Summer is the perfect time to help children discover the joy of reading. Whether it’s on the porch, at the pool, during a family vacation, or before bedtime, reading just 20 minutes a day can help prevent summer learning loss, build vocabulary, improve comprehension, and foster a lifelong love of books.
At Teacher Time To Go, we encourage families to make reading part of their summer routine. The best part? Children are much more likely to read when they get to choose books that match their interests.
Here’s our ultimate summer reading list, organized by grade level.
Kindergarten–1st Grade
These books feature engaging stories, colorful illustrations, and repetitive text that help beginning readers build confidence.
Picture Books
- The Day the Crayons Quit by Drew Daywalt
- Pete the Cat series by James Dean
- Elephant & Piggie series by Mo Willems
- Don’t Let the Pigeon Drive the Bus! by Mo Willems
- The Very Hungry Caterpillar by Eric Carle
- The Kissing Hand by Audrey Penn
Early Readers
- Biscuit series by Alyssa Satin Capucilli
- Frog and Toad series by Arnold Lobel
- Fly Guy series by Tedd Arnold
2nd–3rd Grade
As students become more independent readers, they enjoy chapter books filled with humor, adventure, and relatable characters.
Favorites
- Magic Tree House series by Mary Pope Osborne
- Junie B. Jones series by Barbara Park
- Mercy Watson series by Kate DiCamillo
- The Princess in Black series by Shannon Hale
- Owl Diaries series by Rebecca Elliott
- The Bad Seed by Jory John
4th–5th Grade
Upper elementary readers are ready for longer stories with richer characters and meaningful themes.
Must-Reads
- Wonder by R.J. Palacio
- Because of Winn-Dixie by Kate DiCamillo
- Fish in a Tree by Lynda Mullaly Hunt
- The Wild Robot by Peter Brown
- The One and Only Ivan by Katherine Applegate
- Front Desk by Kelly Yang
- Hatchet by Gary Paulsen
Middle School (Grades 6–8)
Middle school readers often enjoy stories that explore friendship, perseverance, identity, and adventure.
Recommended Books
- Refugee by Alan Gratz
- Restart by Gordon Korman
- The Crossover by Kwame Alexander
- The Giver by Lois Lowry
- Ghost by Jason Reynolds
- A Long Walk to Water by Linda Sue Park
- Percy Jackson and the Olympians series by Rick Riordan
High School (Grades 9–12)
Encourage teens to choose books that challenge them while also reflecting their interests.
Great Choices
- The Book Thief by Markus Zusak
- The Hate U Give by Angie Thomas
- The Inheritance Games by Jennifer Lynn Barnes
- Atomic Habits by James Clear
- The Hobbit by J.R.R. Tolkien
- Unbroken (Young Adult Edition) by Laura Hillenbrand
- The Martian (Classroom Edition) by Andy Weir
Don’t Forget Nonfiction!
Many children prefer nonfiction, and that’s wonderful! Reading about topics they love builds knowledge and keeps them engaged.
Try books about:
- Animals
- Space
- Sports
- Dinosaurs
- Science experiments
- History
- Cooking
- Art
- Nature
- Technology
Graphic novels, magazines, biographies, and cookbooks all count as reading, too!
Make Reading a Family Activity
Here are a few ways to make reading fun this summer:
- Visit your local library every week.
- Let your child choose books that interest them.
- Create a cozy reading nook at home.
- Read together before bedtime.
- Start a family book club.
- Keep books in the car for trips and appointments.
- Set a family goal of reading 20 minutes each day.
Remember, reading should feel enjoyable—not like homework.
How Teacher Time To Go Can Help
If your child struggles with reading, summer is one of the best times to build skills without the pressure of school assignments. Personalized tutoring can strengthen fluency, comprehension, vocabulary, and confidence so students return to school ready to succeed.
At Teacher Time To Go, we’re passionate about helping every child become a confident reader. Whether your student is just beginning their reading journey or preparing for advanced coursework, we’re here to help them grow one page at a time.
Happy reading, and have a wonderful summer!
Live.Laugh.Learn,
Jenn, Owner of Teacher Time To Go