ALMA AND HER FAMILY / ALMA Y SU FAMILIAJuana Martinez-NealIn this bilingual (Spanish and English) board book, Alma expresses love for her family members with a kiss, a squeeze, a song, and more.Birth–PreschoolView book detailsALSC Summer Reading 2024
Summer reading recommendations for children from birth through Grade 8.
2024 ALSC Summer Reading ListsSee the original list
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Published byAssociation for Library Service to Children (ALA)
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Birth–Preschool
23 selections
ALMA AND HER FAMILY / ALMA Y SU FAMILIAJuana Martinez-NealIn this bilingual (Spanish and English) board book, Alma expresses love for her family members with a kiss, a squeeze, a song, and more.Birth–PreschoolView book details
ANZU THE GREAT LISTENERBenson ShumAnzu, a kind and loving kaiju who is also struggling with anxiety, learns the importance of patience and empathy.Birth–PreschoolView book details
BIG KIDS NO EVERYTHINGWednesday KirwanSometimes a “NO” can become a “yes.” Kids will have fun exploring different scenarios that are NO, with all the nuances in between. A great book to explore with kids and help them find their voice.Birth–PreschoolView book details
BUFFALO FLUFFALOBess Kalb, illustrated by Erin KraanBuffalo Fluffalo sure likes to act tough(alo), but a rainstorm shows his true colors in this sweet, rhyming story with beautiful illustrations.Birth–PreschoolLexile AD580LATOS 3.8View book details
CELEBRATIONSBrook Sitgraves TurnerThis board book offers a window into the many ways people experience holidays and celebrations, told through real photographs of diverse families.Birth–PreschoolView book details
HOW TO COUNT TO ONE: (AND DON’T EVEN THINK ABOUT BIGGER NUMBERS!)Caspar Salmon, illustrated by Matt HuntA tricky, silly picture book about counting to one—and only to one.Birth–PreschoolView book details
IN BETWEENApril Pulley Sayre with Jeff SayreBeautiful close-up photography and spare poems highlight that even animals have awkward stages and need to be patient as they grow up.Birth–PreschoolView book details
IN THE NIGHT GARDENCarin BergerThe dark really is not so scary.Birth–PreschoolWord count 181View book details
LOOK UP HIGH! THINGS THAT FLYVictoria AllenbyIn this big/little concept book, large photos of various aircraft—from toy planes to water bombers to the space station—are paired with patterned rhyming text and suggested activities.Birth–PreschoolView book details
MILO WALKINGJames HoweMilo and his mother go for a walk on a summer day, and then he goes home to write a story about it. Or are we reading the story he wrote? A beautiful book about observing and loving the world around us.Birth–PreschoolView book details
MISTER KITTY IS LOST!Greg PizzoliThis interactive book uses colors and numbers to help preschoolers find the beloved Mister Kitty.Birth–PreschoolView book details
THE NATURE JOURNAL: A BACKYARD ADVENTURESavannah AllenA boy enjoys foraging in his backyard and creating scrapbooks of his findings, yet he misses his dad’s company while his dad works. After a trip to the attic, he learns that his dad loves nature, too.Birth–PreschoolView book details
ODD BIRDS: MEET NATURE’S WEIRDEST FLOCKLaura GehlYoung readers are introduced to interesting birds through beautiful illustrations and simple text. Back matter includes photographs of each bird and more interesting facts. Perfect for any budding ornithologist! Birth—Preschool www.ala.org/alsc The 2024 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. © 2024 American Library Association ALSC reading lists are created by children’s librarians as a resource to share with patrons. These titles 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.Birth–PreschoolView book details
ONCE UPON A BOOKGrace Lin, Kate MessnerBored on a snowy day, Alice travels through the pages of her book on a magical adventure that reveals the power of reading.Birth–PreschoolLexile 440LATOS 3View book details
OUR DRAGONMem Fox, illustrated by Linda DavickTwo loving and patient parents teach a young dragon to control his fire- breathing, even though accidents can happen.Birth–PreschoolView book details
PLOOFBen Clanton, Andy Chou MusserPloof is a cloud with a lot of personality! Young kids will feel like they have a new friend after interacting with Ploof so thoroughly throughout the book.Birth–PreschoolLexile AD260LATOS 2.1View book details
