Summer Reading Lists 2026
Looking for a summer reading book? We’ve gathered the reading lists, book descriptions, and recommendations for Northbridge students all in one place.
Browse by grade level to learn more about each title, discover similar books, and find the right fit for your reader. Whether you’re looking for a required title, an audiobook, an ebook, or simply wondering what a book is about, we’re here to help.
Need assistance? Stop by the Children’s Room, call us, or ask a staff member. We’ll be happy to help you find a copy, place a hold, or suggest additional books your child might enjoy.
Note: Library availability changes daily. Please contact us for the most current information.
View in the Catalog and request books.
Browse by Grade
Select a grade level to explore summer reading titles, summaries, read-alikes, and recommendations.
Grade 2 Summer Reading
Students entering Grade 2 may choose books from any of the series below. These books are great for building reading confidence, practicing fluency, and helping young readers discover what kinds of stories they enjoy.
Reading levels are approximate and may vary by title.
Mysteries & Detectives
A–Z Mysteries
Three young friends solve mysteries in their hometown, one clue at a time.
Pick this if you like: mysteries, detectives, clues, and solving puzzles.
You may also enjoy: Nate the Great, Cam Jansen, Inspector Flytrap.
Approx. Lexile: 380L–650L
Approx. Guided Reading: N–P
Nate the Great
Nate is a young detective who solves small but satisfying mysteries.
Pick this if you like: short mysteries, clues, and detective stories.
You may also enjoy: A–Z Mysteries, Cam Jansen, Inspector Flytrap.
Approx. Lexile: 130L–400L
Approx. Guided Reading: K–M
Inspector Flytrap
A Venus flytrap detective investigates very silly mysteries with help from his goat assistant.
Pick this if you like: weird humor, mysteries, and funny illustrations.
You may also enjoy: Fly Guy, Bad Kitty, Nate the Great.
Approx. Lexile: 500L–600L
Approx. Guided Reading: M–O
Funny School & Family Stories
Amelia Bedelia
Amelia Bedelia takes everything literally, leading to hilarious misunderstandings.
Pick this if you like: humor, wordplay, and silly situations.
You may also enjoy: Mercy Watson, Stink, My Weird School.
Approx. Lexile: 140L–400L
Approx. Guided Reading: K–M
Judy Moody
Judy Moody has big feelings, big ideas, and plenty of funny adventures.
Pick this if you like: school stories, humor, friendship, and realistic fiction.
You may also enjoy: Clementine, Ivy and Bean, Stink.
Approx. Lexile: 450L–600L
Approx. Guided Reading: M–O
Stink
Judy Moody’s younger brother Stink stars in his own funny chapter book adventures.
Pick this if you like: humor, school stories, and short chapter books.
You may also enjoy: Judy Moody, My Weird School, Ready Freddy.
Approx. Lexile: 440L–600L
Approx. Guided Reading: M–O
My Weird School
A.J. and his classmates deal with very strange teachers and plenty of classroom chaos.
Pick this if you like: silly humor, school stories, and short chapters.
You may also enjoy: Stink, Ready Freddy, Captain Awesome.
Approx. Lexile: 350L–600L
Approx. Guided Reading: M–O
Ready, Freddy!
Freddy navigates school, friends, and everyday kid problems with humor.
Pick this if you like: school stories, realistic fiction, and funny situations.
You may also enjoy: My Weird School, Stink, Judy Moody.
Approx. Lexile: 450L–650L
Approx. Guided Reading: M–O
Friendship Stories
Clementine
Clementine’s creative ideas often get her into trouble, but she always means well.
Pick this if you like: realistic fiction, school stories, and strong characters.
You may also enjoy: Judy Moody, Ivy and Bean, Ramona Quimby.
Approx. Lexile: 600L–700L
Approx. Guided Reading: M–O
Ivy and Bean
Two very different girls become best friends and find plenty of trouble together.
