As we reach the “Dog Days of Summer,” I thought it would be helpful to suggest some book titles that your children might enjoy. These books are all about summer and can be requested from any of our Jefferson Davis Parish Libraries.
LITTLE ONES:
F is for Fireflies / by Kathy-jo Wargin
Presents rhyming sentences for each letter of the alphabet that remind the reader of God’s blessings in summer.
Goodnight Summer / by Adam Gamble
From swimming in the ocean to Fourth of July fireworks, this adorable board book captures the enduring spirit of summertime fun.
It’s Summer / By Linda Glaser
A child observes the coming of summer and its effects on the weather, animals, and plants. Includes suggestions for summertime activities to enjoy alone or with a parent.
A Lullaby of Summer Things / by Natalie Ziarnik 
Sights and sounds of a summer twilight mingle with recollections of a lovely day at the beach as a household settles in for the night.
Summer Walk / by Virginia Snow
Discover bugs on a summer walk with Grammy. Beautiful illustrations and clever rhymes will guide readers as they learn to identify twenty-six different bugs and how to create a caterpillar habitat.
ELEMENTARY READERS:
Amelia Bedelia Makes a Splash / by Herman Parish
Sent to an all-girls summer camp, Amelia Bedelia tries to figure out how her old-fashioned camp can compete with a high-tech computer camp across the lake, where her cousin is spending his own summer break.
Diary of a Wimpy Kid: Dog Days / by Jeff Kinney
It’s summer vacation, the weather’s great, and all the kids are having fun outside – except Greg Heffley, who is inside his house playing video games with the shades drawn. Greg’s mom has different plans for him.
Eloise’s Summer Vacation / by Lisa McClatchy
Join Eloise, Weenie, and Nanny as they go on a road trip across the country for vacation.
Fort / by Cynthia DeFelice
In this summer story about friendship and revenge, 11-year old Wyatt and his friend Augie are having the best summer of their lives hanging out in the fort they built in the woods, until two older boys mess with the fort–and with another kid who can’t fight back.
Jacky Ha-Ha: My Life is a Joke / by James Patterson
Jacky Hart has found a hidden talent in the performing arts, and she’s a triple threat onstage! She wants nothing more than to act and sing all summer–but her parents have other plans for her.
Judy Moody and the Not Bummer Summer / by Megan McDonald
Judy’s big plans for the summer seem ruined when two of her best friends go away, and then her parents leave her and Stink with Aunt Opal, but a new “thrill-a-delic” plan has her racing toward fun.
MIDDLE READERS:
All Summer Long / by Hope Larson
A coming-of-age middle-grade graphic novel about summer and friendships, written and illustrated by the Eisner Award-winning and New York Times bestselling Hope Larson.
Lawn Boy / by Gary Paulsen
Things get out of hand for a twelve-year-old boy when a neighbor convinces him to expand his summer lawn mowing business.
Home Time / by Campbell Whyte
Even though they’re twins, Lilly and David don’t agree on much…except that the last summer before high school is the perfect time for relaxing with friends. But their plans for sleepovers, fantasy games, and romance are thrown out the window when the whole gang falls into a river and wakes up in a village of fantastic creatures.
Deep and Dark and Dangerous / by Mary Downing Hahn
When thirteen-year-old Ali spends the summer with her aunt and cousin at the family’s vacation home, she stumbles upon a secret that her mother and aunt have been hiding for over thirty years.
OLDER READERS:
Croak / By Gina Damico
A delinquent sixteen-year-old girl is sent to live with her uncle for the summer, only to learn that he is a Grim Reaper who wants to teach her the family business.
Midnight Sun / by Trish Cook
17-year-old Katie Price has been sheltered since childhood with a rare disease that makes even the smallest amount of sunlight deadly. During the day she is housebound, but after nightfall, Katie can venture out to the local train station and play her guitar for travelers. One night, her dreams come true when she’s noticed by Charlie, whom she has secretly admired for years, and decides to hide her condition from him as the two embark on a uniquely powerful romance over one nearly perfect summer.
The Extra Yard / by Mike Lupica
Teddy has been training all summer with his new friends Jack and Gus to make the new travel football team in Walton, but when his long-absent dad comes back to town and into his life he is faced with a much bigger challenge.
The Moon and More / by Sarah Dessen
During her last summer at home before leaving for college, Emaline begins a whirlwind romance with Theo, an assistant documentary filmmaker who is in town to make a movie.
AUDIOBOOK:
My One Hundred Adventures / by Polly Horvath
Twelve-year-old Jane, who lives at the beach in a run-down old house with her mother, two brothers, and sister, has an eventful summer accompanying her pastor on bible deliveries, meeting former boyfriends of her mother’s, and being coerced into babysitting for a family of ill-mannered children.
NON-FICTION:
Summer Smarts for Cool Kids: over 150 fantastic and fun learning activities to help kids beat the summer blahs / by Penny Warner
Perfect for parents of children ages 3-12, this book contains 20 chapters of fun activities, games, sports, and play that will keep your kid active this summer. Activities encourage thinking skills, motor development, social interaction, and self-esteem.
Summer Sips to “Chill” Dips / by Marilyn La Penta
Young chefs can choose from many tasty, nutritious recipes. Kids will learn about nutrition and healthy eating, kitchen safety, sequencing, following directions, and math and measurement skills.
