100 ANIMALSSteve JenkinsAn early word book that explores animals from across the world, shown through cut-paper illustrations and flaps to lift on each page.Birth–PreschoolView book detailsALSC Summer Reading 2022
Summer reading recommendations for children from birth through Grade 8.
2022 ALSC Summer Reading ListsSee the original list
Selections108
Published byAssociation for Library Service to Children (ALA)
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Birth–Preschool
26 selections
100 ANIMALSSteve JenkinsAn early word book that explores animals from across the world, shown through cut-paper illustrations and flaps to lift on each page.Birth–PreschoolView book details
AS BABIES DREAMLesléa Newman, illustrated by Taia MorleyIn this soothing bedtime story, the sun sets and reveals a starry night over animal and human families.Birth–PreschoolView book details
BEST DAY EVER!Marilyn Singer, illustrated by Leah NixonThis rhyming story features a boy and his dog as their day goes from best to worst and back to best.Birth–PreschoolWord count 316View book details
CHAIWALA!Priti Birla MaheshwariWhen the train makes a brief stop, a mother and young child watch and experience the sounds, sights, and delicious smells of a hot cup of chai being made.Birth–PreschoolView book details
CIRCLE UNDER BERRYCarter Higgins, illustrated by Carter HigginsThis unusual concept book works as an observation game, a tongue twister, and a primer on spatial awareness. Read it fast or slow; it’s oodles of fun.Birth–PreschoolView book details
DON’T HUG DOUGCarrie FinisonDoug does not like hugs in this picture book about personal boundaries and consent. He does like high fives though.Birth–PreschoolLexile AD370LATOS 1.7View book details
FLUFFY MCWHISKERS: CUTENESS EXPLOSIONStephen W. Martin, illustrated by Dan TavisEnjoy the deadpan humor of a story about a cat so adorable that anyone who sees her explodes.Birth–PreschoolLexile AD530LATOS 3.5View book details
A HOME UNDER THE STARSAndy Chou MusserIn the city, Toby feels lost and angry without the stars at night. When a lion appears in search of the North Star, they journey together through the city to find it.Birth–PreschoolLexile AD470LATOS 3.2View book details
A HOUSEKevin HenkesThis book poses a series of simple questions about a house for readers to answer and consider what makes a house a home.Birth–PreschoolView book details
INSIDE CATBrendan WenzelInside Cat only sees the world through windows until one day its perspective changes with the opening of a door.Birth–PreschoolLexile AD320LATOS 2.4View book details
LITTLE BIRD’S DAYSally Morgan, illustrated by Johnny Warrkatja MalibirrFollow a day in the life of a silver- crowned friarbird. The poetic, rhyming text is complemented by images of Australian wildlife.Birth–PreschoolView book details
THE LOST PACKAGERichard HoThe package a young girl mails at the start of this book is lost. However, it gets to where it’s meant to be due to kindness from others.Birth–PreschoolLexile AD330LATOS 2.4View book details
MEL FELLCorey R. TaborToday is the day Mel will fly! Turn the book vertically to follow Mel’s leap from her branch and past neighboring creatures who worry and then cheer for the little bird’s success.Birth–PreschoolWord count 281View book details
THE NIGHT IS DEEP AND WIDEGillian SzeThis board book is a beautiful, poetic ode to the night. It features vivid imagery, color contrast, and rich, yet sparse text.Birth–PreschoolView book details
