Elementary Summer Reading
Summer reading is not required of students entering Grades K-5 but we hope students will continue to read and maintain the literacy skills developed during the school year during the summer months.
Expand your child's grade level below to view a full list of suggested titles and to access a link to a printable (PDF) list.
Grades K & 1
Picture Books
- Bad Seed or Good Egg (Food Group Series) by Jory John (RL: 1.9)
- Big by Vashti Harrison (RL:1.5)
- Danbi Leads the School Parade by Anna Kim (RL:1.6)
- I Lost my Tooth by Mo Willems (RL: 1.4)
- Jabari Jumps by Gaia Cornwall (RL: 2.2)
- The Loud Librarian by Jenna Bearice (RL: 3.2)
- Norman Didn't Do It!: (Yes, He Did) by Ryan T. Higgins (RL: 1.9)
- This Book is My Best Friend by Robin Kaplan (RL: 1.8)
- Unicorn Thinks He’s Pretty Great by Bob Shea (RL: 1.9)
- What About Worms? by Ryan T. Higgins (RL:1.6)
Early Chapter Books
- Baseball Buzz (Sports Illustrated Kids Series) by C.C. Joven (RL: 0.7)
- Cornbread and Poppy by Matthew Cordell (RL: 2.9)
- Doggo and Pupper by Katherine Applegate (RL: 2.1)
- Don’t Throw It to Mo by David Adler (RL: 1.5)
- Gigi and Ojiji by Melissa Iwai (RL:1.8)
- Hi Jack! by Mac Barnett (RL: 0.9)
- Infamous Ratsos by Kara LaReau (RL: 2.2)
- Snail & Worm Again by Tina Kügler (RL: 0.9)
Graphica
- Flying Beaver Brothers by Maxwell Eaton (RL: 1.9)
- Hilo: The Boy Who Crashed to Earth by Judd Winick (RL: 1.6)
- Little Robot by Ben Hatke (RL: 0.7)
- Owl and Penguin by Vikram Madan (RL:1.1)
- Narwhal: Unicorn of the Sea by Ben Clanton (RL: 2.0)
- Squish by Jennifer L. Holm (RL: 2.2)
Poetry
- Change: A Child’s First Poetry Collection by Charlotte Zolotow (RL: 3.6)
- Change Sings: A Children's Anthem by Amanda Gorman (RL: 2.3)
- Daniel Finds a Poem by Micha Archer (RL: 2.2)
- Hi, Koo! by Jon Muth (RL: 2.3)
- Once I Ate a Pie by Patricia Maclachlan (RL: 1.9)
- When Green Becomes Tomatoes by Julie Fogliano (RL: 2.8)
Informational
- All the World by Elizabeth Garton Scanlon (RL: 1.8)
- Can an Aardvark Bark? by Melissa Stewart (RL: 2.2)
- Giggle and Learn series by Kevin McCloskey (RL: 1.9)
- Have You Heard the Nesting Bird? by Rita Gray (RL: 1.9)
- What’s Inside a Caterpillar Cocoon by Rachel Ignotofsky (RL: 3.4)
- Yoshi Sea Turtle Genius by Lynne Cox (RL: 2.6)
Series for 1st Graders
- Amelia Bedelia by Herman Parish
- Barkus by Patricia MacLachlan
- Beak & Ally by Norman Feuti
- “Branches” books (various)
- Chick & Brain by Cece Bell
- Cork and Fuzz by Dori Chaconas
- Dino Sports by Lisa Wheeler
- Dive into Reading by various authors
- Dory Fantasmagory by Abby Hanlon
- Dragon by Dav Pilkey
- Elephant and Piggie by Mo Willems
- Fox Tails by Tina Kugler
- Giggle Gang by Jan Thomas
- Heidi Heckelbeck by Wanda Coven
- Henry and Mudge by Cynthia Rylant
- Junie B. Jones by Barbara Park
- Katie Woo or Pedro by Fran Manushkin
- King and Kayla by Dori Hillestad Butler
- Kondo & Kezumi by David Goodner
- Layla and the Bots by Vicky Fang
- Little Rhino by Ryan Howard
- Mermaid Days by Kyle Lukoff
- My First Fox by Corey R. Tabor
- Notebook of Doom by Troy Cummings
- Owl Diaries by Rebecca Elliott