RAFA COUNTS ON PAPÁJoe Cepeda, illustrated by Joe CepedaA boy and his father love to measure things together. How high can the dog jump? How tall is the sandwich? But how do you measure love? A beautiful story of a father and son spending time together.Birth–PreschoolView book details
SIMON AND THE BETTER BONECorey R. TaborThis book opens from the top, not the left, in order to accurately portray how difficult life can be when you are a dog.Birth–PreschoolWord count 251View book details
SUMMER IS FOR COUSINSRajani LaRoccaRavi loves spending vacations by the lake with his cousins, particularly older cousin Dhruv, who shares his love of a special ice cream flavor.Birth–PreschoolView book details
TWENTY QUESTIONSMac BarnettA series of open-ended questions sparks conversation in this inventive book by two greats.Birth–PreschoolWord count 157View book details
WOMBATPhilip Bunting“Wombat. Twobats. Threebats. Morebats” is the beginning of this delightfully designed book. There are more complex representations, too, such as a wombat holding a musical triangle and the word dingbat written in a dingbat font, to amuse grown-ups reading this aloud. DIGITAL NATURE NUGGETS https://pbslearningmedia.org/collection/ nature-nuggets/ This website presents short videos from the PBS documentary film series NATURE show animals in their habitats, set to music. SESAME FOR FAMILIES https://sesameworkshop.org/resources/ Excellent resources, activities, videos, printables, and tips for family conversations and learning are presented on this website from Sesame Workshop. Available in English and Spanish.Birth–PreschoolView book detailsOther resourceNATURE NUGGETShttps://pbslearningmedia.org/collection/nature-nuggets/This website presents short videos from the PBS documentary film series NATURE show animals in their habitats, set to music.Birth–Preschool
Other resourceSESAME FOR FAMILIEShttps://sesameworkshop.org/resources/Excellent resources, activities, videos, printables, and tips for family conversations and learning are presented on this website from Sesame Workshop. Available in English and Spanish.Birth–Preschool
Grades K–2
26 selections
ANIMALS IN PANTSSuzy LevinsonThese wacky poems featuring zany animals wearing all kinds of pants will have you giggling—and perhaps looking at your own pants with fresh eyes.Grades K–2View book details
THE APARTMENT HOUSE ON POPPY HILLNina LaCour, illustrated by Sònia AlbertThroughout three short episodes, a spunky girl welcomes new neighbors to her apartment building and introduces them to the other tenants.Grades K–2View book details
BEST FRIENDSShannon HaleIn the first book of a new beginning reader series, Liline, a Haitian American girl, meets a new best friend: a cat! What should Liline’s family name her?Grades K–2Lexile GN380LATOS 2.9View book details
BUTT OR FACE? CAN YOU TELL WHICH END YOU’RE LOOKING AT?Kari LavelleCan kids guess if they are looking at the top or bottom of animals? A hilarious guessing game book that will have kids exploring over and over. Filled with colorful photos, clever puns, and fascinating facts.Grades K–2View book details
DRAWING OUTDOORSJairo Buitrago, illustrated by Rafael Yockteng, Elisa AmadoA class goes outdoors and spends the day drawing and imagining dinosaurs in the landscape. A great invitation to get outside, explore, and use your imagination. Also available in Spanish.Grades K–2View book details
FINDING FAMILY: THE DUCKLING RAISEDLaura Purdie Salas, illustrated by Alexandria NeonakisIn this true story, a pair of loons raise an orphaned duckling over the course of a summer in northern Wisconsin.Grades K–2Word count 611View book details
A GARDEN IN MY HANDSMeera SriramOn the night before a family wedding, a mother applies henna to her daughter’s hands while sharing the stories of their family’s history.Grades K–2Lexile AD530LATOS 3.5View book details
GOTTA GO!Frank VivaA fun look at the ways we divert ourselves when the need to pee takes over. Kids will enjoy the graphics and intergenerational antics of the boy and his grandfather while waiting in line to use the bathroom.Grades K–2View book details
HAVE YOU SEEN MY INVISIBLE DINOSAUR?the authorIt’s tricky to see something invisible, unless you have mud, rain, snow, or leaves to help you find the outline! The visual cues in this book, paired with the happy reunion of girl and invisible dinosaur, make for a fun and sweet read.Grades K–2Word count 143View book details
