Ah, summer reading. Warmer days have begun and now is a good time to choose a few books to read aloud during the summer months. There are few things more pleasant than cracking open a book on a lovely, sunny day. Take a peek at these absolutely perfect summer read alouds.
My kids and I have picked out a stack of books to read aloud when we are lounging outdoors at the park or community garden. If you are looking for some books to supplement your school’s summer reading list I hope this list provides you with a bit of inspiration.
Summer Chapter Books to Read Aloud:
I chose these books for a variety of reasons. They don’t all have specific summer themes, but they all called out to me about the carefree adventures and magical inspiration that summer always promises. If you have young kids, take a look at my list of 50 chapter books to read aloud to preschoolers for further suggestions. Many of these books are also available as ebooks so you don’t have to tote around a stack of books in your beach bag. (Note: book covers and titles are affiliate links.)
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McBroom’s Wonderful One-Acre Farm: Three Tall Tales by Sid Fleischman. Funny books make perfect summer read alouds! These humorous tales can be read as stand alone stories so they are perfect for kids who may not have the attention span for longer novels, or who don’t like the idea of pausing the action at the end of a chapter. These quite hilarious tales feature McBroom and his 11 children, bamboozles, tricksters and lots of wit and wisdom.
MORE: 100 Funniest Chapter Books for Kids
Poppy by Avi. If you want to stock your bag easily with great summer read alouds, pick a quality series! We loved Avi’s very popular Tales from Dimwood Forest series. Our first read was Ragweed, which was huge hit with the boys, (see it on my list of books to read to 4-6 year olds) especially with my then-4 year old who started constantly interrupting conversations throughout the day to tell me “Silversides [the cat] needs to go to jail!” You will be enchanted by the whole series
The Penderwicks: A Summer Tale of Four Sisters, Two Rabbits, and a Very Interesting Boy by Jeanne Birdsall (series). This is one of my favorite summer-themed books of all time. Birdsall’s series about the Penderwick girls manages to be both old-fashioned and contemporary at the same time. In the first book, the Penderwick girls and their father spend the summer in a cottage exploring the grounds of a sprawling mansion.
MORE BOOKS: Old fashioned read alouds the whole family will love.
Matilda by Roald Dahl. Sometimes the parent just has to pick the summer read alouds she wants to! This one is on the list for selfish reasons. It’s an excellent book about a girl who loves books, and I just want to read it to my kids!
MORE BOOKS: 100 funny chapter books for kids
The Rescuers by Margery Sharp. Do you know, I’ve actually never seen the Disney movie version? The book was out of print for many years, but was re-issued a few years ago. Adventure, tiny animals, a Norwegian poet in danger, what more could you need in a summer book? After all, summer read alouds should be a mix of new favorites as well as classic books.
Charlotte’s Web by E. B. White. A true classic that can be enjoyed lazily while lying under a tree on the cool grass on a hot day. No introduction necessary!
MORE BOOKS: Charlotte’s Web was a big hit with my first grader. See more engaging first grade read aloud chapter books.
Bed-Knob and Broomstick by Mary Norton. Full confession: I adored this movie when I was a kid and it wasn’t until many years after seeing the film that I read the book. It has lots of adventure and high-flying fantasy, perfect for a summer escape. Norton wrote The Borrowers, which is also under consideration for our summer reading list.
Half Magic by Edward Eager. This is the perfect choice for kids who are begging you to read Harry Potter, but aren’t quite ready for it. I have more books like that right here: Books for kids not ready for Harry Potter. One magical summer four siblings find a coin that grants half a wish, creating irresistible adventures. This is one of my must-read books for every child and I can’t wait to read it again!
MORE BOOKS: Magic Early Chapter Books (for kids ages 5-9)
Betsy-Tacy by Maud Hart Lovelace. Yes, I am ashamed to say I have not read this classic aloud, either! It was one of my all time favorite books as a kid and I’m hoping my 8 year old will pick up the sequels to read independently. UPDATE: My son adored Betsy-Tacy! Find more still-wonderful 1940s chapter books.
Moominsummer Madness by Tove Jansson. What can I say, every summer should include a little Finnish whimsy. I dare anyone not to love the enchanting little creatures. In Winter, you can also visit Moominland.
Do you have any plans for summer read alouds with your kids?
More summer reading book lists for reading aloud:
- Summer Reading Picture Books
- (More) read aloud chapter books for summer
- 100 funny chapter books for kids
And don’t forget our summer going-to-the-library challenge!!
