Summer’s Here and the Reading is easy

Posted by Justine | May 30, 2009 | 29 Comments

I need some help.

I’ve got twelve weeks of time to fill with enriching and uplifting activities for my kids.

I bet you do too!

Sooo, today is time for a book idea exchange. Tell me what books your children love, tell me what books you love. My GoodReads list is already long, but there are a lot of lazy afternoons ahead at the pool, and we can all use the suggestions of our friends.

So, tell me the age range and the suggestions of your kids favorite books, and then tell me what you want all your friends to read.

I’ll start.

I just finished Crow Lake by Mary Lawson. It was beautiful. A couple of other recent reads that I loved…

The Good Earth by Pearl Buck
I, Claudius by Robert Graves
The Working Poor by David Shipler
Thirteen Ways of Looking at the Novel by Jane Smiley
And might I suggest anything by Anne Tyler?

My kids are currently reading (and love)
Age 10 – The Goose Girl Series by Shannon Hale
Age 12 – The Lightning Thief by Rick Riorden
Age 12 – The Rangers Apprentice Series by John Flanagan
And of course, Age 8 – Beezus and Ramona by Beverly Cleary

I need some more ideas! And it’s always so fun to share book ideas. So cough em’ up! What’s on your nightstand this summer?

Category: Daily Special

Comments

29 Responses to “Summer’s Here and the Reading is easy”

Selwyn
May 30th, 2009 @ 3:45 am

Happily I’m nearly into winter, so my pile of books will be enjoyed next to my fireplace!

A book that still resonates with me is The Book Thief (Markus Zusak), though maybe not for summer reading as it’s set in WW2 Germany, and is a BIG book. Beautiful and heartbreaking though.

I hugely enjoyed “Old Man’s War” (John Scalzi) which is a sci-fi take on war and the morality thereof.

“The Art of Driving in the Rain” (Garth Stein)is amazing.

“A Curse Dark as Gold” (Elizabeth Bunce) is a retelling of the Rumplestiltskin story, though only for YA/adult readers. It’s not a bedtime book for kiddies!

My sons are avid readers. My youngest (7) is loving “The Magic Treehouse” (thanks to Michelle L for sharing her son’s liking of it on her blog), though loves any Andy Griffiths books as well.

My eldest is reading the Fablehaven series, and “Skullduggery Pleasant” (Derek Landy) is next on his list which I found good fast fun too.

For younger readers/non-readers I can’t rave about Alpha-oops (Alethea Kontis)or anything by David Melling, particularly “The Kissed That Missed”, enough.

I’m looking forward to reading the other suggestions and taking notes!
traci
May 30th, 2009 @ 5:57 am

Summer Reading – Ahhhhhhhh!

My husband got me the Elm Creek Quilt Novels – i read 3 in 8 days – absolutely love them. He also got me a mystery – Dog On It – which is just delightful, without the dog dying. He and his owner solve the mysteries.

I am also on a Willa Cather tangent. I love the time period of her stories. Anything Beverly Lewis. Also attempting Doris Lessing, the Golden Notebook.

I am big on reading the classics too. Last year I read War and Peace and will never regret it. Grapes of Wrath and the Good Earth are 2 of my favs!
traci
May 30th, 2009 @ 6:18 am

(sorry somehow i hit submit) I would suggest anyone read ALL of the Mists of Avalon Series and Clan of the Cave Bear. Avalon, with each book, goes back a generation. I have never seen a book do that before! Soooo good.

My husband tells me this is not the norm, but you know how when you are growing up, you think everyone lives the way you do? Well….When I was grade school age especially we were very influenced by my maternal grandmother – Cookie. We were up very early watching the birds in the summer as we ate oatmeal or cream of wheat on the patio. Then a little gardening after getting dressed. We laid in the sun – for hours – (i know!) She would keep us busy by reading Children’s Classics intersperced with more recent children’s books. We also memorized poems and songs – she read us poetry alot, and taught us how to read it outloud.

We had to also practice our handwriting every day and sometimes there were workbooks on reading, spelling and math, but not every day, in lull times. We were always signed up for Summer Reading at the library and 2 weeks of Vacation Bilble School.

We would do small day trips of picnics at roadside parks or state parks with hiking. On the weekends we would visit caves in parks or go to historical or craft events.

