Summer Reading

Mooshka, A Quilt Story

by Julie Paschkis

Karla loves her quilt Mooshka, sewn together with dozens of scraps of fabric, each tied to a family memory. And the best part is that when all is quiet, Karla can hear the quilt whispering each story. This book, full of vibrant illustrations with a folkish feel and simple, but evocative text, strikes the perfect balance of non-saccharine sweetness. A wonderful present for a child with a new sibling, but a memorable read for any preschooler on your list.

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by I.C. Springman, Illustrated by Brian Lies

Expressive illustrations and masterfully sparse text tell the story of one magpie with way too much stuff. Luckily, the magpie’s mice friends help him find out what it means to have “just enough”. This is at once a lighthearted book about a silly bird, and an important lesson about wants and needs.

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Scary Mary

by Paula Bowles

In this zany book written and illustrated by Paula Bowles, young readers find a bully of a bird learning a valuable lesson. While we don't know why Scary Mary acts as she does, we are treated to seeing how happy and playful the barnyard becomes once all the animals are friends.

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Mole's Babies

by David Bedford

This gentle story finds expectant father Morris the mole searching high and low for the secret to keeping babies happy. He watches the farm animals and tries to do what they do, all to no avail. Morris is defeated, but vows to carry on until he finds the answer. The text has a sing-songy cadence that will appeal to young listeners and encourage them to pantomime along with the main character. Fun for all readers, but particularly good for the soon-to-be big brother or sister.

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Chloe Instead

by Micah Player

This devastatingly sweet depiction of sisterly devotion brings comfort to parents who have recently brought home a new addition. The bright illustrations will fascinate kindergarteners and the conversational text, peppered with prime opportunities for dramatic play, make for a great read-aloud.

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Alphabet Everywhere

by Elliott Kaufman

In this engaging and delightful book, photographer Elliott Kaufman reveals the "secret" life of the alphabet through his photographs, showing how letters can be found in things we encounter everyday.

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Otto the Boy Who Loved Cars

by Kara Lareau

Otto is in love with autos. He wakes one day to find that he’s been transformed into his favorite thing. At first he’s delighted, but several days of zooming on the fringes of the playground leave Otto feeling empty. After hitting rock bottom, he awakes with a new perspective on his single-minded obsession.

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At the Boardwalk

by Kelly Ramsdell Fineman

Spend a lazy summer day enjoying the sights, sounds, and smells of the seashore...all from your favorite reading spot. This book’s lyrical, rhythmic text evokes the energy and joyful chaos of the boardwalk. The rich illustrations depict the diversity of activities, offerings, and people one might encounter on a typical afternoon stroll. The book’s clever rhyming scheme makes it a natural for reading aloud again and again, perhaps even on a car ride to the beach?

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Suryia and Roscoe: The True Story of an Unlikely Friendship

by Dr. Bhagavan Antle

What happens on the rare ocassion when an orangutan and a dog meet? In one case, they become best friends! This book uses journalistic-style writing and photography to tell the true story of Suryia the orangutan and her hound dog buddy, Roscoe. This sweet story of an odd pair is a perfect introduction to non-fiction.

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Water Sings Blue

by Kate Coombs, Illustrated by Meilo So

Despite gorgeous watercolors and elegant rhymes, this pretty book of kids poetry doesn’t take itself too seriously. For parents who’d love to try a collection of poems but want it served up with some wit and humor, we’d recommend this gem of hermit crab realtors and seas turtles who don’t stop for directions.

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How Many Jelly Beans

by Andrea Menotti, Illustrated by Yancey Labat

This delicious concoction gives kids a visual picture of what really big numbers look like, by presenting them in a format kids can understand... jelly beans! Bright illustrations and a sassy text add up to serious fun, with the final foldout a 1 million jelly bean extravaganza.

