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Summer Reading
As the school year draws to a close, children anticipate fun-filled summertime activities: swimming in
local pools, trips to the beach, family vacations, games of kick the can and hide and seek, and chasing lightening bugs at dusk. But mostly, to the dismay of teachers and parents, most children look forward
to a reprieve from schoolwork. Teachers and parents face the challenge of keeping children's minds and imaginations stimulated through reading and creative thinking throughout the extended break from
school. The July-August Summertime Reading Showcase features books that are as fun as summer itself and that educate while they entertain and engage the imagination.
Please browse the titles below and click on those that interest you to see cover art and a full book
description. Some of the titles may also include examples of interior art that offer a clearer representation of the actual book. The titles included in the Showcase are selected by their publishers
who provide the art and descriptive information.
These books are available at your local bookstore, which we urge you to patronize. Your local
bookseller can supply these titles and offer professional, informed help in selecting other good books for children. Check the American Booksellers Association's directory of member bookstores for a bookseller near you.
If you do not have convenient access to any local bookstores, you can purchase these CBC Showcase books online from independent bookstores at  .
CBC Showcase is a bimonthly thematic bibliography available only online. Please visit the Showcase Archive to view previous lists, which include Poetry Titles, Math and Counting Books, Folk and Fairy
tales, The African-American Experience, Humorous Books, Holiday Titles, and much more.
All I Want Is Everything: A Gossip Girl Novel
, written by Cecily von Ziegesar. Ages: 15 & up. The third novel in this hot new series that
explores the hilarious and risque lives of senior girls at an elite New York City private high school. (Little, Brown and Company)
Andrew Lost Under Water
, written by J.C. Greenburg. Ages: 7-10. Andrew Lost Under Water takes Andrew and Judy on a new adventure underwater! (Random House)
Bad Cat, written and illustrated by Tracy-Lee McGuiness-Kelly. Ages: 3-6. Crazy, adorable, and cool, Bad Cat is sure to strike a
chord with the grade school set for years to come. (Little, Brown and Company)
The Canning Season
, written by Polly Horvath. Ages: 12 and up. Love under trying circumstances.
(Farrar, Straus and Giroux)
Cold Tom, written by Sally Prue.
Ages 10: and up. With breathtaking originality, this is a bracing tale of fantasy and adventure that delves with poignant insight into the "demon" bonds of love that make us human. (Scholastic Press)
Cowboy Boy, written and illustrated by James Proimos. Ages: 7-10.
This easy-to-read, copiously illustrated tale of brains winning out over brawn will delight young cowboy boys--and girls--who love to laugh. (Scholastic Press)
Daughter of the Wind
, written by Michael Cadnum.
Ages: 12 and up. A historical adventure story that takes place during the Viking era in Scandinavia. (Orchard Books)
Diary of a Wombat
, written by Jackie French, illustrated by Bruce Whatley. Ages: 4-7. A wombat's-eye view of life—a
hilarious account of eating, sleeping, digging holes and, most importantly, lessons in the fine art of training human pets. (Clarion Books)
Dive #1: The Discovery
, written by Gordon Korman. Ages: 8-12.
Sharks, shipwreck, and sunken treasure in the latest adventure trilogy from best-selling author Gordon Korman! (Scholastic Inc.)
The Divide, written by Elizabeth Kay. Ages: 9-12.
Step into a magical world like no other. With an intriguing and innovative cover that opens down the center, Scholastic dares you to enter The Divide. (Chicken House)
Don't Grown-Ups Ever Have Fun?
, written and illustrated by Jamie Harper.
Ages: 3-6. Well, the verdict is in and the children in this family have decided that grown-ups definitely NEVER have fun. (Little, Brown and Company)
Down in the Piney Woods
, written by Ethel Footman Smothers.
Ages: 8 and up. With a soft dialect, Smothers conveys, with humor and sensitivity, the joys and trials of growing up in the South during the pre-Civil Rights era. (Eerdmans Books for Young Readers)
D.W.'s Guide to Preschool
, written and illustrated by Marc Brown.
Ages: 3-6. D.W., Arthur's fun and sassy little sister, is here to help every new preschooler get through the first day. (Little, Brown and Company)
The Enemy Has a Face
, Gloria D. Milowitz. Ages: 12 and up. In this book Gloria Miklowitz explores issues of Middle Eastern
relationships through the eyes of young people on both sides of the age-old conflict. (Eerdmans Books for Young Readers)
Faerie Wars
, written by Herbie Brennan.
