Looking for a few great books to add to your child’s summer reading list? Read on for 50 fantastic ideas (broken down by grade level) that will encourage them to read all season long!
A summer reading list for elementary school kids is a little different than those for other ages because this age group is pretty much all over the place when it comes to reading skills. So, instead of doing genre sections, I am breaking it up into grade levels. Check out my top picks for each grade!
Summer Reading List for Elementary School Kids
As you peruse this summer reading list, keep this in mind: your child’s reading level may not always be the same as their grade. For example, some kids in 1st grade can read at a 3rd grade level, while some in 4th grade may only be comfortable reading at a 3rd grade level.
Let your kids choose books that appeal to them, even if it’s not an exact fit for their age and grade. Summer reading should be fun, not feel like a chore. Kids have books thrust upon them that don’t interest them all school-year long. Let summer be about choice.
Also, I cut this off at 4th grade because to me, middle school starts in 5th grade. If you have a child ages 10-14ish, check out my summer reading list for middle grade kids.
One last thing: this post uses affiliate links for the books. If you make a purchase through these links, I get a tiny commission at no extra charge to you. Thanks!
Kindergarten Summer Reading List
- High Five
by Adam Rubin and Daniel Salmieri - You’re Missing It! by Brady Smith and Tiffani Thiessen
- Because by Mo Willems
- Circle by Mac Barnett and Jon Klassen
- When You Are Brave by Pat Zietlow Miller
- When Charley Met Emma by Amy Webb and Merrilee Liddiard
- The Girl Who Loves Unicorns by Danielle Depratt Koelbl and Taylor Koelbl
- Tomorrow Most Likely by Dave Eggers
- The Little Green Girl by Lisa Anchin
- Captain Marvel: What Makes a Hero by Pamela Bobowicz
by Adam Rubin and Daniel Salmieri
by Brady Smith and Tiffani Thiessen
by Mo Willems
by Mac Barnett and Jon Klassen
by Pat Zietlow Miller
by Amy Webb and Merrilee Liddiard
by Danielle Depratt Koelbl and Taylor Koelbl
by Dave Eggers
by Lisa Anchin
by Pamela BobowiczTOP PICK: When Charley Met Emma
While all of the above are great reads for kids just going into Kindergarten, When Charley Met Emma gets my vote for the top pick. Take a look at the blurb, it really says it all:
When Charley goes to the playground and sees Emma, a girl with limb differences who gets around in a wheelchair, he doesn’t know how to react at first. But after he and Emma start talking, he learns that different isn’t bad, sad, or strange–different is just different, and different is great!
This delightful book will help kids think about disability, kindness, and how to behave when they meet someone who is different from them.
1st Grade Book List
- A Beautiful Day in the Neighborhood: The Poetry of Mister Rogers by Fred Rogers and Luke Flowers
- Eye of the Earthquake Dragon: A Branches Book (Dragon Masters #13) by Tracey West and Daniel Griffo
- My Name is Yoon by Helen Recorvits
- I Will Be Fierce by Bea Birdsong and Nidhi Chanani
- Dory Fantasmagory: Head in the Clouds by Abby Hanlon
- The Girl Who Thought in Pictures: The Story of Dr. Temple Grandin (Amazing Scientists) by Julia Finley Mosca
- Wild Things (Lonely Planet Kids) by Lonely Planet Kids
- Bat and the Waiting Game by Elana K. Arnold
- Harrison Dwight, Ballerina and Knight by Rachael MacFarlane and Spencer Laudiero
- Peter & Ernesto: The Lost Sloths by Graham Annable
by Fred Rogers and Luke Flowers
by Tracey West and Daniel Griffo
by Helen Recorvits
by Bea Birdsong and Nidhi Chanani
by Abby Hanlon
(Amazing Scientists) by Julia Finley Mosca
by Lonely Planet Kids
by Elana K. Arnold
by Rachael MacFarlane and Spencer Laudiero
by Graham AnnableTop Pick for 1st Grade: A Beautiful Day in the Neighborhood
You can never go wrong with a book by Mr. Rogers! Even though he’s gone, his lessons live on. Introduce a whole new generation to the songs and poems that we all grew up with!