Pick this if you like: friendship, mischief, realistic fiction, and funny adventures.
You may also enjoy: Clementine, Judy Moody, Ramona Quimby.
Approx. Lexile: 450L–600L
Approx. Guided Reading: M–O
Humphrey
Humphrey the classroom hamster observes, helps, and sometimes meddles in the lives of his classmates.
Pick this if you like: animal stories, school stories, and gentle humor.
You may also enjoy: Ivy and Bean, Clementine, Mercy Watson.
Approx. Lexile: 600L–700L
Approx. Guided Reading: O–Q
Early Readers
Elephant & Piggie
Best friends Gerald and Piggie navigate everyday adventures together.
Pick this if you like: friendship stories, humor, and beginning readers.
You may also enjoy: Frog and Toad, Fly Guy, Narwhal and Jelly.
Approx. Lexile: BR–200L
Approx. Guided Reading: G–J
Fly Guy
A boy and his pet fly find themselves in silly and surprising adventures.
Pick this if you like: humor, bugs, and short chapters.
You may also enjoy: Bad Kitty, Elephant & Piggie, Inspector Flytrap.
Approx. Lexile: 250L–500L
Approx. Guided Reading: I–L
Frog and Toad
Classic stories celebrating friendship between two very different friends.
Pick this if you like: friendship stories, gentle humor, and classic books.
You may also enjoy: Elephant & Piggie, Henry and Mudge, Little Bear.
Approx. Lexile: 300L–500L
Approx. Guided Reading: K–L
Mercy Watson
Mercy is a toast-loving pig whose adventures are full of warmth and silliness.
Pick this if you like: funny animals, colorful illustrations, and short chapters.
You may also enjoy: Amelia Bedelia, Fly Guy, Frog and Toad.
Approx. Lexile: 450L–550L
Approx. Guided Reading: K–M
Adventure, Fantasy & Spooky Stories
Magic Tree House
Jack and Annie travel through time and around the world in their magical tree house.
Pick this if you like: adventure, history, fantasy, and short chapter books.
You may also enjoy: Geronimo Stilton, A–Z Mysteries, Dragon Masters.
Approx. Lexile: 240L–600L
Approx. Guided Reading: M–N
Geronimo Stilton
Geronimo Stilton is a nervous mouse journalist who gets pulled into wild adventures.
Pick this if you like: adventure, humor, colorful pages, and animal characters.
You may also enjoy: Thea Stilton, Magic Tree House, Bad Kitty.
Approx. Lexile: 450L–700L
Approx. Guided Reading: O–Q
Goosebumps
Spooky, fast-paced stories filled with creepy surprises and cliffhangers.
Pick this if you like: scary stories, suspense, twists, and spooky fun.
You may also enjoy: Eerie Elementary, The Notebook of Doom, Desmond Cole Ghost Patrol.
Approx. Lexile: 300L–550L
Approx. Guided Reading: M–P
Silly Favorites
Bad Kitty
A mischievous cat causes chaos, trouble, and plenty of laughs.
Pick this if you like: funny pets, graphic-style books, and lots of laughs.
You may also enjoy: Dog Man, Fly Guy, Mercy Watson.
Approx. Lexile: 500L–700L
Approx. Guided Reading: M–O
Captain Awesome
Eugene believes he is a superhero and is always ready to save the day.
Pick this if you like: superheroes, action, and funny adventures.
You may also enjoy: My Weird School, Ready Freddy, Stink.
Approx. Lexile: 500L–650L
Approx. Guided Reading: M–O
Owl Diaries
Eva Wingdale shares school, friendship, and everyday adventures in diary format.
Pick this if you like: animals, friendship, colorful illustrations, and diary-style books.
You may also enjoy: Unicorn Diaries, Princess in Black, Mercy Watson.
Approx. Lexile: 500L–600L
Approx. Guided Reading: M–N
Guess Who, Haiku
Playful haiku poems give clues for readers to guess each animal.