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Everything Butt Art at the Zoo

by Brian Snyder & Alexis Moniello

Who doesn’t love butts?! Kids and adults alike will have a blast flexing their drawing muscles with this hilarious art activity book where every drawing starts with a butt. Your child willl find step-by-step instructions for drawing 15 of your favorite zoo animals, along with fascinating fun facts about each of the animals, and activities like word searches and mazes. This playful book is the perfect way to keep your kids’ minds active over the summer while encouraging creativity and giving them some always-welcome giggle time.

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Tyrannosaurus Dad

by Liz Rosenberg, Illustrator Matthews Myers

From Tobias' vantage point, his father is larger-than-life and less than perfect. He's big and gruff and busy all the time. Tobias wonders if his dad will even notice or care when the day of the big game arrives. Rest assured, dad shows up in full effect. Turns out there's a loyal, loving, and fiercely protective guy underneath that crusty exterior.

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The Unforgotten Coat

by Frank Cottrell Boyce

When two Mongolian brothers inexplicably appear one morning in Julie's sixth grade class, no one, least of all Julie, knows what to do with them. But when Chingis, the older of the two brothers, proclaims Julie as their "Good Guide" - a nomadic tradition of welcoming strangers to a new land - Julie must somehow navigate them through soccer, school uniforms, and British slang, all while trying to win Shocky's attention and perhaps also an invitation to her friend Mimi's house. At times funny, this moving and simply told novella tugs at the heart-a unique story of immigration both fierce in its telling and magical in its characters.

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The Library Dragon

by Carmen Agra Deedy

Sunrise Elementary has landed a new librarian, and that’s not necessarily a good thing. Miss Lotta Scales, a dragon with a “burning love of books,” has taken fiery guard over the collection.

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Forget-Me-Nots: Poems to Learn by Heart

by Mary Ann Hoberman, IIlustrated by Michael Emberley

In this wonderful anthology of poems from classic and contemporary authors, former children’s poet laureate Mary Ann Hoberman presents poems that are accessible and downright fun to read aloud.

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Goofballs #2: The Startling Story of the Stolen Statue

by Tony Abbott, Illustrated by Colleen Madden

Meet Goofballs and best friends: Jeff, Brian, Kelly and Mara. They solve mysteries...goofball mysteries, that is (like the totally incredible pizza disaster). This is a great starter chapter book for kids looking for a little mystery and a lot of puns. Look for book three in fall of 2012!

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Tua and the Elephant

by R.P. Harris, Illustrated by Taeeun Yoo

Ten-year-old Tua—Thai for "peanut"—has everything she needs at home in Chiang Mai, Thailand, except for one thing she's always wanted: a sister. In the market one day, Tua makes an accidental acquaintance—one with wise, loving eyes, remarkable strength, and a very curious trunk. And when Tua meets Pohn-Pohn, it's clear this elephant needs her help. Together, the unusual team sets off on a remarkable journey to escape from Pohn-Pohn's vile captors.

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National Parks: A Kid’s Guide to America’s Parks, Monuments and Landmarks,

by Erin McHugh, Illustrated by Neal Aspinall

Got a kid who loves being outside? Nurture his love of nature with this adventurer’s guide to the great outdoors. Full of fun facts and colorful illustrations, this book features 127 of our national parks, monuments, historic sites and more.

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Those Rebels, John & Tom

by Barbara Kerley, Illustrated by Edwin Fotheringham

Biography meets history in this inventive look at two very different men who forged a collaboration that changed the course of American history. John Adams and Thomas Jefferson are depicted as wholly contradictory figures, save for a shared patriotism and desire for independence from Britain.

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Earthling!

by Mark Fearing & Tim Rummel

Bud caught the wrong bus to school; a galactic mistake! This graphic novel follows 9-year-old Bud as he gets tangled up in the wrong solar system. Luckily, there’s Gort McGortGort, who takes Bud under his wing. These two likeable characters are a blast to follow from one misadventure to the next. With some great vocabulary snuck in between colorful illustrations, this one is great for reluctant readers, comic book lovers and those that just like a good space adventure.

