Close Menu
    Facebook X (Twitter) Instagram Pinterest LinkedIn YouTube TikTok
    • Home
    • Submission Guidelines
    • Advertise
    • Mentorship
    • Editing Services
    • About
    • Contact
    Facebook X (Twitter) Instagram Pinterest TikTok
    The Children's Book Review
    Subscribe
    • Books by Subject
    • Books by Age
      • Ages 0-3, Infant and Toddler
      • Ages 4-8, Preschool to Elementary
      • Ages 9-12, Preteen and Tween
      • Ages 12+, Teen and Young Adult
      • Books for First Grade Readers
      • Books for Second Grade Readers
      • Books for Third Grade Readers
    • Favorites
      • Diverse and Inclusive Books
      • Books About Activism
      • Best Books for Kids
      • Star Wars Books
      • Board Books
      • Books About Mindfulness
      • Dr. Seuss Books
    • Showcase
    • Interviews
      • Growing Readers Podcast
      • Author Interviews and Q&A
      • Illustrator Interviews
    • Kids’ Book Giveaways
    • Directory
    • Podcast
    The Children's Book Review

    5 Kids’ Books Perfect for Summer Reading

    Bianca SchulzeBy Bianca Schulze5 Mins Read Ages 4-8 Ages 9-12 Best Kids Stories Book Lists Chapter Books Novels for Kids and Teens
    5 Kids Books Perfect for Summer Reading
    Share
    Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Pinterest Email

    5 Chapter Books Perfect for Summer Reading
    Sponsored* | Opinions Are Our Own
    The Children’s Book Review

    One of the best parts of summer is the extra time for reading! Reading by the pool, reading outside, time for book club, or staying up a little later for just one more chapter. Grab a picnic blanket, some sunscreen, and your favorite young readers because the following five outstanding books all offer quintessential summer reading experiences.

    Maybe Maybe Marisol Rainey Book Cover

    Maybe Maybe Marisol Rainey

    Written and Illustrated by Erin Entrada Kelly

    Ages 7-12 | 160 Pages

    Publisher: Greenwillow Books | ISBN-13: 978-0062970428

    Maybe Marisol Rainey is an incredible story that beautifully demonstrates the importance of personal growth and the value of a solid friendship. Eight-year-old Marisol Rainey is an endearing new character with an active imagination that, in her first story, offers readers a charming depiction of conquering fears. In Marisol’s backyard, there is a magnolia tree perfect for climbing. If only she could build the courage to climb the tree and discover the wonders hidden within its branches. Marisol has so many fears, but her greatest one is falling. Maybe she’ll climb the tree. Maybe!

    There is so much to love about this book, including a strong sense of season with descriptions of hot summer days and carefree bike rides with friends. Highly Recommended.

    Buy the Book

    Buy on AmazonBuy on AudibleBuy on Bookshop

    Pea, Bee, & Jay

    Written and Illustrated by Brian “Smitty” Smith

    Ages 6-10 | 64 Pages

    Publisher: HarperAlley | ISBN-13: 978-0062981172

    Is there anything more summer than strawberries and thunderstorms? Well, this early reader graphic novel has both of these. When a rascally strawberry dares Pea to roll all the way off the farm, and a thunderstorm sends him off course, Pea rolls right into two new friends: A know-it-all bee and a bird named Jay who cannot fly. Together, this unlikely trio may be able to help Pea find his way back home to the farm. This is a super fun choice for the emerging reader!

    Buy the Book

    Buy on AmazonBuy on Bookshop

    Buy the Book

    Here in the Real World

    Written by Sara Pennypacker

    Ages 8-12 | 64 Pages

    Publisher: Balzer + Bray | ISBN-13: 978-0062698957

    An introvert seeking acceptance from his parents discovers meaningful friendship and a solid sense of himself in New York Times bestselling author Sara Pennypacker’s middle-grade novel, Here in the Real World. Ware’s plans to stay with his grandma for the summer come to an abrupt end when a bad fall lands her in the hospital. With his parents working double shifts to save enough money to buy the home they have rented for years, his mother insists that he attend the rec center summer camp.

    Idealism and realism beautifully collide, making it an excellent choice for readers of books like Kate Dicamillo’s Because of Winn-Dixie and Katherine Paterson’s Bridge to Terabithia.

    Buy the Book

    Buy on AmazonBuy on AudibleBuy on Bookshop

    Billy Miller Makes a Wish

    Billy Miller Makes a Wish

    Written and Illustrated by Kevin Henkes

    Ages 8-12 | 192 Pages

    Publisher: Greenwillow Books | ISBN-13: 978-0063042797

    t’s summertime! Billy Miller makes a birthday wish, but after a series of particular events, he begins to regret that he’d ever made this wish. With his dad away at an art camp for adults and his best friend Ned on a family road trip, Billy is stuck spending time with his bothersome little sister—and even more so since his mom has been extra tired lately. Every day his dad is away, an unwanted and unexpected event takes place. Could these events be related to the wish? Can you take a wish back once it’s been made?

