The Best Summer Books For Your Whole Family

2020 Summer Reading

“There is no frigate like a book to take us lands away.” —Emily Dickinson

This summer, there will be less trips to the pools, parks, and museums. But that’s okay, because our family has some amazing trips planned this summer: Hogwarts with Hermoine, Prince Edward Island with Anne, and Arundel Cottage with The Penderwicks. We’re busy!

I’ve put together a list of the best summer reads from picture books through adult. I’ve included a few titles in this post, but it’s just a sampling of what’s on the full Summer Reading List. Choose your faves and make your own literary travel list.

Picture Books

Everyone Loves Cupcake by Kelly DiPucchio: We love this book—humorous, witty, lots of puns, fun illustrations. And a great message about being yourself.

Maps by Aleksandra and Daniel Mizielinski: This has been a longtime favorite at our house and is at the top of the list for a reason. There are beautiful, detailed illustrations on every page featuring countries and the people, cultures, animals, food, languages, and geography that make them special.

The Incredible Book Eating Boy by Oliver Jeffers: We love this book. Wonderful illustrations and it’s so funny. Henry doesn’t like to read books, he likes to eat them!

What Do You Do with a Chance? by Kobi Yamada: (and with an Idea and a Problem). This book explores the idea of taking a chance and having courage. The entire series is great! Definitely worth buying the set.

You Matter by Christian Robinson: An inspiring book about dealing with difficulties and feelings and a message that every person matters.

Intermediate Readers

Amelia Bedelia by Herman Parish: Who doesn’t love Amelia Bedelia? Herman Parish, the nephew of Peggy Parish who brought us the picture book series, has created a series of chapter books featuring Amelia as a young girl. Just as clever and funny as the original!

Lunch Lady Series by Jarrett J. Krosoczka: In these graphic novels, the superhero is the school lunch lady! When justice needs to be served, she’s there to save the day. Funny and clever. Great for reluctant readers.

Mercy Watson to the Rescue by Kate DiCamillo: Bright illustrations and funny stories about the cutest little pig. My kids can’t get enough of this series!

Narwhal: Unicorn of the Sea by Ben Clanton: Narwhal and Jelly are a delightful duo who explore the ocean. Very funny and my kids love it. There’s a whole series to love.

The BFG by Roald Dahl: Roald Dahl is hands-down my favorite children’s chapter book author. His imagination can’t be beat, and this is my favorite of his books.

Middle Grade

Roll of Thunder, Hear My Cry by Mildred D. Taylor: Set in Mississippi during the Great Depression—this is a classic read and very timely.

The Boy, the Mole, the Fox, and the Horse by Charlie Mackesy: A middle grade book that will appeal to all ages. A beautiful exploration of love, friendship, and kindness that will give you a lot to discuss with your children.

The Penderwicks by Jeanne Birdsall: A story about four sisters on their summer break, finding all sorts of delightful things. This one makes a great read-together book.

The War that Saved My Life by Kimberly Brubaker Bradley: This is a Newbery Honor book and winner of so many well-deserved awards. The theme is courage and kindness during World War II.

Wishtree by Katherine Applegate: A beautiful story told from the point of view of a tree, its message is one of acceptance, compassion, and inclusion.

Young Adult

Strange the Dreamer by Laini Taylor: Laini Taylor is a master of metaphors and character and world-building. This story really drew me in and was such a fun escape novel. There’s a sequel, too!

The Goose Girl by Shannon Hale: A wonderful book whether you’re a kid or an adult. It’s a beautifully woven re-telling of a German fairytale. Anything Shannon Hale writes is magic! You may recognize her as the author of Austenland or The Princess Academy.

Waterfall by Lisa T. Bergren: A fun mom-read and a good clean teen read, too. This is the first book in a series and has all the things I live: time-travel, adventure, and romance.

Everything, Everything by Nicola Yoon: More than just a story about first love. This one will give you all the feels.

Stamped: Racism, Antiracism, and You by Ibram X. Kendi and Jason Reynolds: A young adult version of Stamped from the Beginning, an important discourse on race. I wish I’d read it when I was a teen.

Adult

Just Mercy: A Story of Justice and Redemption by Bryan Stevenson: The true stories of a lawyer who helped people wrongly convicted on death row. It really opened my eyes to the injustices of our justice system. This is an important book.

My Lady Jane (audio version) by Cynthia Hand, Brodi Ashton, and Jodi Meadows: This parody on the classic story of Lady Jane Grey is so unexpected and hilarious. The narrator is PERFECT. Reading this book would not have the same effect. This story is so witty and has historical accuracy, which had me looking up the true story of Lady Jane. I definitely like this book’s version better than the real one.

The Lost Queen by Signe Pike: I am officially a Signe fangirl. Her writing is fantastic (she was a former editor at Penguin) and she shares my love for all things Celtic and Scottish. The Lost Queen is the story of an actual queen who reigned in sixth-century Scotland, who was also the sister of the man, Myrddin, who the tales of Merlin were based on. This story made me feel like I was immersed in the world of 1500s Scotland and I didn’t want to come back. (The audio version was fantastic!)

The Forgotten Garden by Kate Morton: This book is among my top three all-time favorite novels. A beautifully woven tale of mystery, love and self-discovery.

Unbroken by Laura Hillenbrand: From delinquent to an Olympic athlete, to surviving a bomber crash into the Pacific Ocean, Louis Zamperini is an inspiring example of courage, hope, and tenacity. A good couples read too.

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