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Popular Clone

by M.E. Castle

Fisher Bas is an uber-geek: blame it on his genes. His mother is a Nobel-prize winning scientist and his dad is no science slacker either. Rather than take the harrowing world of middle school socializing on the chin, Fisher decides to clone himself, so he can stay home playing video games while his clone goes to school. Cool gadgets, a funny plot, and a compelling evil nemesis make this book a great choice for reluctant readers, both girls and boys, who will see themselves in Fisher’s struggle to fit in.

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Way Down Deep

by Ruth White

In this tender story of an orphan girl and the town that raised her, Ruth White delivers a book with soul. Little Ruby June was found on the courthouse steps in the whimsical town of Way Down Deep, West Virginia, and, under the tender loving care of a colorful cast of townspeople, grows into a kind and quick-witted girl. But, as Ruby June reaches adolescence, the mystery of how she arrived slowly begins to unravel. In learning the truth, she risks losing her own special place in Way Down. A fantastic read that takes you to the heart of a magical place.

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May B.

by Caroline Starr Rose

A daughter of the Kansas prairie, Mavis Betterly grew up in rough frontier conditions. Stranded alone in a run-down sod house, she must face a harsh winter by herself. Join May as she braves the unsettled plains of nineteenth century America, and battles her own inner struggles with loneliness and dyslexia.

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Basic Drawing Made Amazingly Easy

by Christopher Hart

True to its title, this book really does make drawing look easy by breaking objects down to their basic shapes, then layering in concepts of depth and shading. So, if you want summer material that will leave an impression, this is a great pick.

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Looking For Me

by Betsy R. Rosenthal

Set in Depression-era Maryland, the heroine of the story is 11-years-old and wedged in the middle of a big family. Edith’s search for identity is completely relatable to kids today, and because this novel is told in verse, it unburdens the reluctant reader from the daunting appearance of a block of text.

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Castle of Shadows

by Ellen Renner, Illustrated by Wilson Swain

Eleven-year-old Charlie is a mischievous girl. She is also the princess of Quale. But ever since her mother mysteriously disappeared and her father, the King, went mad, her life as a royal has never been quite right. When Charlie accidentally discovers a clue about her mother’s disappearance, she is bent on finding out the truth.

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The Adventures of Beanboy

by Lisa Harkrader

Diary of a Wimpy Kid...move over! This graphic novel leans more towards novel than graphic, paving the way for more text-heavy books, while interspersing comics to keep kids engaged. Its humor, about a superhero powered by the gas he passes, is perfect for 10-year-old boys who’ve outgrown Captain Underpants, but can still appreciate a gross guffaw.

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Gifts From The Gods

by Lise Lunge-Larsen, Illustrated by Gareth Hinds

Action-packed illustrations make this a novel of graphic proportions. It tells tales of Greek legends and gods, bringing pomp, circumstance and muscle to vocabulary enrichment.

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Wonder Show

by Hannah Barnaby

Fourteen-year-old Portia Remini has always felt a little different but safe in the arms of her gypsy family. After her father disappears, she winds up at MacGreavey’s Home for Wayward Girls. Upon her arrival, Portia has only two goals in mind: 1) Get out, and 2) Find her father. She trails a traveling circus and uses her gypsy storytelling techniques to talk her way into a spot in their employ. She is soon folded into their close-knit family of so-called “freaks,” where absolutely no one is normal by traditional standards. Teenage readers will find a refreshing female protagonist in Portia, a quick-witted and resilient heroine who doesn’t find a prince, but does live happily ever after.

