Summer is for popsicles, pool days, and family adventures, but it’s also a sneaky season when kids can lose two to three months of reading progress if they don’t crack open a book. That dreaded “summer slide” is real, especially for kids in upper elementary. But the good news? Just a little reading every week can make a huge difference. And, this summer reading list doesn’t make it feel like homework.
This age (grades 3–5) is a sweet spot: kids are becoming independent readers, figuring out what they like, and starting to dive into deeper themes and characters. That means the right books can not only help them retain skills, but actually help them grow as readers and thinkers.
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What to Look for in a Great Summer Book
Here are a few things I keep in mind when compiling a summer reading list for this age group:
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The right level – Kids are moving from early chapter books to more complex stories. Think meaty plots without being too heavy.
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Genre variety – Fantasy, mystery, realistic fiction, graphic novels… the more options you give them, the more likely something will stick!
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Themes that matter – This is such a good age to introduce books that talk about friendship, courage, perseverance, and discovering who you are.
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Aligned to their interests – Is your kid into the outdoors? Outer space? Cooking? There’s a book for that.
A Handpicked Summer Reading List for Grades 3–5
Here are some of my top summer picks—ones that feel adventurous, heartfelt, funny, and memorable. You’ll find a mix of classics, new favorites, graphic novels, and stories that take you on a journey (literal and emotional).
Podkin One-Ear
by Kieran Larwood
Journey to the fantasy land of the five realms to meet Podkin One-Ear. The story, told by a traveling bard, is about a young rabbit and how he is thrust into an epic adventure to save his life and those of his family members. My favorite aspect of the book is the change that Podkin’s character undergoes as he faces challenges throughout the story. The lessons he learns are applicable to all who read it. He begins as a lazy, rude bunny, but transforms into a great warrior and legend.
Why does he have one ear, you may ask? Well, you’ll have to read it to find out! And, read my full review of this book for discussion questions and to learn more.
The Penderwicks
by Jeanne Birdsall
An old-fashioned, feel-good summer story with sisters, lemonade, and outdoor adventures. Think wholesome fun with lots of personality.
The Remarkable Journey of Coyote Sunrise
by Dan Gemeinhart
It’s possible that summer road trips are your favorite type of travel. You enjoy seeing a little bit of many different places across this great nation of ours. If that’s the case, then you should read The Remarkable Journey of Coyote Sunrise.
Coyote and her dad, Rodeo, travel around the country in a school bus for five full years. Along the way they encounter a motley crew of folks who are each on their own adventure. When young Coyote learns that a beloved park in her home town is being demolished, she comes up with a sneaky plan to convince her dad to drive back to their home state of Washington.
Echo
by Pam Munoz Ryan
If you are unsure of where to visit this summer, you might want to check out Echo. The setting changes from Germany to Pennsylvania and then to Southern California, following the stories of three musically inclined children.
It is a beautiful tale that begins as a fantasy telling of a prophesy and the importance of a harmonica. Then, it turns into a work of historical fiction that takes place during WWII.
I would highly recommend that you listen to the audio book! Because there is such a strong theme of music, there are musicians playing all of the pieces mentioned throughout the story. They talk about a number of famous composers and their works, so it is very exciting to hear the pieces as you are reading.
Read our more detailed review, including great questions for teaching opportunities throughout the story!
Fudge-a-Mania
by Judy Blume
A summer vacation with your annoying little brother? Yep—this one’s full of laugh-out-loud sibling moments.
Wish
by Barbara O’Connor
Enjoy the scenery of the Blue Ridge Mountains in North Carolina by reading Wish, a book that’s a perfect fit for a summer reading list. This story is about a young girl named Charlie who learns the hard lesson that what we often desire isn’t always what we need.
Catch our full review of this book in our Library!
Louisiana’s Way Home
by Kate DiCamillo
This book will have you on a middle-of-the-night-road-trip traveling North from Florida to Georgia with Louisiana Elefante and her very strange grandmother. Granny is certain that it is the day of reckoning and they must not return to the small town of Louisiana’s best friends and the life she so enjoyed. As strange as she is, Granny is one of my favorite characters in this book. She brings a lot of humor to the frustrating situations that she creates for herself and her granddaughter.
Louisiana is unsettled by the fact that she does not have a place that feels like home. On some level, I think we can all relate to this unsettling feeling. What is it that gives us a feeling of home?
As the pair rest from their journey for a few days in Georgia, Louisiana makes friends with some unlikely folks around the hotel. She also learns some interesting details about herself and her past; details that help to shape her future and lead her home.
