This summer, don’t let your kid’s brain go to mush watching Netflix, YouTube, or playing Roblox. Pick up a few books for their summer reading list that will keep their hands and mind busy. I’ve been keeping an eye on what’s out and what’s been out and here are a few of my picks for the upcoming summer vacation.
Heartseeker by Melinda Beatty
$16.99
Releases on June 5th
Heartseeker follows a young girl named Only Fallow (her first name is Only, which is kind of confusing if you ask me). She has the gift to be able to tell when someone is lying and she is cursed with never being able to tell a lie herself.
It’s kind of like the new generation’s Ella Enchanted.
It’s a story about a young girl who has to protect her secret gift while also protecting the ones she cares about when a traitor is suspected among her kingdom.
Neanderthal Opens the Door to the Universe by Preston Norton
$17.99
Releases on June 5th
Neanderthal Opens the Door to the Universe is a heart-wrenching tale of an outcast whose nickname is Neanderthal and a jock teaming up to complete a list of things God told Aaron (the jock) to do while he was having a near-death experience.
The two awkward pair set out to deal with a vengeful English teacher, a computer hacker, an unchristian cult of Jesus Teens, local drug dealers, and the meanest bully in school.
Sounds kind of intense, right? It is, but it’s written for ages 14 and up and it’s tailored to that age group.
The Cardboard Kingdom by Chad Sell
$17.99
Releases on June 5th
The Cardboard Kingdom follows a group of 16 diverse kids using homemade costumes as they take on friends, family, and their own identity using their cardboard costumes and imagination.
The story uses costumes and make-believe to explore gender identity, sexuality, bullying, race, and other sensitive topics in an age-appropriate way. The art makes the story that much more fun to enjoy.
Willa of the Wood by Robert Beatty
$16.99
Releases July 10th
Willa of the Wood is about a young girl who becomes torn between her clan in the Great Smoky Mountains and under the cover of darkness steals from the “day-folk,” the people she was raised to believe were her enemy.
She’s learned to move without a sound and steal without a trace. But what happens when you get hurt and find yourself at the mercy of those you were raised to hate?
It’s a thick book, but it’s one worth grabbing for the action and adventure that follows Willa in this first book in a new series.
Star Wars Lightsabers: A Guide to Weapons of the Force
$14.99
In stores now
Star Wars Lightsabers: A Guide to Weapons of the Force is listed for ages 7 to 12, but my 43-year-old husband also got really into it. It features full-color photos of each lightsaber’s hilt at actual size and film stills of the Jedi who used them. It also includes information on duals from the movies.
If you are a cosplayer looking to up your game, this book will give you some additional knowledge when you have a battle of wits against a youngling who thinks they know everything.
Spa Soaps Forest Friends
$19.99
In stores now
Soap is something everyone needs, so that makes this craft not only fun but useful. In Spa Soaps Forest Friends, kids to use their imagination while creating their own soap creatures using the six bars of soap base, molds, colors, and a 24-page idea book. And the best part is, any mess is easily cleaned up because it’s soap!
Ultimate Expeditions Deep-Sea Diver
$18.99
In stores now
Ultimate Expeditions Deep-Sea Diver is a mix of hands-on and discovery through reading. Kids can play along with the facts and with the 3-D papercraft models and diorama. The narrative follows the journal of 1920s marine biologist Warren Wilmott. I like the bright colors and the added element that kids can play while reading along with the story.
The page design is in the format of an actual journal, and that keeps it from reading like a boring textbook of facts. The pictures are brilliantly taken and interesting to look at.
Amazing World: Bugs
$14.99
In stores now
Bugs are not my thing, but for little kids, they are just THE thing. Amazing World: Bugs includes up close and personal photos with over 70 images of bugs, including some done with microscopic details.
Let your kids decorate with the 13 glow-in-the-dark bug stickers and get a good scare yourself when you find one in the middle of the night glowing at you.
After a few pages of bugs, I realized I’m very happy some of them are not in my neck of the woods.
Creature Files: Dinosaurs
$14.99
In stores now
Creature Files: Dinosaurs helps kids learn about the current scientific discoveries concerning how the dinosaurs looked and includes stats on how a human would size up against these prehistoric creatures.
The fun addition to this book is an interchangeable necklace that comes with a dinosaur skull, claw, and smaller bone.
What I like about this book is you don’t see the same dinosaurs you find in other books. There are some I’ve never heard of alongside my childhood favorites.
Looking for recommendations for your child this summer? Leave us a comment with what they are into and we will give you some recommendations!
Disclaimer: GeekMom received a review sample.
Hi Dakster,
have Creature Files: Dinosaurs. Just bought it last summer for my kids, as they are curious about Paleontology. They were so excited to learn about the stats too. As far as the other books are concerned, have never come across, I practically use only 2-3 books per year. And mostly, these are scientific readings on Geography too.
Sincerely,
Ashley Terr
Fresno Pacific University and Laboratory for college solution (Books for Kids)