Summer Reading, Some Are Not
Tips, Tricks and Lists from the Village Library Team
Summer is here, and we can’t believe we are finished with another year of school library visits, hundreds of read-alouds, and thousands of books being checked out by Village students! And while getting or keeping kids reading over the summer can be anxiety-provoking for families, especially if those kids don’t yet love to read or find reading difficult, we are here to tell you — don’t worry! There’s plenty you can do to encourage summer reading.
We also have a list of great new books that have been recently published or are due to come out soon — read on!
Stress-Free Summer Reading Tips
- Sign up for your public library’s summer reading program.
- Bookstores also have summer reading programs.
- Remember, whether they are reading classics, comics, magazines, graphic novels, how-to books, or books on a favorite sport or hobby, the fact that kids ARE reading is most important.
- Read Together.
- Books with movies.
- Starting a new series or continuing a series is a great way to keep kids reading all summer!
At the Santa Clara County Public Library, you get a free book just for signing up and another for finishing the program, and you also get entered in a prize raffle. Hurry over to the Campbell branch (or your closest branch) while supplies last! There are also special events all summer.
Santa Clara County Library Summer Reading
San Jose Public Library Summer Learning
Los Gatos Public Library Summer Reading
Books Inc. Beach Blanket Book Bingo
Choice is key in encouraging enjoyment of reading over a lifetime. As one example of something adults sometimes have concerns about regarding kids’ reading choices, here’s just a little information about the (hugely popular) format of graphic novels:
The Research Behind Graphic Novels and Young Learners
Sit side by side and read while your child reads, to model what you want for them (did you know that adults can also sign up for summer reading programs?). Or read aloud to them. Even older kids get tremendous benefit from being read to, and you’d be surprised how much you might enjoy contemporary elementary and middle grade fiction. Older kids can also read aloud to younger siblings, to the benefit and enjoyment of both. Last, you can listen to audiobooks together, whether driving around town or on road trips.
Your child’s interest may be piqued by reading a book that has a movie to go with it, whether they read the book first and then watch the movie, or vice versa.
Recent and Upcoming Books
Books for grades K–2 (If not yet published, release dates in parenthesis)
I’m Worried by Michael Ian Black, Illustrated by Debbie Ridpath Ohi
Llama Destroys the World by Jonathan Stutzman, Illustrated by Heather Fox
Bikes for Sale by Carter Higgins, Illustrated by Zachariah OHora
Bear Came Along by Richard T. Morris, Illustrated by LeUyen Pham
The Last Peach by Gus Gordon
Nobody Hugs a Cactus by Carter Goodrich
The Little Guys by Vera Brosgol
Sweety by Andrea Zuill
1,2,3 Jump! by Lisa H. Detlesfen, Illustrated by Madeleine Valentine
Be a Maker by Katey Howes, Illustrated by Elizabet Vukovic
Another by Christian Robinson
Tomorrow Most Likely by Dave Eggers, Illustrated by Lane Smith
Camp Tiger by Susan Choi, Illustrated by John Rocco
The Truth About Crocodiles: Seriously Funny Facts about Your Favorite Animals (The Truth About Your Favorite Animals Series) by Maxwell Eaton III
Juana & Lucas: Big Problems by Juana Medina
Dandy by Ame Dyckman, Illustrated by Charles Santoso
If I Was the Sunshine by Julie Fogliano, Illustrated by Loren Long
The Pigeon Has to Go to School! by Mo Willems (July 2nd)
Goodbye, Friend! Hello, Friend! by Cori Doerrfeld (July 2nd)
Books for Grades 2/3–5 (If not yet published, release dates in parenthesis)
Unicorn Bowling by Dana Simpson
Share Your Smile: Raina’s Guide to Telling Your Own Story by Raina Telgemeier
Bummer in the Summer! by Dan Guttman
Spy School: British Invasion by Stuart Gibbs
A Wolf Called Wander by Roseanne Parry
Shouting at the Rain by Lynda Mullaly Hunt
Toby’s Story by W. Bruce Cameron
The Last Kids on Earth Survival Guide by Max Brailler
5 Worlds: The Red Maze by Mark Siegel, Alexis Siegel and others
The Worst Book Ever by Elise Gravel
Endling: The First by Katherine Applegate
The Strangers: Greystone Secrets #1 by Margaret Peterson Haddix
The Library of Ever by Zeno Alexander
The 104 Story Treehouse by Andy Griffiths
Finding Orion by John David Anderson
Other Words for Home by Jasmine Warga
Epic Athletes: Stephen Curry by Dan Wetzel and Zeke Pena
Epic Athletes: Alex Morgan by Dan Wetzel and Cory Thomas
Jada Sly, Artist & Spy by Sherri Winston
New Kid by Jerry Craft
Pie in the Sky by Remy Lai
Nico Bravo and the Hound of Hades by Mike Cavallaro
Summer of a Thousand Pies by Margaret Dilloway
The Startup Squad by Brian Weisfeld and Nicole C. Kear
Knights Vs. Monsters by Matt Phelan
The Last Last-Day-of-Summer by Lamar Giles
The Bad Guys: The Big Bad Wolf by Aaron Blabey (June 25th)
Nikki Tesla and the Ferret-Proof Death Ray (Elements of Genius #1) by Jess Keating (July 9th)
Wings of Fire: The Poison Jungle by Tui Sutherland (July 30th)
Dog Man: For Whom the Ball Rolls by Dav Pilkey (August 13th)
Former Village Voice articles with recommendations on summer reading, from students and the library team:
Book Recommendations for Kids, by Kids
Summer Reading Lists from the Library Team (2015)
Have a wonderful summer, and happy reading! We look forward to seeing your kids in the Village Library next year. Also, follow us on Twitter at @villagereads to see what the school librarians are finding and reading this summer.