2nd Grade Summer Reading List
- Ada Twist and the Perilous Pants: The Questioneers Book #2 by Andrea Beaty
- Case Files (Pokémon: Detective Pikachu) by Meredith Rusu
- Ben Braver and the Incredible Exploding Kid by Marcus Emerson
- Nixie Makes Waves (Mermaids to the Rescue #1) by Lisa Ann Scott
- If You Had Your Birthday Party on the Moon by Joyce Lapin
- The Cat, the Cash, the Leap, and the List by Sue Campbell
- Whoosh!: Lonnie Johnson’s Super-Soaking Stream of Inventions by Chris Barton
- Mystery Club (Mr. Wolf’s Class #2) by Aron Nels Steinke
- The Atlas of Monsters: Mythical Creatures from Around the World by Sandra Lawrence
- Parker Bell and the Science of Friendship by Cynthia Platt and Rea Zhai
by Andrea Beaty
by Meredith Rusu
by Marcus Emerson
by Lisa Ann Scott
by Joyce Lapin
by Sue Campbell
by Chris Barton
by Aron Nels Steinke
by Sandra Lawrence
by Cynthia Platt and Rea ZhaiTop Pick for 2nd Graders: Ada Twist & the Perilous Plants
I love the idea of a book that encourages kids (especially young girls) to think scientifically and explore the world around them. Although we’re getting better as a society at encouraging girls to delve into STEM concepts, it seems like more science-y books are still geared towards boys.
As Uncle Ned floats farther and farther away, Ada starts asking lots of questions: How high can a balloon float? Is it possible for Uncle Ned to float into outer space? And what’s the best plan for getting him down?
3rd Grade Books
- Big Nate: Payback Time! by Lincoln Peirce
- Marvel Studios Character Encyclopedia by Adam Bray
- Harriet’s Monster Diary: Awfully Anxious (But I Squish It, Big Time) by Raun Melmed
- Just Jaime (Emmie & Friends) by Terri Libenson
- Share Your Smile: Raina’s Guide to Telling Your Own Story by Raina Telgemeier
- Endling #2: The First by Katherine Applegate
- Toby’s Story: A Dog’s Purpose Puppy Tale (A Dog’s Purpose Puppy Tales) by W. Bruce Cameron
- 5 Worlds Book 3: The Red Maze by Mark Siegel
- Maybe a Mermaid by Josephine Cameron
- Katt vs. Dogg by James Patterson
! by Lincoln Peirce
by Adam Bray
by Raun Melmed
by Terri Libenson
by Raina Telgemeier
by Katherine Applegate
(A Dog’s Purpose Puppy Tales) by W. Bruce Cameron
by Mark Siegel
by Josephine Cameron
by James PattersonTop Pick for 3rd Grade: Maybe a Mermaid
Maybe a Mermaid is a must-read for anyone who has ever been the new kid in town or felt like they didn’t really fit into the cookie cutter stereotype of what society says they should be! Or both!
4th Grade Books
- The Lost Book of Adventure: from the notebooks of the Unknown Adventurer by Teddy Keen
- Diary of an Awesome Friendly Kid: Rowley Jefferson’s Journal by Jeff Kinney
- Theodore Boone: The Accomplice by John Grisham
- Warriors: The Broken Code #1: Lost Stars by Erin Hunter
- Last Kids on Earth Survival Guide by Max Brallier
- Greystone Secrets #1: The Strangers by Margaret Peterson Haddix and Anne Lambelet
- The Miscalculations of Lightning Girl by Stacy McAnulty
- Insignificant Events in the Life of a Cactus by Dusti Bowling
- Bob by Wendy Mass
- York: The Clockwork Ghost by Laura Ruby
by Teddy Keen
by Jeff Kinney
by John Grisham
by Erin Hunter
by Max Brallier
by Margaret Peterson Haddix and Anne Lambelet
by Stacy McAnulty
by Dusti Bowling
by Laura RubyTop Pick for 4th Graders: The Miscalculations of Lightning Girl
Do you think it would be easier or harder to go through middle school as a genius who’s technically ready for college? Find out in Miscalculations of Lightning Girl!
