A great book is an amazing gift - it can teach you something new, transport you to a different world, help you realize you aren't alone in your feelings, and so much more. In today's fast-paced digital world, though, the pleasure of a great book is often forgotten. That's why it is extra important to help your child build a love of reading, and summer break is a great opportunity to encourage your little one to get lost in a book. Here are our favorites for all ages!

Elementary

You can't go wrong with classics like Frog and Toad, the Wayside series, Harriet the Spy, or Charlotte's Web, but here are some of our newer favorites.

The Notebook of Doom seriesThis series is perfect for boys who like things a little bit creepy and a lot action-packed. Each book features a new mystery, new monsters, and new problems for Alexander and his friends to solve. — **The Notebook of Doom series**
This series is perfect for boys who like things a little bit creepy and a lot action-packed. Each book features a new mystery, new monsters, and new problems for Alexander and his friends to solve.

Zita the Spacegirl seriesThis graphic novel features Zita, a fearless girl on a journey through another world to rescue a kidnapped friend. Zita is brave, adventurous, and loyal. She refuses to be intimidated and she never gives up. — Zita the Spacegirl series
This graphic novel features Zita, a fearless girl on a journey through another world to rescue a kidnapped friend. Zita is brave, adventurous, and loyal. She refuses to be intimidated and she never gives up.

Ivy and Bean seriesIvy and Bean is perfect for kids who like realistic fiction with a touch of fantasy. These two girls make more mischief than they can handle. The series is a celebration of overactive imaginations and independent girls who can sol… — **Ivy and Bean series**
Ivy and Bean is perfect for kids who like realistic fiction with a touch of fantasy. These two girls make more mischief than they can handle. The series is a celebration of overactive imaginations and independent girls who can solve any problem.

Here's Hank seriesHank is an endearing protagonist, always making his classmates (and his readers) laugh with his funny antics and adventures. — **Here's Hank series**
Hank is an endearing protagonist, always making his classmates (and his readers) laugh with his funny antics and adventures.

Stink seriesReaders may recognize Stink as Judy Moody’s little brother. Funny characters, wacky escapades, and sibling shenanigans make this a perfect series for budding readers to dive into. — **Stink series**
Readers may recognize Stink as Judy Moody’s little brother. Funny characters, wacky escapades, and sibling shenanigans make this a perfect series for budding readers to dive into.

Franny K. Stein, Mad Scientist seriesFranny is a mad scientist who conducts experiments in her attic bedroom. Though her experiments often get her into trouble, she always manages to fix the problems she creates. — **Franny K. Stein, Mad Scientist series**
Franny is a mad scientist who conducts experiments in her attic bedroom. Though her experiments often get her into trouble, she always manages to fix the problems she creates.

Middle School

Your child is bound to love classics like the Chronicles of Narnia, the Indian in the Cupboard, anything by Judy Blume or Roald Dahl, or Harry Potter or Percy Jackson if those are still on his or her reading list, but here are a few newer favorites just in case!

Fish in a TreeSixth grader Ally struggles with school and is considered "dumb" and a "pest" by most teachers — until she gets in Mr. Daniels's class. Her life turns around when this teacher realizes she struggles with dyslexia and brings out the bes… — **Fish in a Tree**
Sixth grader Ally struggles with school and is considered "dumb" and a "pest" by most teachers — until she gets in Mr. Daniels's class. Her life turns around when this teacher realizes she struggles with dyslexia and brings out the best in her.

Goodbye StrangerThe story centers on three seventh graders, Bridge, Tab and Emily, who are dealing with typical middle school issues — taking selfies, liking boys, staying friends when your interests start to diverge, divorced parents — but this sto… — **Goodbye Stranger**
The story centers on three seventh graders, Bridge, Tab and Emily, who are dealing with typical middle school issues — taking selfies, liking boys, staying friends when your interests start to diverge, divorced parents — but this story takes it a few layers deeper.

Middle School, the Worst Years of my LifeRafe just started middle school, and it’s … horrible. To survive days at school and problems at home, he comes up with Operation Rafe where he earns points for breaking oppressive rules like running in the ha… — **Middle School, the Worst Years of my Life**
Rafe just started middle school, and it’s … horrible. To survive days at school and problems at home, he comes up with Operation Rafe where he earns points for breaking oppressive rules like running in the halls and pulling the fire alarm

Doll BonesZach, Poppy, and Alice have been best friends forever, playing one long game of make-believe centering around the Queen, an old china doll. But now that they are in middle school, they are starting to drift apart, but a great adventure mig… — **Doll Bones**
Zach, Poppy, and Alice have been best friends forever, playing one long game of make-believe centering around the Queen, an old china doll. But now that they are in middle school, they are starting to drift apart, but a great adventure might change that.

