Summer Reading

“Summer reading,” by definition, is reading you do in the summer. But it has so many connotations:

• as a goal, like a program 
• as in a “beach read,” aka light and fluffy
• as a seasonal enjoyment (i.e. only reading books set in summer)

What sort of reader are you in summer? Does summer change your reading style? Your reading goals? Your kids’? Should it?

Your Reliable Narrators have always been big readers. In her childhood, Emilee had to be pried from bed (and her stack of books) when her dad threatened her to get outdoors to get some fresh air. But it was okay, because the hammock in the yard was also a great place to read. Erin’s mom also had to throw her and her books outside “to blow the stink off.” Blanket reading FTW. 

Erin fondly remembers a summer reading program at the library where they met weekly, talked about how many books they had read (there must’ve been a tracker, but who remembers that part?), and got a coupon for an item at McDonald’s. One week it was a sundae, the next week a small fry, etc., until the final week of the summer it was a coupon for a Happy Meal. A Happy Meal!!  Even her non-reader sister would read books for McDonald’s treats. These days, so many libraries, bookstores, and even restaurants have summer reading programs. Erin’s public library even has a program for adults!!

Feeling stressed about the screen time/reading time debate? Same. 

Research teaches us that incentivized reading doesn’t work, but being part of a reading community does (The Joy of Reading). Reading as a family (hello, audiobook on the road trip), talking about books, and modeling reading are some of the best things you can do to motivate kids. 

Pick a library day where everyone gets a pile of books (one book for every year old you are, is a great “limit”) and come home to build a reading fort, or read outside, or by the pool. Going on a trip? Collect books about that location. Some kids (and adults) LOVE nonfiction and will happily plow through a pile of books about space or animals or volcanoes and tell you ALLLL the fun facts. Erin’s kids (still) really love “Reading Lunch,” where they are allowed to have a book at the table. Have “scheduled” quiet reading time each afternoon/evening, maybe all piled into Mom and Dad’s bed. Encourage your teens to start a summer book club with their friends where they get together and eat snacks and talk about books or set up a binge reading sleepover. Possibilities are endless. 

If you’re still feeling uneasy, check out The Lazy Genius Easy Summer Reading episode. Erin especially appreciates the message of releasing the pressure and expectation of “summer reading” (on yourself and your kids) and focus on fostering a positive reading environment.

Some people have summer reading goals because they have more time over the summer for reading. As educators, we really understand this. In case your schools or public library summer reading lists haven’t given you enough ideas to read this summer …

Recommendations from Emilee’s family (Ages 44, 13, 7 and 5)

·         The Trouble with Heroes Kate Messner

·         Night Chef by Mika Song

·         How to be a Proper Ogre by Kelly DiPuccio

·         Forty the Fortune Teller by Drew Daywalt

·         Adventures of an Invisible Boy Doogie Horner

·         Earl and Worm Greg Pizzoli 

·         Dad by Christian Robinson

·         A Curse of Beasts and Magic Jeaniene Frost 

·         Breakout by Dhonielle Clayton, Tiffany D. Jackson, Nic Stone, Angie Thomas, Ashley Woodfolk, and Nicola Yoon

Recommendations from Erin’s family (Ages 46, 45, 18, 16 and 14)

·         Dungeon Crawler Carl series by Matt Dinniman

·         Backyard Bird Chronicles by Amy Tan

·         Mistborn and Stormlight Archive series by Brandon Sanderson 

·         Fairy Tale by Stephen King

·         The Faraway Inn by Sarah Beth Durst

·         The Night We Met by Abby Jimenez

·         Heartstopper #6 by Alice Oseman

·         Three Body Problem Cixin Liu

·         Daughter of Egypt Marie Benedict

·         Coach by Jason Reynolds

·         Dungeon’s Master Guide

The Reliable Narrators is a column about reading and books for readers and non-readers, alike from two moms who also happen to be educators and library personnel. Emilee Williamson and Erin Roth are a school-proclaimed “dynamic duo” who love kids, books, and hosting gatherings in the library. You can expect conversations about reading (for yourself and your loved ones), book and media recommendations, and the occasional recipe inspired by a current read.