- Pete the Cat by James Dean
- Pigeon books by Mo Willems
- Princess in Black by Shannon Hale
- Roscoe Riley by Katherine Applegate
- Sofia Martinez by Jacqueline Jules
- Simon Seahorse by Cora Reef
- Splat the Cat by Rob Scotton
- Unicorn and Yeti by Heather Ayris Burnell
- Unicorn Diaries by Rebecca Elliott
- Yasmin by Saadia Faruqi
Grade 2
Picture Books
- The Adventures of Beekle by Dan Sanat (RL: 3.3)
- The Day You Begin by Jacqueline Woodson (RL: 1.8)
- Evelyn del Rey is Moving Away by Meg Medina (RL: 2.2)
- Gustav is Missing! A Tale of Friendship and Bravery by Andrea Zuill (RL: 3.4)
- Jump for Joy by Karen Gray Ruelle
- Noodles on a Bicycle by Kyo Maclea (RL:3.2)
- Smart Cookie by Jory Jon (RL: 2.4)
- Strickly No Elephants by Lisa Mantchev (RL: 2.6)
- This Way, Charlie by Caron Levis (RL: 2.9)
- Vacation by Ame Dyckman (RL: 1.7)
- When Things Aren’t Going Right, Go Left by Marc Colagiovanni (RL: 1.6)
- The Yellow Bus by Loren Long (RL:3.1)
Poetry
- Champion Chompers, Super Stinkers and Other Poems by Linda Ashman (RL: 6.8)
- Forget-me-Nots: Poems to Learn by Heart by Mary Ann Hoberman (RL: 2.3)
- National Geographic Book of Nature Poetry
Informational Books
- Blood! Not Just a Vampire Drink by Stacy McAnulty
- The Earth Book by Todd Parr (RL: 2.4)
- I’m Trying to Love Rocks by Bethany Barton
- What Do Scientists Do All Day? by Jane Wisher (RL: 2.4)
Chapter Books
- Ada Lace, Take Me to Your Leader by Emily Calandrell (RL: 3.9)
- Bo’s Magical New Friend (Unicorn Diaries) by Rebecca Elliot (RL: 2.2)
- Friends of a Feather by Lauren Myracle (RL: 2.2)
- Hello, Nebulon by Ray O’Ryan (RL: 2.5)
- Keena Ford and the Second-Grade Mix-Up by Melissa Thomson (RL: 2.7)
- Little Shaq Takes a Chance by Shaquille O’Neal (RL: 2.0)
- A New Friend by Poppy Green (RL: 3.4)
- Sadiq and the Perfect Play by Siman Nuurali (RL: 2.2)
- Too Much Space by Jonathan Roth (RL: 2.7)
- The Used-to-Be Best-Friend by Dawn Quigley (RL: 2.3)
- The Year of the Book by Andrea Cheng (RL: 2.3)
Graphic Novels (Series)
- Babymouse by Jennifer L. Holm
- Babysitters Club by Ann Martin
- Bad Guys by Alex Blabey
- Cat Kid by Dav Pilkey
- Cookie & Broccali by Bob McMahon
- Dog Man by Dav Pilkey
- InvestiGators by John Patrick Green
- Lunch Lady by Jared Krosoczka
- Magic Tree House Graphic Novels
- Pea, Bee & Jay by Brian Smith
- Pizza and Taco by Stephen Shaskan
- Shark Princess by Nidhi Chanani
- Squish by Jennifer L. Holm
Series for 2nd Graders
- A to Z Mysteries by Ron Roy
- Amelia Bedelia by Peggy Parish
- Bad Guys by Aaron Blabey
- Bad Kitty by Nick Bruel
- Cam Jansen mysteries by David Adler
- Chicken Squad by Doreen Cronin
- Clementine by Sara Pennypacker
- Dory Fantasmagory by Abby Hanlon
- Down Girl and Sit by Lucy A. Nolan
- Dragon Masters by Tracey West
- Fabled Stables by Jonathan Auxier
- Frankie Pickle by Eric Wight
- Geronimo Stilton by various authors
- Heroes in Training by Joan Holub
- Jasmine Toguchi by Debbi Michiko Florence
- Ivy and Bean by Annie Barrows
- Junie B. Jones by Barbara Park
- Magic Tree House by Mary Pope Osborne
- Mercy Watson by Kate DiCamillo
- My Father’s Dragon by Ruth Stiles Gannett
