Summer is just around the corner, and with lots of fun to be had (hey, we are all making up for 2020), we don’t want any summer reading loss. We have lost enough with online school and quarantine, so we need to find ways to get in some reading over the summer!
We’ve listed all of the Sunshine State Book lists from Kindergarten to teens and a few fun, local summer reading programs! Don’t forget that audio books are great for those summer road trips!
Sunshine State Young Readers K-2 Reading List
Sunshine State Young Readers 3-5 Reading List
Sunshine State Young Readers 6-8 Reading List
Florida Teens Reading List
OCPS Superintendent’s Summer Reading Challenge, Tails and Tales
“Tails and Tales” is the theme of Orange County Public Schools’ motivational summer reading challenge. The purpose of the challenge is to motivate children to read for pleasure and to ensure that students maintain their reading skills over summer vacation. On this page you can find OCPS provided links to reading lists, interactive literacy websites, e-books, parent resources, and literacy events in our community.
Students may also access the OCPS’s Summer Reading Challenge via LaunchPad. This challenge encourages students to read and log their minutes electronically using the Beanstack application.
The content classification of the titles in SORA is set by publishers. Content access levels are set to allow the following:
🍎 K-6 Students: Juvenile literature titles
🍎 7-9 Students: Young Adult titles
🍎 10-12 Students: Young Adult and Adult titles
Orange County Library System Summer Reading Program 2021
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- from May 30 – August 1
Get ready to go wild during the Orange County Library System’s annual Summer Reading Program. Join us for Tales & Tails – an exploration of amazing Florida wildlife and fantastical folktales. We’re bringing you all our programs, classes and events completely online. Everyone can enjoy all the library has to offer from the comfort of home!
Here’s what to do:
- Find great books to read on our Summer Reading Booklists.
- Read at least 20 minutes every day.
- Sign up for Beanstack and log your minutes online, or use the paper reading tracker.
- Pick up a take-home activity kit at your library branch or complete fun challenges in Beanstack.
- Register for upcoming programs and events.
You’ll need a library card to register for virtual events and to be eligible to win prizes. Sign up for your Orange County Library card today.
SCPS Let’s Read, Seminole Bookmobile Schedule
from June 7 – July 23
Let’s Read, Seminole is a summer reading program that encourages students to continue reading during the summer months and delivers books throughout Seminole County on the Bookmobile.
Students may participate in this program even if they are unable to visit the Big Red Bus.
To participate:
- visit the Bookmobile
- SCPS OverDrive, or a local library to select your next reading adventure!
As you read, remember to add each book to the reading log.
At the end of the summer, turn in the reading log(s) to your school or submit an online district reading log for a chance to win a District prize!
Sign up for your Seminole County Library card today!
Scholastic Summer Reading Project– Get to know an Author!
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- Try this super summer reading project: study an author who celebrates a summer birthday.
Kindergarten–Grade 2
- Eric Carle — June 25
Eric Carle’s animal tales delight readers ages 1 to 101, though the board- and picture-book editions are most popular with the 6 and under crowd. Some of his most popular works include: Does a Kangaroo Have a Mother, Too? and The Very Hungry Caterpillar. For more great Eric Carle reads, check out this book list. - Joanna Cole — August 11
The author of dozens of books, she’s best known as one of the creators of Scholastic’s The Magic School Bus series, which includes The Magic School Bus Gets Ants in Its Pants for grade schoolers and Liz Looks for a Home for the younger set. - Bruce Degen — June 14
Also an author of Scholastic’s The Magic School Bus series, he wrote and illustrated the exuberant picture books Jamberry and Daddy Is a Doodlebug. - Jean Marzollo — June 24
Meet the rhyming master behind the phenomenally popular I Spy series, which includes I Spy School Days and I Spy Little Book. - Chris Van Allsburg — June 18
This Caldecott-winning author/illustrator crafts enchanted tales brought to life through dazzling, detailed illustrations. Jumanji, The Polar Express, and The Garden of Abdul Gasazi are among his most revered books. For more great books by Chris Van Allsburg, see this book list.
Grades 3–5
- Sharon Creech — July 29
This heralded author of Love That Dog and Bloomability is known for her lyrical, moving chapter books starring compelling characters thriving under unusual circumstances. If you’d like to find other great books by this author, see our Sharon Creech book list. - Paula Danziger – August 18
Known for her delightfully funny and true contemporary novels, this author crafted the classroom tales about Amber Brown and teamed up with Ann Martin to write P.S. Longer Letter Later and Snail Mail No More. - Jack Gantos — July 2
The creator of the humorous and poignant Joey Pigza trilogy, about a hyperactive grade schooler and his struggles at school and home, this author also wrote Rotten Ralph and its sequels. - James Howe — August 2
Bunnicula and its many sequels were born in the brain of this author, who also penned the funny, easy-reading Pinky and Rex books and the middle-school novel The Misfits. - E. B. White — July 11
This New Yorker editor crafted three of the best chapter books in the children’s literature canon. Your child won’t want to miss any of his novels: The Trumpet of the Swan, Stuart Little, and the incomparable Charlotte’s Web.
Middle School
- Natalie Babbitt — July 28
This lyrical writer challenges readers to contemplate ideas not often addressed in children’s books. Look no further than her beautiful novel Tuck Everlasting to ponder issues of eternal life. - Kathryn Lasky — June 24
A creator of several Dear America books including Christmas After All, this historical writer also earned a Newbery Honor for her searing Salem witch trials novel, Beyond the Burning Time. - Ann M. Martin — August 12
The author of several teen- and tween-pleasing Baby-Sitter’s Club books, this author also scribed Newbery Honor book A Corner of the Universe, about a girl and her mentally ill uncle. - Walter Dean Myers — August 12
Full of gripping action and dynamic dialogue, this author’s YA novels often explore the experiences of African-American teens in challenging circumstances. Favorite novels include Slam, Somewhere in the Darkness, and the critically acclaimed screenplay-novel, Monster. For more great books by Walter Dean Myers, check out this book list. - J. K. Rowling — July 31
Few children’s book authors are as well known as this Harry Potter creator. Your child is sure to love learning more about her!
Reading together as a family helps prevent summer learning loss and encourages strong communication & bonding. Check out 6 Tips for Successful Family Reading and 6 Tips for Teaching Phonics at Home.
What will your kids/family be reading or listening to this summer? Tell us in the comments!