OFF-LIMITSHelen YoonA child is lured into her dad’s home office by the tempting office supplies, leading to a playful explosion of paper clips, sticky notes, tape, and more. t ALSC reading lists are created by children’s librarians as a resource to share with patrons, and may also be available in ebook, audio book, braille, and large print formats. Parents and caregivers are encouraged to explore this list to find resources that may match or spark their child's interest. Connect with your local library to find out what’s happening this summer. www.ala.org/alsc The 2022 Summer Reading Book List was created by the Association for Library Service to Children (ALSC), a division of the American Library Association (ALA). Titles on this list were selected by members of ALSC’s Quicklists Consulting Committee. For more booklists, please visit www.ala.org/alsc/booklists. © 2022 American Library Association. Birth—PreschoolBirth–PreschoolLexile 51LATOS 1View book details
OLLIE FEELS FINETony YulyOllie the octopus comes to understand his many feelings with the help of his friend Stella the starfish. This board book introduces the complexities of emotion.Birth–PreschoolView book details
OUR SKIN: A FIRST CONVERSATION ABOUT RACEMegan Madison, Jessica RalliA clear, direct book for young children about skin color and race, accompanied by questions to spark conversation. Part of the First Conversations series.Birth–PreschoolView book details
THE PRONOUN BOOKChris Ayala-Kronos, illustrated by Melita TiradoWith very few words and expressive art, this board book answers the question, “How do you know what someone wants to be called?”Birth–PreschoolView book details
RAINBOWS IN BLOOM: DISCOVERING COLORS WITH FLOWERSDarroch Putnam, Michael PutnamThis board book is bright and bold. With real images of colorful flowers on each page, this is a primer for little ones on color theory.Birth–PreschoolView book details
SHAPES AND COLORSJohn CantyThe patterned text of this concept book invites children to use the colors of the rainbow to guess the identities of silhouetted objects.Birth–PreschoolView book details
SHHH! THE BABY’S ASLEEPJanay Brown-Wood, illustrated by ElissamburaEvery member of the family is shushed while the baby sleeps in this humorous, rhyming picture book about the effort it takes to get in a good nap.Birth–PreschoolLexile AD360LATOS 2.6View book details
SOMETHING’S WRONG! A BEAR, A HARE, AND SOME UNDERWEARJory John, illustrated by Erin KraanJeff has eaten breakfast, watered the plants, and tried on the underwear his grandma gave him. Still, he feels he’s forgotten something in this hilarious picture book.Birth–PreschoolView book details
¡VAMOS! LET’S CROSS THE BRIDGERaúl the ThirdLittle Lobo needs to deliver party supplies, but everyone is stuck in traffic. They pass the time joyfully with the help of food trucks, music, and friends.Birth–PreschoolView book details
WHAT ARE LITTLE GIRLS MADE OF?Jeanne Willis, illustrated by Isabelle FollathThis collection updates popular nursery rhymes from a feminist perspective and features eye- catching illustrations.Birth–PreschoolView book details
WHEN I WAKE UPSeth Fishman, illustrated by Jessixa BagleyA child wakes up in a house where the adults are still sleeping and wonders what to do with their day. Each rainbow-hued adventure represents a different imagined possibility.Birth–PreschoolView book details
WONDER WALKERSMicha ArcherPoetic text and collage artwork provide an opportunity for curiosity and imagination while looking at the natural world.Birth–PreschoolLexile AD310LATOS 2.3View book detailsGrades K–2
27 selections
13 WAYS TO EAT A FLYSue Heavenrich, illustrated by David ClarkCount down from 13 to 1 as flies are zapped, wrapped, poked, soaked, and even baked in a cake in this hilariously informative book. Nutrition facts included.Grades K–2Lexile 930LATOS 4.5View book details
BEAR BUILDS A HOUSEMaxwell Eaton IIICartoon illustrations depict all the steps Bear and his friends complete while building a functional house in the wilderness.Grades K–2Lexile 701LATOS 4.5View book details
BOARDWALK BABIESMarissa Moss, illustrated by April ChuStep right up and learn about the amazing Dr. Couney and his very small patients in this picture-book biography that explains how incubators for premature babies went from sideshow to medical practice.Grades K–2View book details