- Pain and the Great One by Judy Blume
- Pig the Pug by Alex Blabey
- Princess in Black by Shannon Hale
- Ready Freddy by Abby Klein
- Ricky Ricotta by Dav Pilkey
- Roscoe Riley by Katherine Applegate
- Sofia Martinez by Jacquelyn Jules
- Stink by Megan McDonald
- Super Turbo by Lee Kirby
- Yasmin by Saadia Faruqi
Grade 3
Fiction Favorites
- The 13-Story Treehouse by Andy Griffiths (RL:5.0)
- Ben Yokoyama and the Cookie of Doom by Matthew Swanson (RL: 3.9)
- Crack the Code! (Minecraft StoneSward Saga) by Nick Eliopulos (RL: 4.3)
- Diamond in the Rough by Jen Calonita (RL: 3.9)
- Ellie’s Story by Cameron Bruce (RL: 3.9)
- Fairest of All (Whatever After) by Sarah Mlynowski (RL: 4.5)
- Finding Langston by Lesa Cline-Ransome (RL: 3.2)
- Ghosts by Raina Telgemeier (RL: 2.6)
- The Grip by Marcus Stroman (RL:4.2)
- Hero Two Doors Down by Sharon Robinson (RL: 3.9)
- How to Steal a Dog by Barbara O’Connor (RL: 4.0)
- Loser’s Club by Andrew Clement (3.9)
- Mia Mayhem is a Superhero by Kara West (RL: 3.7)
- Pug Blasts Off by Kyla May (RL: 2.9)
- Rise of the Earth Dragon by Tracey West (RL:3.4)
- The School is Alive! by Jack Shabert (RL: 3.4)
- Too Small Tola by Atinuke (RL:3.7)
- Zeus and the Thunderbolt of Doom by Joan Halub (RL: 3.2)
Poetry
- Comets, Stars, the Moon and Mars by Douglas Florian (RL: 3.1)
- Hip Hop Speaks to Children by J. Patrick Lewis (RL: 3.4)
- If it Rains Pancakes by Brian Cleary (RL: 3.1)
- Poem Mobiles: Crazy Car Poems by J. Patrick Lewis (RL: 3.4)
- Toasting Marshmallows by Kristine O’Connell George (RL: 2.8)
Informational Books
- Cute as an Axolotl by Jess Keating (RL: 3.2)
- El Deafo by CeCe Bell (RL: 3.3)
- Giant Squid by Candace Fleming (RL: 3.2)
- A Peek at Beaks: Tools Birds Use by Sara Levine (RL: 3.9)
- Weird but True (various) by National Geographic
Graphica
- Animorphs series by Chris Grine
- Aquanaut by Dan Santat
- Baby-sitters Little Sisters series
- Bad Guys series by Aaron Blabey
- Cat Ninja by Matthew Cody
- Click series by Kaya Miller
- Dog Man / Cat Kid by Dav Pilkey
- Smile series by Raina Telgemeier
Series for 3rd Graders
- A to Z Mysteries by Ron Roy
- Amelia Bedelia by Peggy Parish
- Babymouse by Jennifer Holm
- Big Nate by Lincoln Peirce
- Clementine by Sara Pennypacker
- Dog’s Purpose/Puppy Place by W. Bruce Cameron
- Doll People by Ann Martin
- Dragon Girls by Maddy Mara
- Dragon Masters by Tracey West
- Eerie Elementary by Jack Shabert
- Galaxy Zack by Ray O'Ryan
- Girl’s Survived by Various Authors
- Geronimo Stilton/Thea Stilton by Various Authors
- Heidi Heckelbeck/Henry Heckelbeck by Wanda Coven
- Heroes in Training by David Campiti
- I Survived by Lauren Tarshish
- Ivy and Bean by Annie Barrows
- Lunch Lady by Jarett Krosoczka
- Minecraft Saga/StoneSword by Nick Eliopulos
- Magic Tree House by Mary Pope Osborne
- My Weird School by Dan Gutman
- Notebook of Doom by Troy Cummings
- Ordinary People Change the World (biographies) by Brad Meltzer
- Sideways Stories from Wayside School by Louis Sachar
- Space Taxi by Wendy Mass
- Stick Dog by Tom Watson
- Whatever After by Sarah Mlynowski
Grade 4
Fiction Favorites
