you reading this summer? Let the sharing begin! 

About the contributor: Deborah Salyer is a long-time lover of children’s and YA lit. Her seminars and workshops have created piles of books to be read on nightstands from the east to west coasts. She’s also the CA Implementation Specialist for TeachingBooks and a senior presenter at BER.org for What’s New in Children’s Books, K-6. She’s been a member of CSLA since 2001.