It is easy to let reading fall by the wayside in the summer. But did you know that children who don’t read over the summer can lose up two or more months of reading achievement? Studies show that kids who read for fun often out-perform kids who don't.
Encourage your tween to pick up a book this summer with this short booklist to help keep them engaged and reading all season long.
- Wonder by R.J. Palacio - Wonder is getting ready to come out as a major motion picture in the fall, so read it first. It stars Auggie, a child with a deformity, and chronicles his journey to face middle school. This is a favorite of my fifth graders!
- Aim, Blue, and Comfort by Joyce Moyer Hostetter - Ms. Hostetter is a local author whose stories are based in Catawba county. Her three historical fiction books take us back to Hickory during World War II and the local polio epidemic. These books are a must read for any tween in our area!
- Graphic Novels - Graphic novels are popular with girls and boys alike right now, and most of these seem to be more geared toward one gender. A few recommendations for girls: Smile, Sisters, Babysitter’s Club, and Amulet. Some recommendations for boys: The Last Day on Earth, Bone, and Warriors.
- The City of Ember Series - This is dystopian fiction written at an appropriate level for elementary and middle school. The series follows two main characters, Lina and Doon, who make an effort to save their city. I use this book in my classroom, and the students love it.
- The Serafina Series - Asheville author Robert Beatty's trilogy is complete with the release of the third book this summer. Set at the historic Biltmore Estate, this thriller series follows a brave and unusual girl named Serafina as she solves the mysteries that occur around her to defeat evil forces and save her beloved home, those she loves and herself.
- Funny Books - Tweens love humor, especially school humor. There are several series that these kids love: Diary of a Wimpy Kid, Big Nate, and Hank Zipzer. These are easy reads for the reluctant reader.
Happy Reading!
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