Kristy’s Great Idea (Baby-Sitters Club Graphic Novels)
by Raina Telgemeier
What better way to spend your summer than by earning a little extra money babysitting? That’s why I thought this book was a perfect fit for a summer reading list. If you were a fan of the Baby-Sitters Club (I still have quite a few of these around!) when you were younger, then you will love the graphic novel editions of the stories. Graphic novels are a great transition for younger readers who are moving from picture books to chapter books.
The first of the series is where Kristy gets her big idea for the business and incites her friends to join in on the adventure. Of course, there is a little drama and fun along the way.
Guts
by Raina Telgemeier
This is the third, and newest graphic novel book, in the Smile Series by Raina Telgemeier. Raina is writing a memoir about important moments from her childhood. My students adore this series and I often hear them recommend it to one another.
In this book, she discusses some tough topics in a very approachable way. Worries about school, changing friendships, and puberty are all addressed. These concerns trigger stomach issues for Raina and she finds herself working through these problems with a counselor. I appreciate that the troubles aren’t swept aside or even normalized since she is just a young girl. I think it helps young readers to know their worries are valid and it’s possible to work through them.
The Deceivers
by Margaret Peterson Haddix
You can travel to another dimension in this exciting sci-fi novel by Margaret Peterson Haddix. The Greystone kids and their friend Natalie work together to find their moms who are seemingly lost in this new world.
This is one that I have personally added to my summer reading list because I am a big fan of the author’s other works. She wrote Among the Hidden. I think this will be a fun adventure worth checking out!
Based on the author’s interviews that I have followed (she’s a lot of fun on Facebook!), there is a strong message of the importance of supporting your family members and an emphasis on working together in order to be successful. I appreciate that the kids, although working through their own character flaws, respect and support one another.
The Boy Who Harnessed the Wind
by William Kamkwamba
Travel to the country of Malawi in Africa by snagging this true story told by an aspiring young scientist. Children will have the opportunity to learn about a culture that is likely very different from their own.
I had the privilege of reading The Boy Who Harnessed the Wind with my students the last two years. This was the first book I read aloud that kids constantly went home and searched for information to learn more about it. They searched Google Earth to find William’s home in Wimbe and they watched his Ted Talks. One of them also discovered that the movie version of the story was on Netflix. With that knowledge, their enthusiasm for the story sky rocketed. They were so excited to go home and watch it with their families. They sent me pictures of themselves sitting with popcorn on the couch while watching the film. It’s extremely powerful.
I would recommend this for more advanced readers, and I would also encourage you to read it with your child to ensure their comprehension of the story. William gets pretty detailed in his explanations of his experiments and it’s easy to get lost in the information. However, the exposure to the science and the mistakes he is able to learn from along the way are great for teaching a growth mindset!
Also, I would caution you that there is one scene where William was forced to abandon his starving dog because he could no longer afford to feed it; he could barely feed himself. I have cried in front of my students both times that I read this aloud. It’s important for kids to see that books create emotions, so I wouldn’t shy away from this unless you feel your child just can’t handle it yet.
I Am Malala: How One Girl Stood Up for Education and Changed the World
by Malala Yousafzai
I highly recommend that you add Pakistan to your literary travels by reading about women’s education activist and the youngest Nobel Prize laureate, Malala Yousafzai. In this true story, fifteen year-old Malala humbly shares about the courage she has to speak up for women’s rights. In response, the Taliban find her and shoot her at point blank range in the head.
She spends time recovering in Europe and then attends college there in Oxford. She has traveled the world sharing her story and her passion for all women to receive an education.
The reality of this book may be too dark for many children. Although, Malala’s description of the shooting is very matter-of-fact because she does not remember the experience at all. There is very little gory detail. This book may serve as a good introduction to this culture and the beauty found in many of the caring people here.
Tips to Make Summer Reading Actually Happen
Let’s be real—reading isn’t always your child’s first pick. Here are a few ideas to make it more fun (and less of a chore):
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Reading Challenge: Create a summer book bingo or “passport” and let them earn small rewards. You can even follow along with our reading challenge!
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Reading Nook: Cozy pillows, snacks, and twinkle lights? Sold.
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Library Visits: Let them explore, choose their own books, and join local summer reading programs.
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Book Clubs: Grab a few friends and host a backyard book chat or Zoom meet-up.
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Activities That Match Books: Read a book about cooking? Make the recipe together. Read about animals? Visit the zoo or a local shelter!
Ready for a Personalized List?
If you’re thinking, this is great, but I still don’t know where to start—I’ve got you! I offer personalized book recommendations based on your child’s age and interests.
📝 Just click the button below and fill out our quick form. Then, I’ll send you a summer reading list of books tailored to your child (and your goals for reading):
Let’s help your child have a summer filled with imagination, discovery, and stories that will stay with them long after school starts again.
Books aren’t just pages to turn—they’re memories waiting to be made.
