2023 Summer Reading

WPS Elementary

Summer Reading

Reading in summer is the #1 most important activity children can do to help themselves for the next school year.

Explore our book lists for great summer reading inspiration.

Printable version of the Summer Reading List

Want a fun way to keep track of your summer reading?

Click on this link to get an optional Bingo sheet printed in English & this link in Spanish

Besides reading traditional books, there are other fun ways to learn this summer. Click on some of our suggestions below.

Take a Virtual Museum Tour

Listen to Podcasts

Hardy Librarian, Ms. Sheehan's, Wonderful Podcast Suggestions

Take a Virtual Fieldtrip

Click the link to learn why its awesome to listen to audio books.

Listen to Audio Books

Click the links below to watch book trailers and author talks about many of our elementary summer reading book suggestions

Picture Books

Meet Jamilah Thompkins-Bigelow, author of ... - VideoLink

Behind the Page: Sophie Blackall presents ... - VideoLinkHear from two-time Caldecott Medalist Sophie Blackall about the inspiration for and creation process of her newest picture book, FARMHOUSE

Rainbow Hands Book Trailer | Written by M... - VideoLinkWhen a little boy paints his nails with his mom's nail polish, he discovers the most important thing of all: the magic of being his true self.

I Don't Care by Julie Fogliano

Gibberish Teaser... - VideoLink

Gibberish by Young Vo

Meet Dr. Amitha Jagannath Knight, Author o... - VideoLinkIs it the Big Dipper or the Big Digger?

SNEAK PEEK at Doug Salati's HOT DOG... - VideoLink

BRAVE EVERY DAY Book Trailer... - VideoLink

Trailer | BERRY SONG by Michaela Goade... - VideoLinkCaldecott Medalist Michaela Goade's first self-authored picture book is a gorgeous celebration of the land she knows well and the powerful wisdom of elders.

We Move Together – Book trailer... - VideoLink

Author Talk: Grace Lin & Kate Messner... - VideoLink

Palace of Books, by Patricia Polacco... - VideoLinkA young girl who moves to a new place and finds solace in books and the library.

Ibtihaj Muhammad presents THE KINDEST RED... - VideoLink

Namaste Is a Greeting... - VideoLink

Stillwater and Koo Save the World A Stillw... - VideoLink

BEST DAY EVER Picture Book Trailer... - VideoLink

They Year We Learned to Fly by Jacqueline ... - VideoLinkJacqueline Woodson and Rafael López’s highly anticipated companion to their #1 New York Times bestseller The Day You Begin illuminates the power in each of us to face challenges with confidence.

Bright Star Trailer... - VideoLinkIn this heartbreakingly beautiful story, a gentle but empowering voice encourages a fawn to face her fears when she comes across an obstacle blocking her path.

More Than Peach | Official Book Trailer... - VideoLinkFrom CEO, entrepreneur, and the World’s First Crayon Activist, Bellen Woodard, comes a sweet and empowering picture book about learning to take action and create change right where you are, no matter how young!

Qing Zhuang RAINBOW SHOPPING... - VideoLinkSharing a delicious meal helps a child feel loved in this heartfelt tribute to Chinatown and spending days-off together.

WHERE THREE OCEANS MEET Book Trailer... - VideoLink

Leona Prince introduces BE A GOOD ANCESTOR... - VideoLink

Biography Books

Richard Turere: My invention that made pea... - VideoLinkIn the Masai community where 13-year-old Richard Turere lives, cattle are all-important. But lion attacks were growing more frequent. In this short, inspiring talk, the young inventor shares the solar-powered solution he designed to safely scare the lions away.

Peek Inside Mr. McCloskey’s Marvelous Mall... - VideoLinkMr. McCloskey’s Marvelous Mallards: The Making of Make Way for Ducklings Author: Emma Bland Smith, Illustrated by: Becca Stadtlander Learn more & order here: https://bit.ly/3I1LzX7

Favio Chavez Building an Orchestra of Hope... - VideoLinkThis video was created to accompany the book BUILDING AN ORCHESTRA OF HOPE

Listen: How Evelyn Glennie, A Deaf Girl, C... - VideoLink

Graphic Novel Books

Mr. Wolf's Class by Aron Nels Steinke | Of... - VideoLinkFrom Eisner Award-winning creator Aron Nels Steinke comes a vibrant and funny new series that charmingly captures the everyday antics of a fourth-grade classroom in Mr. Wolf’s Class.

Pizza and Taco Trailer... - VideoLinkPIZZA AND TACO: WHO'S THE BEST by Stephen Shaskan The first in a hilarious young graphic novel series about Pizza and Taco. Two best friends, lots of toppings...but only one of them can be the BEST, right? Fans of Narwhal and Jelly will eat this book up...and be hungry for more!

HWPL Book Review - Swim Team by Johnnie Ch... - VideoLink

Leon the Extraordinary | Official Book Tra... - VideoLinkIn a world full of superheroes, how can an ordinary kid like Leon prove he is extraordinary? When evil threatens his school, he'll have to use his heart and his smarts to save the day.