CAMILA THE RECORD- BREAKING STARAlicia Salazar, illustrated by Thais DamiãoIn this early chapter book series starter, Camila wants to become a star by breaking a world record. However, it turns out to be harder than it looks.Grades K–2View book details
DAD BAKESKatie YamasakiEarly in the morning, Dad goes to work at the bakery, and then he comes home to his daughter to play, read, and bake together.Grades K–2Lexile AD220LATOS 1.9View book details
DANCING WITH DADDYAnitra Rowe SchulteA nonverbal young girl in a wheelchair anticipates an upcoming father-daughter dance, supported by her attentive and loving family.Grades K–2Lexile AD540LATOS 3.6View book details
DEAR TREEFROGJoyce SidmanA young girl moves to a new neighborhood and settles into her surroundings by observing a tiny treefrog. Short poems are interspersed with facts about frog life cycles.Grades K–2Lexile AD1100LATOS 7.7View book details
DREAM STREETTricia Elam WalkerAll the neighbors on Dream Street have something that makes them special, whether it’s how they dress, what they say, or their passions in life. Evocative portraits, in both words and collage, make this an inspiring read-aloud for all ages.Grades K–2Lexile AD940LATOS 6.2View book details
EVERY DAY, CHEMISTRYJulia Sooy, illustrated by Bonnie PangA day in the life of a young girl shows us that chemistry is all around us, from a toasting piece of bread for breakfast to the battery-powered flashlight used to read a bedtime story.Grades K–2Lexile AD770LATOS 4.9View book details
EVERY LITTLE KINDNESSMarta BartoljThis wordless picture book with muted colors explores all the ways that kindness is cyclical. Kindness begins when a woman loses her dog but helps another find food.Grades K–2View book details
FIRST FRIEND: HOW DOGS EVOLVED FROM WOLVES TO BECOME OUR BEST FRIENDSKersten Hamilton, illustrated by Jaime KimA picture book that spans thousands of years to look at how wolves became the dogs that we love.Grades K–2View book details
FROM THE TOPS OF THE TREESKao Kalia YangBased on the author’s childhood memories of living in a refugee camp in Thailand, this beautiful story portrays a father’s love for his family and hope for their future.Grades K–2View book details
HOW TO APOLOGIZEDavid LaRochelle, illustrated by Mike WohnoutkaThis hilarious picture book guides readers with practical tips about how to say sorry to someone.Grades K–2Word count 375View book details
HOW TO FIND A FOXKate Gardner, Ossi SaarinenIn this informational picture book, breathtaking wildlife photos are paired with facts about foxes, as well as advice on making observations in nature.Grades K–2Lexile AD400LATOS 1.5View book details
I AM THE SUBWAYKim Hyo-Eun, Deborah SmithZooming through Seoul, this story considers the livesof the many people we find on public transportation. Grades K—2 www.ala.org/alsc The 2022 Summer Reading Book List was created by the Association for Library Service to Children (ALSC), a division of the American Library Association (ALA). Titles on this list were selected by members of ALSC’s Quicklists Consulting Committee. For more booklists, please visit www.ala.org/alsc/booklists. © 2022 American Library Association. t ALSC reading lists are created by children’s librarians as a resource to share with patrons, and may also be available in ebook, audio book, braille, and large print formats. Parents and caregivers are encouraged to explore this list to find resources that may match or spark their child's interest. Connect with your local library to find out what’s happening this summer.Grades K–2Lexile AD700LATOS 4.5View book details
LIGHT FOR ALLMargarita EngleThis lyrical picture book pays tribute to the Statue of Liberty, reminding us of the hope, acceptance, and freedom it symbolizes for all.Grades K–2Lexile AD1010LATOS 6.8View book details