Pick this if you like: poetry, animals, guessing games, and read-aloud fun.
You may also enjoy: Animal poetry books, riddle books, and picture book poetry.
Approx. Lexile: AD400L–AD600L
Approx. Guided Reading: K–M
Grade 3 Summer Reading
Students entering Grade 3 may choose from the series and books below. These titles include mysteries, funny school stories, fantasy adventures, animal stories, graphic novels, and early chapter books.
Lexile levels are approximate and may vary by title.
Mysteries & Detectives
Cam Jansen
Author: David Adler
Cam uses her photographic memory to solve mysteries with her friends.
Pick this if you like: clues, school mysteries, and kid detectives.
You may also enjoy: A to Z Mysteries, Nate the Great, Encyclopedia Brown.
Lexile: 490L
Inspector Flytrap
Author: Tom Angleberger
A Venus flytrap detective solves very silly mysteries with his goat assistant.
Pick this if you like: weird humor, mysteries, and funny illustrations.
You may also enjoy: Detective Paw of the Law, Nate the Great, Fly Guy.
Lexile: 550L
Detective Paw of the Law
Author: Dosh Archer
A dog detective investigates crimes and keeps the peace in a silly animal town.
Pick this if you like: animal detectives, humor, and short mysteries.
You may also enjoy: Inspector Flytrap, King & Kayla, Nate the Great.
Lexile: 560L
King & Kayla
Author: Dori Hillestad Butler
Kayla and her dog King solve simple mysteries together.
Pick this if you like: dogs, clues, and beginning mysteries.
You may also enjoy: Nate the Great, Cam Jansen, Detective Paw of the Law.
Lexile: 500L
Ballpark Mysteries
Author: David A. Kelly
Young baseball fans solve mysteries at different ballparks.
Pick this if you like: sports, mysteries, and real places.
You may also enjoy: Zach & Zoe Mysteries, A to Z Mysteries, Encyclopedia Brown.
Lexile: 630L
Zach & Zoe Mysteries
Author: Mike Lupica
Twins Zach and Zoe solve sports-related mysteries.
Pick this if you like: sports, teamwork, and solving puzzles.
You may also enjoy: Ballpark Mysteries, A to Z Mysteries, Cam Jansen.
Lexile: 610L
A to Z Mysteries
Author: Ron Roy
Three friends solve mysteries from A to Z.
Pick this if you like: clues, suspense, and kid detectives.
You may also enjoy: Calendar Mysteries, Capital Mysteries, Cam Jansen.
Lexile: 510L
Calendar Mysteries
Author: Ron Roy
Younger detectives solve mysteries connected to holidays and months of the year.
Pick this if you like: short mysteries, holidays, and clues.
You may also enjoy: A to Z Mysteries, Nate the Great, Cam Jansen.
Lexile: 400L
Capital Mysteries
Author: Ron Roy
Young detectives solve mysteries in Washington, D.C.
Pick this if you like: mysteries, history, and adventure.
You may also enjoy: A to Z Mysteries, Encyclopedia Brown, Ballpark Mysteries.
Lexile: 530L
Nate the Great
Author: Marjorie Weinman Sharmat
Nate is a young detective who solves small but satisfying mysteries.
Pick this if you like: short mysteries, clues, and detective stories.
You may also enjoy: Cam Jansen, A to Z Mysteries, King & Kayla.
Lexile: 310L
Encyclopedia Brown
Lexile: 630L
The Boxcar Children
Author: Gertrude Chandler Warner
Four siblings solve mysteries and have adventures together.
Pick this if you like: family stories, mysteries, and classic chapter books.
You may also enjoy: A to Z Mysteries, Encyclopedia Brown, Magic Tree House.
Lexile: 490L
The Whodunit Detective Agency
Author: Martin Widmark
Two young detectives solve mysteries in their town.
Pick this if you like: clues, puzzles, and detective teams.