Banana Fox by James Kochalka | Official Bo... - VideoLinkThe great detective Banana Fox takes on his most dastardly foe, The Secret Sour Society. With his trusty sidekick Flashlight, the potassium P.I. is on the case!

School Trip by Jerry Craft | Book Trailer... - VideoLinkJordan, Drew, Liam, Maury, and their friends from Riverdale Academy Day School are heading out on a school trip to Paris. As an aspiring artist himself, Jordan can’t wait to see all the amazing art in the famous City of Lights. But when their trusted faculty guides are replaced at the last minute, the school trip takes an unexpected—and hilarious—turn.

HWPL Book Review - Frizzy by Claribel A. O... - VideoLink

The Aquanaut by Dan Santat... - VideoLinkDive in to this whimsically adventurous graphic novel from Caldecott-winning author-illustrator Dan Santat!

I Survived Hurricane Katrina Book Trailer... - VideoLink

Early Readers

Unboxing // Too Small Tola chapter book... - VideoLink

Book Talk | Emma Every Day: Party Problems... - VideoLinkEmma is nervous about attending her friend Izzie's birthday party. Is Emma's dress too fancy? Will the other kids know sign language like Izzie? Emma is deaf, and it might be hard to hear using her cochlear implant at a busy, noisy party.

Oh, Sal by Kevin Henkes... - VideoLink

Matthew Cordell's Cornbread and Poppy seri... - VideoLink

Non Fiction Picture Books

Blue Author Nana Ekua Brew-Hammond... - VideoLink2023-2024 TexasBluebonnetAward Nominee Blue Author Nana Ekua Brew-Hammond Interview

The Universe in You: A Microscopic Journey... - VideoLinkFrom Jason Chin, Caldecott Medalist for Watercress and Cook Prize winning author and illustrator of Your Place in the Universe comes The Universe in You.

Caves by Nell Cross Beckerman; Illustrated... - VideoLinkA masterful exploration of one of nature's most curious ecosystems, Caves is a magical journey into subterranean wonders perfect for fans of Jason Chin.

To Change a Planet by Christina Soontornva... - VideoLinkWith calm, truthfulness, and beauty, To Change a Planet demonstrates the importance of caring for our planet, and how our individual and collective actions multiplied together can make the world better.

Antoinette Portis on her creative process ... - VideoLink

A Land of Books Trailer... - VideoLink

Fighting For Yes Trailer... - VideoLink

Pizza! A Slice of History... - VideoLink2022-23 Kid's Pick Book Written by Greg Pizzoli

Beginning Chapter Books

Dragon Girls... - VideoLinkWe are Dragon Girls, here us ROAR!

Dragon Masters Official Series Trailer... - VideoLinkDragon Masters has it all! Discover the Dragon Stone, dragons, kings, wizards, and magic in this New York Times bestselling series by Tracey West!

Maddie and Mabel Book Trailer... - VideoLink

Book Trailer - Zoey and Sassafras: Dragons... - VideoLink

Critter Club book series... - VideoLink

Leave It to Plum Book TBA Trailer... - VideoLink

Fiction Chapter Book

Amina Luqman-Dawson presents FREEWATER... - VideoLink

Amari and the Great Game by B. B. Alston |... - VideoLinkThe sequel to Amari and the Night Brothers!

Iveliz Explains it All... - VideoLink"Iveliz Explains it All" by Andrea Beatriz Arango is a story of a young girl entering 7th grade...with a lot of struggles.

First Chapter Friday - Maizy Chen's Last C... - VideoLinkLisa Yee reads the first chapter of her book “Maizy Chen’s Last Chance.” Packed with surprises, heart, and stories within stories, this irresistible novel from an award-winning author celebrates food, fortune, and family.

Shawn Amos presents COOKIES & MILK... - VideoLink

A Rover's Story by Jasmine Warga... - VideoLink

Keeper Of The Lost Cities by Shannon Messe... - VideoLink

A Duet for Home by Karina Van Glaser... - VideoLink

Saturday Spotlight: Wildoak... - VideoLink

Mirror To Mirror Book Trailer... - VideoLink

Kelly Yang Reads from FINALLY SEEN for Wor... - VideoLink

Children's Book Trailer - Odder... - VideoLinkOdder by Katherine Applegate

Hummingbird by Natalie Lloyd... - VideoLinkBestselling author Natalie Lloyd returns with her most personal book to date, a story about a girl who—armed with her trusty, snazzy wheelchair—refuses to let her brittle bone disease stand in the way of adventure.

The Ice Cream Machine by Alex Rubin... - VideoLinkChildren's Choice Award (CCA) 2022-23 book nominee

Great Pet Escape by Victoria Jamieson | Bo... - VideoLink

Favorite Family Read-Alouds

The Miraculous Journey of Edward Tulane Tr... - VideoLink

Wonder - Book Trailer... - VideoLink

The Tale of Despereaux Official Trailer #1... - VideoLink

Charlotte's Web book trailer... - VideoLink

The One and Only Ivan - Official Book Trai... - VideoLink

The Wild Robot By: Peter Brown Book Traile... - VideoLink

Wishtree by Katherine Applegate... - VideoLink

All Rise for the Honorable Perry T Cook- B... - VideoLink

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