Summer Reading List for Kids (Ages 5-12)

Recently I shared the method that we're using in my house to keep my kids reading over the summer, but I didn't really talk about which books we were using. There's so much out there - it's really hard to know what works and what kids will like, especially if you have to purchase books rather than utilize your library as many are still closed or not running at full capacity.

SO, I thought I'd share with you some of the books that I put in each of my kids' stacks.


The two most important things to consider are: variety and fun. There should be a range of reading levels, lengths, genres, and topics, as well as some books that feel like pure entertainment to your kids. Getting exposure to the written word is what counts - even if they're reading the same graphic novels and comic books on repeat. It helps them develop a love of learning and curiosity that encourages them to choose books over other activities or in times of boredom. Over the years, I've watched my 11 year old become fascinated by the knowledge within books by catering to his interests and praising him for his efforts. He was mostly disinterested when he was younger. It works!

Here are a few things in each of their stacks:


Jake's Pile (6 Years, Starting 1st Grade)
Eli, no! by Katie Kirk (this is his favorite book and he can read it largely himself)
Go, Dog. Go! by P.D. Eastman (this book is almost 100% sight words so a great one to practice with!)
Biscuit by Alyssa Satin Capucilli (very easy to grasp, just a couple words to sound out)
The Berenstains' B Book (he needs a little help, very repetitive, but a good one)
The Fat Cat Sat On The Mat by Nurit Karlin (lots of sight words and rhyming, needs help in some places)

Some we read together:
Lunch by Denise Fleming (he can read some of it with me)
The Giving Tree by Shel Silverstein
My Book of Rocks and Minerals (his favorite topic)



Henry's Pile (9 Years, Starting 4th Grade)
Press Start! Series by Thomas Flintham
Mighty Robots Series by Dav Pilkey
Dog Man Series by Dav Pilkey
I Survived Series by Lauren Tarshis (Luke loved these)
Anything about Sonic the Hedgehog
The Undead Pets Collection by Sam Hay
The Keymaster's Quest by Jason Lethcoe


Luke's Pile (11 Years, Starting 6th Grade)
The Hardy Boys Series by Franklin W Dixon (he loves these!)
The BFG by Roald Dahl
Walk Two Moons by Sharon Creech
Hatchet by Gary Paulsen (he warns that this one was a little unsettling to him)
Chains by Laurie Halse Handerson
The Turtle of Oman by Naomi Shihab Nye
Harry Potter & all the extras - The Cursed Child, Fantastic Beasts & Where To Find Them, Tales of Beedle the Bard (he finished the series and is enjoying working through the extras now - and yes I'm looking past the JK drama for the sake of literacy)


This isn't everything in their box, just some favorites and some that I recommend after they seem to work well for my guys.

I know that these lists are very boy-centric but I don't at all think that any of these books are just for boys. That's why I didn't title this post that way - books are for everyone!! But obviously, just know that I didn't have any typically girly books, so if your young reader prefers them you may want to do some more digging!

Let me know if you've got any other suggestions, and happy book hunting!



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