THE LITTLE WOODEN ROBOT AND THE LOG PRINCESSTom GauldAn original fairy tale with adventure, a clever witch, helpful beetles, and the love of a brother and sister.Grades K–2Word count 1245View book details
MAGIC CANDIESHeena BaekAfter popping a candy into his mouth, a lonely boy suddenly hears his couch talking. More candies allow him to hear more voices before finally finding his own voice.Grades K–2Lexile AD510LATOS 3.4View book details
MAMA AND MOMMY AND ME IN THE MIDDLENina LaCourA young girl experiences a week of longing with Mama as they wait for Mommy to return home from a trip.Grades K–2Lexile 420LATOS 2.9View book details
MEMORY JARSVera BrosgolFreda is intrigued by how Gran saves the taste of blueberries by making jam. This makes her wonder what else can be saved in jars: cookies, crayons, even her best friend? A sweet story about how some things are meant to be enjoyed.Grades K–2Lexile AD600LATOS 3.9View book details
ORCA RESCUE! THE TRUE STORY OF AN ORPHANED ORCA NAMED SPRINGERDonna SandstromA volunteer tells the story of reuniting a stranded orca calf with her family almost 300 miles away. Includes many resources for further exploration.Grades K–2View book details
POWWOW DAYTraci SorellRiver and her family attend a local powwow, but a recent illness means that River cannot dance in her jingle dress. Thankfully, River’s friends and family dance for her.Grades K–2Lexile AD610LATOS 2.5View book details
SHAPED BY HER HANDS: POTTER MARIA MARTINEZAnna Harber Freeman, Barbara Gonzales, illustrated by AphelandraLearn about the renowned Pueblo potter Maria Martinez and the clay firing technique that made her an inspiration to artists near and far.Grades K–2View book details
THE SHAPE OF HOMERashin KheiriyehOn the way to her first day of school in America, Rashin notices all the fun shapes in her new neighborhood. In class, her teacher makes a game out of shapes as the students introduce themselves and their countries of origin.Grades K–2Word count 686View book details
STARLA JEANElana K. Arnold, illustrated by A. N. KangIn this early chapter book, Starla Jean’s dad doesn’t think she will catch the skinny chicken in the park, but that is what Starla Jean does. Now she just needs to figure out how to take care of it.Grades K–2View book details
TY’S TRAVELS: BEACH DAY!Kelly Starling LyonsThis story for beginning readers follows a young boy as he uses his imagination to turn his backyard sandbox into a day at the beach.Grades K–2View book details
WE SHALL OVERCOMEBryan CollierThis picture book juxtaposes the lyrics of the 1960s civil rights anthem with multilayered collage illustrations chronicling a day in the life of a contemporary Black child, against the backdrop of past events and struggles.Grades K–2Lexile AD360LATOS 2.7View book detailsGrades 3–5
27 selections
AVEN GREEN, SLEUTHING MACHINEDusti Bowling, illustrated by Gina PerryAven Green may have been born without arms, but that doesn’t stop her from being on the case and finding out what happened to her teacher’s lunch and her great- grandma’s dog. This is the first book in a new series about Aven’s life.Grades 3–5Lexile 690LATOS 4.4View book details
BARAKAH BEATSMaleeha SiddiquiNimra joins a boy band to repair a strained friendship, but she must keep the group a secret from her family since the music conflicts with her parents’ teaching of Islam.Grades 3–5Lexile 650LATOS 4.2View book details
THE BEATRYCE PROPHECYKate DiCamilloA young girl appears at Brother Edik’s monastery, somehow befriends their most ornery goat, and changes not only the lives of the brothers at the Order of the Chronicles of Sorrowing but many others’ as well.Grades 3–5Lexile 580LATOS 4.4View book details
BEN YOKOYAMA AND THE COOKIE OF PERFECTIONMatthew Swanson, illustrated by Robbi BehrA fortune cookie that says “practice makes perfect” leads Ben to try to make his life, and everyone’s around him, perfect. Third book in a series.Grades 3–5Lexile 610LATOS 4View book details
