Summer Slide Busters: Engaging Reads For Summer Fun
Summer slide is in full swing! Summer reading can be a favorite activity for some kids and an eye rolling chore for others. As the summer progresses most kids get bored with the same activities and are looking for new adventures. What better way to escape than into a good book? Read on to see some of my picks that will help your kids avoid the dreaded “summer slide”.
What Is The Summer Slide?:
Are you familiar with the “summer slide?” Unfortunately I am not speaking about your favorite apparatus in the local playground. The “summer slide” refers to the learning loss that students can experience when out of school. It is a regression in academic proficiency due to summer break. Experts agree that the summer slide hinders kids’ progress when they head back to school. (Scholastic). Unfortunately, younger children are prone to the most learning loss because they’re at a crucial stage in their development. But don’t worry because the summer slide is actually very easy to avoid.
How To Avoid The Summer Slide:
Basic skills are not too hard to maintain over the summer. The number one thing you can do to avoid the summer slide is to let kids read what they want! It is that simple! I realize that with the overwhelming amount of books out there today it can be hard to pick titles that will keep kids’ interest. Luckily I have a list of tun titles that young readers won’t be able to resist.
Summer Slide Busters:
Just Like Millie by Caldecott Honor Winner Lauren Castillo- Ages 3-7
A young girl and her mother move to an apartment in a new city but she would rather stay home instead of going out to meet new friends. This warm picture book explores how the right companion can make the world feel like a less frightening place.
Orion and the Dark by Emma Yarlett- Ages 3-7
Orion is very scared of the Dark until the Dark pays him a visit. Kids can read this empowering tale then watch it come to life on Netflix!
The Den That Octopus Built by Randi Sonenshine- Ages 4 to 8.
Follow one of the ocean’s most mysterious animals the solitary and ingenious octopus in this candid look at its fascinating life cycle.
The (Mostly) True Story of Cleopatra’s Needle by Dan Guzman- Middle Grade (8-12)
Learn all about Central Park’s genuine Egyptian obelisk Cleopatra Needle in this engrossing historical fiction account.
National Geographic Kids Almanac 2025- Ages 8-12
368 color pages of adventure for curious kids who want to know everything about everything.
The Lost Ones by Lauren DeStefano- YA 12-17
Journey to the darker side of Neverland in the second book of the Dark Ascension Series.
Check out 5 more of our fun book picks below:
And, don’t forget to come back to see what we pick to read for fall.
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