Well hello summer and hello readers! Â Summer may seems like time to kick back and do nothing, but in this post, I want to share with you some of the best books for summer reading by grade level. It is so important for kids to keep reading and moving along with their skills. By creating a reading routine, you give your child a step up for the next grade. I think we as parent really want our kids feeling confident as a new grade level starts.
HOW TO AVOID SUMMER SLIDE
You may have heard of the Summer Slide?? Well, our kids work hard all year, and then…bam! Summer hits! The kids’ learning comes to a grinding halt and for many, the idea of reading books is considered something just for school. When kids completely stop reading, this is called summer slide. By doing nothing in the summer, kids revert back at least one full quarter.
In the book, Summer Reading by Richard Allington, the statistics on how low income students are impacted is a real call to action for parents and teachers. What can be done? Plenty according to Allington. For starters, we must keep kids reading, writing, and thinking, and that requires books in kids’ hands and motivation to stick with it.
Allington shares ideas such as a 1000 minute challenge, partnering with restaurants for reward meals for readers, and book drives to get books to the kids. Keep reading for ideas to help you and your student(s).
BEST BOOKS FOR SUMMER READING
So, what are you reading this summer? Do you have a few choices on your list? If your second or third grader is looking for a great choice, these books are kid tested and approved!  I promise. I have been watching my students this year, checked with our librarian, and I took suggestions from my bloggy friends on what their students love to form these lists. From them, I have a few I want to showcase since they have been published in the last two years and may not be as well known as Ramona and Amelia Bedelia.
SUMMER READING FOR SECOND GRADE
SUMMER READING FOR THIRD AND FOURTH GRADE
FOR ADDITIONAL BOOK RECOMMENDATIONS, CHECK OUT THIS LOW COST RESOURCE.
For parents, having a book list helps tremendously. They are not always familiar with what is appropriate for their student or what would work well for them. To help busy teachers, I created printables that can easily be slipped into a report card envelop. Check out the listing below if this is something you can use either for your class or for your child at home.
18 Responses
I can't download your freebie!! Tried clicking everywhere on it!!! Help!!!
Carol-I am so sorry. It is fixed now!
Great book suggestions. Thank you!
We had glitches with dead links today. Computers are great …as long as they work right?? Hope the "map" fixes things.
Thank you Carla! This is a fabulous resource!
Sarah
Sarah's First Grade Snippets
Thanks…I hope I hit with the reading level you need. If not, other book lists are available at other stops. 🙂
Glad it helps you. I bet the second grade list would work well for your firsties. Thanks for commenting.
Great resource! Thanks again for organizing this blog hop!
-Jen
That Literacy Blog
Carla – your post and freebie – awesome. You have a knack for creating great stuff – Love all your work. Thank you for bringing us together for hops like this one!
I've been looking for a list like this! Thank you so much!!!
Wonderful resource! My two sons (2nd and 3rd grades) love many of the books you suggested and I found some new ones for them! Thanks so much! 🙂
I love Richard Allington. I've seen him speak a few times at the IRA conferences and he is so blunt. I have that summer reading book on my reading list!
Jessica
Literacy Spark
Glad to organize. I love all of the great resources you all made, and I'm so happy to know how they will help kiddos all summer long.
You are too much, Michelle! I am so glad for friendships formed and that we're doing good things for teachers, parents and kids.
Thanks so much. I am so glad it is helpful!
And have they discovered Captain Awesome?? They are awesome. DC Super Pets too. My boys are CRAZY about them!!
I really, really, really loved his presentation this year. Yes…blunt, but right!!
Thank you posting the lists!! I teach third and I definitely hate the summer slide! I'm going to start reading Summer Reading as soon because I'm finishing up the Book Whisperer which I LOVE!!