My kids love to read. I started reading to them at birth before they could really understand what I was saying, and it has always been a central part of our routines. As soon as they could read on their own, I’ve been challenged with feeding their thirst for a steady stream of new books. It’s a wonderful problem to have.
Reading is great for kids of all ages. It fuels their curiosity and imagination, develops a load of intellectual skills, and just might spark a future career.
Books are a great way to wind down with your kids at the end of the day. Several books you’ll see on the list below have been read aloud as a family at bedtime. Our girls always looked forward to that time together when my husband would crack open the Harry Potter book before we put them to bed.
Reading in the summertime can sometimes take a back seat to other activities – riding bikes, playing with friends or neighbors, taking trips, going to the pool, etc. It seems that there’s always something to do in the summer rather than curl up with a good book.
I encourage you to intentionally set aside time to read with your kids (and for them to read on their own if they are able) over the summer. It’s perfect for that time of day when it’s too hot to be outside, or when everyone needs a change of activity.
Below are some book series that have captivated my kids at various ages over the years. Note: some of the following are affiliate links. I may receive a small portion of the proceeds if you end up buying one of these books.
Spy School – Boys and girls will love this series about kids who are spies. My kids enjoy the audiobook versions of these, as well.
Magic Tree House – Great for early elementary school aged kids, but fun read alouds, also!
Ivy & Bean – More for girls than for boys, and perfect for when your child is ready for thicker chapter books.
Junie B Jones – My favorite read aloud for kindergarten through 2nd grade. These books are painfully funny and make me LOL.
Keeper of the Lost Cities – My middle school daughters read these books over and over again. Great for boys and girls.
The Chronicles of Narnia – There is much more to this than just the Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe. If you’ve never read the full series, now is the time!
Land of Stories – Another series that my kids read multiple times.
Red Wall – If your kids like this book series, it can keep them busy all summer. There are so many to read!
The Boxcar Children – Like Red Wall, there are many of these and they’re a great read aloud, also.
The Hunger Games – Definitely not for younger kids, but great for eighth grade and older. Strong female lead, and much better than the movie version, in my opinion. I’ve personally re-read this series several times because the writing is so entertaining and hard to put down.
The Babysitters Club – Fun books for your tween/teen girl that don’t get too romance-y. They were great to read when we were kids, and they’ve stood the test of time. Plus, they’re much better than the new tv series, in my opinion, but I think the books always are.