Summer Read Alouds
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There’s nothing like a good chapter book to keep kids entertained during the summer. These are some of our favorite summer read alouds that are both challenging and lighthearted.
One great way to encourage your child’s love for reading is by reading books together as a family. Not only is this a bonding experience, but it also allows you to model good reading habits for your child.
If you’re looking for some great chapter books to read aloud with your kids this summer, check out our list below.
These books are perfect for kids who are starting to read on their own but still need some help. They’re also great for building vocabulary and comprehension skills. Add one or more to your kids activities for summer.
Why is reading aloud important?
Reading aloud is important for a number of reasons. First of all, it helps to develop phonemic awareness, which is the ability to hear, identify, and manipulate the individual sounds in spoken language. This is a critical skill for learning to read and write.
Secondly, reading aloud gives children exposure to a wide variety of vocabulary words and sentence structures, which can help them develop their own oral language skills.
Finally, reading aloud is simply enjoyable! It can be a way for parents and children to bond, while also fostering a love of books and reading.
Next time you’re looking for something to do with your kids, try reading aloud together. You may be surprised at how much fun you have – and how beneficial it can be!
Choosing a Book to Read Aloud
When choosing a book to read to your children, there are a few things you should keep in mind. First, consider the age of your child and choose a book that is developmentally appropriate.
Secondly, think about what type of book your child will enjoy. If they are a fan of animals, look for books with animal characters. If they like stories with a lot of action, look for books with fast-paced plots.
Lastly, consider your own interests and choose a book that you will enjoy reading aloud. Reading should be enjoyable for both you and your child, so pick a book that you can both get excited about.
With a little bit of thought, you can easily find the perfect book to read to your child.
More: Summer Reading Challenge
Summer Read Alouds
There's nothing like a good chapter book to keep kids entertained during the summer.
These are some of our favorites that are both challenging and lighthearted.
Happy reading!
Ten-year-old James and his seven-year-old sister, Mandy, are off to camp with their loyal German shepherd, Rosco.
While Mandy struggles with homesickness, James’s week is threatened by a prank-playing bunk mate’s antics.
But during an unexpected thunderstorm in a game of capture-the-flag, the prankster finds himself lost and alone deep inside the forest.
Rosco must play the hero and save the boy but not before he and James teach him a hard-earned lesson about friendship.
Mysteries follow super-sleuth Cam Jansen everywhere she goes...even to summer camp.
Cam and her best friend, Eric, are spending three weeds at Camp Eagle Lake.
It's a summer filled with swimming, sports, canoeing, making new friends, and...solving mysteries!
It's sure to be a fun--and challenging--summer for Cam Jansen!
Just when it looks like her summer is going to be BOR-ing — eureka! — Judy comes up with the most thrill-a-delic plan ever.
Get ready for a race involving tightrope walking, Scream Monster riding, and way more!
Add in a treasure hunt for Judy’s teacher, a midnight stakeout, a runaway ice-cream truck, and a dash of Bigfoot, and what have you got?
The Judy Moodiest summer ever!
When Humphrey hears that school is ending, he can't believe his ears. What's a classroom hamster to do if there's no more school?
It turns out that Mrs. Brisbane has planned something thrilling for Humphrey and Og the frog: they're going to Camp Happy Hollow with Ms. Mac and lots of the kids from Room 26!
Camp is full of FUN-FUN-FUN new experiences, but it's also a little scary. There are fur-raising wild sounds and smells, and there's something called the Howler to watch out for.
Humphrey is always curious about new adventures, but could camp be too wild even for him?
A mouse has to do what a mouse has to do. Ragweed is determined to see the world.
He leaves his family and cozy country home and sets off by train for the big city.
What wonders await him: music, excitement, new friends...and cunning, carnivorous cats!
This summer the Penderwick sisters have a wonderful surprise: a holiday on the grounds of a beautiful estate called Arundel.
Soon they are busy discovering the summertime magic of Arundel's sprawling gardens, treasure-filled attic, tame rabbits, and the cook who makes the best gingerbread in Massachusetts.
But the best discovery of all is Jeffrey Tifton, son of Arundel's owner, who quickly proves to be the perfect companion for their adventures.
Otto and Sheed are the local sleuths in their zany Virginia town, masters of unraveling mischief using their unmatched powers of deduction.
And as the summer winds down and the first day of school looms, the boys are craving just a little bit more time for fun, even as they bicker over what kind of fun they want to have.
That is, until a mysterious man appears with a camera that literally freezes time. Now, with the help of some very strange people and even stranger creatures, Otto and Sheed will have to put aside their differences to save their town—and each other—before time stops for good.
The Fletchers are back on Rock Island, home of all their best summer memories. But from the first day they arrive, it’s clear that this year, things have changed.
FIRST, a giant fence is blocking their beloved lighthouse. SECOND, they have new neighbors. THIRD, who the heck is the weird artist guy who's never actually painting? And FOURTH, there's now an ice cream truck!
Can the island stay the same even with these crazy transformations?
Eleven-year-old Mimi Mackson comes from a big Indian American family: Dad's a renowned food writer, Mom's a successful businesswoman, and her three older siblings all have their own respective accomplishments.
It's easy to feel invisible in such an impressive family, but Mimi's dream of proving she's not the least-talented member of her family seems possible when she discovers a contest at the new bakery in town.
Plus, it'll start her on the path to becoming a celebrity chef like her culinary idol, Puffy Fay.
Eleven-year-old Delphine is like a mother to her two younger sisters, Vonetta and Fern.
She's had to be, ever since their mother, Cecile, left them seven years ago for a radical new life in California.
But when the sisters arrive from Brooklyn to spend the summer with their mother, Cecile is nothing like they imagined...
Summer Fun for Kids
If you’re looking for more summer ideas for your kids, be sure to check out the ideas below:
- Summer Scavenger Hunt for Kids
- 20+ Activities to Do with Your Kids This Summer
- Summer Animated Movies
- Summer Senses Activities
- Summer Playdough Ideas
So, if you’re looking for a good read that will keep your kids entertained all summer long, look no further than these chapter books.
They are sure to provide hours of entertainment – and maybe even a few laughs – for readers of all ages.
What are your favorite chapter books? Let us know in the comments!
