Staff Picks to Make Summer Sweeter

Curling up with a book in the winter is great, but is there anything better than reading in the sunshine? First Book’s Book Nerds (a.k.a. the Title Selection & Merchandising teams) love tackling their to-be-read shelves during the summer months, so each staff member has selected four books they recommend for keeping the reading (and learning) going all summer long. From suspenseful books full of surprises to nonfiction picture books packed with facts, these summer reading picks offer up an assortment of awesome titles sure to appeal to your readers.

Perfect for car trips, for snack time, or for pillow forts — add these 24 titles to your summer list and then check them off one by one! Want more awesome suggestions? Be sure to explore our full Staff Picks for Summer Reading section to see what else we’re recommending. Featured titles tend to sell out quickly, but more are always on the way, so check back often. First Book supporters, not currently eligible to join the network, can purchase books through Bookshop.org to still directly impact kids in need; 10% of your order is donated to First Book.

Our Summer Reading Recs

Stories That Are Suspenseful, Satisfying, & Full of Surprises

Head in the Clouds Fantasy Picks

More is More: Books with Maximalist Illustrations

Nonfiction Picture Books That Taught Me Something New

Swoon-worthy Young Adult Romances

Books That Remind Me of Spending Summers in Japan

Join the Network

Educators can join First Book’s network — the largest and fastest-growing network of educators, schools, and programs serving children in need across the United States and Canada — to bring these titles to your classroom.