Summer Reading List

Written By Guest User

As you enter the last weeks of summer, we’ve collected a list of suggested summer books for rising kindergarteners through 3rd graders. Some are classics, while others are lesser-known, but all are sure to delight whether reading under the shade of a tree, while waiting to be picked up from Summer Rising, or even in one of NYC’s (open!) public library branches. 

**Note: Book summaries/descriptions were pulled from the various sources listed below.

Brown Bear, Brown Bear, What Do You See?
by Bill Martin, Illustrated by Eric Carle

For incoming 1st graders

Eric Carle's double-page tissue collages and Bill Martin's friendly chant unite to create this vibrant introduction to colors. The first line of the book is the title, to which a big brown bear responds, "I see a redbird looking at me." The redbird responds with another animal and so on, until a mother (or a teacher, depending on the edition) asks a group of children what they see. A wonderful read-aloud for either a group or individuals, this book is a favorite of teachers.


The Listening Walk
by Paul Showers

For incoming 1st graders

We're going on a Listening Walk. Shhhhh. Do not talk. Do not hurry. Get ready to fill your ears with a world of wonderful, surprising sounds. In this colorfully illustrated book, a little girl and her father take a quiet walk and identify the sounds around them. This beautiful lesson in appreciating the extraordinary qualities found in the rhythm of everyday life entices readers to pay more attention to the world surrounding them.


First Grade, Here I Come!
by Nancy Carlson

For incoming 1st graders

Henry the mouse is uncertain about the first grade at first. However, as he tells his mother about his first day, he realizes that for every bad thing that happened, there was something good as well.


Swashby and the Sea
by Beth Ferry, Illustrated by Juana Martinez-Neal

For incoming 1st graders

Swashby, a retired captain, prefers to live his life alone with his only friend, the sea. One day his peacefulness is interrupted by an exuberant young girl and her grandmother who move in next door. He tries to convince them to leave him alone with messages in the sand, but when parts of the message are swept away by the ocean, they have an entirely new meaning. The gorgeous illustrations are perfectly paired with the playful text that provides a whimsical feeling to this sweet tale of intergenerational friendship.


CatStronauts: Mission Moon
by Drew Brockington

For incoming 2nd graders

When the world is thrust into darkness due to a global energy shortage, the World’s Best Scientist comes up with a bold plan to set up a solar power plant on the moon. But someone has to go up there to set it up, and that adventure falls to the CatStronauts, the best space cats on the planet! Meet the fearless commander Major Meowser, brave-but-hungry pilot Waffles, genius technician and inventor Blanket, and quick thinking science officer Pom Pom on their most important mission yet! In this graphic novel, debut author and illustrator Drew Brockington breathes life into a world populated entirely by cats, brimming with jokes, charm, science, and enough big boxes and tuna sandwiches for everyone!


Mrs. Katz and Tush
by Patricia Polacco

For incoming 2nd graders

In this special Passover story, Larnel Moore, an African-American boy, and Mrs. Katz, an elderly Jewish woman, develop an unusual friendship through their mutual concern for an abandoned cat named Tush. Together they explore the common themes of suffering and triumph in each of their cultures.


What If You Had An Animal Tail?
by Sandra Markle, Illustrated by Howard McWilliam

For incoming 2nd graders

A perfect pairing for a summer outing to the zoo, this fun series will have kids laughing as they learn about animal adaptations and the human body. This one focuses on tails; read the others to learn about animal ears, hair, and more.


Woodward and McTwee
by Jonathan Fenske

For incoming 2nd graders

Woodward and McTwee are the silliest of friends. A bird and a hippopotamus could not be more different, but they love playing hide-and-seek and pulling pranks on each other. Join Woodward and McTwee for a ton of fun with two hilarious stories!


Can I Be Your Dog?
by Troy Cummings

For Pre-K-3rd graders

This picture book shares the tale of Arfy, a homeless dog who lives in a box in an alley. Arfy writes to every person on Butternut Street about what a great pet he'd make. His letters to prospective owners share that he's house broken! He has his own squeaky bone! He can learn to live with cats! But, no one wants him. Won't anyone open their heart — and home — to a lonesome dog? Readers will be happily surprised to learn just who steps up to adopt Arfy. Troy Cummings's hilarious and touching story is a perfect gift for a child wanting a dog, and for pet adoption advocates. It also showcases many different styles of letter writing, making it appealing to parents and teachers looking to teach the lost art of written communication.


Amelia Bedelia Goes Back to School
by Herman Parish, Illustrated by Lynn Sweat

For Kindergarten-3rd graders

Would you like to have Amelia Bedelia in your classroom? Just ask Miss Wilson. But don't give Amelia Bedelia any problems. Or ask her to take her seat. Or tell her to paint anything… Amelia Bedelia is ready to learn, but it's the class that gets a lesson—in reading, writing, and ridiculousness!


Sleepover Scientist (Jada Jones Series #3)
by Kelly Starling Lyons, Illustrated By Nneka Myers And Vanessa Brantley-Newton

For 1st-3rd graders

Jada Jones is back for the third book of this popular, celebrated series perfect for STEM fans! Jada is hosting her first sleepover, and she has lots of cool scientific activities planned: kitchen chemistry, creating invisible ink, and even making slime! But when her friends get tired of the lessons and just want to hang out, can Jada figure out the formula for fun and save the sleepover?


Kiyoshi's Walk
by Mark Karlins, Illustrated by Nicole Wong

For 1st-3rd graders

After Kiyoshi watches his grandfather, Eto, compose his delicate haiku, he wonders out loud: "Where do poems come from?" His grandfather answers by taking him on a walk through their city, where they see a cat perched on a hill of oranges; hear the fluttering of wings; imagine what's behind a tall wall; and discuss their walk, with each incident inspiring a wonderful new haiku from Eto. As Kiyoshi discovers that poems come from the way the world outside of us meets the world within each of us, he also finds the courage to write a haiku of his own. This lovely book will speak to any reader who treasures poetry, city life, grandparents, or the beauty of the everyday.


The Electric Slide and Kai
by Kelly J. Baptist, Illustrated by Darnell Johnson

For 1st-3rd graders

Kai's aunt is getting married, and everyone in the Donovan family is excited about the wedding ... except Kai. The highlight of every Donovan occasion is dancing the electric slide--a groovy line dance with footwork that Kai can't quite figure out. More than anything, he wants to prove that he can boogie with the rest of his family and earn a cool nickname from his granddad. Can Kai break through his nerves and break it down on the dance floor? Told with humor and heart by author Kelly J. Baptist and lively illustrations from debut picture book artist Darnell Johnson, The Electric Slide and Kai is a funky celebration with all the right moves!

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