6 Children & Teens Books to Read This Summer
Heidi Powell, Children & Teens Manager extraordinaire, recently appeared on Great Day Washington to promote six summer books we’re excited about. From picture books for early readers to YA drama (and a graphic novel about pigeons), these books are sure to entertain and educate this summer.
The Night Gardener — Terry & Eric Fan
Grimloch Lane is a dull sort of place, one where people don’t look up to greet each other as they pass. Then, one day, a young orphan named William wakes up to see that a tree outside has been trimmed into a stunning owl topiary. For many mornings thereafter, the inhabitants of Grimloch Lane discover a new transformation in their greenery. As neighbors gather around these living sculptures and become a bonded community, William makes a lucky discovery and helps The Night Gardener create his biggest surprise yet. Terry and Eric Fan have created a subtle masterpiece; their graphite, pen, ink, and watercolor illustrations, which slowly transition from sepia tone to full color as Grimloch Lane comes alive, are a testament to the power of art to create joy and change lives.
The Real Poop on Pigeons — Kevin McCloskey
Kevin McCloskey’s latest graphic novel for early readers begins with two strangers sitting on a bench. When a pair of pigeons gets a little too close, the man exclaims that he hates these “rats with wings.” Suddenly, a group of people dressed in mascot-like pigeon suits descends upon him to give him The Real Poop on Pigeons! These oft-maligned birds are actually rather fascinating and helpful creatures: they delivered airmail before planes existed; they belong to the same family as the dodo bird; and they even make milk in their crops in order to feed their young. This lighthearted ode will have you thinking about our avian neighbors in a whole new way.
When Mischief Came to Town — Katrina Nannestad
A testament to a child’s ability to find joy and enchantment even in the midst of grief, When Mischief Came to Town is a modern-day classic. Ten-year-old Inge, recently orphaned, goes to live with her grandmother in a tiny island village far from her Copenhagen home. Grandmother Dizzy, alas, is a strict and stoic rule-enforcer; Inge has a dear heart, but her hands and emotions continue to cause her mischief. Maybe, though—just maybe—mischief is exactly what this village needs. Katrina Nannestad has woven a touching tale of what happens when we open our hearts to those around us.
As Brave as You — Jason Reynolds
For eleven-year-old Genie and his older brother, Ernie, spending a month of summer in rural Virginia with their grandparents is a world away from life in Brooklyn. Constantly curious Genie has a lot questions— especially about his grandfather. Through spending time with Grandpop, he learns family secrets and how the residual effects of Jim Crow have taken their toll. Filled with joy, pain, and an abundance of humor, As Brave as You is Coretta Scott King and Walter Award winner Jason Reynolds’s debut middle-grade novel. Beautifully written with a sense of place and rich characterization, this is an epic to be savored long after the last days of summer.
The Smell of Other People’s Houses — Bonnie-Sue Hitchcock
In a small Alaskan fishing village in 1970, the lives of four teenagers cross paths in strange and unexpected ways. Each comes from a different place, and each is running away from something. But as their destinies intertwine, we realize that, despite their differences, they all might find what they’re looking for once they get to know The Smell of Other People’s Houses. In her debut novel, Bonnie-Sue Hitchcock writes with a sense of gritty realism tempered with hope that makes the story and characters tangible and knowable in this unique setting.
The Great White Shark Scientist — Sy Montgomery & Keith Ellenbogen
Imagine spending your days aboard a boat specially modified for studying great white sharks. You can stand or even lie on your belly just feet above a shark to record a video of it or attach a telemetry tag to its dorsal fin. Imagine using the data you collect to learn about individuals’ characteristics and to track larger migration patterns and trends. This is the life of Dr. Greg Skomal, The Great White Shark Scientist. Join award-winning science writer Sy Montgomery and photographer Keith Ellenbogen as they ride the Aleutian Dream with Greg and his team just off the coast of Cape Cod, then enter a shark cage to descend into the waters off Guadalupe Island. The most recent title in the remarkable and highly regarded series Scientists in the Field is a fantastic way to celebrate Shark Week and learn more about these mysterious animals, whose populations are dwindling worldwide.
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