At A Grade Ahead, it is finally summer! While our programs run year-round, we know that summer is a time students celebrate their break from school. It is also a great opportunity to get your child involved in a summer reading program at their local library. This not only keeps their brain engaged for the several months they are away from the classroom, but it also allows them to stretch their imaginations by exploring situations and worldviews outside of their own. Why not try one of these summery reads on your next trip to check out a book?
Are you wanting even more when it comes to education for your child? A Grade Ahead offers educational enrichment classes in both English and math. Take a free assessment, or call or visit an academy near you to get started on an unforgettable educational adventure today!
Summer Reading Recommendations for 4-7 Year Olds
Bright Lights and Summer Nights by Shauntay Grant and illustrated by Zach Manbeck is a peaceful, perfect-for-bedtime read that features Mother Moon and a baby star who will not go to sleep. She weaves a magical tale of a special summer evening spent at the county fair to help.
Duck Duck Taco Truck by Laura Lavoie and illustrated by Teresa Martínez is a hilarious book that tells the tale of two taco-selling food truck ducks who find that their favorite selling spot on the beach taken over by a goose. What will happen next? Read to find out!
Mother of Sharks by Melissa Cristina Márquez and illustrated by Devin Elle Kurtz follows Meli, a young Puerto Rican girl, on her magical journey to becoming the Mother of Sharks. This book also focuses on the importance of conservation.
See Marcus Grow by Marcus Bridgewater and illustrated by Reggie brown explores Marcus’s relationship with his grandmother, whose favorite activity is gardening. Join Marcus as he dives in to find out why! Will Marcus end up loving gardening too?
Did you know that A Grade Ahead offers programs for children in Pre-Kindergarten, Kindergarten, and 1st grade?
Summer Reading Recommendations for 8-12 Year Olds
Bumps in the Night by Amalie Howard follows Darika Lovelace as she finds herself in the sort of pickle that is getting her sent to spend the summer in the Caribbean with her grandmother. While many would be happy about this, Darika is just mad. But once she arrives, she notices strange things begin happening. What does it all mean, and who is Darika really?
The Human Kaboom: 6 Explosively Different Stories with the Exact Same Name! by Adam Rubin is exactly that: a book of 6 completely different stories that all have the same title. If your child likes to explore different ideas and worlds based on the same theme, this just may be the book for them. Bonus: each story has unique images provided by a different illustrator!
Max in the House of Spies: A Tale of World War II by Adam Gidwitz is the first book in the Operation Kinderspion series. It follows Max as he attempts to make his way home to his parents in Berlin during the dangerous war. The only thing he needs to do to accomplish this? Become a British spy. Will he be successful?
Survive This Safari by Natalie D. Richards is an action-packed book filled with puzzles and facts for readers who are keen on bending their minds. Lucy is 12 years old and is happily surprised to find out that she has been chosen for the Wildlands Safari Escape Challenge. It’s tricky; will Lucy and her team be able to tackle their trial?
A Grade Ahead may be the perfect fit for your elementary school student. We offer programs for 2nd, 3rd, 4th, 5th, and 6th grade students!
Summer Reading Recommendations for 13+
Blood at the Root by LaDarrion Williams is the first novel in his Blood at the Root series. Follow along with Malik, a teenager who attends Caiman University for the young, Black, and magical. He will learn so much about himself that he never thought would be possible while having to come to terms with his legacy.
The Counselors by Jessica Goodman takes place at Camp Alpine Lake where Goldie Easton and her best friends are finally counselors. But Goldie has a secret, and she soon discovers that she is not the only one. What is going on at Camp Alpine Lake? Read this mystery to discover it for yourself.
The Scorpion and the Night Blossom by Amélie Wen Zhao is her first in the Three Realms Duology. This fantasy tells the story of Àn’yīng’, whose family was torn apart by war. No longer a child, she decides to enter the Immortality Trials to compete for the pill of eternal life: the one item that will save her ailing mother.
Sunkissed by Kasie West is the sweet summer story of Avery. Having a habit of using music as an escape, after she falls out with her best friend, even this doesn’t seem to help her. On top of that, she has to spend two months of her summer at a family camp. This is setting itself up to be the worst summer ever! That is until Avery meets Brooks. Follow along on this surprising story of first love.
A Grade Ahead does not forget about our older students, offering programs for those in 7th grade, 8th grade, and high school!
What do you think? What are your favorite summer books? Have you read any of these already? If so, what do you think? We would love to hear from you in the comments!
Do you want even more fun? Summer is officially here! See if A Grade Ahead is offering one of our enrichment camps in your area, and keep learning!
Author: Emily Karth, Curriculum Manager at A Grade Ahead
