Keep the Pages Turning: Why Summer Reading Still Matters (and What Kids Are Actually Excited to Read)
Help kids stay engaged this summer with reading tips, research-backed strategies to prevent learning loss, and book recommendations for every age.
School's out. The backpacks are hanging by the door, the pencil cases are buried somewhere, and the last thing most kids want to hear is the word “homework.” But here's the thing: No one said reading had to feel like work.
Summer is one of the best gifts we can give young readers: unstructured time to follow their curiosity, dive into a world of their choosing, and read just for the joy of it. And that joy? It turns out to be one of the most powerful tools we have for keeping kids on track academically—and beyond.
The Summer Slide Is Real, and It's Reversible
You've probably heard the term “summer slide”—the tendency for students to lose academic ground over the summer months when learning isn't structured. Research shows that students can lose up to one to two months of reading progress over a typical summer break, with the effects compounding year after year.
But the good news is equally consistent. Literacy researcher James Kim found that students could beat the summer slide by reading just five books over the break. It doesn't take a summer school program or a formal curriculum. It takes access to books, a little encouragement and the freedom to choose what they want to read.
That last part matters more than we often give it credit for.
Choice Is the Secret Ingredient
When students get to choose what they read, everything changes. Engagement goes up. Comprehension goes up. The likelihood that they'll pick up another book goes up. Whether it's a graphic novel, a mystery series, a book about dinosaurs, a poetry collection, or a fantasy epic that's three times the recommended reading level— if a child is excited about it, it counts.
This is why we asked our colleagues to share what books the special young readers in their lives are actually excited to pick up this summer. Not what they're assigned. Not what's on a list. What they want to read.
The results are a wonderful reminder that kids—from babies discovering board books to teenagers losing themselves in a novel—are readers when we meet them where they are.
Summer Reading Picks: From Our Families to Yours
We're sharing books that children up to age 21 in our own communities are excited about this summer. Look for your child's age range and discover your next great read together.
From Birth-age 2: Board Books & Baby's First Stories
Fuzzy Fuzzy Fuzzy! A Touch, Skritch, and Tickle Book by Sandra Boynton
Mila, age 1, loves flipping through the pages and feeling the different textures on each one. Touch-and-feel books like this one are secretly doing a lot of heavy lifting: They pull babies in through multiple senses at once, turning storytime into a little adventure for tiny hands, eyes and ears.
Ages 3-5: Picture Books & Read-Alouds
Positively Purple by Linda Ragsdale
Camille, age 3, enjoys this book because it teaches her that no matter what you look like—purple in Jeli's case—your community will always love you for who you are on the inside. It's a sweet, simple story about belonging, and the message lands beautifully: Your friends love you, not your appearance. A great one to read together and talk about.
Ages 6-8: Early Readers & Beginning Chapter Books
Captain Underpants series by Dav Pilkey
Lettie, age 8, is hooked on graphic novels, including anything written by Dav Pilkey, but especially the Captain Underpants series. It's easy to see why. These books are pure, goofy fun, and that's exactly the point. Graphic novels pair pictures with text in a way that helps early readers follow the story even when the words get tricky, building confidence and comprehension without it ever feeling like a slog. For kids who are still warming up to reading on their own, a laugh-out-loud series like this one can be the thing that turns "I have to read" into "I want to read more."
Ages 9-12: Middle Grade Magic
InvestiGators series by John Patrick Green
Vivie, age 10, just like her sister Lettie, is enthralled in all things graphic novels. Her favorite series is InvestiGators, which follows a duo of secret agent alligators who use absurd, gadget-filled disguises to crack cases and save the day. It’s a great pick for readers who want a mystery with a side of comedy.
More Middle Grade Magic
Spy School series by Stuart Gibbs
Sami, age 12, can't get enough of this action-packed series—and in the latest book, the adventure lands in London, England. Stuart Gibbs has a knack for mixing the emotional ups and downs of middle school life with spy craft, international intrigue, and a dash of world-saving. If your kid likes their stories fast-moving and funny, this one's a great fit.
Ages 13-17: Young Adult & Teen Reads
Patina by Jason Reynolds
Funmi, age 14, enjoys this book because it makes her feel seen. Patina is the second book in Jason Reynolds' Track series, following a fierce middle schooler navigating family responsibility, grief, and what it means to run her own race—literally and otherwise. Reynolds is known for writing about teens with real voice and real heart, and this one's a favorite for readers who want a story that feels honest.
Ages 18-21: Young Adult & Beyond
The Parable of the Sower by Octavia Butler
Here’s what Riley, age 20, had to say about this book: “Not only does this book depict the dangers of our current world challenging us to think about how our actions could result in a larger societal failure, but Butler also tells a beautiful story about a young girl discovering herself and how she fits into our world.” What makes this novel so enduring is how practical and hopeful it is at the same time; it wrestles honestly with climate change, community, and what it takes to keep going when systems fail. This is a genuinely powerful read for anyone stepping into adulthood.
How to Make This Summer a Reading Summer
You don't need to overhaul your household routine or create a color-coded reading chart (though, no judgment if that's your thing). A few simple habits can make a real difference:
- Let the kids lead. Ask your child what they want to read. Visit the library and let them browse. Follow a favorite author or series. Say yes to the graphic novel.
- Read together—at any age. Reading aloud is one of the most powerful things you can do with children, even when they can read on their own. It builds vocabulary, models fluency, and—most important—makes reading feel like something you do together.
- Make it part of the rhythm. Before bed, after lunch, in the car, at the pool. Even 15 or 20 minutes a day adds up to hours of reading over the course of a summer.
- Celebrate it. Check in with your local library about summer reading programs. Many offer incentives, events and read-aloud sessions that make reading feel like a community celebration—because it is.
A Note to Educators
The families in your community are looking to you for guidance, and a personal recommendation goes a long way. If a colleague, a teacher or a trusted resource says “my kid loved this book,” it carries real weight. That's exactly the spirit behind this list.
Share it with your students' families. Post it in your classroom newsletter. Use it as a springboard for the first week back in the fall. Ask students what they read and what they thought. You'll be amazed what it sparks.
The Bottom Line
Summer is not a break from being a reader. It's an invitation to become one—on your own terms, at your own pace, with a book you actually love. Here's to a summer full of great stories.
If you’re looking for more summer learning resources, visit ShareMyLesson.com/sol26.
Summer Reading Activities for PreK-12
Share My Lesson is here to help you engage children on the joys of reading, and we've curated this collection of free summer reading activities to not only pique interest but use summertime to enhance learning from the past school year.
More Resources: Diverse Books for Prek-12 Students
For children and adults alike, "seeing" people who are like us succeed encourages us to believe that it can and will happen for us as well. Having examples and role models is important not only because they enable us to visualize our possible futures, but because they also help us to define our place in the world. Learn more about the importance of diverse readings and culturally responsive teaching in this blog.
Natalie Dean is the Associate Director of affiliate engagement for Share My Lesson at the AFT. She manages the site's outreach strategy and national contests, while promoting its value to AFT members to more than 3,000 local AFT affiliates.
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