Summer is almost here and it’s time to think about starting a summer reading! This summer, give your young adult the opportunity to read new books and explore different categories.
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Book Ideas for Tween
Tree of Dreams by Laura Resau – The Coco family chocolate shop is crumbling and she has to discover how her heart will grow as she challenges herself in the Amazon rainforest.
The Cryptid Catcher by Lija Fisher – After his dad dies, he realizes he wasn’t just searching history…he was monster hunting.
How to Become an Accidental Genius by Elizabeth MacLeod – Insprirning inventors who have changed the world from presidents to popsicles.
Hello, Universe by Erin Kelly – Find your inner hero with this story of one day four lives are pulled together.
Dead End in Norvelt by Jack Gantos – While doing the most unusual chore, writing obituaries, he finds stories about who founded his utopian town.
See You in the Cosmos by Jack Cheng – Wanting to launch his iPod into space, Alex records a journey that takes him on a discovery.
When You Reach Me by Rebecca Stead – Receiving strange messages, Miranda must decide what to do about it and if it is truly the future.
A Boy Called Christmas by Matt Haig – Nikolas befriends a reindeer as he is off to discover a hidden world of Christmas spirit and goodwill.
Number the Stars by Lois Lowry – About time and war with German troops relocating the Jewish population across to Sweden.
When Stars Are Scattered by Victoria Jamieson – Graphic Novel about growing up in a refugee camp in Kenya.
Hatchet by Gary Paulsen – Surviving the plane crash of the single-engine plane, Bryan has to learn how to survive in the wild with nothing but his jacket and hatchet.
Daughter of the Deep by Rick Riordan – Hoping to succeed as a freshman, she and her friends witness an accident that will change their lives.
Unplugged by Gordon Korman – Middle schoolers being forced to unplug at wellness camp comes together determined to figure out what happens to the adults and he’s not just making trouble.
Spy School by Stuart Gibbs – Based off a CIA middle school can he become what he wants to be or mess it up too.
I Survived Series – Book Series about events that truly happened and how the kids managed and survived them.
The War That Saved My Life by Kimberly Bradley – 10 year old Ada is forced to be shipped off during the war, will she be able to stay with her brother during wartime?
The Ice Cream Machine by Adam Rubin – Six stories in six worlds all with the same title.
Out of My Heart by Sharon Draper – Melody discovers how brave and strong she is at summer camp with thunderstorms and creatures.
Mr. Terupt Falls Again by Rob Buyea – Seven students saving the sixth grade and its challenges in a roller coaster of a year.
Bud, Not Buddy by Christopher Curtis – Set in 1936, Bud gets an idea to go off on his own to find his father he knows nothing about, not even his name.
Wonder by RJ Palacio – Auggie is an ordinary boy with a special face that shows us kindness brings us together.
Part of Your World by Liz Braswell – Twisted tale, what would have happened if Ariel didn’t defeat Ursula. Five years after becoming voiceless, Ursula runs Prince Eric’s kingdom.
InvestiGATORS by John Patrick Green – Gators being secret agents trying to keep it secret while on a rocky relationship.
The Miscalculations of Lightning Girl by Stacy McAnulty – Struck by lighting and becoming a homeschool genius at math while her grandmother insists she go to 7th grade.
The Totally Awesome Book of Useless Information by Noel Botham – Collection of wildest, oddest, funnies facts about history, science, animals and much more.
The Running Dream by Wendelin Van Draanen – Learning to rewalk after an accident takes her leg, she struggles to not feel like everyone is watching as she wants to be able to run again.
The Forbidden Library by Django Wexler – Living with her uncle and a talking cat she soon finds herself inside the book.
If you like mystery, suspense, and trains, check out these blog posts about the Adventures from Trains series.
Book Ideas for Teenagers
Heartless by Marissa Meyer – Before she was evil in Wonderland, the girl Catherine just wanted to fall in love and open a bake shop with her best friend.
Where There’s a Whisk by Sarah Schmitt – Wanting to compete on Top Teen Chef, she believes this is her way out of the small town.
Refugee by Alan Gratz – Story of three kids going on a journey in search of the same thing refuge and safety.
The Sweetness of Salt by Cecilia Galante – Julia changes her plans and follows her sister for a new understanding of herself and her sister.
Real, Not Perfect by Stephaine Coleman – Tessa is trying to do everything right when her world is rocked by her parents divorce and Instagram makes everyone seem perfect.
Book Ideas for Teen Romance
A Cuban Girl’s Guide to Tea and Tomorrow by Laura Namey – Summer in England to relax and take a mental break.
Always and Forever by Jenny Han – This was the best year for Lara till she realized she needs to make some important decisions for next year. Does she choose between her heart or her head?
You’ve Reached Sam by Dustin Thao – Learning to cope with her boyfriend who just passed, Julie tries to forget him and learn what to do next.
Tweet Cute by Emma Lord – Pepper and Jack dislike each other and turn into a viral Twitter war, is their relationship pulling them together or apart?
Alex, Approximately by Jenn Bennett – Spending half her year falling for a sensitive film geek, she has to decide to choose between simpler or more complicated by telling him he moved till he realized Porter is hiding his own secret.
Lucky in Love by Kasie West – Does the new guy in her life know her big secret or is he just after her new found fortune?
Girl Out of the Water by Laura Silverman – It’s senior year and she gets pulled from Santa Cruz to Nebraska, as she learns to help care for her younger cousins and swap her surfboard for a skateboard.
In Alexa’s Shoes by Rochelle Alexandra – 13-year-old Alexa journeys after being ripped away from her home in Nazi Poland.
The Downstairs Girl by Stacey Lee – 17-year-old Kuan, working two jobs, decides to challenge race and gender stereotypes. Is she ready to come into the light instead of hiding her identity?
Book Ideas for Young Adult Classics
Pride and Prejudice by Jane Austen – The story of Mrs. Bennet’s attempt to marry off her daughters as they have sparring matches with William Darcy.
The Great Gatsby by F Scott Fitzgerald – Dark corners of the jazz age to the obsession, love, and gritty underbelly to follow the American Dream.
The Giver By Lois Lowry – A 12-year-old boy who receives his special gift and learns the truth about his town and the secrets he supposes to keep.
The Hobbit – JRR Tolkien – Unlikely hero Bilbo Baggins sets off on an adventure with a wizard and a group of dwarves across Middle Earth to help reclaim the dwarves home that was lost to a fire-breathing dragon.
*I have not read all these books but looked through teachers, top 100, and best sellers to compile this list.
Overall, the biggest thing is getting them to read. If they are interested in these titles, you can explore Amazon by adding their interest to the words ‘book ideas for their age”. Visiting the library or even Barnes and Noble are great ways to let them browse the aisle to find something that interests them.
Want to make it more interesting than just summer reading try out our Summer reading challenge.
Check out this Reading Challenge using BINGO!
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