Summer break is more than just a pause from school — it’s a chance for young minds to explore new worlds, ideas, and perspectives through the pages of a good book.
To ignite a love of reading across all grade levels, a newly curated list of 99 summer reading recommendations for 2025 has been released. Carefully selected by the American Library Association (ALA) and the nonprofit organization ‘We Are Teachers’, the list spans genres from fantasy and historical fiction to memoirs and graphic novels — each chosen to entertain, educate, and inspire.
The list is divided by grade level — Elementary (K–5), Middle School (6–8), and High School (9–12) — with each entry featuring the title, author, publication year, recommended grades, a short summary, and discussion notes for parents. Some books contain heavier themes such as grief, war, or injustice, and the notes encourage families to engage in thoughtful conversations at home.
Whether your child is just beginning their reading journey or preparing for college, these books are designed to foster empathy, critical thinking, and joy.
Elementary Students (grades K – 5 // ages 5 – 11)
➡️Charlotte’s Web 1952, E.B. White // Grades 3 – 5
A heartwarming tale of friendship between a pig and a spider.Contains mild themes of death and loss that may prompt discussion about the cycle of life.
➡️The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe 1950, C.S. Lewis // Grades 4 – 5
A fantasy adventure with Christian allegories. Parents may want to discuss the symbolic elements or themes of sacrifice.
➡️Where the Wild Things Are 2003, Kate DiCamillo// Grades 3 – 5
Explores imagination and emotions. The “wild” creatures may seem scary to younger readers but ultimately teach self-regulation.
➡️The Tale of Despereaux 1963, Maurice Sendak // K – Grade 2
A story of courage and love. Includes mild violence and themes of abandonment that may require parental discussion.
➡️A Wrinkle in Time 1962, Madeleine L’Engle // Grades 4 – 5
A science-fantasy novel with themes of good versus evil. Complex ideas about time and individuality may spark deeper conversations.
➡️The Secret Garden 1911, Frances Hodgson Burnett // Grades 4 – 5
Focuses on healing and friendship. Contains outdated views on disability that parents may need to contextualize.
➡️Matilda 1988, Ronald Dahl // Grades 3 – 5
Celebrates intelligence and resilience. Includes depictions of neglectful parents and mild verbal abuse; discuss family dynamics with children.
➡️The One and Only Ivan 2021, Katherine Applegate // Grades 3 – 5
A gorilla’s perspective on captivity. Themes of animal rights and loneliness may evoke strong emotions.
➡️Wonder 2012, R.J. Palacio // Grades 4 – 5
Promotes empathy for those with physical differences. Bullying scenes may require discussions about kindness and inclusion.
➡️Because of Winn-Dixie 2000, Kate DiCamillo // Grades 3 – 5
Explores loneliness and community. Includes themes of parental abandonment that may need sensitive handling.
➡️The Bad Seed 2017, Jory John // K – Grade 2
A humorous take on behavior and change. Ideal for discussing personal growth with younger readers.
➡️Ada Twist, Scientist 2016 Andrea Beaty // K – Grade 3
Encourages curiosity and STEM interest. Great for inspiring young girls in science
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➡️The Day the Crayons Quit 2013, Drew Daywalt // K – Grade 2
A playful story about creativity. Perfect for light-hearted discussions about fairness.
➡️Last Stop on Market Street 2015 Matt de la Pena K-3
Celebrates gratitude and diversity. Discuss socioeconomic differences with young readers.
➡️The Very Hungry Caterpillar 1969, Eric Carle // K – Grade 1
Teaches counting and life cycles. Engaging for pre-readers with vibrant illustrations.
➡️Number the Stars 1989, Lois Lowry // Grades 4 – 5
A historical novel about the Holocaust. Discuss themes of war and bravery with care.
➡️Esperanza Rising 2000, Pam Munoz Ryan // Grades 4 – 5
Explores immigration and resilience. Includes themes of poverty and loss; discuss cultural context.
➡️The Miraculous Journey of Edward Tulane 2006, Kate DiCamillo // Grades 3 – 5
A tale of love and loss. Emotional themes may prompt discussions about empathy.
➡️Pippi Longstocking 1945, Astrid Lindgren // Grades 3 – 5
Celebrates independence. Pippi’s unconventional behavior may spark talks about rules and creativity.
