We have less than a month left of summer to go, with back-to-school looming over our heads. This begs the question: what have you been reading?

June and July are always full of barbeques. Beach days. The best ways to keep the kids entertained while beating the heat. Two months of scorching weather leaves us all hotter than ever as we go into August.

This is the best time to cram in a few more books on your list. Even if you haven’t been an active reader, there are plenty more beach days to get started on a few great books. Plus, a healthy reading schedule now is a great way to get the kids mentally prepared for the daily routine of school once again.

Readers 7-9 years old have a wide range of interests, making selections tough, so we’ve decided to highlight a few of our favorites. On average, they aren’t quite ready for advanced chapter books, but have surpassed many picture books and early readers. Luckily, many appropriate books for their age are filled with pictures and can help excite and prepare them for more challenging books later on:

The Invention of Hugo Cabret combines words and pictures to create a story that is one of its kind. Your kids will enjoy reading the words even more because of how integral the pictures are. Trust us, even adults won’t want to put this one down. Once you’re finished, pick up Wonderstruck, the latest book from Brian Selznick. It tells two stories in tandem – one is all through pictures, the other all through words. They intertwine throughout the book, and will keep kids on the edge of their seats.

A great way to get kids interested in summer reading is by introducing books they can connect to. Kids will be sure to find a character to relate to in Flying the Dragon. This book brings together culture, family, and obstacles. Two cousins – one American, one Japanese, struggle with the changes in their families, their language barrier, and ultimately come together all while building kites for the Japanese rokkaku kite fighting challenge. It’s a great story for any child who is curious about their culture and doesn’t always quite fit in.

Three Times Lucky is a quirky, mysterious story with twists and turns kids will enjoy as much as adults. It’s a twisted tale about a girl who eleven years ago was washed ashore in a new town after a hurricane. She now hopes to put the pieces of her life back together, including finding her mother, protecting her family, and uncover secrets. 

Older readers and teens have a great selection of new books to choose from as well. We love to check out the picks on the Indie Next List. The testimonials from book buyers, librarians, and patrons are honest, and a great help in choosing a book from the masses. Even moms and dads can find the best summer picks from these lists:

Bitterblue, Seraphina, and A World Away are just a few making waves with readers.

Don’t forget to head down to Brookline Booksmith to pick up these and other great summer reads! And if you have a favorite read, let us know about it here! We will be posting reviews of our favorite reads this summer as we wind down into September.