Summer Reading List Middle Grade Version

 

Disclosure: I was sent copies of these books in exchange for honest reviews. All opinions are my own.

Schools are ending and summer vacations are beginning. But that means summer reading is beginning as well!! Earlier this week we shared a roundup of new picture books for 4- to 8-year-olds. Today we are sharing the middle grade roundup including three new books--two of which will be reviewed today. (The third will be reviewed later this summer!) There is a variety of books here and there is something for everyone in the age range of 8- to 12-year-olds. The first book is the only graphic novel on the list. It is Space Chasers by Leland Melvin and Joe Caramagna and illustrated by Alison Acton.

New Picture Books Perfect for Summer Reading

 

Disclosure: I was sent copies of these books in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own.

It is hard to believe that school is almost out, and summer is almost upon us. We had the high school graduation on Friday. I have some classroom cleanup to do and then conferences next week, but otherwise I am done! Summer means so many things. Of course, there is often a summer reading assignment as well as summer reading programs at libraries and Barnes and Noble. Grades 1 through 6 can read eight books this summer and get a free book at Barnes and Noble. When Hazel was younger, I liked to come up with different themes for us to explore in the summer. This summer I plan to share some themes and resources with you. We will start today with a roundup of new picture books that are perfect for 4 to 8-year-olds. With each book there are ideas of activities or more books to check out with it. Happy reading!

Survive This Safari -- Middle Grade Novel Review

 

Disclosure: I was sent a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own.

Are you looking for a summer reading book for your 8 to 12-year-old? I have a wonderful one!! I will also be doing a summer reading list soon. I have to get through a few more of my chapter books to complete it! Today's book will definitely be on it. Last week we shared a book about an animal race and today we are sharing one about an animal sanctuary competition. Both are amazing books and perfect middle grade summer reads. Today's book is Survive This Safari by Natalie D. Richards. 

Armando & The Amazing Animal Race -- Book Review & Giveaway

 

Disclosure: I was sent a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own. I am working with The Children's Book Review and Diana Schaffter to bring you this post.

Are you an animal lover? I find many kids are. I feel like there are some great new books featuring animals as well as climate change. Today I am sharing an amazing middle grade novel that dives into the amazing world of animals and tries to bring to light some of the endangered animals. But it also is a riveting, action-packed story full of relationships and adventure. The book is Armando & the Amazing Animal Race by Diana Schaffter. There is a giveaway at the end of the post to enter!

I Am Not Sophie! -- Book Review & Giveaway

Disclosure: I was sent a digital copy of this book in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own. I am working with The Children's Book Review and Amplify Publishing Group to bring you this post.

When I was young, I loved playing make believe. Hazel played in her own way. I always love books that encourage such play and today I get to share one with you. It is the sweetest book. It is I Am NOT Sophie! by Robyn Hodess and illustrated by Terry Kole. At the end of this post is a giveaway!!

New Books About the Importance of Family

 

Disclosure: I was sent copies of these books in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own.

Family is important. Each family is unique. Each family has its own traditions. And each has its own problems. Family can be blood relatives or ones we pick. Families can be human families or animal families. Today we are sharing a roundup of new picture books about families. These books are for the range of 4- to 8-year-olds. Each has powerful messages and each is very different. We will begin with Fierce Aunties! by Laurel Goodluck and illustrated by Steph Littlebird. 

Hedgehogs Don't Wear Underwear -- Book Review & Hedgehog Craft Roundup

 

Disclosure: I was sent a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own.

Something that is important for kids and really everyone to learn is how to be themselves. It is important not to be afraid to show your true colors. Each of us needs to be able to live as ourselves. Today I am sharing an adorable book with this message. The book is Hedgehogs Don't Wear Underwear by Marissa Valdez. It is recommended for ages 3 to 6. At the end of the post there is a hedgehog craft roundup to go with the book!

My Hand Is the Sun -- Board Book Review with Handprint Animal Craft Roundup

 

Disclosure: I was sent a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own. 

What can you make a handprint into? There are so many possibilities. Today I am sharing a sweet board book that looks at just that. The board book is My Hand Is the Sun by Christine Naumann-Villemin and illustrated by Géraldine Cosneau. It is recommended for ages 2 to 4. I am also sharing a handprint animal craft roundup to go with this adorable book.

Why Wolves Matter: A Conservation Success Story -- Book Review & Giveaway with Craft Roundup

 

Disclosure: I was sent a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own. I am working with The Children's Book Review and Karen B. Winnick to bring you this post.

How much have you thought about wolves? They make appearances in fairy tales (the Big Bad Wolf is in several) as well as Native American folktales. We know our pet dogs evolved from wolves. You may have even seen a wolf or two. Or perhaps heard one howling or tried to howl like one. But do you know the importance of wolves to some ecosystems? People at Yellowstone Park do. When the wolf population went down it really affected the entire park. Today I get to share a book with you that tells the tale of the success story of bringing back the wolf population at Yellowstone National Park. The book is Why Wolves Matter: A Conservation Success Story by Karen B. Winnick. 