INVISIBLE THINGSAndy J. Pizza, Sophie MillerLet your kids interact with more invisible things in this book! Pizza (not his real last name, alas) and Miller personify emotions, ideas, and other invisible experiences in undeniably cute and thought-provoking ways.Grades K–2Lexile AD620LATOS 4View book details
HARRIET TELLS THE TRUTHElana K. Arnold, illustrated by Dung HoA quaint series set on an idyllic island follows young Harriet as she stays at her grandmother’s inn over the summer. She befriends neighbor Clarence, and together they solve long-cold mysteries affecting island residents. This latest title follows Just Harriet and Harriet Spies .Grades K–2View book details
A LETTER FOR BOBKim Rogers, illustrated by Jonathan NelsonKatie pens a letter to beloved family car Bob, thanking him for being with the family through life events ranging from the spectacular to the mundane. ALSC reading lists are created by children’s librarians as a resource to share with patrons. These titles 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 2024 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. © 2024 American Library Association Grades K—2Grades K–2View book details
MINIVAN MIX-UPJulianna LongTwo different families in two identical minivans pull up to the grocery store. What happens when two playing toddlers switch keys in the store? Most of the story is told through pictures!Grades K–2View book details
MOLE IS NOT ALONEMaya TatsukawaMole is very nervous to go to Bunny’s party. We travel through all his tunnels, enjoying the woodland town above him, as he works up the courage to go to the party. He makes a friend who is just as shy and does not like loud, crowded parties either.Grades K–2View book details
MOLLY’S TUXEDOVicki Johnson, illustrated by Gillian ReidIt’s picture day, and Molly wants to look her best. Her mother wants Molly to wear a dress. Molly wants to wear her brother’s tuxedo. It’s up to Molly to decide what feels right for her and to make picture day the best day ever.Grades K–2View book details
THE NORTH WIND AND THE SUNPhilip C. SteadThis retelling of a classic folktale uses beautiful illustrations and simple prose to teach patience and resiliency.Grades K–2View book details
NOT A MONSTERClaudia Guadalupe MartínezUsing both English and Spanish vocabulary, this book explores the fascinating life cycle of the axolotl and ways we can protect this wondrous amphibian.Grades K–2Lexile AD620LATOS 4View book details
ONCE UPON A FAIRY TALE HOUSE: THE TRUE STORY OF FOUR SISTERS AND THE MAGIC THEY BUILTMary Lyn Ray, illustrated by Giselle PotterThe true story of four sisters who used their talents to make real-life fairy tale homes.Grades K–2View book details
REINA RAMOS WORKS IT OUT!Emma Otheguy, illustrated by Andrés LandazábalReina knows exactly who she will be in her class’s wax museum: Frida Kahlo! But when her best friend Nora chooses Frida first, she is heartbroken. Will she find another artist to portray? Also available in Spanish.Grades K–2Word count 484View book details
SHERMY & SHAKE: THE NOT-SO-NICE NEIGHBORKirby LarsonShermy’s patience and hospitality are tested by his neighbor’s boisterous grandson, Shake, who is visiting for the entire summer while his mother and stepfather are honeymooning.Grades K–2View book details
SUPER MAGIC BOY: I AM A DINOSAURJarod RosellóWhen Hugo transforms into a dinosaur, he sets off on a series of hilarious adventures with his best friend, Dino. DIGITAL COOKING WITH KIDS https://www.foodnetwork.com/recipes/ packages/recipes-for-kids/cooking-with-kids Kid-friendly and fun recipes abound on this website where families can choose from categories such as “picky eaters,” kid-friendly kitchen tasks, kid recommendations, and favorite foods. GRACE LIN https://gracelin.com/activities/ Grace Lin’s website presents a multitude of fun activities that tie in with her books. HIGHLIGHTS KIDS https://www.highlightskids.com/ All the fun of Highlights magazine—on a colorful, interactive website. PRODIGY https://play.prodigygame.com/ Kids may use this website at school, but the free game mode for home is also great, with customizable characters, daily prizes, and exclusive items that make practicing math or English fun! STORY TIME FROM SPACE https://storytimefromspace.com/ This website is brimming with stories and science shared by astronauts in space.Grades K–2View book detailsOther resourceCOOKING WITH KIDShttps://www.foodnetwork.com/recipes/packages/recipes-for-kids/cooking-with-kidsKid-friendly and fun recipes abound on this website where families can choose from categories such as “picky eaters,” kid-friendly kitchen tasks, kid recommendations, and favorite foods.Grades K–2
