Hello Summer!
As the school year finally comes to a close, it times to kick out the flip flops and head to the beach. Or the Pool... or really anywhere outside.
This year, we've got a whole LIST of books we're excited to read cover to cover. Take a look at our choices, and if one interests you, consider giving it a try!
JUST LEARNING TO READ?
Anything from our good friend Eric Carle.
In honor of a man who was a part of so many childhoods, we're adding ANY of his amazing stories to our list.
From The Very Hungry Caterpillar to Have You Seen My Cat, the unique and captivating art style never fails to make us nostalgic and immerse in the cute and fun stories Mr. Carle gave to us.
Consider picking up a few of his works to read to your kids and create some memories with them too.
If you're interested in purchasing any of these books, click here.
Goodnight Moon
Another classic from the childhoods of 2000's babies and up.
Though it's not meant to teach children how to read, it's still a great addition to the library.
This book is sure to be a favorite they'll remember for years to come.
It's the type of book they'll pull out when they're cleaning their room at the age of 14 and go "Oh my Gosh! I remember this book!" If you're interested in purchasing this book, click here.
Elementary School Readers!
The Magic Tree House series
The Magic Tree House series was one I (Madison) grew up with. With such diverse topics in each book, I was always able to find something to amuse myself within this series. From Knights to Shakespeare, this series has no lack of crazy fun plots.
Flowing two siblings who found a random tree house in the woods, they ventured inside only to find that, with the power of a medallion within, they could time travel!
With 28 total book in this series, it's sure to keep your kid engaged the entire summer.
If you're interested in buying the first book in this this amazing series, click here!
Dog Man
From the author and creator of the Captain Underpants series that was a defining moment of awe in most of our childhoods as we watched a principal fight crime in his underwear, comes the new series Dog Man. Following the story of a part-man/part-dog police officer/super hero (that's a lot, we know), this graphic novel takes you along for the ride as he fights crime and saves the day.
A graphic novel would be a great choice to keep your kid stimulated throughout the summer, while also being a fun activity they'll enjoy.
With 10 books so far, they'll be eating these up like a dog who sees a milk bone.
If you're interested in buying the first book of this series, click here.
Middle School Readers
Percy Jackson: The Lightning Thief
Now. Now. I know I've been giving you tons of books that I loved from my childhood. But hear me out... there's a reason.
And this series in no exception. in fact, of ALL the books I've showed you, this might be the one I insist the most.
The Percy Jackson series follows a young boy named Percy as he discovers he is a child of one of the Gods and is plunged into the world of Greek Gods, Goddesses, and Monster that were thought to be only myth. And all of them want to kill him.
Not only did this book teach me information about Greek Mythology that I still remember to this day, but I'm still so in love with this series (even at 21 years old) that I go back every once in a while. I still see it on my social media feed. and I still talk about it with friends.
It took years for me to find a book series that swept me off my feet quite like this one did. If you're interested in buying the first book of the first series, click here.
Shadow and Bone
Welcome to the Grishaverse, a place of military might and soldiers who can control the elements around them, and where the only thing worse than the war is the giant sea of shadows that split the continent in half, full of monsters that know nothing but kill. This trilogy follows a young cartographer with no powers other than her skills of map making, Alina, when she discovers that she is the key to tearing down the Shadow Fold once and for all.
With a new Netflix adaptation (that I will say was VERY entertaining), your kid will love this world of magic, romance, and action.
If you're interested in buying the first book of this trilogy, click here.
My Hero Academia
From the mind of Kohei Horikoshi, My Hero Academia is a Japanese manga (comic book) that follows a high school student by the name of Izuku Midoriya in a world where everyone is born with a power (or as they call it, a Quirk). Izuku is an aspiring super hero and longs for nothing but to protect people, but there's an issue. He's a part of the 20% of the popular that was born quirkless. Despite that, he still wants to be a superhero, no matter what. And that shining attitude of his may have caught the eye of the #1 hero in all of Japan.
This ongoing series is not only a favorite of my friends and mine, but also brought about one of the most popular anime currently being watched today.
If your kid is showing an interest in the ever growing popularity of anime, I suggest this to be their gateway. Trust me, they'll love you for it.
If you're interested in buying this book or reading more, click here.
High School Readers
The Cruel Prince
I'll be honest. I haven't' read this yet. But MAN have I heard good things. I got the whole trilogy for Christmas and have yet to read it, but I've been looking forward to it for some time now. If you're a fan of fantasy and romance, I think you should give it a try.
Straight from Amazon, the description reads, "Jude was seven years old when her parents were murdered and she and her two sisters were stolen away to live in the treacherous High Court of Faerie. Ten years later, Jude wants nothing more than to belong there, despite her mortality. But many of the fey despise humans. Especially Prince Cardan, the youngest and wickedest son of the High King.
To win a place at the Court, she must defy him--and face the consequences.
