I have so many summer memories as a young girl lounging in the sun reading my favorite books over and over again.  For me summer is the time for pleasure reading of the finest variety. No one telling us what to read, no book reports to write, no forced research to complete, just simply reading for the joy of reading.  I am afraid a lot of kids don’t have time for this these days, so making it a priority is of the utmost importance. Join your local Library’s “Make a Splash” Summer Reading Program or set some time aside each week where the entire family “drops everything and reads” uninterrupted. Let your child pick whatever they like, whether it’s a comic, magazine or lengthy novel, remember that the love of reading is nurtured when one has the space to find the stories that speak to them.

What I have compiled for you is a list of favorites. Many of which I have read, a few of which I could not keep in the Library long enough to read this year, and a couple that are brand new. I kept age ranges broad as many of these books are read across grade levels depending on the reader, so please don’t hesitate to check out the different lists below:

• Kindergarten—2nd Grade Summer Reading Picks
• 3rd—4th Grade Summer Reading Picks
• 5th—6th Grade Summer Reading Picks
• 7th—8th Grade Summer Reading Picks