- Across the Desert by Dusti Bowling (RL: 4.0)
- Amari and the Night Brothers (#1) by B.B. Alston (RL: 4.9)
- Aru Shah and the End of Time by Roshani Chokshi (RL: 5.3)
- Because of the Rabbit by Cynthia Lord (RL: 4.3)
- Best Worst Summer by Elizabeth Eulbert (RL: 4.1)
- BFG by Roald Dahl (RL: 4.9)
- Booked by Kwame Alexander (RL: 5.0)
- Dare Sisters By Jessica Rinker (RL: 4.6)
- Full of Beans by Jennifer Holm (RL: 5.0)
- Gertie is Not All Dogs by Siski Kalla (RL: 4.8)
- Ghost by Jason Reynolds (RL: 4.6)
- Gracie Under the Waves by Linda Sue Park (RL:4.7)
- Lifeboat 12 by Susan Hood (RL: 4.0)
- The Lion of Mars by Jennifer Holm (RL: 4.0)
- One and Only Ivan by Katherine Applegate (RL:4.0)
- The War that Saved My Life by Kimberly Brubaker Bradley (RL: 4.1)
- The Wild Robot by Peter Brown (RL: 5.1)
- Wish by Barbara O’Connor (RL: 4.5)
Poetry
- Animal Ark: Celebrating Our Wild World in Poetry and Pictures by Kwame Alexander (RL: 4.3)
- Can I Touch Your Hair by Irene Lathan (RL: 4.6)
- Dark Emperor & Other Poems of the Night by Joyce Sidman (RL: 4.0)
- Frankenstein Makes a Sandwich by Adam Rex (RL: 4.0)
Informational Books
- Astronauts: Women on the Final Frontier by Jim Ottaviani (RL: 4.1)
- Courageous Creatures (I Survived True Stories) by Lauren Tarshis (RL: 6.6)
- From an Idea to Nike: How Marketing Made Nike a Global Success by Lowey Bundy Sichol (RL: 6.0)
- Pandas & Other Endangered Species by Mary Pope Osborne (RL: 5.0)
- She Persisted biographies (various)
- World of Weird Animals (series) by Jess Keating
Graphica
- 5 Worlds by Mark Seigel (RL: 4.3)
- Allergic by Megan Wagner Lloyd (RL: 4.4)
- Astronauts: Women on the Final Frontier by Jim Ottaviani (RL: 4.1)
- Babysitters Club Series (various)
- Captian America Ghost Army by Alan Gratz (RL: 4.0)
- The Crossover by Kwame Alexander (RL: 4.5)
- InvestiGators by John Greene (RL: 4.6)
- Science Comics (various)
- Tale as Tall as Jacob by Samantha Edwards (RL: 3.3)
- The 39 Clues by Ethan Young (RL: 4.0)
Series for 4th Graders
- Amazing Athletes biographies (various)
- Big Nate by Lincoln Peirce
- Captain Underpants by Dav Pilkey
- Cookie Chronicles by Matthew Swanson
- Diary of a Wimpy Kid by Jeff Kinney
- Dork Diaries by Rachel Renee Russell
- Dragon Girls by Maddy Mara
- Front Desk by Kelly Yang
- FunJungle by Stuart Gibbs
- Goosebumps by R.L. Stine
- Heroes of Olympus by Rick Riordan
- How to Train Your Dragon by Cressida Cowell
- Humphrey by Betty G. Birney
- I Survived by Lauren Tarshis
- InvestiGators by John Patrick Greene
- Kane Chronicles by Rick Riordan
- Last Kids on Earth by Max Brailler
- Lemonade War by Jacqueline Davies
- Middle School by James Patterson
- Mr. Lemoncello by Chris Grabenstein
- My Life as a … by Janet Tashjian
- Percy Jackson by Rick Riordan
- Spy School by Stuart Gibbs
- Stick Dog/Cat by Tom Watson
- Terrible Two Mac Barnett
- Timmy Failure by Stephen Pastis
- Trapped in a Video Game by Jesse Brady
- Treehouse Hunters by James Patterson
- Treehouse Series by Andy Griffiths
- Upside Down Magic by Sarah Mlynowski
- Warriors: Into the Wild by Erin Hunter
- Wild Robot by Peter Brown