Other resourceGRACE LINhttps://gracelin.com/activities/Grace Lin’s website presents a multitude of fun activities that tie in with her books.Grades K–2
Other resourceHIGHLIGHTS KIDShttps://www.highlightskids.com/All the fun of Highlights magazine—on a colorful, interactive website.Grades K–2
Other resourcePRODIGYhttps://play.prodigygame.com/Kids may use this website at school, but the free game mode for home is also great, with customizable characters, daily prizes, and exclusive items that make practicing math or English fun!Grades K–2
Other resourceSTORY TIME FROM SPACEhttps://storytimefromspace.com/This website is brimming with stories and science shared by astronauts in space.Grades K–2
Grades 3–5
24 selections
BETWEEN MONSTERS AND MARVELSAlysa WishingradAdventure, mystery, and fantasy combine perfectly as Dare Coates learns about her family’s role in a much larger operation. Kids will love the monster lore, surprising twists, and ways the world Wishingrad has built is and isn’t similar to ours.Grades 3–5View book details
THE BOOK OF TURTLESSy MontgomeryIntelligent and enduring, turtles have been around since the time of the dinosaurs. Learn what we know—and don’t yet know— about these surprising reptiles. Illustrated with detailed, realistic paintings of more than thirty different turtle species.Grades 3–5Lexile 870LATOS 5.6View book details
THE DO-OVERJennifer TorresFans of realistic fiction will enjoy this tale that tackles the challenges of blending a family during the COVID-19 pandemic, while remaining light and fun. Also available in Spanish.Grades 3–5View book details
A FEW BICYCLES MOREChristina UssIn this sequel to The Adventures of a Girl Called Bicycle , adventure takes Bicycle and her bike, Fortune, to Harpers Ferry, where she meets her long-lost family and finds out she’s a quintuplet! Her new family brings new adventures—first up is teaching the four sisters to ride their own bikes.Grades 3–5View book details
GLITTER EVERYWHERE! WHERE IT CAME FROM, WHERE IT’S FOUND AND WHERE IT’S GOINGChris BartonA fascinating look at a controversial art supply, offering insights about the human love for sparkle, the science behind the creation of glitter, and ways to improve its environmental impact.Grades 3–5Lexile 950LATOS 6.3View book details
THE HUMAN KABOOMAdam Rubin, illustrated by Daniel Salmieri, OthersA hilarious collection of six short stories, all with the same title. Includes a popcorn recipe and a bonus chapter titled “The Human Kaboom: (the one that hasn’t been written yet),” providing inspiration for kids to write their own story!Grades 3–5Lexile 810LATOS 5.2View book details
INTO THE SHADOW MISTChristina Soontornvat, illustrated by Kevin HongWho doesn’t love a book with a map? In book two of the Legends of Lotus Island series, the adventure continues with Plum and her friends, who must figure out what is putting the entire ecosystem at risk.Grades 3–5Word count 22747View book details
JOVITA WORE PANTS: THE STORY OF A MEXICAN FREEDOM FIGHTERAida SalazarIn Mexico during the Cristero War, Jovita Valdovinos felt helpless at home while her father and brother fought. This book tells the story of how she became one of the most famous revolutionaries and was finally able to wear pants.Grades 3–5Lexile 800LATOS 5.1View book details
LEEVA AT LASTSara PennypackerYoung Leeva learns that there is a whole world outside of the home that she has been trapped in. Funny and perfect for multigenerational reading, the book shows how to make friends in new environments and pokes fun at bureaucracy.Grades 3–5Lexile 750LATOS 4.8View book details
LISTEN TO THE LANGUAGE OF THE TREES: A STORY OF HOW FORESTS COMMUNICATE UNDERGROUNDTera Kelley, illustrated by Marie HermanssonAn exploration of how trees, with the help of fungi, can connect and communicate with one another.Grades 3–5View book details
MAKING MEMORIES: PRACTICE MINDFULNESS, LEARN TO JOURNAL AND SCRAPBOOK, FIND CALM EVERY DAYAmy Tangerine, illustrated by Tracey EnglishThis book is a beautiful way to keep busy during the summer, providing ways to record and celebrate the good days and work through the hard ones. It includes activities like making mandalas with found objects or a feeling box made with origami. www.ala.org/alsc The 2024 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. © 2024 American Library Association ALSC reading lists are created by children’s librarians as a resource to share with patrons. These titles 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 3–5View book details