BURYING THE MOONAndrée PoulinSet in rural India, young Latika fights to get modern sanitation in her village, to keep girls in school, to keep mothers and children safe, and to better her community.Grades 3–5View book details
CAT KID COMIC CLUB: PERSPECTIVESDav PilkeyThe second installment in the Cat Kid Comic Club series focuses on teaching Li’l Petey and his frog friends how to apply the concept of perspective not just to their drawings but to their relationships with one another as well.Grades 3–5View book details
CROSSING THE STREAMElizabeth-Irene BaitieIt’s been a long time since Ato has seen his grandmother, but in trying to solve a mystery at school, he begins to rebuild those broken family bonds.Grades 3–5View book details
EGG MARKS THE SPOTAmy Timberlake, illustrated by Jon KlassenRoommates Skunk and Badger set off for a weekend of camping and rock finding. Unfortunately, Badger’s cousin shows up with his rat accomplices to steal the amber-encased egg they’ve found hidden in a cave.Grades 3–5Lexile 619LATOS 4View book details
ESCAPE AT 10,000 FEET: D. B. COOPER AND THE MISSING MONEYTom SullivanThe mystery of D. B. Cooper and the missing $200,000 is expertly unraveled in this true crime series starter heavily illustrated with unsolved case files.Grades 3–5View book details
EVERYTHING AWESOME ABOUT SPACE AND OTHER GALACTIC FACTS!Mike LoweryPlayful illustrations and an amazing amount of information come together to give a fun and interesting view of our universe and our exploration of it.Grades 3–5View book details
THE GREAT STINK: HOW JOSEPH BAZALGETTE SOLVED LONDON’S POOP POLLUTION PROBLEMColleen PaeffIn a smelly and unsafe 1858, only one person can save London from its waste- filled river and cholera outbreaks—engineer Joseph Bazalgette.Grades 3–5View book details
THE HATMAKERSTamzin Merchant, illustrated by Paola EscobarCordelia Hatmaker, who comes from a long and prestigious line of Hatmakers who weave magical enchantments into hats, sets out to find her missing father during a threat of war.Grades 3–5Lexile 770LATOS 4.9View book details
JUANA & LUCAS: MUCHOS CHANGESJuana MedinaJuana and her perro Lucas cope with experiences like skating camp, a new stepdad, and a baby sibling on the way. Third in a series, in English with some Spanish words.Grades 3–5View book details
THE LEGEND OF GRAVITY: A TALL BASKETBALL TALECharly PalmerA modern, illustrated tall tale set on the blacktop courts of Milwaukee, Wisconsin, where the greatest basketball talent anyone has ever seen lace up his high- tops helps bring his pickup team the championship they’ve always dreamed of. www.ala.org/alsc The 2022 Summer Reading Book List was created by the Association for Library Service to Children (ALSC), a division of the American Library Association (ALA). Titles on this list were selected by members of ALSC’s Quicklists Consulting Committee. For more booklists, please visit www.ala.org/alsc/booklists. © 2022 American Library Association. t ALSC reading lists are created by children’s librarians as a resource to share with patrons, and may also be available in ebook, audio book, braille, and large print formats. Parents and caregivers are encouraged to explore this list to find resources that may match or spark their child's interest. Connect with your local library to find out what’s happening this summer. Grades 3—5Grades 3–5Lexile AD800LATOS 5.1View book details
LILLA THE ACCIDENTAL WITCHEleanor CrewesWhile spending the summer in Italy with family, 13-year-old Lilla discovers she has much to learn about herself.Grades 3–5View book details
THE LION OF MARSJennifer L. HolmBell is just a regular kid who loves cake and is annoyed by his roommate’s snoring. But life on Mars is a bit different, and a mysterious illness that threatens the adults in their settlement causes the kids to band together in surprising ways.Grades 3–5Lexile 30LATOS 4View book details
