Everywhere you turn you see signs for “Great Summer Reading!” Your local bookstore has tables devoted to summer reading, the book buying websites all have summer reading recommendations—you can’t get away from it! So, this summer I have decided to stop trying and, instead, I’m going to re-explore the summer reading I both loved and avoided as a kid.
Here is the summer reading challenge that I am issuing to you. Instead of heading for the “Great Books for the Beach” table or the “Reading I Never Did in College” table, head toward the children’s section and explore their offerings. It is highly likely that you will rediscover some of the books you remembered loving as a kid, as well as be introduced to some great new authors. Even better, you’ll have something to talk about with your kids over the summer (and your kids will love that you are reading the same books)!
Here are some old standards and new favorites that you might enjoy this summer:
The Phantom Tollbooth by Norton Juster. This book has been around for almost fifty years, but it never gets old. If you like the conversational style of the Harry Potter books, you truly will enjoy reading The Phantom Tollbooth.
The Last of the Really Great Whangdoodles by Julie Edwards. Julie Edwards is the married name of Julie Andrews (yes, that Julie Andrews). The Last of the Really Great Whangdoodles is sort of a fantasy book, but it is more about learning how to really see the world that surrounds you. I read this book in college, and it has become one of my favorites.
Frindle by Andrew Clements. This quick read is about word origins, but in a fun way. In fact, you won’t realize that you actually have learned something until you put the book down!