At 4 we would take a bath, put on a dress, help with supper – which was always a cook out! After supper we would sit outside and work on our embroidery stitches.
(so not everyone did this?)I am an avid reader and needlecrater and gardner now, and think it is from our summers. We had a lot of fun.

I know this is a long post, but thank you so much for the chance to share my pleasant memories that have been so life molding!
jen
May 30th, 2009 @ 8:15 am

Oh my goodness. I have a list on my blog sidebar but here’s a few authors to check out for older teens and adults: Elizabeth Berg, Amy Tan, Anne Tyler, Jodi Picoult, Margaret Atwood, A. Manette Ansay, Anna Quindlen, Ailce Hoffman, Carol Goodman, Dean Koontz, Joanne Harris, Kathy Riechs, Chaim Potok, Chris Bohjalian.
Emi
May 30th, 2009 @ 8:29 am

For 8+ children: The Chronicles of Narnia Series or books by Kate DiCamillo (especially The Miraculous Journey of Edward Tulane). A Little Princess (for girls) or Little Lord Fontleroy (for boys) (actually anything written by Frances Hodgson Burnett), The Penderwicks by Jeanne Birdsall.

For girls: The Hundred Dresses, The Paperbag Princess, the Little House series by Laura Ingalls Wilder, the Betsy-Tacy series by Maude Hart Lovelace, Emily Windsnap: Three Swishy Mermaid Tales by Liz Kessler…
Ashlee
May 30th, 2009 @ 8:29 am

Before the movie came out I read The Tale of Despereaux to my children (6,5) We all looked forward to bedtime! I was amazed by the depth of their understanding, and found myself having discussions on literary terms with my pre-schooler! Kids are so much smarter than we give them credit for. The book filled a few weeks with joy for us. And then we went and saw the movie and it filled a couple hours with disappointment. They just never measure up.

Summer read for moms? The Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Pie Society. It is a charming, enjoyable book. You will wish you could join their club. I have given it away 10 times this year. Lovely.
Emily
May 30th, 2009 @ 9:13 am

Most recently I’ve loved The Book Thief. My absolute favorite in years, in fact. But since I don’t find much time to read for myself anymore …

For beginning chapter book read alouds we love the My Father’s Dragon trilogy (Sweet, short, and lots of sketches). The Enormous Crocodile by Roald Dahl is quite funny (and also very short with sketches). A little later, we also have loved Ramona, Little House, Miss Piggle Wiggle, Pippi Longstocking, Ella Enchanted, Charlotte’s Web. (Can you tell I have girls?)
lee
May 30th, 2009 @ 9:41 am

I loved Marilynne Robinson’s Gilead. She teaches at the Iowa Writers workshop. Its the story of a dying preacher looking back on his life, very enjoyable for religious types.

My 12 year old son liked Skeleton Creek by Patrick Carman. I didn’t read any of it, but it was unique because you come to certain points in the book where you go online to watch a supplemental video. Something different in the world of reading. A fun concept for sure.
annegb
May 30th, 2009 @ 9:58 am

I’m reading a wonderful book called “Help.” Best I’ve picked up in awhile.

I love anne tyler, too, why hasn’t she written anything in a long time, do you know?
Annette
May 30th, 2009 @ 10:24 am

My son has been a challenge to find new books for, but we hit gold with the Alex Rider series and now the new teen James Bond books.

For girls, anything by Jessica Day George.
jendoop
May 30th, 2009 @ 11:56 am

The Book Thief
Cry the Beloved Country
My Antonia
Streetcar Named Desire
These Is My Words
The Life of Pi

Right now I’m reading The Roald Dahl Omnibus, which is great for summer because it is a collection of short stories. My daughter loved his book BFG.

Animal, Vegetable, Miracle by Barbara Kingsolver is a book that I seem to be constantly returning to, jumping around, looking for that one part that I sort-of remember. If you are into the home arts or gardening you’ve got to take a look at it. It’s even got me thinking about homemade cheese. Wonderful recipes for fresh produce too!

Just last night I picked up Stephen King’s book about writing, I’ve heard good things about it.

Have you thought about podcasts? The Writing Excuses podcast is great. And alot of NPR is worthy of a listen.

My eight and 7 year olds love the Captain Underpants and Diary of Wimpy kid books. Not exactly literature but it gets them reading so I let them go with what they like. They want a subscription to National Geographic Kids, how can I turn that down – reading and science!

