The Best Summer Books for Striving Readers

The start of summer may signal “pencils down” to students, but it’s no time to close the books. For reluctant readers who struggle to sit with a story, or whose attention is easily distracted by the packed schedule of the school week, summer is a chance to slow down and acquaint themselves with the types of books and topics they’re interested in. 

With the just-right book, your child will discover characters like themselves in relatable situations. This is how popular book series captivate readers: by immersing them in richly drawn worlds with a lovable cast of characters who are always facing new challenges. Once your child finds the first book in a series that’s right for them, they’ll devour the other installments. 

Graphic novels, too, can help with the transition from picture books to longer chapter books that feature more complex story lines. 

By taking advantage of the freedom of summer — and a wide variety of books — your child will develop a love of reading that keeps their skills fresh. Here are the top expert-recommended summer reading books for striving readers. 

Adventuresome Books for Striving Readers

Avery Lieske, a 3rd grade teacher in Alabama, recommends finding books that mirror your child’s summertime experiences if you want them to read. 

“If your family is going on an exciting vacation, you can find a book set in that destination and read it together with your child,” she says. (Here’s why it’s important to read with your child every day.)

One of the hallmarks of a great kids’ book is that they make children feel seen. When your child finds a character they can relate to, they’ll want to read on to see what happens. 

“If a child is going to summer camp, you can find a book about a child who goes to summer camp,” Lieske says. “This gets them excited to go while also building background knowledge and preparing them for their summer adventure.”

Lieske’s top picks for striving readers this summer include the Magic Tree House series. Combining time travel and adventure, the Magic Tree House series follows siblings Jack and Annie as their passion for books transports them to ancient Egypt, the Middle Ages, and beyond. Your child will love these hugely popular books, which combine simple language and rich illustrations to build reading confidence.

High-Interest Book Series for Striving Readers 

Jaclyn Pearson, a 1st grade teacher in Illinois, says striving readers will find success with books that pair engaging story lines with simple text.

“High-interest text is going to be a parent's best friend during the summer,” she says. “Find topics, authors, and series that kids love to gravitate toward in order to entice your child to read daily.”

You can give your child an edge for the school year ahead by choosing books with text they can decode easily but which contains multisyllabic vocabulary that’s new to them, Pearson says. (Here are more tips for improving your child’s literacy skills while school is out.)

Pearson’s picks for striving readers this summer include Lucille Calandro’s There Was an Old Lady books; David Shannon’s No, David! series; Aaron Blabey’s The Bad Guys and Pig the Pug series; and Jory John’s award-winning picture books, which include The Good Egg, Couch Potato, and The Smart Cookie.  

Each of these book series features a signature sense of humor and mischief that will delight children. (Here’s why funny books are a hit with young readers.) Plus, The Bad Guys has recently been adapted into a feature film.  

Fun, Fact-Filled Books for Striving Readers

Kindergarten teacher Brian Smith of North Carolina believes summer reading should be fun above all else.

“That means finding books at a child’s reading level that are related to their current intense interests,” he says. This way, kids will want to read and be able to understand the meaning behind it.

When children love what they read, they read more frequently, which builds fluency — the ability to read quickly and smoothly.

The easy-to-read Fly Guy Presents and What If You Had… series turn readers into explorers. Engaging topics in nature, biology, and other subjects are introduced through bold illustrations and surprising facts. Two standout titles, Fly Guy Presents: Insects and What If You Had…an Animal Tongue?, are sure to be popular entries in your child’s summer reading list.

Smith suggests parents ask two questions when choosing books for their striving reader:

• Are the words able to be decoded by the child?
• Are the high-frequency and sight words used in the book on the reader’s level? 

“This can be a lot for a parent to think about, but it’s super important that students not only read over the summer but are reading successfully,” Smith says.

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