The One and Only IvanThis winner of the 2013 Newbery Medal celebrates the transformative power of unexpected friendships. Inspired by the true story of a captive gorilla known as Ivan, this illustrated novel is told from the point-of-view of Ivan hi… — **The One and Only Ivan**
This winner of the 2013 Newbery Medal celebrates the transformative power of unexpected friendships. Inspired by the true story of a captive gorilla known as Ivan, this illustrated novel is told from the point-of-view of Ivan himself.

Counting by 7sHolly Goldberg Sloan’s beautiful novel about being an outsider, coping with loss, and discovering the true meaning of family will move readers of all ages. — **Counting by 7s**
Holly Goldberg Sloan’s beautiful novel about being an outsider, coping with loss, and discovering the true meaning of family will move readers of all ages.

High School

Here are some of our favorite recent works of fiction!

The Book ThiefLiesel Meminger is a foster girl living outside of Munich in Nazi Germany. Her life changes forever when she encounters something she can’t resist–books. With the help of her foster father, she learns to read and her books help her and… — **The Book Thief**
Liesel Meminger is a foster girl living outside of Munich in Nazi Germany. Her life changes forever when she encounters something she can’t resist–books. With the help of her foster father, she learns to read and her books help her and her neighbors through the war.

The Kite RunnerThe unforgettable story of the unlikely friendship between a wealthy boy and the son of his father’s servant, caught in the tragic sweep of history, The Kite Runner transports readers to Afghanistan at a tense and crucial mo… — **The Kite Runner**
The unforgettable story of the unlikely friendship between a wealthy boy and the son of his father’s servant, caught in the tragic sweep of history, *The Kite Runner* transports readers to Afghanistan at a tense and crucial moment of change and destruction.

Looking for AlaskaMiles Halter is fascinated by famous last words—and tired of his safe life at home. When he heads to boarding school he finds clever, beguiling, and self-destructive Alaska Young, who will pull Miles into her labyrinth and catapult… — **Looking for Alaska**
Miles Halter is fascinated by famous last words—and tired of his safe life at home. When he heads to boarding school he finds clever, beguiling, and self-destructive Alaska Young, who will pull Miles into her labyrinth and catapults him into the Great Perhaps.

The Brief Wondrous Life of Oscar WaoOscar is a sweet but disastrously overweight ghetto nerd who—from the New Jersey home he shares with his old world mother and rebellious sister—dreams of becoming the Dominican J.R.R. Tolkien and, most of all, fin… — **The Brief Wondrous Life of Oscar Wao**
Oscar is a sweet but disastrously overweight ghetto nerd who—from the New Jersey home he shares with his old world mother and rebellious sister—dreams of becoming the Dominican J.R.R. Tolkien and, most of all, finding love. But Oscar may never get what he wants. Blame the fukú—a curse that has haunted Oscar’s family for generations, following them on their epic journey from Santo Domingo to the USA.

The Perks of Being a WallflowerThe story follows observant “wallflower” Charlie as he charts a course through the strange world between adolescence and adulthood. First dates, family drama, and new friends. Sex, drugs, and The Rocky Horror Picture S… — **The Perks of Being a Wallflower**
The story follows observant “wallflower” Charlie as he charts a course through the strange world between adolescence and adulthood. First dates, family drama, and new friends. Sex, drugs, and *The Rocky Horror Picture Show*. Devastating loss, young love, and life on the fringes.

Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-timeChristopher John Francis Boone, the 15-year-old autistic narrator of this widely lauded novel, is a brilliant and sensitive kid who feels a kinship with animals more than people. So when Wellington, a nei… — **Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-time**
Christopher John Francis Boone, the 15-year-old autistic narrator of this widely lauded novel, is a brilliant and sensitive kid who feels a kinship with animals more than people. So when Wellington, a neighborhood dog, is mysteriously killed, Christopher is compelled to figure out who did it, documenting all his findings despite the discouragement from those around him