Even a kid who loves school is thrilled when June, and the promise of an extended vacation, arrives.

I finished the creative writing enrichment program I was offering at Garden Creek School yesterday, and the kids were wild. Wild in a good way, in the way that kids get wild when the world is warm and the days are long and if they only stick out their tongue they could taste freedom in the air.

Just as important as a well-deserved break, coupled with the promise of regular time spent outdoors, is the need to keep kids reading during the summer.

Key to that is helping them find the right book at the local library or book store.

Here are a couple of sites with great suggestions to engage your kids. I’m sure you can find many more when you dig. I also recommend following @shelfietalk on twitter – there are always great suggestions there!

10 ways to get kids reading this summer

Summer Reading by Reading Rockets

But now, with trumpets blaring…

via GIPHY

and bears dancing….

via GIPHY

I am happy to present….

Wendy’s Summer Reading List Suggestions!

I’d like to offer some suggestions of books I think your later elementary school/middle grade child would love. The first bunch are from debut authors whose books I have read and adored. And please note I have NOT divided these into boy and girl category. Books are books. ‘Nuff said.