Great Summer Books for Middle Readers

I remember summer vacations when we were kids, and had just arrived in the States. My mother opened the widows wide, to the fluttering of birds and lazy voices calling down the street, and sat the five of us down in our living room for the daily reading of our book of the week. We took turns reading out loud to each other and making faces or threats behind our mother's back, which we sometimes carried out, particularly if the story had any violence or bloodshed. Because my mother is probably the wisest woman I know, I have decided that I will carry the tradition with my kids. The following list is a compilation of my favorite childhood readings coupled with my son's. Enjoy!

The Dark is Rising by Susan Cooper
Newberry Honor Book
244 pages

On December 21st when Will Stanton turns 11 years old, he finds out that he is no mere mortal, but rather the last remaining immortal of the Old Ones, he is the Sign Seeker. His destiny is to battle the forces of evil and to do so, he must join six signs: water, fire, iron, stone, wood, and bronze.

The Phantom Tollbooth by Norton Juster
257 pages

Milo is one bored little guy. One day a mysterious package arrives, and inside it are a tollbooth and an electric car. He pays the toll and is carried to the Kingdom of Wisdom where among other things he must rescue the princesses Rhyme and Reason.

A Wrinkle in Time by Madeleine L'Engle
Newberry Medal
211 pages

Meg Murry and her little brother Charles Wallace, are believed by everyone in their neighborhood to be unpredictable and dumb. But in fact, they are missing their father who has gone missing, and trying desperately not to give credence to the mean tongues of people who say that he had left their scientist mother. One stormy night a knock comes at the door and when they open, an adventure awaits them. They meet Mrs. Whatsit, Mrs. Who, and Mrs. Which and together the five of them start on a journey to find out where Mr. Murry is, and rescue him.

Tom's Midnight Garden by Phillipa Pierce
229 pages

Tom Longs is very angry. His brother, Peter has measles and now Tom needs to go stay with his boring aunt and uncle in their boring apartment for the entire summer. One night he hears the grandfather clock strike thirteen times, and curious as to why, he goes downstairs to investigate. He discovers that the apartment building has transformed into a manor and the backyard into a beautiful garden. There he meets Hatty and the two become friends. But, as the two play, Tom realizes that while he stays the same age, Hatty ages.

The Westing Game by Ellen Raskin
Newberry Medal
185 pages

Sam Westing is murdered on Halloween, by a member of his family, possibly a niece or nephew. He has left a will however, with many clues as to who the murderer is. Because he was a millionaire, and had foreseen his death, he has promised his fortune to the person who solves the mystery of his untimely demise.

From the Mixed-Up Files of Mrs. Basil E. Frankweiler by E. L. Koningsburg
Newberry Medal
162 pages

Claudia Kincaid lives in the suburbs and she is bored! Because she can╒t think of anything better to do, and also because she wants to show her parents just how much they╒d miss her if she╒d be gone, she decides to run away to the Metropolitan Museum of Art, where there are fountains to wash in and antique canopy beds to sleep in. With her younger brother Jamie, and his stash of money along for the ride, the two of them learn about the exhibits, particularly about the newest acquisition and how it might be a statue by Michelangelo.

The New Way Things Work by David Macaulay
400 pages

This 400-page book accurately illustrates thorough drawings of how things work. From can openers to computers, expect hours of fun, and day after day with the same book in hand. It just very well might inspire you to pick up a pencil and start sketching.

The Lion, The Witch, and The Wardrobe by C.S. Lewis
189 pages

Peter, Susan, Edmund, and Lucy are evacuated from their home in London, during WWII, and sent to live with a distant relative, an eccentric professor, in the country. While playing on a rainy day, Lucy finds a room with a huge wardrobe and hides in there. Little does she know that this wardrobe leads into another world. She enters the land of Narnia and soon meets Tumnus, the Faun, with whom she has tea. Tumnus tells Lucy about the evil White Witch, and how she had placed a spell upon Narnia, so that although it is always winter, it never is Christmas. Upon returning to the Wardrobe, Lucy finds that time hadn't really progressed. She tells her siblings about the land of Narnia and what Tumnus had told her and they decide to go exploring. There are seven books in the series, all wonderful.

Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone by J.K. Rowling
312 pages

Harry Potter, orphaned and living in a closet with his cruel uncle and aunt and spoiled cousin Dudley, gets accepted into Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry, through a mysterious letter delivered by a friendly giant named Hagrid. There he meets and befriends Hermione Granger and Ron Weasley and together the three start on an adventure that contains suspense and danger, as they try to find out why the third floor is forbidden, and what exactly is the story behind Harry╒s scar. Read all seven books in the series and prepare to be enchanted by this story of an orphan, a school, a friendship, and the struggle between good and evil.