When school is out for summer, everything from swimming pools to popsicles is on the horizon. One popular option amid the endless opportunities of these hot, homework-free months is vacation– by plane, train, or car, summer is the peak season for travel. But whether at home or out of town, what we experience on summer break can teach lessons and create life-long stories to tell. These six children’s and YA books are chock-full of summer adventures, perfect to get kids in the mood to chase an ice-cream truck or pack up their suitcase for a trip.
How I Spent My Summer Vacation by Mark Teague
A young boy’s runaway imagination takes the reins in Teague’s story of How I Spent My Summer Vacation. In a report to the class, Wallace Bleff tells of a surprise detour on the route to his aunt’s house for a visit, where he was stopped by cowboys and made to join their bunch. Bleff not only learns roping and riding from his companions, but also takes on a new confidence that makes him a leader and hero in a tight spot.
Summer Vacation, Here I Come! by D.J. Steinberg, Illustrated by John Joven
Summer Vacation, Here I Come! beckons readers to come along for the ride as kids navigate summer’s most classic activities and pitfalls. The joy of summer camp crafts, road trip motels, star-gazing, and slip-n-slides are captured in colorful illustration, exploring all there is to be done in these months of freedom. In addition, Summer Vacation, Here I Come shows not only fun and games, but the quality time among family and friends that comes along with it.
Goldfish on Vacation by Sally Lloyd-Jones, Illustrated by Leo Espinosa
When three kids and three pet goldfish are stuck in the confines of their New York City apartment, a unique kind of summer vacation presents itself. Rather than travelling to another city or country, the children take their pets on a trip through the city to swim freely in a Central Park fountain, with the help of their grandfather. As they make visits to the park, the siblings find friendship with fellow goldfish-owning kids, and learn about the history of both Central Park and their own family.
Judy Moody and the NOT Bummer Summer by Megan McDonald, Illustrated by Peter H. Reynolds
The tenth book in a series of Judy Moody stories, Judy Moody and the NOT Bummer Summer, follows the spunky 10-year-old as she attempts to turn her summer into a rare, dare-filled adventure. With her usual crew away on vacation, she’s left to make the most of the long months with a babysitter, younger brother, and a few remaining friends. In her usual lively and impassioned ways, Judy Moody takes on the surprises, laughs, and scares of a tight-rope walking, Bigfoot hunting summer.
Diary of a Wimpy Kid: Dog Days by Jeff Kinney
This fourth edition of the journals (NOT diaries) of Greg Heffley recounts a series of calamities over the summer months. In his usual pre-teen angst, Greg manages to put on an overcast mood despite the season’s sunny skies, fighting against his mother’s effort to get him out of the house. His chaotic encounters with family pets, public pools, and summer jobs once again execute the The Diary of a Wimpy Kid’s delicate balance between a hard cringe and a good laugh for readers.
The Penderwicks: A Summer Tale of Four Sisters, Two Rabbits, and a Very Interesting Boy by Jeanne Birdsall
The title sisters of The Penderwicks make all kinds of mischief and fun on their summer vacation at a cottage in Massachusetts. Secrets fly, and communication breakdowns stir up drama among the community they meet, with squabbles ensuing among the siblings and their wide range of personalities. Despite it all, the tales of the Penderwick family make a memorable seasonal story. Their story was awarded the 2005 National Book Award, and continued by Birdsall in another four volumes.
These six titles are sure to put readers in the sunny spirit of the season. Excitement can be anywhere in the summer, from a band of cowboys to a bowl of goldfish.
Read more on recently released summer reads for kids here!
Find these books, and more inspiration for kids’ summer TBR list, on our Bookshop Summer Reading Checklist for Kids list!