➡️The Boxcar Children 1924, Gertrude Chandler Warner // Grades 3 – 5
A mystery about orphaned siblings. Discuss themes of self-reliance and family.
Middle School Students (grades 6 – 8 // ages 11 – 14)
➡️The Giver 1993 Lois Lowry // Grades 6 – 8
A dystopian novel exploring conformity. Discuss themes of individuality and ethical dilemmas.
➡️Holes 1998, Louis Sachar // Grades 6 – 8
A blend of adventure and mystery. Includes mild violence; discuss justice and friendship.
➡️The Outsiders 1967, S.E. Hinton // Grades 7 – 8
Explores class conflict and violence. Discuss gang dynamics and empathy with teens.
➡️Hatchet 1987, Gary Paulsen // Grades 6 – 8
A survival story with themes of resilience. Contains scenes of injury and peril.
➡️The Lightning Thief 2005, Rick Riordan // Grades 6 – 8
A mythological adventure. Mild violence; great for sparking interest in Greek mythology.
➡️Roll of Thunder, Hear My Cry 1976, Mildred D. Taylor // Grades 6 – 8
Addresses racism in the 1930s South. Discuss racial injustice and historical context.
➡️The Westing Game 1978, Ellen Raskin // Grades 6 – 8
A clever mystery. Mild references to death; encourages critical thinking.
➡️Bridge to Terabithia 1977, Katherine Paterson // Grades 6 – 8
Explores friendship and loss. Contains a tragic death; discuss grief with sensitivity.
➡️The Watsons Go to Birmingham 1963 1995, Christopher Paul Curtis// Grades 6 – 8
Addresses civil rights and racism. Discuss historical events like the Birmingham bombing.
➡️The Witch of Blackbird Pond 1958, Elizabeth George Speare // Grades 6 – 8
A historical novel about prejudice. Discuss themes of acceptance and cultural differences.
➡️Stargirl 2000, Jerry Spinelli // Grades 6-8
Celebrates individuality. Includes bullying; discuss peer pressure and self-esteem.
➡️The Book Thief 2005, Markus Zusak // Grades 7 – 8
Set during WWII, narrated by Death. Discuss war, loss, and the power of stories.
➡️Walk Two Moons 1994, Sharon Creech // Grades 6 – 8
Explores grief and identity. Contains themes of loss; discuss emotional resilience.
➡️A Long Walk to Water 2010, Linda Sue Park // Grades 6 – 8
Based on a true story of survival in Sudan. Discuss war and perseverance.
➡️When You Reach Me 2009, Rebecca Stead // Grades 6 – 8
A mystery with time-travel elements. Mild tension; encourages analytical thinking.
➡️The Twenty-One Balloons 1947, William Pene Du Bois // Grades 6 – 8
An adventure story. Mild peril; sparks interest in exploration and innovation.
➡️Out of My Mind 2010, Sharon M. Draper // Grades 6 – 8
A story of a girl with cerebral palsy. Discuss disability, inclusion, and empathy.
➡️The City of Ember 2003, Jeanne DuPrau // Grades 6 – 8
A dystopian adventure. Mild suspense; discuss resource scarcity and leadership.
➡️Fish in a Tree 2015, Lynda Mullaly Hunt // Grades 6 – 8
Focuses on dyslexia and self-acceptance. Discuss learning differences and perseverance.
➡️The Graveyard Book 2008, Neil Gaiman // Grades 6 – 8
A dark fantasy about a boy raised by ghosts. Mild violence; discuss themes of belonging.
High School Students (grades 9 – 12 // ages 14 – 18 )
➡️To Kill a Mockingbird 1960, Harper Lee // Grades 9 – 12
Addresses racism and justice. Contains racial slurs and violence; discuss historical context.
➡️1984 1949, George Orwell // Grades 10 – 12
A dystopian novel about surveillance. Discuss totalitarianism and privacy.
➡️The Catcher in the Rye 1951, J.D. Salinger // Grades 10 – 12
Explores teenage alienation. Contains profanity and mature themes; discuss mental health.
➡️The Great Gatsby 1925, F. Scott Fitzgerald // Grades 10 – 12
Examines wealth and ambition. Discuss materialism and the American Dream.
