Welcome, readers, to the first installment of our Summer 2016 Remarkable Reading Recommendations! I can’t believe it’s been a whole year since we started this series. Personally, it’s my favorite time of the blogging year. With so many new books being released every year, I find that this is a terrific way to expose readers to new books. Old classics are well and good, but there are so many new worlds to explore!
For those of you who missed out last year, this is the first of six posts, which will highlight different books featured on the Scholastic 2016 Summer Reading Booklist. Each of our posts will focus on a different theme and will include a book for non-readers all the way through young adults.
Selection #1 – Fiction
From action/adventures to fairy tales featuring damsels in distress, a good fiction story can transport you anywhere you wish! With endless possibilities, it was hard to narrow down this particular list. I highly recommend checking out the Scholastic booklist for yourself for additional stories that are just as entertaining and engaging!
Ages 0 – 2
Mother Goose’s Pajama Party, by Danna Smith & Virginia Allyn
Your favorite nursery rhyme characters are back for a once-in-a-lifetime event! When Mother Goose hosts a slumber party, everyone can’t wait to attend. While Wee Willie Winkie spreads the word, Little Miss Muffet has left her curds and whey to pick a fresh bouquet for the event. Fifteen classic characters return for an all adventure that your little ones will want to revisit again and again. (Bonus — the book also contains the original nursery rhymes.)
Amazon.com — $15.45 (hardcover)
Ages 3 – 5
Last Stop on Market Street, by Matt de la Peña & Christian Robinson
CJ has a lot of questions on his mind — like “Why do we always take the bus?”, “Why don’t I have an iPod?”, and “Why do we get off in the dirty part of town?” But CJ has been blessed with a wise, caring grandmother who helps him see the every day beauty in his supposedly dull life. An inspiring read for the whole family!
Amazon.com — $9.49 (hardcover)
Ages 6 – 7
Zen Socks, by Jon J Muth
Jon J Muth introduced the world to Stillwater the panda back in 2005. Since then, Stillwater has been enchanting children of all ages with tales of ancient Buddhist wisdom, beautifully retold and illustrated with charming watercolors. In Stillwater’s latest adventure, “Zen Socks”, he befriends the new kids across the street and teaches them about sharing, patience, and compassion. Prepare to be mesmerized by Muth’s endearing panda companion.
Amazon.com — $13.42 (hardcover)
Ages 8 – 10
Gaby, Lost and Found, by Angela Cervantes
Gaby is a volunteer at her local animal shelter, where her poignant advertisements help dozens of furry friends find their “forever homes”. She forms a bond with a stray cat who has come to the shelter and she longs to adopt it herself. But when Gaby’s mother is suddenly deported, Gaby fears she may never be able to adopt the cat — especially when its original owners arrive.
Amazon.com — $11.46 (hardcover)
Ages 11 – 13
Kalahari, by Jessica Khoury
When an educational safari goes horribly wrong, five students find themselves alone and stranded in the middle of the Kalahari desert. As they struggle to battle the elements and survive, they cross paths with a silver lion. The students discover that lion’s coat of silver is actually a rare and very contagious disease that threatening the existence of human life. And now it’s up to these kids to save the planet.
Bonus — If you’re looking for a great supplemental activity, play a round of the board game Pandemic. The focus of the game is working as a team to eradicate fictional diseases across the world. The game sells for $29.39 on Amazon and is good for 2 -4 players. Several expansion packs are also available.
Amazon.com — $8.47 (paperback)
Young Adult
Shadowshaper, by Daniel José Older
Sierra counted on a quiet summer at home, making art and seeing her friends. What she got instead was an ill grandfather who won’t stop apologizing and a corpse. Then the city murals start to cry real tears. Another artist introduces Sierra to the rare and unique world of shadowshaping, which combines artwork and ancestral magic. But when the lives of the shadowshapers are threatened, it’s up to Sierra to save this artwork for the generations to come.
Amazon.com — $8.49 (paperback)
If you decide to purchase these (or any other) books online, please consider supporting the Creative Education Institute and ordering them through Amazon Prime. For every purchase you make through Prime, Amazon will make a donation to the non-profile organization, which will go to provide academic services to students in need.
Be on the lookout for the next installment of our reading list – Throwback books!
Photo Credit: The pictures of the books in this post were taken from Amazon.com.