- Wings of Fire by Tui Sutherland
Grade 5
Fiction Favorites
- Artemis Fowl by Eoin Colfer (RL: 5.5)
- Aru Shaw and the End of Time by Roshani Chokshi (RL: 5.3)
- Bhai for Now by Maleeha Siddiqui (RL: 6.0)
- Bridge to Terabithia by Katherine Paterson (RL: 4.6)
- Chester Keene Cracks the Code by Kekla Magoon (RL: 5.6)
- City Spies by James Ponti (RL: 5.3)
- Flush by Carl Hiaasen (RL: 5.0)
- Full of Beans by Jennifer Holm (RL: 5.0)
- Greenglass House by Kate Milford (RL: 5.4)
- Heat by Mike Lupica (RL: 6.9)
- Holes by Louis Sachar (RL: 6.5)
- Hoot by Carl Hiaasen (RL: 5.2)
- Hummingbird by Natalie Lloyd (RL: 4.7)
- Invisible Spy by Lisa McMann (RL5.9)
- Night Diary by Veera Hiranandani (RL: 4.5)
- Out of My Mind by Sharon Draper (RL: 4.6)
- Pax by Sarah Pennypacker (RL: 5.0)
- Secret Library by Kekla Magoon (RL: 1)
- The Wild Robot by Peter Brown (RL: 5.8)
Poetry
- Joyful Noise by Paul Fleischman (RL: 5.2)
- Lend a Hand: Poems about Giving by John Frank (RL: 5.0)
- A Pizza the Size of the Sun by Jack Prelutsky (RL: 5.5)
- Ubiquitous: Celebrating Nature’s Survivors by Joyce Sidman (RL: 6.8)
- Voices of Justice: Poems about People Working for a Better World by George Ella Lyon (RL: 5.1)
Informational Books
- A Black Hole is Not a Hole by Carolyn Cinami DeCristofano (RL: 5.7)
- Curse of the Mummy by Candace Fleming (RL: 6.8)
- Eye to Eye: How Animals See the World by Steve Jenkins (RL: 5.7)
- Feathers: Not Just for Flying by Melissa Stewart (RL: 5.1)
- Lego Awesome Ideas by Daniel Lipkowitz (RL: 6.7)
- Rebel Girls by Abby Sher (RL: 4.0-5.9)
Graphica
- Amulet by Kazu Kibuishi
- Art Club by Rashad Doucet
- Baby-sitters Club
- Emmie and Friends by Terri Libenson
- Friends by Shannon Hale
- Hazardous Tales by Nathan Hale
- Sunny by Jennifer Holm Sweet
- Sweet Valley Twins by Nicole Andelfinger
Series for 5th Graders
- Artemis Fowl by Eoin Colfer
- Aru Shah by Roshani Chokshi
- City of Ember by Jeanne DuPrau
- City Spies by James Ponti
- Dead City by James Ponti
- Emmie & Friends by Terri Libenson
- Fairy Tale Reform School by Jen Calonita
- Front Desk by Kelly Yang
- FunJungle by Stuart Gibbs
- Grimm Sisters by Michael Buckley
- Harry Potter by JK Rowling
- How to Train Your Dragon by Cressida Cowell
- I Survived by Lauren Tarshis
- Kane Chronicles by Rick Riordan
- Kingdom Keepers by Ridley Pearson
- Land of Stories by Chris Colfer
- Middle School by James Patterson
- The Mysterious Benedict Society by Trenton Lee Stewart
- Mr. Lemoncello by Chris Grabenstein
- Penderwicks by Jeanne Birdsall
- Peter and the Starcatchers by Dave Barry
- Savvy by Ingrid Law
- School for Good and Evil by Soman Chainani
- Series of Unfortunate Events by Lemony Snicket
- Spy School by Stuart Gibbs
- Sisters Grimm by Michael Buckley
- Storm Runners by Roland Smith
- Theodore Boone by John Grisham
- Underland Chronicles by Suzanne Collins
- Unwanteds by Lisa McMann
- The Vanderbeekers by Karina Yan Glaser
- Wings of Fire by Tui Sutherland
Looking for the RML Summer Program?
Visit the Delco Libraries website to learn more about and sign up for the Radnor Memorial Library's 2025 Summer Learning Program, "Color Our World".