--- title: "5 Funky Fresh Summer Reading Recs" url: "https:\/\/britannicaeducation.com\/blog\/5-funky-fresh-summer-reading-recs\/" published: "2025-05-05T20:15:00+00:00" modified: "2026-04-30T19:26:30+00:00" author: "Britannica Education" description: "We asked the experts (librarians nationwide!) to make your students\u2019 summer reading truly sensational\u2014their reading recs are full of new releases and timeless classics for readers of all ages!\u00a0" --- # 5 Funky Fresh Summer Reading Recs We asked the experts (librarians nationwide!) to make your students’ summer reading truly sensational—their reading recs are full of new releases and timeless classics for readers of all ages!  ![Thistle background graphic](https://britannicaeducation.com/wp-content/themes/britannica-education/assets/img/backgrounds/thistle.svg) - [ Home ](https://britannicaeducation.com/) - [ Blog ](https://britannicaeducation.com/blog/) - 5 Funky… 5 Funky Fresh Summer Reading Recs ![illustration of a book with arms, legs, and a smiling face](https://britannicaeducation.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/10/be-blog-5-funky-fresh-summer-reading-recs-1024x320.jpg) [Summer Reading](https://britannicaeducation.com/blog/category/summer-reading/) # 5 Funky Fresh Summer Reading Recs ![](https://britannicaeducation.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/09/BE_Thistle-Variation-1.svg) May 5, 2025 ![](https://britannicaeducation.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/09/BE_Thistle-Variation-3.svg) Download this Summer Reading Packet Summertime is in our sights! The first thing on our “school’s out, sun’s out” to-do list? Relax and stick our noses in a good book. If you’re like us and plan to dive into new stories, revisit old favorites, or let your imagination run wild by the pool, in a hammock, or in the A/C, you know it’s the best time of year to lose yourself to some storytelling. But before you settle in—we asked the experts (librarians nationwide!) to make your students’ summer reading truly sensational—or rather, *sun*-sational! They helped us curate the book list for this year’s Britannica Education **FREE Sun-sational Summer Reading Packet**. Their reading recs are full of new releases and timeless classics for readers of all ages!  [Download the Summer Reading Packet](#packet) ## **Your Easy, Breezy Book List** We’re not going to gatekeep your love of reading! Meet the five librarians and their picks for young fiction and nonfiction lovers alike. ![](https://britannicaeducation.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/be-blog-summer-reading-Patricia-Alverado-Headshots-scaled-e1747690362705-150x150-1.jpg) **Patricia Alvarado **Library Media Services Director Dallas ISD, Texas - [*It’s the End of the World and I’m in My Bathing Suit*](https://shop.scholastic.com/teachers-ecommerce/teacher/books/its-the-end-of-the-world-and-im-in-my-bathing-suit-9781338740226.html) by Justin A. Reynolds - [*Invisible Isabel*](https://sallyjpla.com/invisible-isabel/)* *by Sally J. Pla, illustrated by Tania de Regil - [*The Fire, the Water, and Maudie McGinn*](https://sallyjpla.com/the-fire-the-water-and-maudie-mcginn/) by Sally J. Pla - [*Zuri Ray Tries Ballet*](https://www.harpercollins.com/products/zuri-ray-tries-ballet-tami-charles?variant=40828203499554)* *by Tami Charles, illustrated by Sharon Sordo - [*La Guitarrista*](https://www.harpercollins.com/products/la-guitarrista-lucky-diaz?variant=40674228863010)* *by Lucky Diaz, illustrated by Micah Player ![](https://britannicaeducation.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/be-blog-summer-reading-Susan-Henke-Brinkman-e1747690659174-150x150-1.jpg) **Susan Henke Brinkman** Library Media Specialist James Wilson Young Middle School, New York - [*A First Time for Everything*](https://us.macmillan.com/books/9781626724150/afirsttimeforeverything/) by Dan Santat - [*What is Color?*](https://us.macmillan.com/books/9781250833419/whatiscolor/) by Steven Weinberg - [*The Language of Plants*](https://www.albatrosbooks.com/book/language-of-plants/) by Helena Haraštová, illustrated by Darya Beklemesheva - [*The Bletchley* *Riddle*](https://www.penguinrandomhouse.com/books/709008/the-bletchley-riddle-by-ruta-sepetys-and-steve-sheinkin/)* *by Ruta Sepetys and Steve Sheinkin - [*Olivetti*](https://us.macmillan.com/books/9781250326935/olivetti/) by Allie Millington ![Jennifer Fleck](https://britannicaeducation.