My 14 year old loves sci-fi, fantasy. She recommends the Alex Rider series by Anthony Horowitz, Harry Potter (of course), and Eragon and related books (much better than the movie).
Dayna Baldwin
May 30th, 2009 @ 1:04 pm

Kid’s books I’d recommend (some of our favorites):

The Dragon Rider by Cornelia Funke(ages 8 and up)
Magic Treehouse Books (ages 5-8)
Mercy the Pig (ages 4 and up)
Believe and You’re There Books by Alice W Johnson and Allison H Wrner (ages 7 and up)
The Dragon’s Child by Jenny Nimmo (ages 5 and up)
Stand Tall, Molly Lou Melon by Patty Lovell (ages 3 and up)
Mike Mulligan and his Steam Shovel by Virginia Lee Burton (ages 4 and up)
The Boxcar Children by Gertrude Chandler Warner (ages 7 and up)
Dragon books by M.P. Robertson (ages 5 and up)
Mom Says I Can by Judy Cooley (ages 4 and up)
Books by Max Lucado (ages 6 and up)
The Quilt Maker’s Gift by Jeff Brumbeau (ages 7 and up)
The Hiccupotamus by Aaron Zenz (ages 3 and up)
Three Cheers for Tacky by Helen Lester (ages 5 and up)
Zen Shorts by Jon J Muth (ages 7 and up)
Swimmy by Leo Lionni (ages 4 and up)
Make Way for Ducklings by Robert McCloskey (ages 6 and up)
A to Z Mysteries by Ron Roy (ages 7 and up)
No Jumping on the Bed! and No More Water in the Tub! by Tedd Arnold (ages 4 and up)

Have a great summer!! I love reading!!
Kay
May 30th, 2009 @ 1:12 pm

Where does a reader start? Some of my favourite books include:
If you could see me now by Cecilia Ahern
Private Papers by Margaret Forster
The Island by Victoria Hislop
The Sixth Lamentation by William Broderick
84 Charing Cross Road by Helene Hanff
The Eyre Affair by Jasper Fforde
The Thirteenth Tale by Diane Setterfield
Possession by A.S. Byatt
Wild Swans by Jung Chang

For children aged 8 upwards anything by Michael Morpurgo, particularly Private Peaceful.
Also anything by Cornelia Funcke, especially Dragon Rider, and The Thief Lord.
Boys aged 8 upwards The Redwall series by Brian Jacques.
Girls aged 10 upwards The Diamond of Drury lane series by Julia Golding.

I can’t wait to see everyone’s lists.

My children like to visit museums, stately homes, ruined abbies, cathedrals and castles. Any historical building is a winner and the older the better. Learnig new crafts is also fun for them as is cooking.
Carol Rich Brown
May 30th, 2009 @ 2:00 pm

Three Cups of Tea
Funny in Farsi
Left to Tell: Finding God Amidst the Rwandan Holocaust
The Bonds that Make Us Free
Tea Time for the Traditionally Built
The Last Lecture
An American Childhood
The Road from Coonrain
Laughing without an Accent
Beautiful Child

I have a thousand other suggestions on Goodreads.
Kim
May 30th, 2009 @ 2:33 pm

For adults, my most recent favorite is Cold Sassy Tree–maybe its because we just moved to the south, but I LOVE the story of this small southern town!

For kids, my 4 year old has been loving the Gooney Bird Greene series by Lois Lowry (and I love her books for tweens and teens–I think the Giver and the sequels would be great to read and discuss with older kids (like maybe 12 or 13 on up).

Traci, thanks for the heads up that Mists of Avalon is a series!!! I had no idea–I’ve read the first one in HS, and then again a few years ago, but had no idea–I know what I’ll be reading this summer
Natasha
May 30th, 2009 @ 3:32 pm

Even though I don’t have children of my own, I read children’s books for fun. I like:

Because of Winn-Dixie by Kate DiCamillo
Anne of Green Gables series
Little House on the Prarie series
Belle Prater’s Boy by Ruth White
Junie B. Jones series is pretty fun (although she can have some language that children probably shouldn’t learn, imo)
Mr. Popper’s Penguins by Richard Atwater
Flamingos on the Roof (it’s a book of poetry) by Calef Brown
The Little White Horse by Elizabeth Goudge
The View from Saturday by E.L. Koingsburg
Missing May by Cynthia Rylant
A Tree Grows in Brooklyn by Betty Smith (for both adults and young adults)
Lily’s Crossing by Patricia Reilly Giff
I could go on and on…

For adults, I like:
At Home in Mitford series by Jan Karon (they are REALLY good!)
Blink by Malcolm Gladwell
This is your Brain on Music by Daniel Levitin
Tuesday’s with Morrie by Mitch Albom
Rescuing Sprite by Mark Levin
The Kingdom and the Crown series by Gerald N. Lund
…and more!
Jennie
May 30th, 2009 @ 3:48 pm

I’m reading Wild Swans right now. What an eye-opener! Every time someone mentions China it’s all I can think of.