Ages: 12 and up. Herbie Brennan introduces readers to loyal, courageous, young heroes who are waging battle against egomaniacal, nefarious, greedy villains in order to save the Faerie realm. (Bloomsbury Children's Books)
Fairway Phenom
, written by Matt Christopher.
Ages: 10-13. An inner city boy risks ridicule by his peers to play a sport he's grown to love-golf. (Little, Brown and Company)
The Gospel According to Larry
, written by Janet Tashijan.
Ages: 12 and up. Josh Swensen is not your average 17-year-old. He is a prodigy who only wants to make the world a better place. (Random House)
Guardians of Ga'Hoole: The Capture
, written by Kathryn Lasky. Ages: 8-12.
A fascinating new fantasy/fiction series—a classic hero-mythology story of friendship and adventure—which has been compared to the Redwall series, with perhaps a hint of Watership Down. (Scholastic Inc.)
Harry and the Bucketful of Dinosaurs
, written by Ian Whybrow, illustrated by Adrian Reynolds. Ages: 4-8. A story of EPIC proportions!!
(Random House)
Hawksong, written by Amelia Atwater-Rhodes. Ages: 12 and up. Enter the world of the avian and serpiente shapeshifters, two races
that reside in the same territory, but have been enemies for as long as anyone can remember. (Random House)
The House of Windjammer
, written by V. A. Richardson.
Ages: 12 and up. A gripping tale of obsession, secrecy, and treachery set in a changing civilization. (Bloomsbury Children's Books)
How Groundhog's Garden Grew
, written and illustrated by Lynne Cherry.
Ages: 4 and up. Children can learn along with Little Groundhog how to create gardens of their own as they come to appreciate the wonders of the natural world. (Blue Sky Press)
Ice-Cream Cones for Sale!
, written and illustrated by Elaine Greenstein. Ages: 4-8.
"I invented the ice-cream cone!"
"No, I invented the ice-cream cone!"
"You're both wrong! I invented the ice-cream cone!" (Scholastic Press)
The Keys to the Kingdom: Mister Monday
, written by Garth Nix. Ages: 9 and up.
The first book in a spellbinding series by The New York Times best-selling author of The Seventh Tower. (Scholastic Inc.)
Little Brown Bear Won't Go To School
, written and illustrated by Jane Dyer. Ages: 4-8. Jane Dyer's whimsical illustrations have just the
right amount of humor as they show the adventures (and misadventures!) of Little Brown Bear out into the wide, wide world. (Little, Brown and Company)
Loretta: Ace Pinky Scout
, written and illustrated by Keith Graves.
Ages: 7-10. She can save the world--But she can't roast a marshmallow! (Scholastic Press)
Maggie in the Morning
, written by Elizabeth Van Steenwyk.
Ages: 9 and up. With warmth and humor, the author captures small town life in the Midwest while revealing one young girl's self-discovery and growth during a special summer. (Eerdmans Books for Young Readers)
Max's Logbook
, written and illustrated by Marissa Moss.
Ages: 7-10. This funny, refreshingly candid glimpse into Max's world is illustrated with his drawings, diagrams, and doodles. His reassuring story will delight every young reader who meets him. (Scholastic Press)
Melanie Martin Goes Dutch
, written by Carol Weston.
Ages: 8-12. The Private diary of my almost bummer summer with Cecily, Matt the Brat, and Vincent Van GO GO GO. (Random House)
Misfits, Inc. No. 6: Hit and Run
, written by Mark Delaney.
Ages: 10-14. A thrilling adventure in the popular YA mystery series, MISFITS, INC., by Edgar Award nominee, Mark Delaney. (Peachtree Publishers)
Molly Moon's Incredible Book of Hypnotism
, written by Georgia Byng.
Ages: 8-12. Prepare to be dazzled by this sparklingly funny adventure. "Another challenger for the crowns of J.K. Rowling and Philip Pullman!" —The Daily Telegraph (London) (HarperCollins Publishers)
Moriah's Pond
, written by Ethel Footman Smothers.
Ages: 8 and up. Safe in the strict, loving care of great-grandmother, Annie Rye and her sisters have fun but also face growing up black in 1950's rural Georgia. (Eerdmans Books for Young Readers)
On the Way to the Beach
, written and illustrated by Henry Cole.
