Summer Reading List for Kids (book suggestions for ages 9 to 13)
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Summer is halfway over. Have your kids run out of books to read? If you need a few new book suggestions, this summer reading list has several tried and true summer reading book ideas for kids, perfect for middle grades. (4th – 8th grades)
I also have a printable summer reading log for you to use here.
Middle Grade Summer Reading Lists
Young readers have so many amazing book options right now, making summer the perfect time for your child to dive into a selection of great stories. Whether your kid is searching for a tale of friendship and love or an adventure of the ages, they’re sure to find something to add to their middle grade summer reading list.
Summer Reading for Girls:
You Go First by Erin Entrada Kelly – Winner of the Newberry Medal, this engaging story follows a pair of middle-school friendships and the trials and tribulations that come along with those complicated relationships.
When Friendship Followed Me Home by Paul Griffin – After rescuing an abandoned puppy, Ben Coffin is led to a new friend that changes his life in this heartfelt, award-winning middle grade novel.
Serafina and the Black Cloak by Robert Beatty – In the 1st book of this much-loved series, Serafina and her friends must battle a supernatural power aimed at destroying their home. (We read and enjoyed the entire series.)
Beyond the Bright Sea by Lauren Wolk – After living her entire life with her adopted family on a small island, Crow becomes curious about the world around her in this award-winning tale of exploration and family love.
Running Through Sprinklers by Michelle Kim – The best friends in this inspiring middle grade summer read have been inseparable for years, but when one friend is forced to grow up to quickly the girls struggle to rekindle their relationship.
Little House Series by Laura Ingalls Wilder – The nine books in the timeless Little House series tell the story of Laura’s real childhood as an American pioneer, and are cherished by readers of all generations. They offer a unique glimpse into life on the American frontier and tell the heartwarming, unforgettable story of a loving family.
Roald Dahl Collection – 15 Paperback Book Boxed Set – These have all been read and re-read by both my kids. Set includes The Witches, The BFG, Charlie and the Chocolate Factory, Matilda, etc… If you just want to start with a few, my missy says she liked them all, but The Witches and Matilda were her favorites. (The full set is only $37 – I highly recommend these.)
Warriors Series by Erin Hunter – Epic adventures. Fierce warrior cats. It’s a thrilling fantasy world. The Warriors series has six sets of 6 books each. (I linked to the 1st set <as of today’s writing, it is $23.97 for six paperbacks.) My daughter has become addicted to his series! (She even started a “Warriors Club” at school.) We are already on book 1 of the last set. There are also “super aeditions and “bonus stories.”
The Warriors series was an all-time favorite for my daughter and her friends. Whenever they got together and the conversation shifted to the warrior cats, it was an absolute joy to listen to. Their enthusiasm was contagious, and I couldn’t help but be entertained by how deeply invested they were in the world of warrior cats. Hearing them discuss every detail with such excitement was truly a delight.
Summer Reading Suggestions for Boys:
The Doughnut Fix by Jessie Janowitz – Follow Tristan as he copes with moving from the big city to a small town in this heartwarming and funny tale of friendship and family.
Waste of Space by Stuart Gibbs – The third and final book in the Moon Base Alpha series takes detective Dash Gibson on the hunt for an attempted murder suspect on the moon colony.
Out of the Wild Night by Blue Balliett – The ghosts of the island of Nantucket have chosen a few special kids to protect the island from the adults who want to do it harm in this spooky tale from popular storyteller Blue Balliett.
The Journey of Little Charlie by Christopher Paul Curtis – When a terrible accident takes his father’s life, Charlie is forced to settle his parents’ debt with the terrible Cap’n Buck in this crowd-pleasing tale set in 1858 that’s perfect for middle grade summer reading.
Good Dog by Dan Gemeinhart – Heaven was ready to welcome good dog Brodie, but he can’t move on until he saves the boy who loved him in this heartwarming summer read.
Percy Jackson and The Lightning Thief – Book 1 of the Percy Jackson Series. 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.
The Hidden Oracle by Rick Riordan – Book 1 in the Trials of Apollo series. How do you punish an immortal? By making him human. After angering his father Zeus, the god Apollo is cast down from Olympus. Weak and disoriented, he lands in New York City as a regular teenage boy. Now, without his godly powers, the four-thousand-year-old deity must learn to survive in the modern world until he can somehow find a way to regain Zeus’s favor. (We picked this one up on a camping trip, and I even read it. Super cute story!)
Don’t forget to print the reading log to track your kids’ books this summer!
Now it’s your turn! We have read most of these on this list and are always looking for something new. Share your kid’s favorites in the comments below.
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