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Summer Reading Recs, Incentives, & Activities
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items Summer reading doesn't have to be a challenge. There are many ways to not only encourage summer reading with kids but make it really fun as well. Check out our top summer book recommendations and some fun incentives and activities to help your child'...
Sections
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Book & Movie Comparisons
Our Top Book Recommendations
Summer Reading Incentives
Fun Activities
Book & Movie Comparisons
The summer is the perfect time to slow down with a book. Why not make a summer reading series in your house? Read of listen to a book (independently or together), then grab some popcorn and watch the movie! You can compare and contrast when you're do...
This is a great book to read before watching the movie. Good for ages 8-12.
Charlotte's Web Book
This audio theater book is read by Meryl Streep. Full cast.
Charlotte's Web – Yoto Audio Book
This cartoon version of Charlotte's Web from 1973 is a fun watch. Ages 6-8.
Charlotte's Web (1973) Cartoon
A sweet version of the book on film. Great for ages 5-10.
Charlotte's Web Live Action Movie
This classic by Roald Dahl is a fun one to read before watching the movie. Ages 8-12.
Matilda by Roald Dahl, Quentin Blake
Enjoy this audio book of the classic.
Matilda - Yoto Audio Book
This 1990's on screen portrayal of Matilda is a classic. Great for ages 8-12.
Matilda Dvd - Amazon.com
For a newer rendition of the book on screen, check out the Netflix version. Ages 8-12.
Matilda - Netflix
This story about a girl and her dog in Florida is a fun read before watching the film. Ages 9-12.
Because of Winn-Dixie Book
Compare the book and movie with this one. Ages 9-12.
Because of Winn-Dixie Movie
This classic is a fun read before choosing which version of the movie you want to watch. Ages 8-12.
Charlie and the Chocolate Factory - Book
Listen on the go with Yoto! Use the card in place of or to read along with the book.
Charlie & The Chocolate Factory - Yoto Audio Book
This 1970's classic is a little trippy, but a good watch to compare the book to. Ages 8+.
Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory - Movie
Also a trippy, the 2005 version is another fun watch to compare the book to. Ages 8+
Charlie and the Chocolate Factory -Movie
The Lion, the Witch, & the Wardrobe, Prince Caspian, and The Voyage of the Dawn Treader have been made into movies. Read the books, then give them a watch. Ages 8-12.
Chronicles Of Narnia - Book Set
Who said summer reading is only for physical books? Grab the audio books and listen on the go. Ages 8-12.
The Chronicles of Narnia – Audio Books
This version of the book is older, but very close to the actual book. Ages 6-10.
The Lion, The Witch & The Wardrobe - 1970s Movie
This Disney movie is a great retelling of the book. Ages 8-14.
The Lion, The Witch & The Wardrobe - Movie
This Disney movie is a great retelling of the book. Ages 8-14.
Prince Caspian - Movie
This Disney movie is a great retelling of the book. Ages 8-14.
The Voyage of the 'Dawn Treader' - Movie
Looking for something mysterious? Read this dark comedy. Check this series out. When you're done reading each book, check out the various movies. Ages 8-12.
A Series Of Unfortunate Events - Book Series
This is a great reader's theater telling of the first three books.
First 3 Books - Series of Unfortunate Events
This movie encompases elements of the first couple of books. I recommend watching this movie AFTER reading the first 3 books. Ages 8-12.
A Series Of Unfortunate Events - Movie
These episodes go along with each book. Watch the episode after you finish the coinciding book. Ages 10+.
Lemony Snicket's A Series of Unfortunate Events - TV Series on Netflix
Our Top Book Recommendations
These are just a few of our favorites that can be fun to read during the summer months.
We love the Groot books! This adventure is a fun read for summer time.
Summer Adventure for Groot! (Ages 3-5)
Duncan just wants to color, but all his crayons are going on strike! We hope your family enjoys this silly story about the grievances of Duncan's crayons. We sure do love this one!
The Day the Crayons Quit (Ages 3-6)
Our family loves reading about this sweet family trip to the beach. A great book for introduces young readers to stories.
Beach Day! (Ages 4-6)
Join Pete the Cat on his fun beach adventure. Pete the Cat books are a great way to introduce young readers to books.
Pete the Cat: Pete at the Beach: (Ages 4-8)
Amelia Bedelia books are classic! Laugh with Amelia Bedelia and her literal interpretations on this outdoor adventure.