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Jacquie@KCEdventures says
Half Magic and The Penderwicks are old faves here – we re-read them on the hammock in the summer. Love the idea of careless days with tons of time to explore and imagine. We’re putting together our summer list now and are looking forward to many fun hours of reading!
Erica MomandKiddo says
I’m getting excited for all those lovely summer days!
Marie Sollitt says
Great list! There are a lot of books in a series in here and I think the ones I haven’t read (or haven’t read lately) I shall be rereading if not reading aloud this summer. The Rescuers, BTW, is part of a series of books about Miss Bianca (and Bernard). I *adored* the series as a kid and read them many times. It doesn’t hurt that they were illustrated by the wonderful Garth Williams. I would add Tucker’s Countryside to the list (comes after the more well known Newbery Honor book, A Cricket in Times Square and is followed by several others)
Erica MomandKiddo says
Oh, thanks for the tip about The Rescuers. I didn’t know that! I’ll definitely have to check out Tucker’s Countryside, too.
Jen Robinson says
A nice list. I adore The Penderwicks. I’m thinking that my first chapter book read-aloud with my daughter will be Clementine (well, not counting the chapter books that I read to her when she was an infant, which included The Penderwicks and the first Harry Potter book).
Erica MomandKiddo says
Thanks, Jen. I think Clementine is a great first choice. One of my favorite heroines, for sure.
Amy @ Sunlit Pages says
I feel like making a comment about every single book on this list! But I’ll refrain and just mention a few:
Farmer Boy – I totally agree with you…skip the first two and go straight to Farmer Boy. I love it!
The Penderwicks – I honestly think this might be the ultimate summer read. I loved The Penderwicks at Point Mouette even more than this one.
Half Magic – We just finished it! And it definitely seems like the perfect book for summer!
Betsy-Tacy – This is also on my read aloud list for this summer. I LOVED these as a child and can’t wait to share them with my boys!
Even in Australia says
I’ve read all the Little House books to my older daughter EXCEPT Farmer Boy. I’m reading Little House in the Big Woods to my younger one now but she doesn’t seem too interested. I’ve also read Betsy Tacy to them both – the first 4 to the older one, the first 3 to the younger one. We found Half Magic tough going – my 7yo didn’t get the King Arthur references. We’ll try again eventually. Charlotte’s Web was a fabulous read-aloud. And I am giving my older daughter The Secret Garden for her 8th birthday and I’m guessing that will be a read-aloud. Heidi was great too. I’ve read the Penderwicks but haven’t read it to the kids yet.
Jen says
I read Charlotte’s Web when I was in Grade 2 – I finished it at school and was so overcome by the ending (I think it was the first sad book I had ever read!) that I couldn’t stop crying. The teachers couldn’t work out what was wrong because apparently I was so worked up I couldn’t explain and had to ring up my mother to come and take me home. I’ve never been able to re-read it but perhaps now I have my own kids I could give it a go again!
PragmaticMom says
This is such an awesome list Erica! Sharing it!
Natalie says
No real plans for summer read alouds yet, but perhaps I’ll pick one of these books as the next longer read-aloud.
Reshama says
Love this list Erica. The Little House series has been on my list and I am sure to use some of your suggestions this summer. Thanks much!
-Reshama
http://www.stackingbooks.com
Erica MomandKiddo says
Thanks Reshama, and happy summer reading!
Mandy Fields says
Thanks so much for these great lists. I have a 10 year old girl who can walk into the library and come out 10 minutes later with a towering stack of books and go home and read them all, along with whatever I’ve brought home for her 7 year old and even 2 year old brothers!
Then I have a 7 year old boy who can wander around the library for an hour and not come up with anything he wants to read besides comic books. Sigh. Your lists are a great resource – thanks!
Would you believe this summer we’re reading them Hitchiker’s Guide the the Galaxy (Douglas Adams), and we’re laughing our heads off. 🙂
Erica MomandKiddo says
I’m so glad you find the lists useful. How fun that you are reading Hitchiker’s Guide this summer! Enjoy!
Brooke says
I read ‘The Cricket in Times Square’ to my three boys last summer. It was a great mix of life lessons and silliness. They loved it, and I loved being able to read it again.
Erica MomandKiddo says
Wonderful! I’m so glad to hear you all enjoyed it. Summer reading is a special time.
Jackie says
Would it be OK to post your list on my library web page, with credit of course? We are promoting our summer reading program and I am encouraging our families to read aloud together this summer. I would like to include your Read Aloud list. Please let me know if you would mind. Thank you.
Erica says
Hi Jackie, Thanks for your request. You can go ahead and post the list of book titles and authors, but please do not copy my mini-reviews on your web page. –Erica