I remember every summer my mom letting me pick a big fat “big kid” book from our local library and reading it to me every afternoon until we finished it. Those are some of my best childhood memories. Even my brother–who didn’t really enjoy being read to–wanted to sit and listen sometimes.
With summer in full swing your child or children are probably desperate for something to do. Or maybe they are reading through books faster than you can swipe your library card. Either way, you need book suggestions! Guess what, I’ve got a great list for you! The list I’ve compiled is categorized by genre instead of reading level–I leave the reading level decision to you, the parent.
May I also suggest signing your older child up for a Goodreads account. It’s a completely free online community with millions of book suggestions and millions of people passionate about reading. It’s a place to keep track of all the books your reading, write reviews, and get suggestions about what to read next.
Adventure:
Swiss Family Robinson
Little House on the Prairie (Series)-1 from boys perspective
Watership Down
The Odyssey
Wilderness:
Hatchet
Call of the Wild
White Fang
The Last of the Mohicans
Where the Red Ferns Grow
Shiloh
Old Yeller
Irish Red
High Seas:
Robinson Crusoe
Master and Commander (Series) 12+
Treasure Island
The Temeraire (Dragons)
Fantasy/Magic:
The Hobbit
The Lord of the Rings (Series)
The Chronicles of Narnia (Series)
Redwall (Series)
Ralph the Motorcycle Mouse
Indian and the Cupboard
Eragon (Series)
Harry Potter (Series)
Western:
Hank the Cowdog (Series)
Science:
The Magic School Bus (Series)
Science Fiction/Space Opera:
Enders game (Series)
Star Wars (Series)
Strong Female Characters:
Little Women
Anne of Green Gables (Series)
Amelia Bedilia (Series)
Mystery:
Nancy drew (Series)
The Hardy Boys (Series)
Box Car Children (Series)
Equestrian:
Black Beauty
National Velvet
My Friend Flicka (Series)
Misty of Chincoteague (Series)
Bears:
Paddington (Series)
Winnie the Pooh (Series)
Happy Reading!
Maegan — xx
Love this list! I grew up listening to Hank the Cowdog on cassette during family road trips! And the Redwall books are some of my favorite of all time.
Hank the Cowdog was my brothers favorite! And I was obsessed with Redwall as a kid too! I thought I was the only one this whole time Sophie! I think kids miss out on so much good reading by skipping the classics.