Remember, the age and grade recommendations are just that: recommendations. They’re not set in stone, and many of these books are written for age ranges versus a specific grade. For example, some on the 3rd grade list cover ages 7-9 (so 2nd through 4th).
Since summer reading should be fun, stick with books in your child’s comfort zone rather than trying to give them an edge by only giving them more advanced books. It’ll backfire and you’ll likely end up with a kid that hates reading.
I think that about covers it! I hope your kids find a book that they just can’t put down somewhere on this list!
If you still need more ideas, check out the latest bestsellers on Amazon!
- Sesame Street Elmo "My First" manners books set for kids and toddlers, featuring Elmo and friends in 8 different storybooks that teach manners.
- Colorfully illustrated Sesame Street Elmo Manners Books join Elmo as he teaches sharing and caring.
- The perfect books to teach the concept of manners. Includes the following titles: (1) Let's Share; (2) Be Polite; (3) Please and Thank You; (4) Good for You; (5) Taking Turns; (6) Be a Friend; (7) All About Feelings; (8) Working Together.
- Sesame Street Elmo manners books for toddlers and kids are 16 pages each and measure 5x5 inches, soft cover. This Sesame Street manners books set for kids is durable and high quality.
- These easy to read, richly illustrated books will introduce young children to the joys of books and reading! Perfect for teaching manners to kids and toddlers. Sesame Street Elmo party favors, party supplies.
- Hardcover Book
- Sadler, Marilyn (Author)
- English (Publication Language)
- 48 Pages - 09/12/1983 (Publication Date) - Random House Books for Young Readers (Publisher)
- Penguin Young Readers Licenses (Author)
- English (Publication Language)
- 32 Pages - 01/25/2022 (Publication Date) - Penguin Young Readers Licenses (Publisher)
- SPIRAL-BOUND SKETCHPADS: The Melissa & Doug Mini-Sketch Pads 4-pack features 50-page spiral-bound sketchpads designed for the young artist on the go.
- HIGH-QUALITY PAPER: Our children’s art pads are made of high-quality fade-resistant, acid-free white paper. This durable paper is exceptional for pencils, charcoals, markers, and crayons.
- ADDED DRAWING INSTRUCTIONS: These spiral art pads includes step-by-step instructions for drawing a goldfish and butterfly that are easy for younger kids to understand.
- KEEPS KIDS ENTERTAINED: These pads are a high-quality art supply that help kids explore their creativity. Maintaining an ample supply of sketch paper rounds out the creative play experience and gives kids another engaging option for screen-free fun.
- “THE GOLD STANDARD IN CHILDHOOD PLAY”: For more than 30 years, Melissa & Doug has created beautifully designed imagination- and creativity-sparking products that NBC News called “the gold standard in early childhood play.”
- Hardcover Book
- Hopgood, Sally (Author)
- English (Publication Language)
- 32 Pages - 09/20/2016 (Publication Date) - Sky Pony (Publisher)
- Hardcover Book
- Adam Rubin (Author)
- English (Publication Language)
- 40 Pages - 06/14/2012 (Publication Date) - Dial Books (Publisher)
- The Giving Tree - Children's Book, Hardcover
- Hardcover Book
- Shel Silverstein (Author)
- English (Publication Language)
- 64 Pages - 04/24/1964 (Publication Date) - HarperCollins (Publisher)
- Bill Martin Jr. (Author)
- English (Publication Language)
- 36 Pages - 04/25/2024 (Publication Date) - Little Simon (Publisher)
- Six double-sided, interactive pages feature animals from 12 categories such as the forest, the ocean and the shore
- Explore three play modes that teach about animal names, animal sounds and fun facts
- This fully bilingual book lets kids learn about animals and sing songs in English and Spanish
- Fun facts about animals provide an early introduction to science concepts
- Intended for ages 18+ months; requires 2 AA batteries; batteries included for demo purposes only; new batteries recommended for regular use
- Hardcover Book
- Maurice Sendak (Author)
- English (Publication Language)
- 48 Pages - 12/26/2012 (Publication Date) - Harper Collins (Publisher)
What’s on your elementary school kids’ summer reading lists?
Last update on 2024-04-24 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API
