The lush, carefree days of mid-summer sometimes also usher in a common challenge: the “summer slide.” This well-documented phenomenon occurs when students lose significant academic ground, particularly in reading, during the months they are away from the classroom.
The Literacy & Learning Center believes the best defense against this decline isn’t found in extra homework, but in the pure, unadulterated joy of a good story. To keep the pages turning all summer long, we asked the experts, our own after-school students, to curate a “Summer Reading List” of their absolute favorite titles.
The Center’s students’ journeys have taken them from the hilarious mishaps in Jeff Kinney’s Diary of a Wimpy Kid to the heartwarming resilience found in Rosanne Parry’s A Wolf Called Fire. By highlighting books that children actually want to read, TL&LC fosters a lifelong habit that extends far beyond the school day.
For the Adventurous & Brave:
Goosebumps House of Shivers by R.L. Stine
A Wolf Called Fire by Rosanne Parry
Urban Legendz by Paul Downs and Nick Bruno
For Curious Minds & History Buffs:
42 Is Not Just a Number by Doreen Rappaport (the story of Jackie Robinson)
Fly Girls by P. O’Connell Pearson
Top 10 UFO and Alien Mysteries by Tom Jackson
For Laughs & Life Lessons:
Matilda by Roald Dahl
The Good Egg by Jory John and Pete Oswald
Dork Diaries series by Rachel Renée Russell
Dog Man Unleashed by Dav Pilkey
Building More Than Just Skills
Whether it’s a younger student practicing sight words with Mrs. McNosh Hangs Up Her Wash or an older reader exploring the graphic novel world of FGTeeV: The Big Shrink, these books represent more than just literacy milestones. They represent confidence, discovery, and a sense of accomplishment.
Help the young learners in your life to dive into these student-recommended favorites. By making reading a central part of our summer tradition, The Literacy & Learning Center ensures that every child in our community returns to school in the fall ready to soar.
To learn more about programs, contact Bonnie Potts at bpotts@theliteracyandlearningcenter.org or (828) 526-0863 or visit TheLiteracyandLearningCenter.org.
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