When you’re looking for recommendations for your child’s summer reading, it’s easy to find recommendations from adults: teachers, librarians, book experts and other parents most often. But are those really the most relevant choices for your kids? Will they resonate with those books the same way adults do? Kids start from scratch with their perspective of the world, and they want to read books about kids they can relate to.
The truth is that kids read books their friends and classmates recommend. But how can you, as a parent (or educator), find those books?
It’s not easy to get book recommendations from other kids for your child, especially over the summer when school’s out. If you need help with finding those perfect summer reads for your child, here are the top 10 books that were rated 5 stars by our students on Biblionasium this week.
Bailey’s Story: A Dog’s Purpose Puppy Tale
When Bailey meets eight-year-old Ethan, he quickly figures out his purpose: to play with the boy, to explore the Farm during summers with the boy, and to tidy the boy’s dishes by licking them clean (only when Mom isn’t watching). But Bailey soon learns that life isn’t always so simple–that sometimes bad things happen–and that there can be no greater purpose than to protect the boy he loves.
Wonder
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I won’t describe what I look like. Whatever you’re thinking, it’s probably worse.
August Pullman was born with a facial difference that, up until now, has prevented him from going to a mainstream school. Starting 5th grade at Beecher Prep, he wants nothing more than to be treated as an ordinary kid—but his new classmates can’t get past Auggie’s extraordinary face.
Fox in Love (Penguin Young Readers, Level 3)
by Edward Marshall and James Marshall
Fox is on a roll in the love department. First he falls for Raisin, then for Millie, Rosa, Lola— and then Raisin again. Can Fox handle this much love?
Dork Diaries 9: Tales from a Not-So-Dorky Drama Queen
Nikki Maxwell’s worst nightmare comes true in book nine of the #1 New York Times bestselling Dork Diaries series!
A certain member of the CCP girls Dork fans know all about has gotten her hands on Nikki’s diary and has decided to share some thoughts of her own…Find out what happens when Nikki’s worst nightmare becomes a reality. Welcome to Mackenzie’s world!!
Survivors: The Toughest Creatures on Earth (Animal Science)
by Nicola Davies and Neal Layton
Exciting new edition of Extreme Animals, from zoologist Nicola Davies’ fascinating Animal Science series – the best biology series ever! An exciting new edition of Extreme Animals, one of the six books in zoologist Nicola Davies’ fascinating Animal Science series. Everywhere on Earth there is life. From polar wastes to bubbling volcanoes, animals have adapted to survive in conditions that would kill a human quicker than you can say “coffin”! Discover how they do it in this amazing natural history book, with witty cartoon-style illustrations by Neal Layton, and find out who really is the toughest animal of all.
The Secret Garden
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When orphaned Mary Lennox comes to live at her uncle’s great house on the Yorkshire Moors, she finds it full of secrets. The mansion has nearly one hundred rooms, and her uncle keeps himself locked up. And at night, she hears the sound of crying down one of the long corridors.
The gardens surrounding the large property are Mary’s only escape. Then, Mary discovers a secret garden, surrounded by walls and locked with a missing key. With the help of two unexpected companions, Mary discovers a way in—and becomes determined to bring the garden back to life.
Elvis & Olive
by Stephanie Watson
Natalie and Annie become friends and decide to spend their summer spying on their neighbors. What begins as a game turns serious when their findings are revealed to the neighborhood, and when the girls discover unexpected things about each other. While the girls learn that it’s sometimes helpful to reveal secrets, they also learn a lesson about the importance of privacy.
Narwhal: Unicorn of the Sea (A Narwhal and Jelly Book #1)
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Narwhal is a happy-go-lucky narwhal. Jelly is a no-nonsense jellyfish. The two might not have a lot in common, but they do they love waffles, parties and adventures. Join Narwhal and Jelly as they discover the whole wide ocean together.
The Lightning Thief (Percy Jackson and the Olympians, Book 1)
by Rick Riordan
Percy Jackson is a good kid, but he can’t seem to focus on his schoolwork or control his temper. And lately, being away at boarding school is only getting worse-Percy could have sworn his pre-algebra teacher turned into a monster and tried to kill him. When Percy’s mom finds out, she knows it’s time that he knew the truth about where he came from, and that he go to the one place he’ll be safe. She sends Percy to Camp Half Blood, a summer camp for demigods (on Long Island), where he learns that the father he never knew is Poseidon, God of the Sea.
Fancy Nancy: Ooh La La! It’s Beauty Day
by Jane O’Connor and Robin Preiss Glasser
What better way to fancy Mom up for her birthday than to treat her to a super-deluxe beauty day created by Fancy Nancy herself? It’s a pampering paradise, and right in the backyard! With relaxing music, fragrant lotions, colorful nail polish, and foamy mousse, Nancy gives her mom a total makeover. She even treats her to sumptuous refreshments and special entertainment. But when the pampering suddenly goes too far, has Nancy ruined her mom’s big day?
Check out Biblionasium to find more book recommendations for kids!