The Insiders Guide to Education
A RITES blog by Learning Specialist and Education Advocate Saskia Nilsen, MSE
Summer reading can be a hard sell for some kids, especially boys. My son is a reluctant reader and refuses to read anything past the first couple pages unless it is highly engaging. During the summer, I throw out my strict rules about what qualifies as literature and let kids dive into what I call “bubble gum” books ( otherwise known as good beach reads). For example, Diary of a Wimpy Kid would never be approved as an independent reading book in my classroom, but have at it over the summer. The point of summer reading is to keep kids practicing their reading skills over the summer. In my house, that means only the funniest, grossest and outlandish books make the cut.
As a teacher, I have been impressed with Scholastic’s initiative using graphic novels to engage reluctant readers. Adding graphic novels to your child’s summer reading is a great way to encourage reluctant readers to acquire new vocabulary, keep engaged with the elements of literature and foster a love of reading. My family alternates these types of bubble gum books with the required reading list and books on tape from the local library. Here is a list of some highly recommended “kid-to-kid” recent fiction to print and take to your local library.*
My Son’s Summer Reading Recommendations (progressing from early elementary to middle school)
Kung Pow Chicken Series By Cyndi Marko
Big Nate Series By Lincoln Peirce
Dr Roach’s Monstrous Stories Series by Paul Harrison
Julian Rodriguez Series By Alexander Stadler
Captain Awesome Series By Stan Kirby
Galaxy Zack Series By Ray O’Ryan
Rabbids Invasion Series By David Lewman
The Notebook of Doom Series By Troy Cummings
Einstein, The Class Hamster Series by Jake Tashjian
Star Wars Jedi Academy by Jeffrey Brown
Fortunately, The Milk by Skottie Young
The Yeti Files by Kevin Sherry
My Big Fat Zombie Goldfish Series By Mo O’Hara
Dragon Breath Series By Ursula Vernon
Danger is Everywhere By David O’Doherty
Frank Einstein and the Antimatter Motor By Jon Scieszka
The 13 Story Tree House Series By Andy Griffiths
Timmy Failure Series By Stephan Pastis
The Zombie Chasers By John Kloepfer
Charlie Bumpers Series by Bill Harley
Joey Pigza Swallowed the Key By Jack Gantos
House of Robots by James Patterson
Spaceheadz Series by Jon Scieszka
My Life as a … Series by Janet Tashjian
(Any Book) by Andrew Clements
Wings of Fire Series By Tui Sutherland
The Name of This Book Is Secret Series by Pseudonymous Bosch
*And of course don’t forget nonfiction in an area of interest like the recent Minecraft manuals.