MARSHMALLOW CLOUDS: TWO POETS AT PLAY AMONG FIGURES OF SPEECHTed Kooser, Connie WanekIllustrated poems based on the four elements—fire, water, earth, and air—that take place during all seasons.Grades 3–5View book details
MY HEAD HAS A BELLYACHE: AND MORE NONSENSE FOR MISCHIEVOUS KIDS AND IMMATURE GROWN-UPSChris HarrisEven the glossary, subject indexes, and title get caught up in this goofy, laugh-out- loud book of poetry and rhymes. Hand this appealing and silly book to fans of Shel Silverstein and Jon Scieszka.Grades 3–5View book details
THE REMARKABLE RESCUE AT MILKWEED MEADOWElaine DimopoulosButternut, who is learning the art of storytelling, spins tales of adventure for her rabbit colony while also questioning the validity of the colony’s rules, overcoming biases about egg-layers and other non-rabbit denizens of Milkweed Meadow, and orchestrating a remarkable rescue.Grades 3–5Lexile 670LATOS 4.7View book details
SEARCH FOR A GIANT SQUID: PICK YOUR PATHAmy Seto ForresterDive into the science of deep-sea research in this engaging choose-your-own- adventure-style informational book.Grades 3–5View book details
SOMETHING LIKE HOMEAndrea Beatriz ArangoLaura Rodríguez Colón moves in with her aunt and is forced to adjust to a new homelife and school, but she finds hope and companionship in the dog she adopts.Grades 3–5Lexile 870LATOS 5.6View book details
THINGS IN THE BASEMENTBen HatkeWhen Milo searches for a lost sock in the basement of his new home, he discovers a new world, strange creatures, and how to be brave when faced with the unknown. DIGITAL BRAINS ON! https://www.brainson.org/ From American Public Media, each weekly episode of this podcast, cohosted by Molly Bloom and a kid guest host, explores a science question. Past episodes include: “What’s inside a jellyfish?” “How heavy is the sky?” and “Can boredom be good for you?” THE FIRST CAT IN SPACE ATE PIZZA LIVE CARTOONS BY SHAWN HARRIS AND MAC BARNETT https://www.youtube.com/ @TheFirstCatinSpace These YouTube videos were made during the COVID lockdown and led to the book by the same name. A nice inspiration to make your own stories with friends over the summer. MONTEREY BAY AQUARIUM LIVE CAMS https://www.montereybayaquarium.org/ animals/live-cams Check out the different sea creatures on live streams from the Monterey Bay Aquarium! Animals to observe include sharks, penguins, spider crabs, and more. NATIONAL GEOGRAPHIC KIDS https://kids.nationalgeographic.com/ Fun trivia and video games for STEM- loving kids on this interactive website. SCISHOW KIDS https://www.youtube.com/@SciShowKids/ videos Discover the wonders of science and get answers to big questions in YouTube videos with Jessi, Squeaks the Robot Lab Rat, and all their friends. SPELLIE https://spelliegame.com Wordle website for kids! Figure out a different word daily, with three levels of difficulty to choose from and hints available to help figure out the correct answer. WONDEROPOLIS https://wonderopolis.org/ Celebrate curiosity with the “Wonder of the Day,” which provides answers to kids’ most interesting questions, on this website hosted by the National Center for Families Learning. Grades 3—5Grades 3–5Lexile 261LATOS 2.1View book detailsOther resourceBRAINS ON!https://www.brainson.org/From American Public Media, each weekly episode of this podcast, cohosted by Molly Bloom and a kid guest host, explores a science question. Past episodes include: “What’s inside a jellyfish?” “How heavy is the sky?” and “Can boredom be good for you?”Grades 3–5
Other resourceTHE FIRST CAT IN SPACE ATE PIZZA LIVE CARTOONS BY SHAWN HARRIS AND MAC BARNETThttps://www.youtube.com/@TheFirstCatinSpaceThese YouTube videos were made during the COVID lockdown and led to the book by the same name. A nice inspiration to make your own stories with friends over the summer.Grades 3–5
Other resourceMONTEREY BAY AQUARIUM LIVE CAMShttps://www.montereybayaquarium.org/animals/live-camsCheck out the different sea creatures on live streams from the Monterey Bay Aquarium! Animals to observe include sharks, penguins, spider crabs, and more.Grades 3–5
Other resourceNATIONAL GEOGRAPHIC KIDShttps://kids.nationalgeographic.com/Fun trivia and video games for STEM- loving kids on this interactive website.Grades 3–5