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/be-blog-summer-reading-Jennifer-Fleck-300x300-1-150x150.jpg) **Jennifer Fleck** Selection Librarian King County Library System, Washington - [*Mural Island*](https://kcls.bibliocommons.com/v2/record/S82C2541527) by Katie Yamasaki - [*Brave*](https://kcls.bibliocommons.com/v2/record/S82C2553309) by Weshoyot Alvitre - [*I Got You: A Brother's Promise*](https://www.penguinrandomhouse.com/books/635419/i-got-you-by-derrick-barnes-illustrated-by-shamar-knight-justice/) by Derrick Barnes, illustrated by Shamar Knight-Justice - [*Don't Trust Fish*](https://kcls.bibliocommons.com/v2/record/S82C2539278) by Neil Sharpson, illustrated by Dan Santat - [*Faith Takes the Train*](https://kcls.bibliocommons.com/v2/record/S82C2532864) by Kesi Augustine, illustrated by Mokshini ![](https://britannicaeducation.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/be-blog-summer-reading-Uma-scaled-e1747751393740-150x150-1.jpg) **Uma Nori** Selection Librarian King County Library System, Washington - [*Alma and How She Got Her Name*](https://juanamartinezneal.com/books/alma/) by Juana Martinez-Neal - [*Because of Winn-Dixie*](https://www.katedicamillo.com/novels/bowd/) by Kate DiCamillo - [*She Sang for India: How M.S. Subbulakshmi Used Her Voice For Change*](https://us.macmillan.com/books/9780374388744/shesangforindia/) by Suma Subramaniam, illustrated by Shreya Gupta - [*Wishtree*](https://us.macmillan.com/books/9781250043221/wishtree/) by Katherine Applegate - [*Where the Mountain Meets the Moon*](https://gracelin.com/where-the-mountain-meets-the-moon/)* *by Grace Lin ![](https://britannicaeducation.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/be-blog-summer-reading-Karina-Quilantan-Garza-Headshot-300x300-1-150x150.png) **Karina Quilantan-Garza, MLS**, EdD. Library Media Specialist Jaime Escalante Middle School, Pharr-San Juan-Alamo Independent School District (PSJA ISD), Texas - [*What Fell from the Sky*](https://www.kirkusreviews.com/book-reviews/adrianna-cuevas/what-fell-from-the-sky/)* *by Adrianna Cuevas - [*The Enigma Girls: How Ten Teenagers Broke Ciphers, Kept Secrets, and Helped Win World War II*](https://www.kirkusreviews.com/book-reviews/candace-fleming/the-enigma-girls/) by Candace Fleming - [*Dinosaur Sanctuary*](https://goodcomicsforkids.slj.com/2022/10/31/dinosaur-sanctuary-vol-1-review/) by Itaru Kinoshita - [*Weirdo*](https://www.kirkusreviews.com/book-reviews/tony-weaver-jr/weirdo-2/) by Tony Weaver Jr., illustrated by Jes Wibowo and Cin Wibowo - [*Louder than Hunger*](https://teenlibrariantoolbox.com/2024/03/21/eating-disorders-dont-discriminate-a-review-of-john-schus-louder-than-hunger-by-linda-williams-jackson/) by John Schu Which of those would you read first? [Downloading the packet](#packet) might make your decision easier, since it also lists each book’s general grade level, subject matter, and even additional reading links to Britannica School and Britannica Library. Plus, beyond that list, the full packet can be your ultimate reading companion for your summer, and even supplement any programming you’re facilitating or participating in. You’ll get: 🎨 Creative Coloring & Activity Pages ⚙️ Teach Britannica Graphic Organizers 📢 Shareable Social Post Graphics 🏅 Diploma for Only the Most Certified of Readers ## **Make the Most of Your Summer Reading** At the end of the day though, summer reading is about fostering a love for reading! It also can boost literacy skills, reduce stress, and even prevent learning loss. Here’s some things to try to make it work for you and your readers: - **Set Reading Goals **Want to read five books this summer? Or maybe 10? Whatever your goal is, make it realistic, and keep track of your progress. Having a goal makes reading even more rewarding. - **Mix It Up **Use a book list (ours or otherwise!) to discover something new. No matter your age, you don't have to stick to one genre. Explore a mix of fiction, nonfiction, verse, and graphic novels. It’s the perfect time to step out of your comfort zone! - **Join a Summer Book Club **Reading with others is always more fun! Whether it’s a group of friends, family, or even an online community, sharing your thoughts on books can lead to great discussions and new perspectives. - **Get Creative **Try drawing your favorite scene from a book, writing a letter to a character, or even imagining an alternate ending to a story. The possibilities are endless! ## **Time for Some Fun in the Sun** It’s easy to get started! Just fill out the form below, download the packet, and let the summer reading fun begin. Your summer of books and adventures is only one click away. And, **[contact us](https://britannicaeducation.com/contact/)** anytime to learn more about how [Britannica School](https://britannicaeducation.com/solutions/prek-12-solutions/britannica-school/) and [Britannica Library](https://britannicaeducation.com/library-services/britannica-library/) can be a summer reading resource! Shoutout to you—the rockstar librarians and educators wrapping up the school year. 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