In doing so, she becomes embroiled in palace intrigues and deceptions, discovering her own capacity for bloodshed. But as civil war threatens to drown the Courts of Faerie in violence, Jude will need to risk her life in a dangerous alliance to save her sisters, and Faerie itself."
I don't know about you, but I'm intrigued. To purchase, click here.
A Quest of Heroes
This was an unexpected enjoyment for me. When I read this back in high school, I was obviously expecting a cool fantasy action adventure. But I wasn't expecting to PLOW through all 17 books as fast as I possibly could.
Now I know 17 sounds a little scary, but these books aren't too hefty on the page count, which makes them great for a nice summer reading binge.
The story begins by following a young boy named Thorgin as he leaves home to become one of the best and bravest warriors of their kingdom. Full of shocking twists, incredible battles, and some romance sprinkled in (don't worry for those who have only seen romance on this list. the love story is a secondary pot in this book)it's a great story that'll keep you entertained for months.
For those interested in reading the first installment of this series, click here.
A Court of Thorns and Roses
AHA! You thought I wouldn't bring up one of my favorite authors! You fool! *ahem* anyway.
From my experience, young adult is usually always great read. But after years of it, I wanted things to go a bit deeper into the characters and plot. Maybe allowing the gruesome backstory and the intense romance.
This series I felt was a good beginning to that.
The first three books of this series follow a woman named Feyre as she struggles to feed her family during winter. But by the twines of fate and the death of a wolf twice the size of an average one, she's swept off into a world of magic, romance, and terrible, terrible danger.
As the series progresses so do the adult themes, such as mental health, sexual scenes, and gore, so be warned all readers. However, they're never handled distastefully. If you're a high school reader looking to find there way into the world of new adult fantasy, look no further. No need to thank me. If you're interested in buying the first book of this series click here.
College and Beyond
From Blood and Ash
Fun Fact: I'm CURRENTLY reading this series. And I spend my days counting the minutes on the clock so I can go home and read it. I'll be honest, I've never been a fan of the vampire troupe. I wasn't a Twilight Kid or into the Wattpad stories like that. But this series has enthralled me. because it's not as simple as, "Your blood tastes better than all the others, so I will hyper fixate on you".
The characters are marvelous with a strong female protagonist and a love interest that would destroy the world if that's what it took to keep her alive, YET he also knows she's more than capable of taking care of herself. And isn't that what we all want in love?
This series follows the story of a young woman named Poppy who is destined to be given to the Gods. She is the chosen Maiden. Until then, she is never to show her face, never to speak to others, and never to engage in "un-madien-like activities". But that's never stopped her. Full of spicy romance and thrilling fights, I recommend this to anyone who wishes they had a young dashing guard to fight with them in battle. If you're interested in reading, click here.
Song of Achilles
Yet another book I've yet to read. However, the stories of people SOBBING their eyes out to this love story has me ever interested. I've heard nothing but good things about this novel. Well... if crying is considered good. HA! Let's be honest, as book worms, we love crying.
Here's the description: "A tale of gods, kings, immortal fame, and the human heart, The Song of Achilles is a dazzling literary feat that brilliantly reimagines Homer’s enduring masterwork, The Iliad. An action-packed adventure, an epic love story, a marvelously conceived and executed page-turner, Miller’s monumental debut novel has already earned resounding acclaim from some of contemporary fiction’s brightest lights—and fans of Mary Renault, Bernard Cornwell, Steven Pressfield, and Colleen McCullough’s Masters of Rome series will delight in this unforgettable journey back to ancient Greece in the Age of Heroes."
If you're interested in purchasing, click here.
The Shining
Now, Now. We all know that movie with the famous quote, "Here's Johnny!" But have you ever read it? My sophomore year of college, I read this book , not expecting to finish it in two days. To put it in perspective, first time I watched the movie, I was so confused. After reading the book, my brain went "OHHHH, I GET IT!" As all movies, there are so many things they leave out, so many puzzle pieces of WHY Jack ended up going insane and WHO that random dude in the bathroom was. Funny as it is, the movie didn't scare me when I first watched it at the age of nine. A the age of nineteen, the book did. The two scenes that actually made me close the book and take a deep breath weren't even in the movie. I've never read thrillers in my entire life, but reading The Shining made me think, maybe I should. And I suggest you do the same.
If you're interested in reading this classic novel, click here.
Honorable Mentions
Though I wish I could talk about books forever, I know that I can't make you read this entire article and not get bored. So here's a list of the books I WISH I could've put on this list. Read up on them in your free time.
by Rick Yancey
by Marie Lu
by Leigh Bardugo
by Gege Akutami
by Faridah Àbíké-Íyímídé
by Sabaa Tahir
by Adam Silvera
by Casey McQuiston
Well have a great summer guys! You all deserve it after a stressful school year. I'll talk to you all later, but until then...