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 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
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
Click for the complete summer reading list.
Phonics Based Books (PreK–Grade 1)
Bob Books by Bobby Lynn Maslen
Now I’m Reading Books by Nora Gaydos
My Very First I Can Read! Books by Dr. Julie Wood
Dr. Seuss Books
Picture Books (PreK–Grade 1)
Our Pre-K 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.
Bee Makes Tea by Lesley Sims & Fred Blunt
Bob Books by Bobby Lynn Maslen
Dr. Seuss BooksFlyleaf Books
My Very First I Can Read! Books by Dr. Julie Wood
Now I’m Reading Books by Nora Gaydos
Click for the complete summer reading list.
Favorite Picture Books (Grades 1–2)
We Will Rock Our Classmates by Ryan T. Higgins
The Bug Girl: A True Story by Sophia Spencer
Margaret’s Unicorn by Briony May Smith
Jasper & Ollie Build a Fort by Alex Willan
My Best Friend by Julie Fogliano& Jillian Tamaki
Anna & Samia (True Story of Saving a Black Rhino) by Paul Meisel
Everything Naomi Loved by K. Yamasaki & Ian Lendler
Easy Chapter Books (Grades 1–2)
Jasper and Ollie Build a Fort (graphic novel) by Alex Willan
The Miniature World of Marvin and James (4 books) by E. Broach
You Can Do It, Yasmine by Saadia Faruqi
The Secret Time Machine & the Gherkin Switcheroo by Simone Lia
Bink& Gollie (asst. titles) by Kate DiCamillo
Click for the complete summer reading list.
Favorite Series (Grades 1–2)
Elephant and Piggie by Mo Willems
Mercy Watson by Kate DiCamillo
A Jack Book (A Jack Book series) by MacBarnett
Owl Diaries by Rebecca Elliot
Henry and Mudge by Cynthia Rylant
Click for the complete summer reading list.
Teachers Recommend (Grades 3–4)
Fantastic Mr. Fox (and other titles) by Roald Dahl
The Popper Penguin Rescue by Eliot Schrefer
Keepers of the School (and other titles) by Andrew Clements
From the Desk of Zoe Washington by Janae Marks
The Boy Who Grew Dragons by Andy Shepherd
Wonderous Rex by Patricia MacLachlan
Don’t Check Out This Book by Kate Klise
Honeybee: The Busy Life of Apis Mellifera by Candace Fleming (award winner)
Click for the complete summer reading list.
Favorite Series (Grades 3–4)
I Survived (series) by Lauren Tarshis
Time Warp Trio by Jon Scieszka
Spy School (series) by Stuart Gibbs
The Hazardous Tales (series) by Nathan Hales
My Life as a …(series) by J. Tashjian
Who Was… ? books by various authors
Ramona (Quimby) (series) by Beverly Cleary
Click for the complete summer reading list.
Graphic Novels (Grades 3–4)
Diary of a Wimpy Kid by Jeff Kinney
Dork Diaries by Rachel Renée
Dogman by Dave Pilkey
Sanity & Tallulah Field Trip by Molly Brooks
Sisters (and other graphic novels) by Raina Telgemeier
Teachers and Students Recommend (Grades 5–6)
When You Trap a Tiger (Newbery Award) by Tae Keller
We Dream of Space (Newbery Honor) by Erin Entrada Kelly
A Whale of the Wild by Roseanne Parry
Something to Say Lisa Moore Ramée
The Explorers Code by Allison K. Hymas
A Whale in the Wild by Roseanne Parry
Three Keys by Kelly Yang
Click for the complete summer reading list.
Graphic Novels (Grades 5–6)
Bone (series) by Jeff Smith
A Wrinkle in Time the graphic novel adapted by Hope Larson
Best Friends by Shannon Hale
Amulet by Kazu Kibuishi
Explorer: The Mystery Boxes: seven graphic stories by Kazu Kibuishi
El Deafo by CeceBell
Click for the complete summer reading list.
Summer Community Read Books (Grades 5–8)
Show Me a Sign by Ann Clare LeZotte
Witch Boy (graphic novel) by Molly Ostertag
Maniac Magee by Jerry Spinelli
Click for the complete summer reading list.
Teachers and Students Recommend (Grades 7–8)

Parked by Danielle Svetcov
Heart Sister by Michael Stewart
War Stories by Gordon Korman
A Wizard of Earthsea by Ursula LeGuin
Enders Game by Orson Scott Card
Railsea by China Mieville
Click for the complete summer reading list.
Middle School Classics (Grades 7–8)
Roll of Thunder Hear My Cry by Mildred Taylor
The True Confessions of Charlotte Doyle by Avi Esperanza
Walk Two Moons by Sharon Creech
Where the Red Fern Grows by Wilson Rawls
Lord of the Flies by William Golding
Click for the complete summer reading list.
Award Winners
Nutmeg Award (CT award)
Robert Sibert Award (nonfiction)
Click for the full Summer Reading List.
Reading Launch to High School - Recommendations
Girl from the Sea (graphic novel) by Molly Knox Ostertag
Hey Kiddo (graphic novel) by Jarrett Krosoczka
Speak by Laurie H. Anderson Librarian of Auschwitz by Antonio Iturbe
The Poet X by Elizabeth Acevedo
We Are Okay by Nina LaCour
The Hate You Give by Angie Thomas