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Celebrate the Sunshine With Summer Books
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Explore the Best Kids' Summer Reads
Summer is the perfect time to inspire young readers with stories of adventure, friendship, discovery, and fun. Whether you’re looking to build a middle grade summer reading list, encourage independent reading, or find the perfect picture book for bedtime, our collection of kids summer reads has something for every child. Dive into our handpicked books and explore exciting new worlds, laugh-out-loud stories, and sweet tales of summer magic. Ready to buy kids summer books online? Start here!
Summer Picture Books for Young Readers
For little ones just starting their reading journey, summer-themed picture books can spark a love of stories and encourage reading together. These books capture the energy and wonder of the season, from days at the beach to backyard adventures.
- Pete the Cat Screams for Ice Cream! – Follow Pete the Cat as he cools off with a delicious treat, perfect for fans of fun and silly summer adventures.
- Bluey: The Beach: A Lift-the-Flap Book – Ideal for interactive storytime, this lift-the-flap book lets kids join Bluey on a sandy seaside adventure.
- Summer Song – Celebrate the sounds, sights, and feelings of summer in this beautifully illustrated read-aloud.
- Hot Dog: – Take a city pup to the shore in this Caldecott-winning story of summer escape and the joys of slowing down.
- Beach Bummer – Laugh along as Bruce the bear endures (and maybe even enjoys) a not-so-perfect day at the beach.
- And Then Comes Summer – This gentle, lyrical book captures all the small moments that make summer special, from lemonade stands to bike rides.
- Summer: A Solstice Story – Perfect for curious minds, this story explores the science and magic behind the longest day of the year.
Early Readers & Skill-Building Summer Stories
Keep reading skills sharp over the break with engaging stories that build confidence and imagination. These books are great for independent readers or shared reading sessions.
- Pete the Cat: Pete at the Beach – Early readers will love following Pete as he finds the courage to try something new at the beach.
- I Spy A Dinosaur's Eye (Scholastic Readers) – Turn reading into a game with this fun seek-and-find book, perfect for car trips or rainy summer days.
- How to Catch a Daddysaurus – Kids will giggle as they set clever traps and chase down a dinosaur-sized dad in this playful, rhyming story.
- When You Can Swim – Inspire confidence in young swimmers with this poetic celebration of water, ideal for summer pool days.
- Together We Swim – A reassuring story for kids learning to swim, emphasizing family support and the excitement of new skills.
Middle Grade Summer Reading List: Adventure and Friendship
For tweens and middle grade readers, summer is a chance to lose themselves in longer stories that challenge, entertain, and inspire. Our middle grade summer reading list is packed with unforgettable characters and page-turning adventures.
- The One and Only Family – Return to the beloved world of Ivan the gorilla in this heartfelt tale about the meaning of family and belonging.
- The Last Comics on Earth: Too Many Villains!: From the Creators of The Last Kids on Earth – Fast-paced, funny, and packed with monsters, this graphic novel is perfect for reluctant readers and fans of wild adventures.
- The Last Last-Day-of-Summer – Time-bending, hilarious, and mysterious, this book takes readers on a wild ride through the most epic last day of summer.
- The Penderwicks: A Summer Tale of Four Sisters, Two Rabbits, and a Very Interesting Boy – A modern classic about siblings, friendship, and summer adventures at a grand old estate.
- Thimble Summer – Set in rural Wisconsin, this Newbery Medal winner follows a girl’s magical summer filled with hope and discovery.
- Fairyopolis – Dive into the enchanting world of fairies with beautiful illustrations and interactive surprises, perfect for imaginative readers.
Summer Chapter Books: Friendship, Fun, and Classic Tales
Long days and warm nights are made for getting lost in chapter books. Explore timeless stories of friendship, summer camp, and childhood adventures that will leave kids turning pages well past bedtime.
- A Camping Spree With Mr. Magee – Join Mr. Magee and his dog Dee on a camping trip full of unexpected mishaps and delightful illustrations.
- Carl's Summer Vacation (Carl) – Follow Carl the dog as he embarks on a secret summer adventure while the humans nap, sure to charm animal lovers.
- Molly Saves the Day (American Girl) – Celebrate teamwork and bravery as Molly faces the challenges of summer camp with her friends.
- Baby-Sitters' Summer Vacation – The Baby-sitters Club takes on summer camp, bringing humor, friendship drama, and plenty of summer fun.
- The World Belonged to Us – Experience a nostalgic, joyful look at city kids making the most of summer freedom and neighborhood games.
Nonfiction & Learning: Summer as a Season of Discovery
Summer isn’t just about relaxation—it’s also a time to explore new interests and learn about the world. These nonfiction books make learning feel like an adventure.
- What Are the Summer Olympics? – Curious kids can travel the globe and learn about the history, athletes, and excitement of the Summer Olympic Games.
Fun Ways to Encourage Summer Reading
Building a love of reading is easier when it feels like play. Here are a few creative ways to make the most of these kids summer reads:
- Host a family book picnic in the park or backyard with a stack of favorite titles.
- Set a summer reading challenge—reward progress with a Read & Color Tracker or summer coloring page to mark every book finished or reading milestone reached.
- Let kids pick out their own books—from magical fairy adventures to comic-style action—to foster independence and excitement.
- Pair books with real-life activities, like reading When You Can Swim before a day at the pool.
Shop and Save: Buy Kids Summer Books Online with ThriftBooks
Finding the best kids summer reads is easy and affordable at ThriftBooks. Our selection is always growing, with gently used and new books for every age and interest. Whether you’re stocking up for summer break, planning a road trip, or building a middle grade summer reading list, you’ll discover a world of stories to keep kids reading all season long. Browse our collection now and let your child’s summer adventure begin!