You may also enjoy: A to Z Mysteries, Cam Jansen, Encyclopedia Brown.
Lexile: 540L
Funny School & Friendship Stories
Anna Hibiscus
Author: Atinuke
Anna lives in Africa with her large, loving family and has warm everyday adventures.
Pick this if you like: family stories, realistic fiction, and gentle humor.
You may also enjoy: Jasmine Toguchi, Lola Levine, Ryan Hart.
Lexile: 570L
Ivy & Bean
Author: Annie Barrows
Two very different girls become best friends and get into plenty of mischief.
Pick this if you like: friendship, funny plans, and realistic stories.
You may also enjoy: Clementine, Judy Moody, Dory Fantasmagory.
Lexile: 540L
Lola Levine
Author: Monica Brown
Lola is energetic, creative, and working hard to be understood.
Pick this if you like: realistic fiction, school stories, and big personalities.
You may also enjoy: Jasmine Toguchi, Judy Moody, Ryan Hart.
Lexile: 650L
Jasmine Toguchi
Author: Debbi Michiko Florence
Jasmine is determined, curious, and ready to try new things.
Pick this if you like: family stories, realistic fiction, and confident characters.
You may also enjoy: Lola Levine, Anna Hibiscus, Ivy & Bean.
Lexile: 610L
My Weird School
Author: Dan Gutman
A.J. and his classmates deal with very strange teachers and lots of classroom chaos.
Pick this if you like: silly humor, school stories, and short chapters.
You may also enjoy: Wayside School, Stink, Ready Freddy.
Lexile: 700L
Dory Fantasmagory
Author: Abby Hanlon
Dory has a huge imagination and lots of hilarious adventures.
Pick this if you like: funny stories, imagination, and expressive illustrations.
You may also enjoy: Ivy & Bean, Clementine, Judy Moody.
Lexile: 660L
Alvin Ho
Author: Lenore Look
Alvin is afraid of many things, but his stories are full of humor and heart.
Pick this if you like: realistic fiction, funny families, and relatable worries.
You may also enjoy: EllRay Jakes, Here’s Hank, Judy Moody.
Lexile: 600L
Judy Moody
Author: Megan McDonald
Judy has big moods, big ideas, and plenty of funny adventures.
Pick this if you like: school stories, humor, friendship, and realistic fiction.
You may also enjoy: Stink, Clementine, Ivy & Bean.
Lexile: 470L
Stink
Author: Megan McDonald
Judy Moody’s younger brother stars in his own funny chapter book adventures.
Pick this if you like: humor, school stories, and short chapter books.
You may also enjoy: Judy Moody, My Weird School, Here’s Hank.
Lexile: 550L
Junie B. Jones
Author: Barbara Park
Junie B. has big feelings, big opinions, and very funny school adventures.
Pick this if you like: silly school stories and strong personalities.
You may also enjoy: Judy Moody, Dory Fantasmagory, My Weird School.
Lexile: 380L
Clementine
Author: Sara Pennypacker
Clementine’s creative ideas often get her into trouble, but she always means well.
Pick this if you like: realistic fiction, school stories, and strong characters.
You may also enjoy: Judy Moody, Ivy & Bean, Ramona Quimby.
Lexile: 750L
Wayside School
Author: Louis Sachar
At Wayside School, everything is strange, silly, and completely unexpected.
Pick this if you like: absurd humor, school stories, and weird characters.
You may also enjoy: My Weird School, Sideways Stories, The Bad Guys.
Lexile: 670L
EllRay Jakes
Author: Sally Warner
EllRay navigates school, friendships, and everyday kid problems.
Pick this if you like: realistic fiction, school stories, and relatable characters.
You may also enjoy: Alvin Ho, Here’s Hank, Stink.
Lexile: 560L
Ryan Hart
Author: Renée Watson
Ryan faces changes at home and school with kindness, humor, and heart.
