7 Tips to Create a Summer Reading List for Your Child

June 17, 2025 byConnections Academy

4 min to read

middle school girl reading a book on her bed

As students take a break from academics, most academic experts recommend kids maintain learning activities over the summer to keep their skills sharp and avoid the summer slide.

A great way to avoid summer learning loss is to have your student spend time reading. Evidence suggests that children who read for pleasure perform better in reading tests especially in a time where recent reports have shown a drop in reading performance levels in all age groups.

Combat Learning Loss with Summer Reading

Ways to get your kids excited about reading include:

Read to them. Kids can learn a lot when you read to them, including word recognition, vocabulary, and proper enunciation. Get in the habit of reading them a bedtime story. It is a great way to spend time with them while also showing them the joys of reading.

Read by example. Kids are more likely to read for pleasure if they see you doing it. Set aside time for yourself each day to read for around 30 minutes. Make it a habit and encourage your child to read with you.

Create a reading list. To help motivate your student and keep them engaged with reading, create a reading list of books they can look forward to reading.

How to Create a Reading List

Reading lists are curated lists of books and magazines that kids can turn to when they are looking for something to do or when they aren’t sure what to read next.

There really are no rules when it comes to creating a summer reading list – it can have any number of books pulled from a variety of genres, and books can be added or taken off as needed.

Here are seven tips for creating a reading list for your student.

1. Ask Your Child What They Want to Read

Your kids will be more motivated to read if they play a role in choosing the books they read. While they may not know specific book titles, talk to them about what book genres they like or subjects they enjoy reading about. From there, you can research books together that will both help grow their reading skills and explore their interests.

2. Check Your Local Library

Your local library is one of the best places to go when creating a reading list for your student. Most libraries offer free summer reading programs that include a wide variety of book suggestions for each grade level. Add their recommendations to your list. You can also ask the librarian for suggestions of books to add to your child’s summer reading list.

3. Choose Books About Places You Will Visit

If you are planning a summer vacation, find books that are set in that same location or that talk about the history of that location. This will help students gain a deeper appreciation for different places and cultures.

4. Choose Books About Things Your Child Likes to Do

To engage your child in a story, find books about things your kids like to do. For instance, if they really like to play baseball, legend Cal Ripkin, Jr., has written several stories about kids who play baseball that are appropriate for students in late elementary to early middle school. Kids who like camping and hiking may enjoy stories about surviving in the woods.

Choosing books that center around topics your child enjoys helps them connect their own experiences with what they are reading, which will keep them motivated to continue reading.

5. Add Your Favorite Books

If you have books that you loved when you were your child’s age, add them to the reading list. It is a great way to also connect with your child; you can share what you loved about the book and listen to their thoughts on the story.

6. Get Recommendations

Everyone has a favorite book. To build a diverse reading list, ask your friends what their kids are reading. Also ask your child’s teachers for summer reading list recommendations. Your child can also ask their friends what they are reading. Personal recommendations often uncover hidden gems that may become your child’s favorite stories.

Connections Academy’s Summer Reading Lists

If you are looking for additional ideas, you can check the new release section in the kids or young adult area at your local bookstore. You can also find many reading lists and book recommendations for different age groups online.

Connections Academy offers reading recommendations for different age groups and abilities:

Summer Reading for Gifted Students

Kindergarten to 2nd grade summer reading list

3rd to 5th grade summer reading list

Middle school summer reading list

High school summer reading list

If you are looking for a more structured way to keep your child reading over the summer, Pearson Online Academy, Connections Academy’s sister online school, offers summer reading and language arts courses. These courses have flexible scheduling to fit into your summer plans while helping your student sharpen their literacy skills.