11 Great Summer Reads for Kids

Embracing the lazy days of summer doesn't mean we let our kids' brains turn to mush in front of screens. This list of 11 Great Summer Reads for Kids includes our picks of new releases for kids 0–12 years old. They'll find all kinds of adventure in these pages and you won't need to worry about the mush factor.

Conquering supernatural feats is super easy for a rambunctious little kid with a creative mind. But when reality comes crashing in, it's mom who displays the true magic.

Summer is all about following rules—a big brother's arbitrary rules anyway. Don't step on snails, forget about asking for a reason, and whatever you do, never, ever wait for an apology.

This baby book nestled within a bigger book will keep little hands busy while mommy sea creatures lovingly teach action verbs to their frolicking offspring.

Ginger can't believe her mother made her invite the entire class to her birthday party. Only weird Lyla would show up early and bring a bird's nest as a gift. Awkward. It's hard to be different in a land of copycats.

Running away to join the circus just passed a new level. Young Sullivan is a juggler trapped in the Melville's Medicine Show with other children forced to perform circus tricks. Now Sullivan wants to run away back home. Will his family find him?

Teddy Fitzroy lives with his parents at FunJungle, the world's largest zoo. He absolutely, most certainly, definitely did not koala-nap Kazoo. But how can he clear his name while staying clear of the school bully?

‘It's under the egg,' confessed Theodora's grandfather right before he died. Those four words change everything Theodora thought she knew about him, and now she must follow the clues to clear his good name.

Don't tell Beekle that imaginary friends aren't real. Tired of waiting for the day a human will adopt him from the island of imaginary friends, Beekle sets off for the real world to find a friend for himself.

Who says boys can't wear dresses? Every single person at Morris's school, that's who. Will Morris be bullied into changing his clothes?

Nothing will keep orphaned twins Louise and Benjamin from finding their father. Although pirates and mythical gods and snakes and skeletons and a really loud parrot keep slowing them down.

Vacationing at the cottage is a different kind of adventure the summer you hit puberty. Who wants to build sand castles when the local teenagers have so much drama worth spying on? (Warning: strong language)

Christine Stock is an Ontario Certified Teacher with a Master's Degree in English. She has a passion for connecting kids with books they'll love, and she reviews and recommends high-quality, newly released books on her blog. Christine lives in Toronto with her husband and tween daughter. Her blog is greatreads4teens.com.