➡️Lord of the Flies 1954, William Golding // Grades 9 – 12
Explores human nature and savagery. Contains violence; discuss morality and group dynamics.
➡️The Hate U Give 2017, Angie Thomas // Grades 9 – 12
Addresses police brutality and racism. Contains profanity and violence; discuss social justice.
➡️Fahrenheit 451 1953, Ray Bradbury // Grades 9 – 12
A dystopian novel about censorship. Discuss freedom of thought and media.
➡️Animal Farm 1945, George Orwell // Grades 9 – 12
A political allegory about power. Discuss corruption and propaganda.
➡️Their Eyes Were Watching God 1937, Zora Neale Hurston // Grades 10 – 12
Explores race and gender. Contains mature themes; discuss identity and relationships.
➡️The Perks of Being a Wallflower 1999, Stephen Chbosky // Grades 10 – 12
Addresses mental health and trauma. Contains mature themes like abuse; discuss with care.
➡️Speak 1999, Laurie Halse Anderson // Grades 9 – 12
Deals with sexual assault and recovery. Discuss trauma and seeking help.
➡️The Handmaid’s Tale 1985, Margaret Atwood // Grades 11 – 12
A dystopian novel about oppression. Contains mature themes; discuss gender and power.
➡️Brave New World 1932, Aldous Huxley // Grades 10 – 12
Explores a controlled society. Discuss conformity and ethics.
➡️The Road 2006, Cormac McCarthy // Grades 11 – 12
A post-apocalyptic survival story. Contains bleak themes and violence; discuss hope and humanity.
➡️Beloved 1987, Toni Morrison // Grades 11 – 12
Addresses slavery and trauma. Contains disturbing themes; discuss historical and emotional impact.
➡️I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings 1969, Maya Angelou // Grades 10 -12
A memoir about racism and abuse. Contains mature themes; discuss resilience and identity.
➡️The Alchemist 1988, Paulo Coelho // Grades 9 – 12
A philosophical tale about destiny. Discuss dreams and personal growth.
➡️A Separate Peace 1959, John Knowles // Grades 9 – 12
Explores friendship and rivalry. Contains themes of jealousy and loss; discuss relationships.
➡️The Color Purple 1982, Alice Walker // Grades 11 – 12
Addresses abuse and racism. Contains mature themes; discuss empowerment and healing.
➡️All the Light We Cannot See 2014, Anthony Doerr // Grades 10 – 12
A WWII novel about resilience. Contains war-related violence; discuss compassion.
➡️The Diary of a Young Girl 1947, Anne Frank // Grades 9- 12
A Holocaust memoir. Discuss persecution and human rights.
➡️The Fault in Our Stars 2012, John Green // Grades 9 – 12
A romance about teens with cancer. Discuss love, loss, and mortality.
➡️Educated 2018, Tara Westover // Grades 10 – 12
A memoir about self-education. Contains themes of family conflict; discuss independence.
➡️The Bell Jar 1963, Sylvia Plath // Grades 11 – 12
Explores mental illness. Contains themes of depression; discuss mental health support.
➡️The Things They Carried 1990, Tim O’Brien // Grades 11 – 12
A Vietnam War narrative. Contains violence and mature themes; discuss war’s impact.
➡️Persepolis 2000, Marjane Satrapi // Grades 10 – 12
A graphic memoir about growing up in Iran. Discuss political oppression and identity.
➡️The House on Mango Street 1984, Sandra Cisneros // Grades 9 – 12
Explores identity and poverty. Contains mature themes; discuss cultural heritage.
➡️Slaughterhouse-Five 1969, Kurt Vonnegut // Grades 11 – 12
A satirical war novel. Contains violence and mature themes; discuss war and absurdity.
➡️The Joy Luck Club 1989 Amy Tan // Grades 10 – 12
Explores mother-daughter relationships. Discuss cultural identity and family dynamics.
➡️A Raisin in the Sun 1959, Lorraine Hansberry // Grades 9 – 12
A play about racial discrimination. Discuss dreams and systemic inequality.
➡️One Flew Over the Cuckoo’s Nest 1962, Ken Kesey // Grades 11 – 12
Explores authority and rebellion. Contains mature themes; discuss mental health systems.