Pick this if you like: realistic fiction, family stories, and warm characters.
You may also enjoy: Jasmine Toguchi, Lola Levine, Anna Hibiscus.
Lexile: 650L
Here’s Hank
Author: Henry Winkler
Hank is funny, creative, and often gets into trouble while trying his best.
Pick this if you like: humor, school stories, and relatable characters.
You may also enjoy: Alvin Ho, Stink, EllRay Jakes.
Lexile: 450L
Grade 4 Summer Reading
Students entering Grade 4 are encouraged to read from the series below. This series is a great choice for readers who enjoy action, survival, history, and fast-paced stories.
Lexile levels are approximate and may vary by title.
I Survived
Author: Lauren Tarshis
Each book follows a young person caught in the middle of a major historical event, natural disaster, or dangerous moment in history.
Pick this if you like: survival stories, history, action, disasters, suspense, and books based on real events.
You may also enjoy: Refugee, Magic Tree House, Ranger in Time, Nathan Hale’s Hazardous Tales, Who Was?/What Was? books.
Lexile: 550L–700L
Grade 5 Summer Reading
Students entering Grade 5 may choose from the titles below. These books include realistic fiction, historical fiction, fantasy, graphic novels, memoirs, and adventure stories.
Lexile levels are approximate and may vary by edition.
The Crossover
Author: Kwame Alexander
Twin brothers Josh and Jordan Bell love basketball, but family changes begin to test their bond.
Pick this if you like: sports, poetry, family stories, and fast-paced reads.
You may also enjoy: Booked, Ghost, Restart, New Kid.
Lexile: 440L
Wishtree
Author: Katherine Applegate
Red, a wise old oak tree, watches over a neighborhood and brings people together during a difficult time.
Pick this if you like: animal stories, friendship, kindness, and heartfelt books.
You may also enjoy: The One and Only Ivan, Pax, Because of Winn-Dixie.
Lexile: 450L
The Fifth Grade Reader
Author: Amy Bee
A collection of engaging stories and selections designed for upper elementary readers.
Pick this if you like: short stories, variety, and discovering new authors.
Lexile: 500L
Because of Mr. Terupt
Author: Rob Buyea
Seven students tell the story of a remarkable teacher and the impact he has on their lives.
Pick this if you like: school stories, multiple viewpoints, friendship, and realistic fiction.
You may also enjoy: Wonder, Restart, Fish in a Tree.
Lexile: 510L
Gamerville
Author: Johnnie Christmas
A graphic novel adventure about friendship, video games, and standing up for what matters.
Pick this if you like: graphic novels, gaming, action, and humor.
You may also enjoy: HiLo, The Last Kids on Earth, New Kid.
Lexile: 520L
Because of Winn-Dixie
Author: Kate DiCamillo
A lonely girl adopts a stray dog who helps her make friends and find her place in a new town.
Pick this if you like: animal stories, friendship, humor, and heartfelt books.
You may also enjoy: Wishtree, The One and Only Ivan, Shiloh.
Lexile: 540L
Alone
Author: Megan E. Freeman
When a girl accidentally finds herself stranded in an abandoned town, she must learn to survive on her own.
Pick this if you like: survival stories, suspense, adventure, and books told in verse.
You may also enjoy: Hatchet, I Survived, Island of the Blue Dolphins.
Lexile: 560L
Stone Fox
Author: John Reynolds Gardiner
Little Willy enters a dogsled race to save his grandfather’s farm.
Pick this if you like: animal stories, adventure, and emotional endings.
You may also enjoy: Because of Winn-Dixie, Shiloh, Old Yeller.
Lexile: 610L
Heroes
Author: Alan Gratz
When D-Day arrives, a young boy finds himself caught in one of the most important moments of World War II.
Pick this if you like: history, action, survival stories, and fast-paced adventures.
You may also enjoy: Refugee, Ground Zero, I Survived, Resist.