LOTERÍAKarla Arenas ValentiLife and Death play a game of fate with unsuspecting Clara as their pawn, but Clara’s choices forge a new path that proves free will can save the day.Grades 3–5View book details
THE MAGICAL IMPERFECTChris BaronEtan struggles with selective mutism, being without his mom, and befriending a girl known as “the Creature” in this novel in verse set in 1989 San Francisco.Grades 3–5Lexile 710LATOS 4.5View book details
MARS IS: STARK SLOPES, SILVERY SNOW, AND STARTLING SURPRISESSuzanne SladeExplore and expand your knowledge of the red planet, Mars, in this book with stunning images and information gathered by NASA’s HiRISE (High Resolution Imaging Science Experiment) camera.Grades 3–5View book details
NINA: A STORY OF NINA SIMONETraci N. ToddA picture-book biography of little Eunice, who grew up to become one of the most influential, powerful voices in music.Grades 3–5View book details
NO ONE RETURNS FROM THE ENCHANTED FORESTRobin RobinsonWhen their underground home is threatened, goblin sisters Pella and Bix venture into the forest to find the Earth Mother and discover tree trolls, water nymphs, and other creatures along the way in this full-color graphic novel.Grades 3–5View book details
RED SCARELiam Francis WalshMcCarthyism looms when polio survivor Peggy finds a magical item that allows her to defy gravity; meanwhile, the FBI is hunting the town for this same item in this action-packed graphic novel.Grades 3–5View book details
RISE OF THE WORLD EATERJamie LittlerThe gripping Frostheart trilogy concludes with Commander Stormbreaker destroying any chance of alliance with Ash to defeat the Devourer. Ash’s last hope–and perhaps the answers to many of Ash’s questions about the World Before–lies in the sacred yeti lands.Grades 3–5View book details
STUNTBOY, IN THE MEANTIMEJason ReynoldsPortico Reeves, aka Stuntboy, lives in a huge apartment building that he considers his castle. With the help of his friendly neighbors, Stuntboy faces enemies, anxiety, and bickering parents in a series of illustrated episodes.Grades 3–5View book details
THOSE KIDS FROM FAWN CREEKErin Entrada KellyMysterious Orchid Mason arrives in small- town Louisiana and shakes up the cliques and alliances at Fawn Creek K–12. Her new classmates find themselves thinking about who they are and the choices they make in ways they’ve never before considered.Grades 3–5Word count 52931View book details
TREATY WORDS: FOR AS LONG AS THE RIVERS FLOWAimée Craft, illustrated by Luke SwinsonMishomis explains the true nature of treaties, a bond meant to encourage working together, to his granddaughter.Grades 3–5View book details
YUMMY: A HISTORY OF DESSERTSVictoria Grace ElliottFollow a trio of enthusiastic sprites as they share the history and science of desserts, including ice cream, cake, and cookies, in this graphic novel duology starter.Grades 3–5View book detailsGrades 6–8
28 selections
AIN’T BURNED ALL THE BRIGHTJason ReynoldsOver three “breaths,” a boy reflects on current social events from within his home, where his father isolates, sick, in a spare and powerfully illustrated blend of mixed-media collage and poetry.Grades 6–8ATOS 5.2AR interest UGView book details
ART OF PROTEST: CREATING, DISCOVERING, AND ACTIVATING ART FOR YOUR REVOLUTIONDe Nichols, illustrated by Various ArtistsExplore the art of the past to inform the revolutionary work of now! In addition to highlighting familiar works, this title also features pieces by young activist artists.Grades 6–8View book details
AVIVA VS. THE DYBBUKMari LoweAn isolated tween, haunted by a dybbuk (a restless ghost), navigates continued struggles at home and at school following her father’s murder, a hate crime, years before.Grades 6–8View book details
BOUNCE BACKMisako Rocks!Lilico moves from Japan to the U.S. and, despite a bully, manages to make friends, play basketball, and get a magical talking cat in this light and easy read for fans of graphic novels and manga.Grades 6–8Lexile HL120LATOS 2.1View book details
