Whitby School's 2021 Essential Guide to Summer Reading

June 2021 | This Blog has been updated from when it was originally published in 2018.

I've always had a love for children's literature. The beauty, aesthetics, and messaging that come through in picture books are so poignant. Likewise, the complexity of stories written today for older children, in series and chapter books, can draw the reader into worlds of fantasy and other realities. The characters are so rich, and the empathy you develop in these stories truly helps you step outside of your own world.

Childhood is the time when a love of reading has the greatest opportunity to flourish. Over the summer especially, with more flexibility in schedules, it's easier to promote habitual reading in a more relaxed environment. Even a simple beach read is good for the soul. It's a relaxation tool and encourages children to take a pause in their lives and get lost in a story and in their own imagination.

Curating the 2021 Summer Reading List

When reading becomes more habitual and children actively choose books of interest, they are even more CH_reading invested and excited about the process of reading – which is what makes summer reading such a prime opportunity for parents and children alike.

In creating this book list, we took into consideration what we know children love, what teachers deem relevant, and what's recommended by the experts. The books on this list are inspirational, engaging, relevant, and challenging in their own right. As a starting point, we focused on "tried and true" favorites. Of course, there is an abundance of books that could be added, but at the heart of this list are the titles that children come to the Library to check out over and over again. And if 10 kids love them, we know others will love them too, since they are really the best critics.

Summer Reading Means Reading Together!

Be sure to read aloud with your child! Books read by an adult with expression, intonation, and fluency model what good reading sounds like. Children learn to read words first, and when they hear an adult stringing those words together to create meaning, they become motivated to do the same. Children who are read to also build valuable attention and listening skills.

Even as children get older, it is beneficial to continue to read aloud to them. In addition to modeling fluency, it builds vocabulary, stretches the imagination, and the time spent together sharing a good book will become a precious memory. Reading together further promotes a love of literature. After all, who isn’t captivated by hearing a good story? In addition, reading aloud to older children can provide an opportunity to grapple with difficult issues. Discussing books with your child not only improves comprehension but can help to build empathy, understanding, and problem solving around life’s challenges.

Finally, this guide is simply that – a guide – so don't be afraid to "read outside the lines." If you have a second grader, read something together from the 4th-grade list! If you have a first grader that is an emergent reader, spend some time supporting that child reading a “just right” book while also reading aloud a story with a more complicated plot. The motivation to become a more proficient reader will quickly follow if the love of reading is promoted early on.

Summer reading provides the voice and choice children need to set them on the road for a lifetime of reading. We hope you enjoy - happy reading!

2021 Essential Summer Reading Guide

Alphabet Books (PreK–Grade 1)	Phonics Based Books (PreK–Grade 1)	Picture Books (PreK–Grade 1)	Favorite Picture Books (PreK–Grade 1)
Easy Chapter Books (Grades 1–2)	Favorite Series (Grades 1–2)	Teachers Recommend (Grades 3–4)	Favorite Series (Grades 3–4)
Graphic Novels (Grades 3–4)	Teachers and Students Recommend (Grades 5–6)	Graphic Novels (Grades 5–6)	Middle School Summer Reading (Grades 5–8)
Teachers and Students Recommend (Grades 7–8)	Middle School Classics (Grades 7–8)	2018 Award Winners (PreK–Grade 8)	9th Grade Recommendations (All Ages)

Click for the Complete Summer Reading List.

Alphabet Books (PreK–Grade 1)

Our PreK through Grade 1 selection was purposefully organized by rhyming picture and alphabet books as each of these categories help lay the groundwork for children who are learning to read. Enjoying books together that emphasize the sounds in language develops a child’s letter knowledge and phonemic awareness (the ability to hear and manipulate sounds in spoken language). Both of these skills play a key role in reading development.

A Was Once an Apple Pie by Edward Lear

AlphaOops! The Day Z Went First by Alethea Kontis

The Day Z Went First by Alethea Kontis

Apple Pie ABC by Alison Murray

G is for Goat by Patricia Polacco

Whitby School's 2021 Essential Guide to Summer Reading

Curating the 2021 Summer Reading List

Summer Reading Means Reading Together!

2021 Essential Summer Reading Guide

Phonics Based Books (PreK–Grade 1)

Picture Books (PreK–Grade 1)

Favorite Picture Books (Grades 1–2)

Easy Chapter Books (Grades 1–2)

Favorite Series (Grades 1–2)

Teachers Recommend (Grades 3–4)

Favorite Series (Grades 3–4)

Graphic Novels (Grades 3–4)

Teachers and Students Recommend (Grades 5–6)

Graphic Novels (Grades 5–6)

Summer Community Read Books (Grades 5–8)

Teachers and Students Recommend (Grades 7–8)

Middle School Classics (Grades 7–8)

Award Winners

Reading Launch to High School - Recommendations

Alexis Ryan

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