Lexile: 620L
Among the Hidden
Author: Margaret Peterson Haddix
Luke is a forbidden third child living in a future society where families are only allowed two children.
Pick this if you like: dystopian fiction, suspense, mysteries, and thought-provoking stories.
You may also enjoy: The Hunger Games, The Giver, City of Ember.
Lexile: 630L
The Contract
Author: Derek Jeter
Inspired by Derek Jeter’s childhood, this story follows a young baseball player determined to achieve his dreams.
Pick this if you like: sports, perseverance, biographies, and realistic fiction.
You may also enjoy: The Crossover, Ghost, Heat.
Lexile: 660L
Stolen Children
Author: Peg Kehret
Amy witnesses a kidnapping and becomes involved in a dangerous search for the missing children.
Pick this if you like: suspense, mysteries, page-turners, and realistic adventures.
You may also enjoy: The Boxcar Children, Chasing Vermeer, Framed!
Lexile: 690L
A Work in Progress
Author: Jarrett Lerner
In this novel-in-verse, Will struggles with body image, bullying, and finding confidence in himself.
Pick this if you like: realistic fiction, poetry, emotional stories, and books about self-discovery.
You may also enjoy: Starfish, Wonder, Out of My Mind.
Lexile: 700L
Star Wars: The High Republic – Race to Crashpoint Tower
Author: Daniel José Older
Jedi, heroes, and villains race against time during a dangerous attack in the Star Wars galaxy.
Pick this if you like: Star Wars, science fiction, action, and space adventures.
You may also enjoy: Jedi Academy, The Last Kids on Earth, Wings of Fire.
Lexile: 700L
Holes
Author: Louis Sachar
Stanley Yelnats is sent to a mysterious camp where boys spend their days digging holes in the desert. As secrets unfold, everything begins to connect.
Pick this if you like: mysteries, humor, adventure, and stories with surprising twists.
You may also enjoy: Because of Mr. Terupt, The Westing Game, Frindle.
Lexile: 760L
Grade 6 Summer Reading
Students entering Grade 6 may choose from the titles below. These books include fantasy, historical fiction, science fiction, memoirs, realistic fiction, and adventure stories.
Need help deciding? Look for the “Pick this if you like…” section under each title.
A Wrinkle in Time
Author: Madeleine L’Engle
Meg Murry travels across space and time to rescue her father from a mysterious darkness threatening the universe.
Pick this if you like: science fiction, fantasy, time travel, smart heroes, and strange adventures.
You may also enjoy: The City of Ember, The Phantom Tollbooth, When You Reach Me, Percy Jackson and the Olympians.
Lexile: 740L
Out of My Mind
Author: Sharon M. Draper
Melody is brilliant, funny, and determined, but because she cannot speak, many people underestimate her.
Pick this if you like: realistic fiction, emotional stories, school stories, and books that make you think.
You may also enjoy: Wonder, Fish in a Tree, Insignificant Events in the Life of a Cactus.
Lexile: 700L
Refugee
Author: Alan Gratz
Three young people from different time periods are forced to flee their homes in search of safety.
Pick this if you like: historical fiction, survival stories, suspense, action, and real-world events.
You may also enjoy: Ground Zero, Resist, A Long Walk to Water, I Survived.
Lexile: 800L
The Hunger Games
Author: Suzanne Collins
Katniss Everdeen must compete in a televised fight for survival in a future society ruled by fear and inequality.
Pick this if you like: action, dystopian fiction, survival stories, rebellion, and strong heroes.
You may also enjoy: The Maze Runner, Among the Hidden, Legend, City of Ember.
Lexile: 810L
Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland
Author: Lewis Carroll
When Alice follows a white rabbit down a rabbit hole, she enters a world filled with talking animals, riddles, and nonsense.
Pick this if you like: fantasy, classic literature, humor, imaginative worlds, and quirky characters.
