Students entering Grades 1-3:
Recommended Summer Reading List
Book Titles and Authors
Picture Books
- Elephant & Piggie books by Mo Willems Gerald is careful. Piggie is not. Piggie cannot help smiling. Gerald can. Gerald worries so that Piggie does not have to. Read about their adventures as they celebrate friendship and solve problems by working together.
- The Food Group books by Jory John
This series serves up heaping plates of laughter while focusing on characters such as "The Bad Seed" and "The Couch Potato" who learn empowering lessons about how to be your best self.
- Her Right Foot by Dave Eggers
In this fascinating nonfiction picture book, the authors investigate a seemingly small trait of America's most emblematic statue. What they find is about more than history, more than art. What they find in the Statue of Liberty's right foot is the powerful message of acceptance that is essential to an entire country's creation.
- The Kindness Book and other titles by Todd Parr
With his trademark bright colors and bold lines, Todd Parr takes on a topic more important than ever: being kind to each other. No matter what other people choose to do, you can always choose to be kind — and what a wonderful thing to be!
- Mixed Me! by Taye Diggs
Mike has awesome hair. He has LOTS of energy! His parents love him. And Mike is a PERFECT blend of the two of them. Still, Mike has to answer LOTS of questions about being mixed. And he does, with LOTS of energy and joy in this charming story about a day in the life of a mixed-race child.
- Pete the Cat books by James Dean and Eric Litwin
Pete the Cat is a groovy, blue cat who always keeps his cool. He loves surfing, playing baseball and guitar, spending time with his friends, and trying new things. And no matter where he goes, Pete keeps movin' and groovin' and singing his song...because it's all good.
- The Questioneers picture books by Andrea Beaty
Three cheers for The Questioneers - kids with big dreams of becoming an engineer, an illustrator, a scientist, an architect, and even a future president! Celebrate STEM, the power of perseverance, and standing up for what you believe in as you read about these inspirational characters.
- Ravi's Roar by Tom Percival
Most of the time Ravi can control his temper but, one day, he lets out the tiger within. But who wants to play with a growling, roaring, noisy, wild tiger who won't share or play nicely? Ravi is about to discover something very important about expressing his feelings and making amends.
- Rocket Says, Look Up! by Nathan Bryon
Rocket's going to be the greatest astronaut, star-catcher, space-traveler that has ever lived! But first, she needs to convince her big brother Jamal to stop looking down at his phone and start looking up at the stars.
- Ruby Finds a Worry by Tom Percival One day, Ruby finds something unexpected: a Worry. It's not such a big Worry, at first. But every day, it grows a little bigger, until the Worry is all she can think about. With the help of a friend, Ruby discovers that everyone has worries, and how sharing her feelings can help!
Chapter Books
- Emma Every Day books by C.L. Reid
Emma loves swimming, writing, and biking. She also loves her pet goldfish and tacos. Emma is deaf and uses sign language, as well as a cochlear implant to help her hear. Every day is a new chance to have fun, and conquer daily challenges with a positive attitude and nonstop determination.
- Fly Guy books by Tedd Arnold
Boy and fly meet and so begins a beautiful friendship. This series is packed with humor, eye-catching pictures, and thrilling action!
- Jake Maddox Sports Stories books by Jake Maddox
Characters in these books face obstacles on the gridiron, the court, the ice, or the half-pipe, and meet mental and social challenges as well. Readers discover that fair play, persistence, and courage are just as important as athletic ability.
- Katie Woo books by Fran Manushkin
These fun, lighthearted stories are about Katie Woo, a sassy, and stylish schoolgirl tackling the everyday trials of growing up - everything from being too bossy to feeling nervous about sleeping away from home.
- Max and Friends books by Kyle Lukoff
This series explores Max’s journey as he explores his feelings about his identity, and navigates school and relationships with friends and family. Written with warmth and sensitivity, this book is a sweet and age-appropriate introduction to what it means to be transgender.
- Mo Jackson books by David Adler
Mo may not be the biggest, the strongest, or the fastest player, but his passion for all kinds of sports means he never gives up!