Ages: 4 and up. A book for every beachcomber's wish list; an inviting search-and-find nature book with gatefold pages. (Greenwillow Books)
Otto Goes to the Beach
, written and illustrated by Todd Parr. Ages: 3-6. Todd Parr introduces an appealing new character in
the tradition of Maisy, Arthur, Olivia, and Curious George. (Little, Brown and Company)
Otto Goes to Bed
, written and illustrated by Todd Parr. Ages: 3-6. Todd Parr introduces an appealing new character in
the tradition of Maisy, Arthur, Olivia, and Curious George. (Little, Brown and Company)
Painting the Wind
, written by Patricia MacLachlan and Emily MacLachlan, illustrated by Katy Schneider. Ages: 4-8. The
first collaboration between the Newbery Medal-winning author and her daughter, about holding on to those perfect moments that only summer in a place you love can offer. (Joanna Cotler Books,
HarperCollins Publishers)
Pants, written by Giles Andrae, illustrated by Nick Sharratt.
Ages: 3-6. A hilarious ode to underwear! The adorable artwork and large-size format make this great for group reads. (Random House)
Players in Pigtails
, written by Shana Corey, illustrated by Rebecca Gibbon.
Ages: 5-8. Did you know that in the 1940s girls all across America were crazy for our country's favorite game? (Scholastic Press)
Prairie River: A Journey of Faith
, written by Kristiana Gregory. Ages: 8-13.
Best-selling historical fiction author Kristiana Gregory debuts a new, inspirational series. (Scholastic Inc.)
Red Hot Reads: Detective Stories
, compiled by Philip Pullman, illustrated by Nick Hardcastle. Ages: 9-14.
These contemporary anthologies offer a terrific introduction to classic writing in all the most popular genres. (Kingfisher)
Rodzina, written by Karen Cushman. Ages: 10-14. A compelling, memorable narrator tells her story, Rodzina Clara Jadwiga Anastazya
Brodski is the latest in Newbery Award-winning author Karen Cushman's gallery of unforgettable heroines. (Clarion Books)
Running Scared
, written by Gloria Skurzynski and Alane Ferguson.
Ages: 8 to 12. While lost in a cave, the Landon kids stumble onto some robbers and a clue to the park's dwindling bat population. Mysteries in Our National Parks series. (National Geographic Society)
Skate!, written by Michael Shafran. Ages: 9 to 12. Your guide to inline, aggressive, vert, street, roller hockey, speed skating,
dance, fitness training, and more. National Geographic Extreme Sports series. (National Geographic Society)
Sneakers the Seaside Cat
, written by Margaret Wise Brown, illustrated by Anne Mortimer. Ages: 4-8.
A treat for fans of Margaret Wise Brown and cat lovers everywhere! (HarperCollins Children's Books)
Spitting Image
, written by Shutta Crum. Ages: 9-13.
The joys and heartaches of being twelve years old, told from the unforgettable voice of a spunky girl growing up in 1960's small-town Kentucky. (Clarion Books)
Stanley's Party
, written by Linda Bailey, illustrated by Bill Slavin. Ages: 3-7. Meet the ultimate party animal! (Kids Can Press)
Three Girls in the City #1: Self-Portrait
, written by Jeanne Betancourt. Ages: 8-12.
With humor and sensitivity, Jeanne Betancourt captures the gritty innocence of these three New York City girls. (Scholastic Paperbacks)
Tree Castle Island
, written by Jean Craighead George. Ages: 8-12.
The new novel, packed with the thrilling details of survival, from the Newbery Medal-winning author of Julie and the Wolves is now in paperback! (HarperTrophy)
Trials of Death: Cirque Du Freak, Book 5 in the Saga of Darren Shan
, written by Darren Shan. Ages: 10-13. The bestselling horror series following the trials and
tribulations of teenage vampire Darren Shan. (Little, Brown and Company)
What Are You So Grumpy About?
, written and illustrated by Tom Lichtenheld. All Ages. What Are You So Grumpy About? takes all the tiny things that can annoy a kid and exaggerates them to a hilarious extent. (Little, Brown and Company)
When Catherine the Great and I Were Eight!
, written by Cari Best, illustrated by Giselle Potter. Ages: 4-8. The unsinkable heroine of Three Cheers for Catherine the Great! is back! (Melanie Kroupa Books/Farrar, Straus and Giroux)
Wild Man Island
, written by Will Hobbs.
Ages: 10 and up. "The survival story is the real attention grabber, but Hobbs ... also provides a wealth of information about early human migration in North America." —ALA Booklist. (HarperTrophy)
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