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Watch my feature on The Best Summer Books for Kids on Studio 5 here!
Summer reading is where the magic happens. This is when kids can really dive deep into books and develop a love for reading by choice, outside the classroom. These books are ones my 9 and 11-year-old return to again and again.
1. Blended by Sharon Draper:
This is the newest book by one of my daughter’s favorite authors, Sharon Draper, who also wrote Out Of My Mind. In Blended, 11-year-old Isabella learns to navigate the waters of having parents of different races, and splitting time between them when they get divorced. It’s a beautiful story of how Isabella finds wholeness.
2. Waste of Space by Stuart Gibbs:
My kids LOVE anything by Stuart Gibbs. The Moon Base Alpha series is one of their favorites.
3. I Am Malala: Young Readers Edition by Malala Youfsafzi:
This is the true story of Malala, who stood up for education for girls and was targeted and shot by the Taliban for it. She miraculously survived, and her story is such an inspiration for standing up for what you believe in against all odds.
4. Real Friends by Shannon Hale:
I am a longtime fan of Shannon Hale (and definitely fangirled when I heard her speak then met her at a writing conference). Her autobiographical Friends graphic novel series is one of my favorites. She confronts things like anxiety, the ups and downs of friendship, and the solace she finds in writing. My kids read and re-read these and can’t wait for book three to come out this summer!
5. Ground Zero by Alan Gratz:
My oldest daughter especially cannot put these historical fiction novels down. I love that they teach her history through the eyes of an engaging fictional character. This is the newest (and my daughter’s favorite) in the series.
6. Loom Siblings Journal by Promptly Journals:
If you’re looking for a way to help your kids get along and be entertained this summer, you might love this journal I created with Promptly Journals. We filled it with fun journaling prompts and all sorts of activities to provide hours of screen-free entertainment. Perfect for road trips, airplanes, and church!
