Summer Reading 2017 (Plus the Kids Favorite Books of the Summer)

Summer reading is not something I have ever put on the bucket list, because it is just implied that the kids are going to participate in ALL the summer book fun. The program through our library system is a highlight, as my kids are always chomping at the bit to see what the yearly prize will be (in addition to Storm tickets which we will hopefully carve out time for one of these days). This year they got awesome backpacks, which worked out great for containing all of their car entertainment on our annual summer road trip!

We also participated in the Scholastic Summer Road Trip event at our local independent bookstore.

My son finally got to meet Kazu Kibuishi, local author of the Amulet graphic novels (which I gush about here). 

There were prize wheels and activities to take home, as well as a Captain Underpants sighting.

Later in the summer daughter FINALLY got to attend an author event. She'd been jealous that her brother not only got his Amulet books signed, but his Diary of a Wimpy Kid's as well. Meeting Asia Citro (also a local!) who wrote the adorable science/magical creature Zoey and Sassafras series, as well as 150+ Screen-Free Activities for Kids, was a highlight of the summer. 

There was a super cool activity where she was tasked with 'freeing a dragon' from ice!

They were given salt, a cup of water and a dropper to experiment with the fastest way to unlock the dragon from it's icy prison. 

As for the books that dominated the piles next to their beds this summer, it was ALL about books in a series for BOTH of them:

My son (10) burned through James Patterson's House of Robotsseries. Highly recommend!

He also swears by these Dragonbreath books.

And the John Scieszka Frank Einstein series.

In addition to the Zoey and Sassafras books, my daughter (7) read every Stick Dog (and Stick Cat) book she could get her hands on this summer.

She is also loving Owl Diaries, which are right in line with her Sophie Mouse and Critter Club sensibilities  - i.e. animal loving.

Even though she normally shuns the princess stuff (I have no idea how I dodged that bullet), I convinced her to try The Princess in Black because I heard good things - and now she's gobbling them up.

Now it's time for back to school reading and I can't wait to see what they bring home from the school library... As always, I love to hear recommendations for early middle grade readers!