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101 Ways to Become a Superhero...Or an Evil Genius

by Richard Horne and Helen Szirtes

There’s a reason why superhero movies are a staple at summer box offices…the want for superpowers is something kids (and many adults!) never outgrow. After taking in this summer’s crop of big-budget action flicks, your child can groom her superhero (or evil genius) alter-ego with the help of this handy how-to. Full of checklists, charts, and bulleted lists featuring ordinary household items and real-life training tactics, your kid will soon be on a journey from ordinary citizen to world-saving superhero or diabolical nemesis. Word of warning: Mild language may make it an iffy choice for readers on the younger end of the middle school spectrum.

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The Roar

by Emma Clayton

Ever since Mika’s twin sister Ellie vanished a year ago, his parents have been saying she’s dead. But Mika can still feel that twin connection they’ve always had, and he’s not convinced. In his world, all the humans live in a tiny habitable area, crowded and cowed, terrified of the animals that have been outlawed for fear of plague. Can kids fight the totalitarian regime and find out the truth? This gripping adventure pulses with excitement and sports well-written heroes of both genders. A heart-pounding summer read that can compete with a movie blockbuster!

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Gift

by Andrea J. Buchanan

Is your teen tired of the vampires and dystopian tales that have defined YA lit in recent years? Spark your high schooler’s imagination with this electrifying thriller, centered around mysterious protagonist Daisy Jones, the new girl in school with a secret, supernatural gift. When Daisy finds herself and her friends wrapped up in paranormal activity, it’s up to her to exercise control of her power before it’s too late. The fast-paced narrative and a killer twist at the end will leave your teen sneaking a flashlight under the covers, unable to unhinge herself from the story as the plot unravels. Note: Available only in Kindle edition at this time but will be available in paperback July 10, 2012.

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Miss Peregrine's Home for Peculiar Children

by Ransom Riggs

Fifteen-year-old Jacob is bored in his well-kept lifestyle, poised to take over the family drugstore chain, when his grandfather dies suddenly with Jacob on the scene. Armed with his grandfather’s cryptic last words, he sets sail for Europe, hoping to find out if the stories that his grandfather, a Holocaust survivor, told of growing up in a magical orphanage were true, or if they were just his way of coping with a traumatic past. Wisps of chilling secrecy cloud this creeping and ominous novel. Rumor has it there’s a movie in the works; encourage your teen to read this novel now, so that when the film version hits theaters she’ll have the chance to say, “I liked the book better.”

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Guy Langman, Crime Scene Procrastinator

by Josh Berk

Guy Langman is having trouble coping with the death of his father, or so his therapist says. In light of recent events, he doesn’t know if it’s a great idea for him to enroll in his school’s forensics team. But he soon shows a knack for unraveling mysteries, which comes in handy when a family heirloom is stolen from his home and then he and the Berry Ridge High Forensics Squad stumble upon an actual dead body. Snark, sarcasm and slapstick humor pervade in this uproarious farce that takes a refreshingly silly approach to the typical coming-of-age melodrama.

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Legend

by Marie Lu

With Hunger Games fever still running high, you might be looking for a follow-up to keep your teen reading this summer. Look no further than this dystopian fantasy. Set in the future where the former United States is now the Republic, a place where war is constant, you’ll recognize a lot of similarities with Hunger Games: wealthy and poor districts, military control, class warfare. But it’s the two extremely likeable main characters, one groomed for military greatness, the other born into poverty, that keep the fire going here, page after page. Watching their relationship transform and their suspicion for each other dissolve makes for super-charged summer reading.

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Best Shot in the West: The Adventures of Nat Love

by Patricia C. McKissack and Frederick L. McKissack, Illustrated by Randy Duburke

Saddle up for a dusty ride through the Wild West! Nat Love, formerly known as “Deadwood Dick,” was one of the best cowboys in the West. But now he is retired, and the Old West is gone. Relive some of his wild adventures as he tells some of the tales of his glory days working as a cattle herder. This graphic novel is beautifully illustrated and will take you back to the time of outlaws and sharpshooters. Beware of mildly violent content and racial slurs of the era.

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