The Best Children’s Books to Read this Summer
By Holly Allwright, Rosie Pinder and Emma Rogers
It’s July! That means that the Summer holidays are just around the corner and what better time to read lots of books. Whether that’s in the local park or on the beach on holiday, no school and no homework means there is a lot more time for some fun reads. We’ve made a list of a few of our favourite summer books to get you started, from picture book picks to young adult summer romances. Just try not to get sun cream on the pages.
Picture Books
You Can Do Anything, Tyrone! by Lenny Henry
Written by award-winning Comedian and Actor, Lenny Henry, You Can Do Anything, Tyrone! is a rhyming tale of self-belief and adventure. Tyrone is determined to build a rocket ship out of building blocks and go on an epic adventure to the moon but when his dream fails to become a reality, he quickly loses his temper. Thankfully, his Grandad is there to show Tyrone that there is nothing he can’t do with a little bit of willpower and courage. With vibrant pictures by Illustrator Salomey Doku, this book will keep the little ones entertained this Summer with a tale full of family, imagination and love.
Georgie Grows a Dragon by Emma Lazell
Lazell’s playful tale is the perfect story to spark the imagination of little ones this Summer. Georgie is a budding Gardener and is always thinking about the next flower she wants to plant in her garden, so is ever so surprised when she goes outside one day to discover she has grown a dragon! She quickly realises her gardening skills won’t help her with her new friend and attempts to work out how to look after him and make him happy. This story of friendship and nature is the perfect Summer read.
Middle Grade
Kofi and the Rap Battle Summer by Jeffrey Boakye
Published at the beginning of Summer by Faber & Faber, Kofi and the Rap Battle Summer is a story full of laughs and fun. Set in the nineties when every child had a copy of Smash Hits magazine, the students in Kofi’s school are obsessed with music, but none of them are ever able to remember the words. After finding out his best friend Kelvin has a photographic memory, Kofi comes up with a scheme to make the pair a little bit of extra money by creating a new magazine full of song lyrics called PAPER JAM. With culture references from the nineties, this book is a wonderfully reminiscent read for adults, whilst younger readers can relate to its tale of friendship.
Diary of an Accidental Witch by Perdita and Honor Cargill
The first in a series, Diary of an Accidental Witch follows Bea Black as she moves to a new town and finds out that her dad has accidentally enrolled her into Witch school. Bea must now learn to navigate the move to a new home and her newfound magical powers all at once, with all the complications that come along with it. A story of magic, mischief and moving, this book is the perfect combination of comedy and challenges and is a part of a brilliant series to keep budding readers occupied this summer.
Young Adult
Five Survive by Holly Jackson
From Holly Jackson, the award-winning Author of the A Good Girl’s Guide to Murder trilogy, comes a gripping new thriller. Red and her friends are heading to the beach for Spring Break until their camper van breaks down in the middle of nowhere. Although the friends assume it's an accident at first, it isn’t long before they realise they are being hunted down by a sniper. One member of the group is hiding a secret that the sniper is willing to kill for and as the group tries to make an escape, tensions reach boiling point when secrets come to light. This explosive novel was released back in December 2022, and the paperback edition will be published later this month.
The Black Queen by Jumata Emill
There’s nothing better than a mystery novel to read whilst lounging in the sun and Jumata Emill might have published this Summer’s most intriguing tale. When Nova Albright, the first Black Homecoming Queen is murdered, her best friend Duchess is determined to unmask her killer. Duchess is certain that Nova’s rival for prom queen, Tinsley, was behind the attack but she just needs to prove it to everyone else. This novel is a twisted mix of Pretty Little Liars and One of Us is Lying and Emill’s tale of racism, friendship and lies is certain to captivate younger readers.
The Summer I Turned Pretty by Jenny Han
You might know this one better from the Amazon TV series, with the second season coming this July, but the books are well worth a read and will transport you to a summer beach house witha love triangle that will keep you turning the pages. These novels are the perfect soft young adult summer romance, as childhood friends turn into something more. Jenny Han also weaves in other important storylines, such as about grief and friendship, so there are many layers to explore with this series.