You may also enjoy: The Phantom Tollbooth, Coraline, Peter Pan, The Wonderful Wizard of Oz.
Lexile: 940L
The Diary of a Young Girl
Author: Anne Frank
Anne Frank’s diary offers a powerful firsthand account of a Jewish girl hiding during World War II.
Pick this if you like: history, memoirs, true stories, World War II, and books that inspire reflection.
You may also enjoy: Number the Stars, The War That Saved My Life, Hidden: A Child’s Story of the Holocaust.
Lexile: 1080L
Wink
Author: Rob Harrell
Ross Maloy’s life changes when he is diagnosed with a rare eye cancer, but humor, music, and friendship help him through.
Pick this if you like: realistic fiction, humor mixed with serious topics, friendship stories, and graphic-style illustrations.
You may also enjoy: Wonder, Restart, Fish in a Tree, A Work in Progress.
Lexile: 800L
Resist
Author: Alan Gratz
During World War II, a young Dutch girl joins the resistance and risks everything to fight Nazi occupation.
Pick this if you like: historical fiction, World War II stories, courageous heroes, suspense, and action.
You may also enjoy: Refugee, Ground Zero, Projekt 1065, Number the Stars.
Lexile: 730L
Grade 7 Summer Reading
Students entering Grade 7 may choose from the titles below. These books include fantasy, adventure, dystopian fiction, and realistic fiction.
Need help deciding? Look for the “Pick this if you like…” section under each title.
Wonder
Author: R.J. Palacio
Auggie Pullman is starting school for the first time and hopes his classmates will see him for who he really is.
Pick this if you like: friendship stories, realistic fiction, kindness, school stories, and multiple points of view.
You may also enjoy: Out of My Mind, Fish in a Tree, Restart, Because of Mr. Terupt.
Lexile: 790L
The Maze Runner
Author: James Dashner
Thomas wakes up with no memory in a mysterious place surrounded by a giant maze. To survive, he and the other teens must uncover its secrets.
Pick this if you like: action, suspense, mysteries, dystopian fiction, and cliffhangers.
You may also enjoy: The Hunger Games, Among the Hidden, Legend, City of Ember.
Lexile: 770L
Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stone
Author: J.K. Rowling
On his eleventh birthday, Harry discovers that he is a wizard and begins his first year at Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry.
Pick this if you like: magic, fantasy, friendship, adventure, and richly imagined worlds.
You may also enjoy: Percy Jackson and the Olympians, Keeper of the Lost Cities, Amari and the Night Brothers, The School for Good and Evil.
Lexile: 880L
Percy Jackson and the Sea of Monsters
Author: Rick Riordan
Percy Jackson returns for another adventure as he sets out to save Camp Half-Blood and encounters mythical creatures along the way.
Pick this if you like: mythology, fantasy, humor, quests, and action-packed adventures.
You may also enjoy: Harry Potter, The Kane Chronicles, Tristan Strong Punches a Hole in the Sky, The Land of Stories.
Lexile: 680L
Help Me Choose!!
- ❤️ I want something heartwarming: Wonder
- 🏃 I want a page-turner: The Maze Runner
- 🪄 I want magic: Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stone
- ⚡ I want adventure: Percy Jackson and the Sea of Monsters
- 😂 I want humor: Percy Jackson and the Sea of Monsters
- 🤔 I want something thought-provoking: Wonder
- 🌎 I want to escape into another world: Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stone
- 🔥 I want nonstop action: The Maze Runner
High School Summer Reading
Northbridge High School students may choose a book from the approved Summer of Literacy list and complete a creative One-Pager response.
Not sure where to start? Browse the categories below to find a book that matches your interests.
