Summer reading is often a prospect that fills young students with dread, but these authors have created series that have been captivating young readers and keeping them glued to pages long after school lets out. Baltimore County Librarian and blogger Paula Willey has her finger on the pulse of what kids are excited about reading, and joins Tom Hall in the studio to share her summer reading recommendations.
All of the titles which Willey mentioned:
For Younger Readers:
Ricky Ricotta’s Mighty Robot series by Dav Pilkey
By the author of Captain Underpants; new editions with spectacular illustrations coming out this summer.
The Return of Zita the Spacegirl by Ben Hatke
Third in this popular graphic novel series about brave Zita and her adventures with her friends in space.
Platypus Police Squad by Jarrett K. Krosoczka
Action-packed hard-boiled buddy detective action for third graders.
The Quikpick Papers: Poop Fountain! by Tom Angleberger
Pratfalls and putdowns, but also moments of grace and kindness that kids can achieve, usually when nobody else is looking.
Nerd Camp and Nerd Camp 2.0 by Elissa Brent Weissman
Nerds and Jocks are begrudgingly thrown together in a book that will appeal to any kid.
The Very Nearly Honorable League of Pirates by Caroline Carlson
Hilary wants to be a pirate, but she is instead shipped off to boarding school to learn how to be a lady.
Twice Upon a Time by Wendy Mass
Whatever After by Sarah Mlynowski
Ever After High by Shannon Hale
Three short and snappy stories of contemporary kids encountering fairytale worlds.
The Hero’s Guide series by Christopher Healy
Tells the story of the Prince Charmings from fairy tales who lament that they aren’t even given names.
For Young Adult readers:
Curtsies and Conspiracies by Gail Carriger
Edwardian finishing school spy fiction; peppy dialogue, fancy clothes.
If I Stay by Gayle Forman
Romantic, weepy story about a girl who has been in a catastrophic car accident; movie coming soon.
The Superhuman series by Michael Owen Carroll
British action and conspiracy with lots of plot twists.
The Quarantine trilogy by Lex Thomas
A high school is quarantined after an outbreak of a virus that makes them toxic to any grownup they encounter.
Audio for this segment will be available by the end of the day.