Other resourceSCISHOW KIDShttps://www.youtube.com/@SciShowKids/videosDiscover the wonders of science and get answers to big questions in YouTube videos with Jessi, Squeaks the Robot Lab Rat, and all their friends.Grades 3–5
Other resourceSPELLIEhttps://spelliegame.comWordle website for kids! Figure out a different word daily, with three levels of difficulty to choose from and hints available to help figure out the correct answer.Grades 3–5
Other resourceWONDEROPOLIShttps://wonderopolis.org/Celebrate curiosity with the “Wonder of the Day,” which provides answers to kids’ most interesting questions, on this website hosted by the National Center for Families Learning. Grades 3—5Grades 3–5
Grades 6–8
25 selections
BARELY FLOATINGLilliam RiveraA great addition to a summer reading list, this story follows Nat as she falls in love with and tries out for the L.A. Mermaids, a synchronized swimming group. Over the summer, she learns how good it feels to surround herself with people who lift her up and how to let herself shine, even when it gets tough.Grades 6–8Lexile 590LATOS 3.8View book details
CATCH A CRAYFISH, COUNT THE STARS: FUN PROJECTS, SKILLS, AND ADVENTURES FOR OUTDOOR KIDSSteven Rinella, illustrated by Max TemescuWritten by the host of the Netflix show MeatEater , this book is full of fun activities to do in the summer. The activities range from making a sun compass to becoming a bike mechanic, pickling a cucumber, and birdwatching.Grades 6–8View book details
THE FIREFLY SUMMERMorgan Matson, maps by Celia KrampienA girl is sent to meet her extended family at their lakeside retreat. There she learns how to embrace her family’s changes and cope with grief.Grades 6–8Lexile 781LATOS 5View book details
A FIRST TIME FOR EVERYTHINGDan SantatFrom discovering punk music and Fanta to sneaking into Wimbledon, this graphic memoir is the story of how one class trip to Europe changed a middle schooler’s life forever.Grades 6–8Word count 13232View book details
HALF MOON SUMMERElaine VickersSeventh-graders Mia and Drew spend their summer running together as they train for a half marathon and face challenges within their families.Grades 6–8Lexile 740LATOS 4.7View book details
HEROES: A NOVEL OF PEARL HARBORAlan GratzDecember 7, 1941—the world changes for Frank and Stanley. Caught on a battleship when the Japanese bomb Pearl Harbor, the two friends endure frightening moments that test their friendship as everything around them is destroyed. Includes a graphic novel of the original ideas and moments the boys shared during their ordeal.Grades 6–8View book details
THE LABORS OF HERCULES BEALGary D. SchmidtHercules knows he’s no hero—even though he’s named after one. Assigned a Herculean task by his teacher, Herc, over the course of a year, helps out in the family nursery, with all that entails, and learns to accept the death of his parents and to trust and bond with those around him.Grades 6–8Lexile 860LATOS 5.5View book details
THE LOST YEARKatherine MarshDuring the COVID pandemic, thirteen- year-old Matthew discovers a photo of his great-grandmother and a family secret that is connected to the Holodomor—a famine that killed millions of Ukrainians in 1930s Soviet Union.Grades 6–8View book details
THE MANY ASSASSINATIONS OF SAMIR, THE SELLER OF DREAMSDaniel NayeriDetermined to save his new master’s life, a young orphan must face various assassins as he and the “Seller of Dreams” travel the Silk Road.Grades 6–8Lexile 841LATOS 5.4View book details
MEXIKID: A GRAPHIC MEMOIRPedro MartínPedro and his large family take an epic road trip to Mexico to bring his abuelito back to America. This hilarious graphic novel memoir has a lot of heart and will keep kids laughing.Grades 6–8Lexile HL530LATOS 3.5View book details
THE MISFITS: A ROYAL CONUNDRUMLisa YeeHigh jinks, heists, and humor! Before departing on another last-minute business trip, Olive Cobin Zang’s parents deposit her at the Reforming Arts School (RASCH), a boarding school at a former prison, where she is soon secretly enrolled in undercover agent training.Grades 6–8View book details
THE MONA LISA VANISHES: A LEGENDARY PAINTER, A SHOCKING HEIST, AND THE BIRTH OF A GLOBAL CELEBRITYNicholas DayA rollicking true tale of the improbable theft of the Mona Lisa from the Louvre in 1911, set alongside the equally improbable story of its creation and the life of its painter, Leonardo da Vinci. Grades 6—8 www.ala.org/alsc The 2024 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. © 2024 American Library Association ALSC reading lists are created by children’s librarians as a resource to share with patrons. These titles 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 6–8View book details
