Staff Picks to Make Summer Sweeter

Perfect for car trips, for snack time, or for pillow forts — add these 24 titles to your summer list and then check them off one by one! Want more awesome suggestions? Be sure to explore our fullStaff Picks for Summer Reading sectionto see what else we're recommending. Featured titles tend to sell out quickly, but more are always on the way, so check back often. First Book supporters,not currently eligibleto join the network, can purchase books throughBookshop.orgto still directly impact kids in need; 10% of your order is donated to First Book.

Stories That Are Suspenseful, Satisfying, & Full of Surprises

1. •Greetings from Witness Protectionby Jake Burt
2. •Firekeeper's Daughterby Angeline Boulley
3. •Root Magicby Eden Royce
4. •Shirley and Jamila Save Their Summerby Gillian Goerz

Recommended by Alison Morris, Title Selection

1. •Aru Shah and the End of Timeby Roshani Chokshi
2. •Never Look Backby Lilliam Rivera
3. •Ikengaby by Nnedi Okorafor
4. •The Storm Runnerby J.C. Cervantes

Recommended byAlpha Diallo, eCommerce Intern

1. •Our Little Kitchenby Jillian Tamaki
2. •Saturdayby Oge Mora
3. •Coral Reefsby Jason Chin
4. •The Cardboard Kingdomby Chad Sell

Recommended by Courtney Claytor, Merchandising

1. •It Began With a Page: How Gyo Fujikawa Drew the Wayby Kyo Maclear, illustrated by Julie Morstad
2. •111 Trees: How One Village Celebrates the Birth of Every Girlby Rina Singh, illustrated by Marianne Ferrer
3. •The Girl Who Named Pluto: The Story of Venetia Burneyby Alice B. McGinty, illustrated by Elizabeth Haidle
4. •Jump at the Sun: The True Life Tale of Unstoppable Storycatcher Zora Neale Hurstonby Alicia D. Williams, illustrated by Jacqueline Alcántara

Recommended byJack Pando, Title Selection

1. •Meet Cute Diaryby Emery Lee
2. •This Is My Brain in Loveby I. W. Gregorio
3. •Love Is a Revolutionby Renée Watson
4. •More Than Just a Pretty Faceby Syed M. Masood

Recommended byLori Prince, Merchandising

1. •Ojiichan's Giftby Chieri Uegaki, illustrated by Genevieve Simms
2. •I Really Want to See You, Grandmaby Taro Gomi
3. •While I Was Awayby Waka T. Brown
4. •Suki's Kimonoby Chieri Uegaki, illustrated by Stéphane Jorisch

Recommended byYukari Matsuyama, Merchandising

Educators can join First Book’snetwork— the largest and fastest-growing network of educators, schools, and programs serving children in need across the United States and Canada — to bring these titles to your classroom.

JOIN FOR FREE