It’s summer! And that means it’s time to relax with a good book. Here’s a list of titles for all tastes and ages.
FOR THE LOVE OF CATS
Whlie it’s hot outside and the littlest readers are cooling inside, how about entertaining them with kitties? VINCENT COMES HOME, written and illustrated by Jessixa Bagley and Aaron Bagley, tells the story of a sea-faring cat who comes back to land and tries to find his home. And in MAX… ATTACKS, written by Kathi Appelt and illustrated by Penelope Dullaghan, a naughty kitty finds nothing is out of its reach.
WHO DOESN’T LIKE CHICKEN?
You know chickens are funny, and they’re lovable too, especially when they’re in books. I GOT A CHICKEN FOR MY BIRTHDAY, written by Laura Gehl and illustrated by Sarah Horne, tells the story of when a girl gets a strange present with a plan of its own. And Adam Lehrhaupt celebrates the feathery friends in his CHICKEN IN SPACE series.
SORTING FACT FROM FICTION
Like to figure out real-world mysteries? Check out the TWO TRUTHS AND A LIE series co-written by Ammi-Joan Paquette and Laurie Ann Thompson and STEP INTO READING: TRUTH OR LIE? written by Erica S. Perl. They’re appropriate for ages 8 and up and will keep you guessing.
INSPIRATION FROM REAL LIFE
Picture book biographies give light to little-known stories that have big impact. Like WORDS SET ME FREE: THE STORY OF YOUNG FREDERICK DOUGLASS, written by Lesa Cline-Ransome and illustrated by James E. Ransome, about how this prominent figure of African American history was able to stand up for himself and others. And VOICE OF FREEDOM: FANNIE LOU HAMER, a champion of equal voting rights, written by Carole Boston Weatherford and illustrated by Ekua Holmes.
ANIMAL LOVERS
There’s no time like summer to read about people and animals. Horse fans, check out LET ‘ER BUCK: GEORGE FLETCHER THE PEOPLE’S CHAMPION, written by Vaunda Micheaux Nelson and illustrated by Gordon C, James, as well as RIDE ON WILL CODY! A LEGEND OF THE PONY EXPRESS written by Caroline Starr Rose and illustrated by Joe Lillington. Like how a boy started a movement to save bears in the picture book A VOICE FOR THE SPIRIT BEARS, written by Carmen Oliver and illustrated by Katy Dockrill. LET ‘ER BUCK, appropriate for ages 5 and older, features a cowboy’s epic rodeo ride, while RIDE ON WILL CODY, appropriate for ages 8 and up, tells the story of the most famous ride of America’s greatest showman, Buffalo Bill.
SPOOKY ADVENTURES
Spooky isn’t fun just at Halloween. Get goosebumps with Janet Fox‘s THE CHARMED CHILDREN OF ROOKSKILL CASTLE, a ghost story in a strange castle during World War II. And in THE BOY, THE BOAT, AND THE BEAST, written by The Booking Biz marketing director Samantha M Clark, a boy wakes up on a scary beach alone with no knowledge of who he is or how he got there. Both novels are appropriate for ages 8 and up, and THE BOY, THE BOAT, AND THE BEAST is now in paperback.
SUMMERS OF CHANGE
What’s more fun that two friends having fun over a summer? Check out these three books about two friends and one summer. Lamar Giles‘ THE LAST LAST-DAY-OF-SUMMER follows two young super sleuths who thought they’d had all their adventures for the season until they meet a man who has a camera that freezes time, and they have to stop him before time freezes for good. Donna Gephart‘s LILY AND DUNKIN about two young friends, one transgender and the other dealing with bipolar disorder, whose lives forever change over a summer. And in THE GREAT GOOD SUMMER, written by Liz Garton Scanlon, two young friends spend their summer finding Ivy’s missing mother and saying goodbye to the space shuttle. All these books are appropriate for ages 8 and older.
MOVING OLDER READS
For teens and older readers, books that move us beat the summer heat. Mitali Perkins‘ young adult novel FORWARD ME BACK TO YOU also features two friends and a summer of change, as well as different cultures and a transporting trip to India. And FAR FROM THE TREE, by Robin Benway, explores the meaning of family in all its forms from the viewpoint of three very different teenagers connected by blood.
Looking for more great books? Look through the titles of our clients.