➡️The Absolutely True Diary of a Part-Time Indian 2007, Sherman Alexie // Grades 9 – 12
Addresses identity and poverty. Contains profanity; discuss cultural challenges.
➡️The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-Time 2003, Mark Haddon // Grades 9 – 12
A mystery from an autistic perspective. Discuss neurodiversity and empathy.
➡️The Night Circus 2011, Erin Morgenstern // Grades 9 – 12
A magical romance. Mild mature themes; discuss love and destiny.
➡️The Brief Wondrous Life of Oscar Wao 2007, Junot Diaz // Grades 11 – 12
Explores identity and curses. Contains profanity and mature themes; discuss culture.
➡️Station Eleven 2014, Emily St. John Mandel // Grades 10 – 12
A post-apocalyptic novel. Discuss resilience and art’s role in society.
➡️The Secret Life of Bees 2002, Sue Monk Kidd // Grades 9 – 12
Explores race and family. Contains mild violence; discuss healing and community.
➡️The Kite Runner 2003, Khaled Hosseini // Grades 10 – 12
Addresses friendship and redemption. Contains violence and sexual assault; discuss guilt.
➡️The Glass Castle 2005, Jeannette Walls // Grades 10 – 12
A memoir about poverty. Discuss resilience and family dysfunction.
➡️American Born Chinese 2006, Gene Luen Yang // Grades 9 – 12
A graphic novel about identity. Discuss stereotypes and self-acceptance.
➡️The Sun Is Also a Star 2016, Nicola Yoon // Grades 9 – 12
A romance about immigration. Discuss love and cultural identity.
➡️The Song of Achilles 2011, Madeline Miller // Grades 10 – 12
A retelling of Greek mythology. Contains mature themes; discuss love and fate.
➡️Born a Crime 2016, Trevor Noah // Grades 10 – 12
A memoir about apartheid. Discuss racism and resilience.
➡️The Immortal Life of Henrietta Lacks 2010, Rebecca Skloot // Grades 10 – 12
A non-fiction about medical ethics. Discuss race and science.
➡️The Poet X 2018, Elizabeth Acevedo // Grades 9 – 12
A novel-in-verse about identity. Discuss self-expression and family.
➡️An Ember in the Ashes 2015 Sabaa Tahir // Grades 9 – 12
A fantasy about oppression. Contains violence; discuss resistance.
➡️The Dispossessed 1974, Ursula K. Le Guin // Grades 11- 12
A sci-fi about societal structures. Discuss utopia and freedom.
➡️The Nickel Boys 2019, Colson Whitehead // Grades 10 – 12
Addresses racial injustice. Contains violence; discuss reform schools.
➡️We Were Liars 2014, E. Lockhart // Grades 9 – 12
A mystery about privilege. Contains psychological themes; discuss memory.
➡️The Name of the Wind 2007, Patrick Rothfuss // Grades 10 – 12
A fantasy epic. Mild mature themes; discuss storytelling.
➡️The Underground Railroad 2016, Colson Whitehead // Grades 11 – 12
A historical novel about slavery. Contains violence; discuss freedom.
➡️Six of Crows 2015, Leigh Bardugo // Grades 9 – 12
A fantasy heist. Contains violence; discuss loyalty and teamwork.
➡️The Martian 2011, Andy Weir // Grades 10 – 12
A sci-fi survival story. Contains profanity; discuss problem-solving.
➡️A Man Called Ove 2012, Fredrik Backman // Grades 10 – 12
A story about community. Discuss grief and connection.
➡️The Goldfinch 2013, Donna Tartt // Grades 11 – 12
A coming-of-age story. Contains mature themes; discuss art and loss.
➡️The Water Dancer 2019, Ta-Nehisi Coates // Grades 11 – 12
A magical realist novel about slavery. Discuss memory and resistance.
➡️Everything I Never Told You 2014, Celeste Ng // Grades 10 – 12
Explores family and identity. Discuss grief and expectations.
➡️The Vanishing Half 2020, Brit Bennett // Grades 10 – 12
Addresses race and identity. Discuss passing and family secrets.
➡️Aristotle and Dante Discover the Secrets of the Universe 2012, Benjamin Alire Saenz // Grades 9 – 12
A coming-of-age story about identity. Discuss sexuality and friendship.
BY BYUNGHEE JANG, ANGELINA CHO(Intern Reporter)
