Tag Archives: summer

We look forward to Summer with its relaxed schedules and fewer obligations. With later nights and slower mornings, there is plenty of time for fun. Some parents and educators panic about lost skills and backsliding, but I say embrace the freedom! Libraries combat the summer lull with reading programs. Creative blogger moms post lists of all the interesting places you can read a book. However, I offer this advice:

* The key to summer reading is finding the right books for your reader. *

Let them have some escapist reading. There are plenty of books out there with captivating stories, mind-expanding vocabulary and further educational lessons hidden inside.

Find yourself or your reader in the categories below, then click the link for a list of reading escapes.

• Girls: Early to Middle Readers

• Girls: Teen Readers

• Girls: Fairy Tale Fun

• Boys: Early to Middle Readers

• Boys: Teen Readers

Early Readers are proud of their ability to read, but not yet ready for difficult vocabulary. These fun books mostly feature spunky girls at the Early Reader age. They are engaging stories, but not too difficult for first and second graders to read. If your young reader is struggling, you might alternate her reading one page and you reading one.

Click any of these covers for more details:

Middle Readers are more confident reading on their own.  They are ready for more mature stories and characters, but not yet ready for some of the teen themes.  These books include adventure and excitement, but they keep themes appropriate for elementary school readers.

Click any of these covers for more details:

 For other ages and interest, see my other summer reading lists.

Teen Boys enjoy a little more darkness and intensity to their adventure.  In these stories, conflict and adventure abound.  However, I enjoy these books, because they include the stories boys enjoy, but avoid heavy use of violence or evil.  Also, the young James Bond is a completely moral character (unlike his adult counterpart).

Click any of these covers for more details:

 For other ages and interest, see my other summer reading lists.

Early Readers are proud of their ability to read, but not yet ready for difficult vocabulary. These books include fun stories that mostly feature characters of Early Reader age or slightly older.  Typical boys placed in atypical situations have intriguing adventures.  If your young reader struggles, you might alternate reading a page and having the Early Reader read a page.

Click any of these covers for more details:

Middle Readers are more confident reading on their own.  They are ready for more mature stories and characters, but not yet ready for some of the teen themes.  These books include adventure and excitement, but they keep themes appropriate for elementary school readers.

Click any of these covers for more details:

 For other ages and interest, see my other summer reading lists.

Everyone loves a tale of ‘once upon a time.’ These fun books either contain fairy tale elements or they are fairy tale retellings with more detail and a little twist. All the books for younger girls have appropriate elementary school level romance and adventure. Fairy tale retellings for older girls are a little darker and the romance more mature. However, even with their twist, they retain the classic fairy tale goodness with age appropriate material.

Click any of the covers below for more details:

For Younger Girls:

For Older Girls:

   

For other ages and interest, see my other summer reading lists.

Teen girls tend to enjoy adventure with a hint of romance. These books feature strong heroines as well as admirable heroes. I like these, because they include romance, but it doesn’t dominate the story. Also, the romance stays age-appropriate and — this is very important — the heroine’s self-worth is never tied to the hero.

Click any of these covers for more details:

 For other ages and interest, see my other summer reading lists.