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Summer_Reading08
Weekly Reader presents the best books to start
your summer off right.

H
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chool’s out. The weather is warm. Yep, there’s no doubt about it —summertime is just about here. So go pack your beach bag—but don’t forget to bring along a cool summer read. Not sure what book to choose? Carole D. Fiore, former president of the American Library Association’s children’s program, is here to help. Here’s her list of this year’s top beach books for kids of all ages.

Annie and Snowball and the Dress-up Birthday, by Cynthia Rylant and illustrated by Suçie Stevenson (Simon & Schuster). Annie and her rabbit start a club for girls and plan a special dress-up party that includes a surprise for all. Grades 1–3.

Swinging for the Fences: Hank Aaron and Me, by Mike Leonetti and illustrated by David Kim (Chronicle Books). This picture book is a fictionalized account of an encounter between Mark, a young baseball fan, and home-run legend Hank Aaron. Grades 1–3.

Stink and the World’s Worst Super-Stinky Sneakers, by Megan McDonald and illustrated by Peter H. Reynolds (Candlewick). Stink Moody, Judy’s little brother, is sure he can win the Super-Stinky Sneaker Contest because he has such a supersensitive nose. Grades 2–4.

Oops! by Alan Katz and illustrated by Edward Koren (McElderry Books). From the Kingdom of His Royal Sloppiness, here are more fun and silly poems to share and read aloud. Warning: You might need to plug your nose. Grades 3–5.

YA Page-Turners
Summer Reading 08
Here’s a list of Young Adult books that made a big splash this year. They are the winner and runners-up of the Printz Awards for Excellence in Young Adult Literature.

Printz Award Winner:
  • The White Darkness, by Geraldine McCaughrean (HarperTempest, an imprint of HarperCollins)

    • Runners Up:
  • Dreamquake: Book Two of the Dreamhunter Duet, by Elizabeth Knox (Frances Foster Books)

  • One Whole and Perfect Day, by Judith Clarke (Boyds Mills Press, Inc.)

  • Repossessed, by A. M. Jenkins (HarperTeen, an imprint of HarperCollins)

  • Your Own, Sylvia: A Verse Portrait of Sylvia Plath, by Stephanie Hemphill (Knopf)

    		•
    Cool Zone with the Pain and the Great One, by Judy Blume and illustrated by James Stevenson (Delacorte Press). The Pain and the Great One cannot agree on anything. But they know that they can rely on each other, especially at school. Grades 2–5.

    Ralph Masiello’s Ancient Egypt Drawing Book, by Ralph Masiello (Charlesbridge). The mysteries of ancient Egypt are unlocked in this step-by-step drawing book. Grades 4–7.

    Hurricane Song, by Paul Volponi (Viking). Miles has lived in New Orleans with his dad, a musician, for only a few months when Hurricane Katrina hits. They must work through their differences to survive some harrowing days riding out the storm in the Superdome. Grades 5–7.

    The Sorta Sisters, by Adrian Fogelin (Peachtree Press). Anna Casey lives with her latest foster mother in North Florida; Mica Delano lives aboard a sailboat in the Florida Keys. A correspondence between the two girls turns into a flourishing friendship. Grades 5—8.

    LaRue for Mayor: Letters from the Campaign Trail, by Mark Teague (Blue Sky Press). Celebrate the excitement of this election season with the tales of Ike LaRue. Will his pooch policies get him elected?

    On the Wings of Heroes, by Richard Peck (Dial). Davy’s older brother Bill has joined the Army, much to the dismay of his dad. This is a sensitive story of the home front during World War II. Grades 4–7.
    • Why do you think it is important and helpful for students to read during the summer?

    • What is your favorite book and why?
    • Listen to educational rapper Agent 23 Skidoo’s song all about reading here.

    • Check out the top 10 all-time best-selling children’s books here.
    Mad Lib
    Try our silly summer madlib and create your own summer story.


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