BOY, EVERYWHEREA. M. DassuWhen the Syrian civil war hits too close to home, 13-year-old Sami must flee his idyllic life in Damascus, after which he endures a harrowing journey to England, the guilt of putting his family’s lives in danger, and questions about his identity as a refugee.Grades 6–8Word count 70601View book details
CITY OF THIEVES (BATTLE DRAGONS #1)Alex LondonIn a world where domesticated dragons are used for everything from transportation to sanitation, feuding bands of thieves engage in dangerous dragon battles over the city, and young Abel must protect his friends and family.Grades 6–8View book details
THE CURSE OF THE MUMMYCandace FlemingThieves, archaeologists, and rich, snobbish (and racist) Europeans play parts in this captivating book that combines history about Egyptian tombs with the tales of those who disturbed the ancient dead and were believed to be cursed.Grades 6–8View book details
THE DEADLIEST DISEASES THEN AND NOWDeborah HopkinsonFrom the Middle Ages to today, a fascinating look at plagues and pandemics, how each began, and how they impacted the world.Grades 6–8View book details
THE DIRE DAYS OF WILLOWWEEP MANORShaenon K. Garrity, illustrated by Christopher BaldwinA fan of gothic romance novels finds herself in one, but there’s something a bit odd about the three handsome brothers, their manor, and its surroundings. A graphic novel with a humorous mix of romance and sci-fi.Grades 6–8View book details
DREAM, ANNIE, DREAMWaka T. BrownDaughter of immigrants, Annie Inoue has big dreams to be a star. When she gets a lead role in The King and I, her classmates suggest she only got the part because of her race.Grades 6–8View book details
FALLOUT: SPIES, SUPERBOMBS, AND THE ULTIMATE COLD WAR SHOWDOWNSteve SheinkinThis narrative nonfiction, mixed with recollections and factual information, will take readers back to post–World War II when the United States of America and the Union of Soviet Socialist Republics were in conflict with each other.Grades 6–8View book details
FRANKIE & BUGGayle FormanBug is convinced her summer is ruined, until a neighbor’s nephew, Frankie, arrives. A story about friendship, identity, and family (the one you’re born to and the one you choose).Grades 6–8View book details
THE GENIUS UNDER THE TABLE: GROWING UP BEHIND THE IRON CURTAINEugene YelchinA noted children’s book creator recounts growing up in Soviet Russia in a humorous and heartbreaking illustrated novel. HOW TO CHANGE EVERYTHING: THE YOUNG HUMAN’S GUIDE TO PROTECTING THE PLANET AND EACH OTHER BY NAOMI KLEIN, ADAPTED BY REBECCA STEFOFF ATHENEUM, 2021 ISBN: 9781534 474529 An adaptation of earlier works for adults merged for a younger audience, this nonfiction title focuses mainly on climate change and the disastrous effects, but it also shines a light on what young people are doing to combat it.Grades 6–8View book details
HOW TO FIND WHAT YOU’RE NOT LOOKING FORVeera HiranandaniSixth-grader Ariel Goldberg is surprised by her parents’ negative reaction when her older sister marries a man from India who doesn’t share their Jewish faith. Set in 1967 Connecticut, this historical novel tackles racism, anti-Semitism, learning differences, and family strife.Grades 6–8Lexile 690LATOS 4.6View book details
JUST LIKE THATGary D. SchmidtSet in the 1960s, the separate stories of Meryl Lee Kowalski and Matt Coffin weave together as they work to overcome grief and loneliness. www.ala.org/alsc The 2022 Summer Reading Book List was created by the Association for Library Service to Children (ALSC), a division of the American Library Association (ALA). Titles on this list were selected by members of ALSC’s Quicklists Consulting Committee. For more booklists, please visit www.ala.org/alsc/booklists. © 2022 American Library Association. t ALSC reading lists are created by children’s librarians as a resource to share with patrons, and may also be available in ebook, audio book, braille, and large print formats. Parents and caregivers are encouraged to explore this list to find resources that may match or spark their child's interest. Connect with your local library to find out what’s happening this summer. Grades 6—8Grades 6–8Lexile 910LATOS 5.9View book details
