Summer Reading Lists for Kids: Fun Suggestions from The Jersey Momma

If you're looking for Summer Reading suggestions for kids, I have some good ideas to keep their brains active for the season! Check out my picks for readers ages 8-10 (and up), and let me know what you think in the comments section below!

Disclaimer: I am a participant in the Amazon Associate LLC Services Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for me to earn fees by linking to Amazon.com and affiliated sites. But like I always say, I wouldn't recommend something to you that I didn't love myself, so rest assured that these would be my suggestions to you with or without Amazon!

For the Animal Lovers

The One and Only Ivan by Katherine Applegate is one of my all-time favorite books. I recommend it for adults, too, as it has a powerful message and it's uniquely written from Ivan the gorilla's perspective. I can also add that this was based on a true story, which can inspire further research when you're finished. Actual photos of the real Ivan are available online, and kids love to hear more about his incredible story. The only downfall is that it might be a little sad for some readers, so just keep that in mind.

For the American History Buffs

Any kid who likes presidential facts or facts about the White House and our presidents will love the Commander in Cheese Series by Lindsey Leavitt. There are four books in the series and feature two adorable mice in the White House, with fun facts about our presidents and Air Force One included, too!

For Comic Book Fans

Teen Titans Go! is one of my favorite cartoons (true fact!), and Beast Boy is one of my favorite characters. Kids who love Cartoon Network or watching shows like this might appreciate the novel versions of their favorite series, so why not give it a shot? There are a few different versions of the Teen Titans Go books, so be sure you're purchasing the actual junior novels instead of the comic books. This one was called Beast Boy Bro-Down by Steven Korte.

For Movie Fans

If you see a fun movie this summer that your kids really love, you could look for an accompanying movie novel, since many kids enjoy the 'book version' of the story they saw on film. Guardians of the Galaxy and Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 2 are good examples of this, and they've been edited for kids (so you won't find some of the inappropriate language that they use in the movie).

For Disney Fans

We love reading junior novelizations of any Disney movie. Moana was one of our favorites and it was very well written! They also include photos from the movie.

If you're looking for Disney inspired books instead of movie novels, check out The Kingdom Keepers series by Ridley Pearson ( I looove this book- if YOU are a fan of Disney parks you will totally appreciate it!), or Kingdom Hearts (based on the video game) by Tomoko Hanemaki.

For Minecraft Fans and Gamers

You might have seen my post about Minecraft books for kids, and some of these were included in my picks for best fan fiction. Minecat by P.T. Evans, Clash of the Creepers by Winter Morgan, and any book in the Diary of a Minecraft Zombie series by Zack Zombie are quick reads and awesome fun for Minecraft fans.

For Lovers of Magical Creatures

The Yeti Files by Kevin Sherry is cute and funny, with adorable illustrations and short chapters. Kids who are fascinated by the stories of Bigfoot will especially appreciate it!

The Zoey and Sassafras series by Asia Citro was first sent to me as an advanced reader copy to sample. I loved it so much that I bought the other books in the series for The Jersey Momma's Boy. I loved the strong female character and all of the magical creatures she met and helped in her own backyard.

 For Baseball Lovers

The Ballpark Mysteries by David A. Kelly are not just for baseball fans. Kids who love a good mystery will also appreciate them, especially if they were fans of the original A to Z Mysteries by Ron Roy (these are similar in style but with a baseball twist!).

For Star Wars Fans

Everyone knows that I am a HUGE Star Wars fan, but The Jersey Momma's Boy...not so much. So I was thrilled when he expressed interest in the actual Star Wars stories, since they really are such an epic saga. We read the entire junior novel series (starting with Episode 1: The Phantom Menace), and we were so proud by the time we were finished. We could also tell you every fact about Star Wars that you'd ever want to know now. 

For Reluctant Readers and Kids Who Like Humor

I used to read the Captain Underpants series by Dav Pilkey to my students when I was teaching. They're filled with goofy illustrations, silly humor and even flip-o-rama to keep young readers interested! As long as you don't mind a good fart joke (or toilet joke), then this series is for you.

For Harry Potter Fans

Let's face it, there will never be another book like Harry Potter, and once you're done with the series, it's hard to find any that will even compare. But I've always loved The Palace of Laughter and the rest of the Wednesday Tales by Jon Berkeley. Some of the story might prove a little scary for younger readers, but if they can handle Harry Potter, they can handle this one!

Upside Down Magic by Sarah Mlynowski and her counterparts has such a great message about differences and overcoming obstacles, along with a twist of magic. There are several books in the series for those who love the characters and want to read more!

What are your favorite books for young readers? Feel free to leave your suggestions in the comments section below! And check out the other suggestions in my Amazon links at the end of this post. Happy Reading!