Summer Reading List

With no homework or school to worry about, summer can be the perfect time for kids and teens to crack open a great book. And while beach reads can be a fun escape, sometimes they're more style than substance. That's why we've compiled this list of books frequently featured on teachers' summer reading lists. These must-read books are classics for a reason: They tell compelling stories with unforgettable characters. Whether they're in middle school or high school or just getting started on chapter books, kids, tweens, and teens can use this list to get a jump start on the year ahead. And parents can use it to learn more about the books teachers are assigning their kids over the summer and throughout the school year.

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Charlotte's Web Poster Image
BOOK

Charlotte's Web

age 7+

Gentle, much-loved barnyard classic delights all ages.

By: E.B. White (1952)
The Wind in the Willows Poster Image
BOOK

The Wind in the Willows

age 7+

Timeless classic about Toad's adventures and his friends.

By: Kenneth Grahame (1908)
The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe: The Chronicles of Narnia, Book 1 Poster Image
BOOK

The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe: The Chronicles of Narnia, Book 1

age 8+

Classic Narnia tale has exciting battles, Christian themes.

By: C.S. Lewis (1950)
The Hobbit Poster Image
BOOK

The Hobbit

age 9+

Brilliantly written, inventive pre-LOTR tale.

By: J.R.R. Tolkien (1937)
The Secret Garden Poster Image
BOOK

The Secret Garden

age 9+

Classic novel inspires love of nature.

A Wrinkle in Time Poster Image
BOOK

A Wrinkle in Time

age 9+

Classic sci-fi story still inspires and gets kids thinking.

By: Madeleine L'Engle (1962)
Esperanza Rising Poster Image
BOOK

Esperanza Rising

age 10+

Historical fiction at its best in story of '30s farmworkers.

By: Pam Munoz Ryan (2000)
Treasure Island Poster Image
BOOK

Treasure Island

age 10+

Boy and pirates hunt buried treasure in thrilling adventure.

Anne Frank: The Diary of a Young Girl Poster Image
BOOK

Anne Frank: The Diary of a Young Girl

age 11+

Inspiring wartime journal reveals teen's inner life.

By: Anne Frank (1947)
The Red Badge of Courage Poster Image
BOOK

The Red Badge of Courage

age 11+

Compelling Civil War novel questions morality of battle.

By: Stephen Crane (1895)
Roll of Thunder, Hear My Cry Poster Image
BOOK

Roll of Thunder, Hear My Cry

age 11+

Compelling tale of family facing racism in '30s Mississippi.

By: Mildred D. Taylor (1976)
Great Expectations Poster Image
BOOK

Great Expectations

age 12+

Fast-paced, moving Dickens classic of reversed fortune.

By: Charles Dickens (1893)
Lord of the Flies book cover: Title in white letters on red background with leaves and reaching light-skinned hands in the foreground and two light-skinned boys standing on either side of the red background
BOOK

Lord of the Flies

age 12+

Gripping story of marooned schoolboys and mob mentality.

By: William Golding (1954)
My Antonia Poster Image
BOOK

My Antonia

age 12+

Writing shines in pioneer saga of friendship and struggle.

By: Willa Cather (2011)
The Old Man and the Sea Poster Image
BOOK

The Old Man and the Sea

age 12+

Man vs. marlin story a challenging, introspective read.

By: Ernest Hemingway (2011)
The Outsiders Poster Image
BOOK

The Outsiders

age 12+

Story of ostracized kid a timeless fave of teens, preteens.

By: S. E. Hinton (1967)
Animal Farm Poster Image
BOOK

Animal Farm

age 13+

Classic satirical allegory about the abuse of power.

By: George Orwell (1945)
Great Tales and Poems of Edgar Allan Poe Poster Image
BOOK

Great Tales and Poems of Edgar Allan Poe

age 13+

Collection highlights horror stories and romantic poems.

By: Edgar Allan Poe (2007)
The House on Mango Street Poster Image
BOOK

The House on Mango Street

age 13+

Poetic coming-of-age story deals with abuse, sexual assault.

By: Sandra Cisneros (1991)
Jane Eyre Poster Image
BOOK

Jane Eyre

age 13+

Strength of character triumphs in Bronte's masterpiece.

By: Charlotte Bronte (1900)