Summer Reading
The Big Summer Read
Reading Rockets' annual summer booklist makes it easy to find great books kids will enjoy during the long, lazy days of summer. This list can be a springboard for helping your kids choose books on topics that pique their curiosity — that's what really motivates children to want to read!
The two-page handout version of The Big Summer Read booklist is easy to take to the library or bookstore.
- Download 2012 guide (268K PDF)*
The Big Summer Read booklist was created by Reading Rockets' children's literature editor, Maria Salvadore, who also writes the Page by Page blog. It features books so engaging your child, grandchild, niece, nephew, or student will delight in them over and over again.
Each book was chosen based on age, reading level, topic, writing quality, illustrations, and overall excellence. We make a special effort to highlight newly published books. Also included are great books for sharing, talking over, and thinking about with an adult as well as exceptional audio books.
* To view this file, you'll need a copy of Acrobat Reader. Most computers already have it installed, or you can download it now.