- Pedro books by Fran Manushkin
Join Pedro and his friends as he enjoys adventures at school, on the soccer field and at home with his sometimes pesky younger brother Paco!
- Princess in Black books by Shannon and Dean Hale
Who says princesses don't wear black? Not Princess Magnolia, whose monster-fighting alter ego saves the kingdom from monsters again and gain in this funny, action-packed series.
- The Questioneers chapter books by Andrea Beaty
This series is a celebration of STEM, perseverance and passion. Like its characters, Iggy Peck, Rosie Revere, Ada twist and Sofia Valdez, every budding architect, engineer, scientist, mathematician and leader will become inspired to solve everyday mysteries and come to think more critically about their world.
- Sadiq books by Siman Nuurali
Fun-loving third grader Sadiq has many interests, from soccer to video games to cooking (and eating!) samosas. But he's always ready to try something new with friends and neighbors.
- Sports Illustrated Kids Starting Line books by C.C. Joven
This series features a wide variety of sports and relatable characters to explore topics such as perseverance, sportsmanship, and inclusion.
- Yasmin books by Saadia Faruqi
Yasmin is a spirited second grader who's always on the lookout for those "aha" moments to help her solve life's little problems. A creative thinker and curious explorer, Yasmin and her multi-generational Pakistani American family will delight and inspire readers.
Non-Fiction Books
- Fly Guy Presents books by Tedd Arnold
With straightforward text, humorous asides and kid-friendly photographs throughout, this series presents fun facts about the world. Individual books focus on topics such as dinosaurs, weather, castles, garbage and recycling, and many more!
- Ordinary People Change the World books by Brad Meltzer
This friendly, fun biography series focuses on the traits that made our heroes great—the traits that kids can aspire to in order to live heroically themselves. Each book tells the story of an icon in a lively, conversational way that works well for the youngest nonfiction readers and that always includes the hero's childhood influences. - The Shark Book or other titles by Steve Jenkins
This book explores one of the world's most notorious and fearsome animals. Learn what makes a shark a shark, what sharks like to eat, and how these predators of the deep have evolved. Additional books by this author bring a variety of other fascinating creatures to life on the page.
- Stephen Curry: The Boy Who Never Gave Up by Anthony Curcio
This biography tells the story of a young boy who many said was too short to play in high school, too weak to play in college and not good enough to play in the NBA. Against all odds, this small boy follows his dream, makes it to the NBA, and becomes one of the greatest players to ever play the game of basketball.
- What if You Had Animal...books by Sandra Markle
Curious kids can discover what it might feel like to have the tail of a beaver, the eyes of a chameleon, the hair of a zebra, and more. Comical pictures of kids with animal features keep the pages turning in this popular series.
Graphic Novels
- Narwal and Jelly books by Ben Clanton
Narwhal is a happy-go-lucky narwhal. Jelly is a no-nonsense jellyfish. The two might not have a lot in common, but they do both love waffles, parties, and adventures. Join Narwhal and Jelly as they discover the whole wide ocean together.
- Noodleheads books by Tedd Arnold
Twin brothers Mac and Mac are Noodleheads - nothing upstairs! - but kids can use their own noodles to see where the brothers' ideas go wrong. Encouraging readers to think for themselves, this series has roots in world folklore and traditional tales of fools.
- Pizza and Taco books by Stephen Shaskan
This series features two delicious best friends who overcome differences by making compromises and keeping a sense of humor.
- Service Pups in Training books by Mari Bottle
Welcome to the K9 Academy, a premier training school for pups with a purpose! Join our new class of puppies as they embark on the journey to becoming the best service dogs. Sese the world from the perspective of these fun-loving puppies, see how hard work, persistence, and dedication allow you to accomplish hard things.
These book suggestions, in a variety of reading levels and genres, will engage students and families throughout the summer. These title are available at our community libraries (William Jeanes Memorial Library and Conshohocken Free Library) and local bookstores.
If you are having difficulty finding and acquiring a text for summer reading, please click here to email Lori Jolley in the Curriculum Department.