Summer plans are likely looking pretty different this year, so there’s no better time to start on an epic book list to whisk you away on a page-turning reading adventure. From the somewhat true adventures of a pet mouse and a book-lover who’s hiding a whopper of a secret, to a contemporary YA summer romance and a very adventurous penguin, we’ve got the perfect chapter books for middle and high schoolers.
The Bookshop Girl
by Sylvia Bishop
illustrated by Poly Bernatene
The Joneses have just won the Great Montgomery Book Emporium in a contest, and it’s every book lover’s dream! But there is more to the Emporium than its thousands of books in extravagant displays. In fact, the previous owner is hiding something that could destroy absolutely everything for the Joneses, and Property Jones has a whopper of a secret too. Author Sylvia Bishop’s whimsical delight, crafted with quirkiness and charm features a cast of memorable, quirky characters, beautiful descriptions of the tactile pleasures of books, and the magical transporting quality bookstores can have for readers.
Read an excerpt to see if this book about books should be added to your summer TBR.
Author Q&A, discussion guide, and personality quiz available, and paperback coming this fall!
The Somewhat True Adventures of Sammy Shine
by Henry Cole
Sammy Shine’s life as Hank’s pet mouse was simple and quiet―until Hank’s brother sends Sammy up in a remote controlled airplane and loses control. Now Sammy Shine is in a whole new world; no longer does he live in comfort in his shoe box in Hank’s room. Now he’s lost in the woods, with no way to get home, and a dangerous enemy. Fortunately, a group of new friends will help him find and repair his plane so he can try to get back home. Inspired by a childhood experience, New York Times-bestselling author Henry Cole’s charming illustrated novel features adorable animal characters, an exciting adventure, and an action-packed plot.
Read an excerpt, and check out the teacher’s guide!
Mr. Penguin and the Lost Treasure
by Alex T. Smith
Mr. Penguin has a dashing hat. He has a battered satchel. He has a packed lunch of fish finger sandwiches. Now he just needs an adventure! So when Boudicca Bones from the Museum of Extraordinary objects calls for help, Mr. Penguin swings into action. Can he and Colin the spider find the museum’s missing treasure before bandits do? Or is this the adventure Mr. Penguin should have never answered? This humorous page-turning story from Alex T. Smith, the author-illustrator of the popular Claude series, is sure to thrill young readers looking for a good adventure.
Read an excerpt, and check out the activity sheets!
What I Like About Me
by Jenna Guillaume
The last thing sixteen-year-old Maisie Martin thought she’d be doing over vacation is entering a beauty pageant. Not when she’s spent most of her life hiding her body from everyone, her Dad is AWOL, her gorgeous older sister has returned to rock Maisie’s already shaky confidence, and her best friend starts flirting with the boy she’s always loved. But Maisie’s got something to prove. As she writes down all the ways this vacation is going from bad to worse in her school-assignment journal, what starts as a homework torture-device might just end up being an account of how Maisie didn’t let anything, or anyone, hold her back. Jenna Guillame’s relatable and charming American debut features a plus-size protagonist with a compelling, funny, and authentic narrative voice and the importance of embracing one’s body and celebrating one’s self.
Read an excerpt, and check out the discussion guide and author Q&A!
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