The book that I can’t put down is “The Great Influenza” by oh, shoot, I forgot (sitting on the toilet, can’t get up. Sorry TMI!) It’s non-fiction and explains everything you might want to know about the pandemic in 1918-19. it’s especially relevant because of the swine flu scares we’ve been having lately. It’s fascinating and meaty, grisly and beautiful. Can’t recommend it highly enough. And when you’re done you’ll feel like you’ve earned an M.D.

Also loved The Guernsey Literary . . . .

“The Thirteenth Tale” is a mix of Jane Eyre and Daphne DuMaurier. Well written and a cracker-jack story.

Speaking of Daphne DuMaurier. I’ve decided this is her summer. I’ve got all her works in a big stack and I’ll be plowing through them one by one. I’ve always LOVED “Rebecca”, but have never read anything else of hers. I plan on rectifying that!

If you’ve never read “The Egg and I” run, do not walk, to your local library to check out a copy. It was outrageously popular 50 years ago but has been completely forgotten. Such a shame because it has become my favorite book of all time. One of the most witty and delightful you’ll ever have the pleasure of reading. Perfect for summer.

The Maisie Dobbs mystery series are also wonderful. Set in the 1920s-30s in London about a woman who is one of the first women private investigators. Love them all.
Justine
May 30th, 2009 @ 4:17 pm

I knew we had a bunch of voracious readers here, and these lists are just so wonderful!! What a book club we would all be…

Keep the great suggestions coming, my Amazon shopping cart is getting fuller by the minute!
Michelle L.
May 30th, 2009 @ 5:12 pm

ooh, this is a post to keep bookmarked. I’ll second Jennie’s recommendation of Wild Swans– I read it a dozen years ago and scenes from it still haunt me.

I’ll try to come up with a few that haven’t been suggested:

Wide as the Waters by Benson Bobrick is one my favorite reads ever.

The Screwtape Letters by C. S Lewis

Mere Cristianity again by Lewis (I love everything C.S Lewis but I think I have those two nearly memorized.)

Custom of the Country by Edith Wharton (no one reads this but it is AWESOME and has so many modern themes)

for 9-16 the Pendragon series is fantastic– plenty of volumes that kept my little readers happy last summer.

Hmmph, I keep writing and deleting because you’ve already suggested so many of my favorites.

Has anyone mentioned Peace Like a River? That’s a must read. And the Artemis Fowl books are great for kids (I read them too and adore them.)
Tiffany W.
May 30th, 2009 @ 5:14 pm

Hey Traci, I loved your ideas. I am rather fond of Beverly Lewis. I didn’t start reading Willa Cather until last year, and holy cow, was I ever missing out!

I’m on a fantasy kick right and am enjoying books by Robin Mckinley.
wendy
May 30th, 2009 @ 10:07 pm

I am still in love with Dandelion Wine by Ray Bradbury and Mrs. Mike, by Benedict and Nancy Freedman. I’m excited about reading some of these books!
Selwyn
May 31st, 2009 @ 2:31 am

Somehow I forgot to mention my fave book of all time “Lost Boys” by Orson Scott Card. Enchantment by the same is a good summer read, as is Homebody. Though really, I’ve enjoyed everything he’s written.

If you like books about China, try “Miss Chopsticks” by Xinran. “Morgan’s Run” by Colleen McCullough is excellent (convicts settling Australia), and for YA/action Tomorrow When the War Began by John Marsden is the first in a series (invasion of Australia), and Boy Soldier by Andy McNab (set in present day UK).