    In true Kevin Henkes style, this story captures believable and relatable moments in a knowing, wise, and humorous way. Henkes knows his characters as well as he knows his audience. The theme of ‘family’ also makes it a wonderful book for parent and child to read together.

    Buy the Book

    Buy on AmazonBuy on AudibleBuy on Bookshop

    Book A Whale of the Wild

    A Whale of the Wild

    Written by Rosanne Parry

    Illustrated by Lindsay Moore    

    Ages 8-12 | 336 Pages

    Publisher: Greenwillow Books | ISBN-13: 978-0062995926

    It wouldn’t be a summer reading list without including at least one maritime adventure! Set in the Salish Sea, a pod of orca whales is searching for salmon—their source of sustenance—but with the changing seascape, salmon are becoming increasingly harder to find. When the pod experiences a family loss, followed by a devastating earthquake and tsunami, Vega and her brother Deneb find themselves separated from their kin. If they are to reunite with their family, Vega must assume her role as a Wayfinder to lead her brother to safety. She will need to lean into the accumulated wisdom the elders have been sharing with her if she and Deneb are to survive the ocean’s deep blue wilderness.

    A Whale of the Wild is a poignant animal adventure that demonstrates the importance of coming together in a crisis. Readers will readily journey with the two siblings as they find their place among their kin.

    Buy the Book

    Buy on AmazonBuy on AudibleBuy on Bookshop

    The article 5 Kids’ Books Perfect for Summer Reading was curated by The Children’s Book Review and sponsored* by HarperCollins. For similar books and articles, follow along with our content tagged with Chapter Book Series, Humorous Books, and Illustrated Chapter Books.

    What to Read Next:

    1. 5 Laugh-Out-Loud Chapter Books for Kids 7 and Up
    2. 5 Gorgeous Animal Adventure Novels For Kids
    3. Maybe Maybe Marisol Rainey | Dedicated Review
    4. Fantastic Kids’ Survival Books That You Can’t Put Down

    *Disclosure: Please note that this post may contain affiliate links that share some commission. Rest assured that these will not affect the cost of any products and services promoted here. Our team always provides their authentic opinion in all content published on this site.

    Blazer + Bray Brian Smitty Smith Erin Entrada Kelly Greenwillow Books HarperAlley Kevin Henkes Lindsay Moore Rosanne Parry Sara Pennypacker Spotlight Summer Summer reading
    Share. Facebook Twitter Pinterest LinkedIn Tumblr Email
    Previous ArticleMaybe Maybe Marisol Rainey | Dedicated Review
    Next Article Anna Kang and Christopher Weyant Discuss Hudson and Tallulah Take Sides
    Bianca Schulze
    • Website
    • Facebook
    • X (Twitter)
    • LinkedIn

    Bianca Schulze is the founder of The Children’s Book Review. She is a reader, reviewer, mother and children’s book lover. She also has a decade’s worth of experience working with children in the great outdoors. Combined with her love of books and experience as a children’s specialist bookseller, the goal is to share her passion for children’s literature to grow readers. Born and raised in Sydney, Australia, she now lives with her husband and three children near Boulder, Colorado.

    Leave A Reply Cancel Reply

    This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.

    TCBR Supporter
    Recent Articles
    • Me So Akonnwa A Me So Dua | Dedicated Review
    • ABC Diario: Cada día te quiero de la A a la Z | Book Review
    • Sincerely, Antonia: A Big Note from a Tiny Guest | Book Review
    • Sunny and the Border Patrol | Book Review
    • Princess Fusspot, by Nancy Kunhardt Lodge | Dedicated Review
    TCBR Supporters
    sponsored | become a TCBR supporter today

    sponsored | become a TCBR supporter today
    sponsored | become a TCBR supporter today
    sponsored | become a TCBR supporter today
    Discover Kids Books by Age
    Best Books For Kids
    Media Kit: The Children's Book Review
    Author and Illustrator Showcase
    SEARCH
    BOOKS BY SUBJECT
    Archives
    Professional Resources

    Book Marketing Campaigns

    Writing Coaches and Editing Services

    Mentorship

    Facebook X (Twitter) Instagram Pinterest YouTube LinkedIn TikTok
    • Submission Guidelines
    • Policies
    • Advertise
    • TCBR Buzzworthy Mentions
    • About TCBR
    © 2025 The Children’s Book Review. All rights reserved.

    Type above and press Enter to search. Press Esc to cancel.