Animal Books for the Youngest Kids

 

Disclosure: I was sent copies of these books in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own.

We are having one of the coldest winters in many years here in New England at least. It makes me want to think about spring and with spring comes cute animals! I am sharing two board books and one small picture book that are animal themed and for our younger kids. All are recommended for baby to three-years-old. The first book is the picture book. It is from the World of Eric Carle. It is Baby Bear's Time to Grow with Brown Bear and Friends by Eric Carle and OddDot and illustrated by Eric Carle. 

Picture Books for Animal Lovers

 

Disclosure: I was sent copies of these books in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own.

Can you believe Thanksgiving is almost here? Time is flying by as usual. It is time to think about gift buying and the holidays. Today I am doing a round-up of picture books that are perfect gifts for animal lovers!! Do you know any young animal lovers? Perhaps kids who love the Wild Kratts like Hazel did?  To begin we will start with one with a thankful theme. It is from the World of Eric Carle. It is Little Book of Thanks from Brown Bear and Friends by Eric Carle and Odd Dot. It is recommended for babies through 3-year-olds. 

Animal Themed Books for Young Ones

 

Disclosure: I was sent copies of these books in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own.

Kids love books about animals or with animals in them. Today I am sharing three books that are animal themed. They include one board book and two picture books (both released today). We will start with the board book. It is Peekaboo Zoo by Rod Campbell. It is recommended for ages baby to 2.

Diverse New Picture Books Sharing Fun and Lessons

 

Disclosure: I was sent copies of these books in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own. 

Once again life and school have gotten in the way of my posts. As a result, I am going to share three new picture books with you today. Each is unique and has its own purpose. The first is I Want to Read All the Books by Debbie Ridpath Ohi. It is recommended for ages 4 to 8.

Mousetronaut Saves the World

 Disclosure: I was sent a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own.

Know any space lovers or perhaps you are looking for a fun and humorous book to read at story time? I have the book for you, and it has surprising heroes. It is the third book in The Mousetronaut Series. The new book is Mousetronaut Saves the World by Mark Kelly and illustrated by C.F. Payne. It is recommended for ages 4 to 8.

Willard DoGooder and the Trail of Friends - Book Review & Giveaway

 

Disclosure: I was sent a digital copy of this book in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own. I am working with The Children's Book Review and Expound Publicity to bring you this post.

My Facebook newsfeed is full of back-to-school photos. Has school started where you live? We drop Hazel off at boarding school for the first time today! My classes begin on Tuesday though. It seems everyone is thinking back-to-school. Today I get to share with you a perfect book for this time of year. It is Willard DoGooder and the Trail of Friends by Jen Kirkley and illustrated by M. Brayer. 

New Books for Young Readers

 

Disclosure: I was sent copies of these books in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own.

Are you looking for some books to share with your younger children? Today we are sharing two newly released books for ages 4 to 9. One is a wordless picture book and the other is an easy reader superhero book. The picture book is The Boy and the Elephant by Freya Blackwood. It is recommended for ages 4 to 8. Our years at a Waldorf School showed me the importance of wordless books with young children.

When Beavers Flew -- Book Review with Beaver Craft Round-Up

 

Disclosure: I was sent a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own.

We all know the expression, "When pigs fly," meaning never, but how about when beavers fly? We know beavers don't naturally fly. However back in 1948, 76 of them did fly. Today I get to share a newly released picture book that shares this piece of history. The book is When Beavers Flew by Kristen Tracy and illustrated by Luisa Uribe. It is recommended for ages 4 to 8.

Jane Escapes to the Jungle of Individuality -- Book Review with Craft & Giveaway

 

Disclosure: I was sent a digital copy of this book in exchange for an honest review. I am working with Jennifer Nestor and The Children's Book Review to bring you this post and giveaway. All opinions are my own.

Do you know a child who struggles to fit in? They have their own styles and perhaps are smarter than other kids. It can be very hard for them at school. I know, I have one. She often struggled to feel like she fit in or really had friends. There were times where she was bullied at almost every school she has attended. Today I get to share a book for this type of kid. It is all about accepting one's own individuality and I am sharing a craft activity to go with it. Plus, there is a giveaway at the end!! The book is Jane Escapes to the Jungle of Individuality by Jennifer Nestor and illustrated by Victoria Mikki. It is being released on July 29, 2024.

Tate's Wild Rescue -- New Book Review

 

Disclosure: I was sent a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own.

There are some wonderful books coming out this week. Today I am sharing a sweet picture book all about animals. The book is Tate's Wild Rescue by Jenny Turnbull and illustrated by Izzy Burton. It is recommended for ages 4 to 8 and is perfect for the animal lover in your life!

Irresistible Felted Baby Animals -- Crafty Sundays Review

 

Disclosure: I was sent a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own.

It has been a while since I have needle felted. The last time I did I made a picture and not a 3-D object, but I pulled out my needle felting supplies this week and started making adorable baby animals with the help of today's book. The book is Irresistible Felted Baby Animals: Needle Felted Cuties from Puppies to Pandas by Sachiko Susa. I will admit my needle felting skills need more practice!!