Hunting Gideon (Jessica Draper) is cyber, clever, fun, fast and the best terms for Enrichment I’ve read. (I’m going to try to stop adding =)
Melissa Mc
May 31st, 2009 @ 8:28 am

Some of my favorite in the past 6 months…

The Middle Place, by Kelly Corrigan
Dreamers of the Day, by Mary Doria Russell
Mudbound, Hillary Jordan
The Zookeeper’s Wife, Diane Ackerman
The Heretic’s Daughter, Kathleen Kent
Julie, by Catherine Marshall
People of the Book, by Geraldine Brooks

I’m currently reading The Moonflower Vine by Jetta Carleton, as recommended by Jane Smiley in Thirteen Ways of Looking at the Novel — I love it so far!!! It’s a re-release of a “forgotten novel.”

Our book group is reading, “Back when we were Grownups” by Anne Tyler. Any thougths??

I LOVE GoodReads!!! My list grows exponentially every week!
Justine
May 31st, 2009 @ 12:51 pm

Melissa, I love GoodReads, too. I love seeing what all my literate friends are reading. My to-read list grows every day. I’ll never be able to get through it all until I’m an old widow. But I’ll keep trying!
Melissa M.
May 31st, 2009 @ 3:05 pm

A lot of the books I would recommend have already been listed, but here are a few more:
The Woman in White, by Wilke Collins (written in the 1800’s—a great mystery novel)
The Story of Edgar Sawtelle (a retelling of the Hamlet story in 1940’s America)
Nicholas Nickleby (but you’ve all probably read it)
These is My Words, by Mary Turner
Zippy, and She Got Up Off the Couch by Haven Kimmel—wonderful and funny
Confessions of an Ugly Stepsister—a gorgeous and engrossing retelling of the Cinderella story by Gregory MacGuire (not for kids, though)
Bel Canto, by Ann Patchett–wonderful
Garlic and Sapphires, by Ruth Reichl–former food critic for the New York Times–entertaining stuff, and succulent descriptions of food
Year of Wonders, by Geraldine Brooks–a novel about the Plague in 1660’s
The Whistling Season, by Ivan Doig–charming and nostalgic
Love Walked In and Belong to Me, by Marisa de los Santos.
And I second the recommendations for The Book Thief and Peace Like a River and the Zookeeper’s Wife and so many more!
As far as kids’ books go, my children are such avid readers that I can’t keep up with them, but some of their favorites include the Cornelia Funke books, the Queen of Attolia Series, the Charlie Bone books, anything by Shannon Hale, The Lost Years of Merlin series by T.A. Barrow, the Artemis Fowl series, The Door Within, the Ranger’s Apprentice series, the Fablehaven Series, the Frog Princess Series, Peter and the Starcatchers (and the other books in that series), the Icemark Chronicles, the Bartimaeus Trilogy, A Series of Unfortunate Events, The Mysterious Benedict Society, The Dark Hills Divide Series, The Sisters Grimm series, Chasing Vermeer (and other books in that series).
I’d also recommend Enid Blyton books for young readers who love magical tales (popular British children’s author). And don’t forget classics like Anne of Green Gables and Little Women and Tom Sawyer—I could go on and on, but I need to stop now and go feed my starving family.
Happy reading!
annegb
June 1st, 2009 @ 10:20 am

Jen, we love the very same authors. You might enjoy “Help” which I’m reading now and Eventide by Kent Haruf.
Lucy
June 1st, 2009 @ 4:29 pm

The Help by Kathryn Stockett is the best book I’ve read all year. I also loved Gilead by Marilynn Robinson, The Forever War by Dexter Filkins. The Art of Racing in the Rain by Garth Stein will make you cry. Mrs. Mike by Nancy and Benedict Freeman is my all time favorite. The Middle Place by Kelly Corrigan is fantastic Non-fiction, especially for women.

I only have boys, so we love The Wayside School series, all of the Diary of a Wimpy Kid books, Fablehaven has proven to keep my third grader interested.
Melissa Mc
June 1st, 2009 @ 5:39 pm

I’m so glad to hear the positive reviews of The Help!! I bought it several weeks ago, but haven’t gotten to it yet. It’s getting moved to the top of the TBR stack! Thanks!!
Tamlynn
June 1st, 2009 @ 11:55 pm

Ah, I need this post too! I’m stuck in a boring book right now and need some fun summer reading. I remember my parents have The Egg and I, I’ll have to check it out. My kids and I have a long-term goal to read all the Newberry award winners, so we’ll knock off a few of those this summer, and we always listen to books on cd during our road trips, so thats on our list too.

I enjoy old-fashioned mysteries like Agatha Christie and Conan Doyle.

I’m on goodreads too!