Teen Quick Picks
- 🔥 I haven’t enjoyed a book in years: One of Us Is Lying, Scythe, Sunrise on the Reaping
- 📱 I want something popular: The Summer I Turned Pretty, We Were Liars, The Hate U Give
- ⚔️ I want action: Red Rising, Scythe, Avatar: The Rise of Kyoshi
- 🪄 I want fantasy: Howl’s Moving Castle, Inkheart, Fairy Tale
- 😱 I want something creepy: Dracula, The Haunting of Hill House, The Dunwich Horror
- 🧠 I want something that makes me think: The Handmaid’s Tale, Braiding Sweetgrass, The Anthropocene Reviewed
Help Me Choose!!
Action, Survival & Adventure
- Red Rising by Pierce Brown
- Sunrise on the Reaping by Suzanne Collins
- Refugee by Alan Gratz
- Scythe by Neal Shusterman
- Avatar: The Rise of Kyoshi by F.C. Yee
- The Dawn of Yangchen by F.C. Yee
Fantasy & Magical Worlds
- Howl’s Moving Castle by Diana Wynne Jones
- Inkheart by Cornelia Funke
- Fairy Tale by Stephen King
- A Great and Terrible Beauty by Libba Bray
- Guards! Guards! by Terry Pratchett
- The Faraway Inn by Sarah Beth Durst
Science Fiction & Dystopia
- Fahrenheit 451 by Ray Bradbury
- There Will Come Soft Rains by Ray Bradbury
- Animal Farm by George Orwell
- Uglies by Scott Westerfeld
- Scythe by Neal Shusterman
- Red Rising by Pierce Brown
- Young World by Soman Chainani
Mystery, Thrillers & Suspense
- One of Us Is Lying by Karen M. McManus
- We Were Liars by E. Lockhart
- The Outliers by Kimberly McCreight
- The Adventures of Sherlock Holmes by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle
- Winter’s Bone by Daniel Woodrell
- Broken Country by Clare Leslie Hall
Horror & Creepy Reads
- The Haunting of Hill House by Shirley Jackson
- Dracula by Bram Stoker
- The Dunwich Horror by H.P. Lovecraft
- The Gingerbread Girl by Stephen King
- Poe: Stories and Poems by Gareth Hinds
Realistic Fiction, Romance & Relationships
- The Summer I Turned Pretty by Jenny Han
- Looking for Alaska by John Green
- Paper Towns by John Green
- If I Stay by Gayle Forman
- Normal People by Sally Rooney
- A Monster Calls by Patrick Ness
- Scars Like Wings by Erin Stewart
- Remarkably Bright Creatures by Shelby Van Pelt
- Big Fish by Daniel Wallace
Historical Fiction & Retellings
- The Silence of the Girls by Pat Barker
- Circe by Madeline Miller
- Firekeeper’s Daughter by Angeline Boulley
- Lifeboat 12 by Susan Hood
- The Book of Lost Friends by Lisa Wingate
- The Poppy War by R.F. Kuang
- The Hate U Give by Angie Thomas
Nonfiction, Memoir & Big Ideas
- A Walk in the Woods by Bill Bryson
- Round Ireland with a Fridge by Tony Hawks
- The Aquariums of Pyongyang by Kang Chol-Hwan
- Founding Brothers by Joseph J. Ellis
- 1776 by David McCullough
- Code Girls by Liza Mundy
- The Anxious Generation by Jonathan Haidt
- Braiding Sweetgrass for Young Adults by Robin Wall Kimmerer
- Lin-Manuel Miranda: The Education of an Artist by Daniel Pollack-Pelzner
- The Anthropocene Reviewed by John Green
- Ishmael by Daniel Quinn
Classics
- The Handmaid’s Tale by Margaret Atwood
- Fahrenheit 451 by Ray Bradbury
- Animal Farm by George Orwell
- Dracula by Bram Stoker
- Adventures of Huckleberry Finn by Mark Twain
- The War of the Worlds by H.G. Wells
- The Adventures of Sherlock Holmes by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle
The library has many Summer of Literacy titles available in print, ebook, and audiobook formats. If a title is checked out, staff can help you place a hold or find a similar book.