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
TOP 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
Top 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
Top 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
Top 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
Top 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!
- Hardcover Book
- Wallace, Adam (Author)
- English (Publication Language)
- 32 Pages - 02/02/2016 (Publication Date) - Sourcebooks Wonderland (Publisher)
- 5 beloved beginner books by Dr. Seuss will be cherished by young & old alike.
- Ideal for reading aloud or reading alone.
- Includes: The Cat in the Hat, One Fish Two Fish Red Fish Blue Fish, Green Eggs and Ham, Hop on Pop and Fox in Socks.
- Perfect gift for new parents, birthday celebrations & happy occasions of all kinds.
- Hardcover Book
- Dr. Seuss (Author)
- English (Publication Language)
- 360 Pages - 09/22/2009 (Publication Date) - Random House Books for Young Readers (Publisher)
- Color: Multicolor
- has_fba_offer:
- Wonder House Books (Author)
- English (Publication Language)
- 220 Pages - 04/25/2018 (Publication Date) - Wonder House Books (Publisher)
- Pun-filled book about the love between parent and child
- Encourages family bonding, laughter
- Charming, heart-melting illustrations on each page
- Words by Rose Rossner
- Pictures by Sydney Hanson
- Rossner, Rose (Author)
- English (Publication Language)
- 24 Pages - 01/07/2020 (Publication Date) - Sourcebooks Wonderland (Publisher)
- Audible Audiobook
- J.K. Rowling (Author) - Jim Dale (Narrator)
- English (Publication Language)
- 11/20/2015 (Publication Date) - Pottermore Publishing (Publisher)
- Hardcover Book
- Sadler, Marilyn (Author)
- English (Publication Language)
- 48 Pages - 09/12/1983 (Publication Date) - Random House Books for Young Readers (Publisher)
- Bill Martin Jr. (Author)
- English (Publication Language)
- 36 Pages - 03/18/2025 (Publication Date) - Little Simon (Publisher)
- For Mac system 7.0 or later (OSX in CLASSIC OS)
- Interactive book
- Hardcover Book
- Numeroff, Laura (Author)
- English (Publication Language)
- 40 Pages - 10/06/2015 (Publication Date) - HarperCollins (Publisher)
- Amelia Hepworth (Author)
- English (Publication Language)
- 28 Pages - 03/03/2015 (Publication Date) - Tiger Tales (Publisher)
- The Giving Tree - Children's Book, Hardcover
- Hardcover Book
- Shel Silverstein (Author)
- English (Publication Language)
- 64 Pages - 03/18/1964 (Publication Date) - HarperCollins (Publisher)
What’s on your elementary school kids’ summer reading lists?
Last update on 2025-03-17 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API