THE PLOT TO KILL A QUEENDeborah HopkinsonEmilia Bassano meets Will Shakespeare and then Mary Queen of Scots in this imaginative story for those who love music, writing, theater, spycraft, and historical fiction!Grades 6–8View book details
REMEMBER USJacqueline WoodsonTwelve-year-old Sage experiences a summer of self-discovery as she spends her days playing basketball and watching fires overtake the beloved Bushwick neighborhood where she lives in this novel set in the 1970s.Grades 6–8View book details
SHAKTIS. J. Sindu, illustrated by Nabi H. AliA fantasy graphic novel about a twelve-year-old Indian American girl learning to use her powers for good.Grades 6–8View book details
SIMON SORT OF SAYSErin BowIn this story filled with quirky characters, Simon learns that life is full of tragedy, sensitive moments, and most importantly, humanity. Humor abounds as Simon learns the true meaning of letting go of the past and facing his future as only a middle schooler can do.Grades 6–8Lexile 811LATOS 5.2View book details
SUNSHINEJarrett J. KrosoczkaThis graphic novel tells the story of a summer camp for seriously ill children and their families. Sixteen-year-old Jarrett is worried that working with sick kids will be too depressing, but he quickly learns how to connect and empathize with the kids and their families.Grades 6–8View book details
TEGAN AND SARA: JUNIOR HIGHTegan Quin, Sara QuinTwin sisters Tegan and Sara are growing up—and growing apart—as they face the challenges of junior high, crushes, and friend drama. They find a way to reconnect through their love of making music in this semi-autobiographical graphic novel.Grades 6–8View book details
TWO TRIBESEmily Bowen CohenRaised by her Jewish mother and stepfather, Mia yearns to know more about her father, a member of the Muscogee Nation, so she runs away to Oklahoma to discover more about her family—and her own identity.Grades 6–8Lexile 420LATOS 2.9View book details
WHERE THE WATER TAKES USAlan BarillaroA girl spends her summer at her grandfather’s lake house and befriends a neighbor boy who teaches her how to cope with complex emotions. The illustrations double as a flip-book.Grades 6–8View book details
YOU ARE HERE: CONNECTING FLIGHTSEllen OhInterconnected short stories told by twelve authors feature East and Southeast Asian American characters stuck together at a Chicago airport. DIGITAL CHROME MUSIC LAB https://musiclab.chromeexperiments.com/ This engaging website makes learning music fun with hands-on experiments and activities that cover rhythm, harmonics, oscillators, and more. THE KID SHOULD SEE THIS https://thekidshouldseethis.com/ This Webby Award–winning site offers a well-organized collection of more than 6,000 thought-provoking, kid-accessible, all-ages videos on a range of topics. Ten to fifteen new videos added weekly. LEGO BUILDER https://www.lego.com/en-us/builder-app This free app has digital building instructions for LEGO sets from 2006 to today. Some instructions are available in 3-D, and you can zoom and rotate instructions. TED-ED https://ed.ted.com/ TED’s youth and education initiative, TED-Ed is a website that presents video shorts on diverse, stimulating topics, supplemented with discussion questions and resources for deeper dives. Grades 6—8Grades 6–8View book detailsOther resourceCHROME MUSIC LABhttps://musiclab.chromeexperiments.com/This engaging website makes learning music fun with hands-on experiments and activities that cover rhythm, harmonics, oscillators, and more.Grades 6–8
Other resourceTHE KID SHOULD SEE THIShttps://thekidshouldseethis.com/This Webby Award–winning site offers a well-organized collection of more than 6,000 thought-provoking, kid-accessible, all-ages videos on a range of topics. Ten to fifteen new videos added weekly.Grades 6–8
Other resourceLEGO BUILDERhttps://www.lego.com/en-us/builder-appThis free app has digital building instructions for LEGO sets from 2006 to today. Some instructions are available in 3-D, and you can zoom and rotate instructions.Grades 6–8
Other resourceTED-EDhttps://ed.ted.com/TED’s youth and education initiative, TED-Ed is a website that presents video shorts on diverse, stimulating topics, supplemented with discussion questions and resources for deeper dives. Grades 6—8Grades 6–8