Summer Reading for Simply Everyone

Older Children
 

Like any other skill, reading improves with practice, so be sure your older children also have good books and time to read. Summer is a good time to tackle a thick book or read a series too long for the busy school year. Here are some family favorites (and some for Mom and Dad, too!)

Spindle’s End - Robin McKinley

McKinley’s retelling of fairy tales for older readers is fascinating; this one is about Sleeping Beauty, with a surprise ending.

Beauty - Robin McKinley

Another one of McKinley’s retold tales (Beauty and the Beast, this time) and my personal favorite - I own a hardback copy that never leaves the house and a paperback copy to loan out!

Redwall - Brian Jacques

The first book in a medieval fantasy series for older readers who can take intense scenes, no-nonsense characters, and struggles between good and evil in stride. My 18 year old owns the entire series and rereads it regularly.

The Hobbit - J.R.R. Tolkien

The first of Tolkien’s books about Middle Earth and its inhabitants, a bit shorter and a good lead-in to his trilogy.

The Lord of the Rings - J.R.R. Tolkien

Read this trilogy with your children (yes, it’s long... yes, it may take a good part of the summer to get through... so? It’s worth it, honest!) and then go see how the books translate to the big screen.

The Princess Diaries - Meg Cabot

Liked the movie? You’ll love the book. Princess In the Spotlight and Princess In Love continue Mia’s adventures. Hilarious!

Escape From Warsaw - Ian Serralier

Three children try to escape to Switzerland after their parents are both taken by the Nazis. Based on a true story.

Invitation to the Game - Monica Hughes

Teen graduates in 2154 are assigned jobs or end up living on government hand-outs for the rest of their lives. Lissa and her friends discover "The Game", a virtual reality state more fun than real life, and begin playing to escape their boredom. But is it a game?

The Journals Of Rachel Scott: A Journey Of Faith At Columbine High - Beth Nimmo, Debra K. Klingsporn

This biography of Rachel Scott, one of the teens shot at Columbine High, was adapted from her own writings.

Face on the Milk Carton - Caroline B. Cooney

Fifteen-year-old Janie has a wonderful life - until she recognizes a picture of herself as a missing three-year-old on a milk carton. Who is she really? Her story continues in Whatever Happened to Janie? and The Voice on the Radio. My book-hating daughter loved these.

Chicken Soup for the Teenage Soul - Jack Canfield et al

There are several volumes of these stories about teenage life, love and learning , including one of letters inspired by them and one on tough teen issues. Good for reluctant readers who can’t face reading a whole book, but might tackle a story a day. And maybe your teen will want to share them with you!

-Betty Winslow

Betty Winslow is a writer and school librarian from Bowling Green, Ohio.   Her writing has appeared in many places, among them FamilyFun, Christian Library Journal, Guideposts, Writer's Digest, and six anthologies (so far). 

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