KALEIDOSCOPEBrian SelznickA multi-genre series of short stories interweave to connect two characters through time, interspersed with Selznick’s complex, signature pencil illustrations.Grades 6–8Lexile 820LATOS 5.09View book details
A KIND OF SPARKElle McNicollAddie wants to memorialize the women once tried as witches in her small town, hoping to change the opinions people have of them, as well as the opinions they have about her autism.Grades 6–8Lexile 580LATOS 4.3View book details
LAST GAMER STANDINGKatie ZhaoIn the near future, Reyna Cheng studies at an elite academy dedicated to virtual reality gaming. Secretly playing under a tough male avatar to avoid misogynistic harassment, she attempts to win it all at the Junior Dayhold Tournament.Grades 6–8Lexile 760LATOS 5.5View book details
MELTDOWN: EARTHQUAKE, TSUNAMI, AND NUCLEAR DISASTER IN FUKUSHIMADeirdre LangelandThis engaging nonfiction read chronicles the disaster of the Fukushima nuclear meltdown in 2011, including images and first-person accounts.Grades 6–8View book details
NOTABLE NATIVE PEOPLE: 50 INDIGENOUS LEADERS, DREAMERS, AND CHANGEMAKERS FROM PAST AND PRESENTAdrienne Keene, illustrated by Ciara SanaShort biographies present some of the most influential Native activists, entertainers, and artisans throughout history, with vibrant portraits of each. Also includes information about colonialism, land rights, and the importance of representation.Grades 6–8View book details
PARTLY CLOUDYTanita S. DavisAs the only Black student in her new class, middle-schooler Madalyn wrestles with questions about friendship, deeply ingrained assumptions, and unacknowledged prejudices among different races, all against the backdrop of the threat of California’s wildfires.Grades 6–8Lexile 811LATOS 5.2View book details
PONYR. J. PalacioYoung adult Silas recounts an epic journey tracking his kidnapped father with the help of Silas’s ghostly companion, Mittenwool, a fearsome Arabian horse, and a cantankerous U.S. marshal in a genre-defying saga set in 1860s Ohio. Also an excellent audiobook.Grades 6–8Lexile 740LATOS 5.1View book details
RACE TO THE BOTTOM OF THE EARTH: SURVIVING ANTARCTICARebecca E. F. BaroneThis gripping piece of nonfiction looks at two hazardous expeditions to the South Pole, adventures that take place a century apart, that each set records and risked lives.Grades 6–8View book details
RHINOS IN NEBRASKA: THE AMAZING DISCOVERY OF THE ASHFALL FOSSIL BEDSAlison Pearce Stevens, illustrated by Matt HuynhA look at the Ashfall Fossil Beds in Nebraska, where fossils from twelve million years ago were found, when rhinos, elephants, and camels roamed North America.Grades 6–8View book details
TOO BRIGHT TO SEEKyle LukoffBug lives in a haunted house and must figure out not only what their uncle’s ghost is trying to say but also how to get others to accept the revelation.Grades 6–8Lexile 790LATOS 5.1View book details
WE BELONGCookie Hiponia EvermanA mother tells her daughters two tales—one of her immigration and the other about the daughter of a Pilipino god—in this novel in verse.Grades 6–8View book details
THE WOMAN ALL SPIES FEAR: CODE BREAKER ELIZEBETH SMITH FRIEDMAN AND HER HIDDEN LIFEAmy Butler GreenfieldAn engrossing biography of expert code breaker Elizebeth Smith Friedman’s life and achievements.Grades 6–8View book details
WORSERJennifer ZieglerSocially awkward and word-obsessed Will falls in with a group of fellow linguists who help him find a new normal in the wake of his mother’s stroke.Grades 6–8View book details