Amelia Bedelia Goes Camping (Ages 4-8)
We love the A to Z Mysteries Series; they're just a fun read! This is a great series to get started in the summer for fun.
A to Z Mysteries Boxed Set Books A-D (7-10)
Ever the favorite in our home, your kids can enjoy this sun-soaked summer of indoor antics and family chaos. The Diary of a Wimpy Kid books are great for reluctant or struggling readers.
Dog Days- Diary of a Wimpy Kid #4 (Ages 7-11)
A sun-soaked, laugh-out-loud story full of family chaos, summer mishaps, and heatwave-level awkwardness. The Diary of a Wimpy Kid books are great for reluctant or struggling readers.
Hot Mess- Diary of a Wimpy Kid #19 (Ages 8-12)
If there were ever two characters to promote the importance of the innovative imagination, it's these two. Join Phineas & Ferb on their crazy summer adventures. This is a great book for reluctant or struggling readers as it is a graphic novel.
Phineas and Ferb Classic Comics Collection Vol. 1 (Ages 7-12)
The Baby-Sitters Club and the kids they watch are going to summer camp. Follow this story of the girls as they learn what it means to become camp counselors.
Baby-Sitters' Summer Vacation! (Ages 8-12)
Once your kid gets into this story, they'll want to read the entire series. We love following the national park adventures of Isaiah, Sadie, and Ethan.
Grand Teton Stampede: Campground Kids #1
When a girl finds a hidden spring, she learns its secret: eternal life. You'll have to read this classic to learn what will become of her, the Tucks, and the secret spring.
Tuck Everlasting (Ages 9+)
Join Anne (with an "E") on the many adventures of her life. This is a great summer read.
Anne of Green Gables (Ages 8+)
A great dystopian summer read to get your teen thinking.
The Giver (Ages 10+)
A teenager with no memory must navigate a deadly maze to survive in this post-apocalyptic thriller. Once your teen is hooked, they'll want to breeze through the whole series!
The Maze Runner (Ages 10+)
When teens are pitted against each other in an area, only the last one standing will be the winner, aka the lone survivor. But everything changes when Katniss enters the arena. After reading this book, your teen will want to devour the entire series.
The Hunger Games - Book 1 (Ages 10+)
Summer Reading Incentives
We're not above bribery in our house. I mean who doesn't love a reward for doing something?! Here are a few incentives to get your child reading this summer.
We love Barnes & Noble summer reading challenge. Read 8 books and get 1 FREE! This is a great challenge to help push your child to read.
Barnes & Noble Summer Reading Free Book Giveaway
Your child will read 4 books from the book list, download their reading logbook, answer a couple questions about the book, then turn it in to a Books-A-Million store for a prize. Easy peezey.
Books-A-Million Summer Reading Program
Children in K-8th Grade can read 12 books from June 1-Sept 4, 2026 and win prizes and the chance to visit the White House.
White House Summer Reading Challenge
Books & Pizza...need we say more?! Pizza Hut offers the Book It incentive program. When children read the required books, they can cash in on a FREE personal pan pizza.
Pizza Hut BOOK IT! Program
Set a reading goal for your child and print this award out to earn 10 free play points at Chuck E. Cheese!
FREE Chuck E. Cheese Reading Award
Set a daily reading goal for your child. If your child is consistent for 2 weeks, you can reward them with 10 free play points at Chuck E. Cheese.
FREE Chuck E. Cheese Reading Rewards Calendar
Fun Activities
Activities can encourage reading, make it fun, and assess reading comprehension. Here are a few activities to get you started.
Get a FREE summer reading activity pack from The Good & The Beautiful. Choose your child's reading level, and simply pay for shipping. A great activity pack to get your child's summer reading adventure underway.
FREE Summer Reading Kit 2026
FREE book-specific worksheets to help review information, if wanted.
Novel Studies Resources
This is a fun book activity packet to review after reading the first book in The Campground Kids Series (Grand Teton Stampede)
Grand Teton Stampede Book Activity Packet
We love The Waldock Way's material. These unit studies are a great way to dig deeper into a fun summer read!
Literature Based Unit Studies
Great resources that partner with libraries to make summer reading quite the adventure!
CSLP Summer Reading Program
Get FREE ideas and resources to make summer reading fun with these great activities.
FREE Summer Reading Bundle
This FREE program will keep kids reading all summer long by challenging kids to read books, complete hands-on activities, and earn badges along the way. It includes reading ideas for all ages, a printable summer reading log, and book recommendations....
RIF Summer Reading Camp