A First Time for Everything
Dan Santat

Created by Caldecott-winning author and illustrator Dan Santat, A First Time for Everything is a humorous and heartfelt graphic memoir that takes readers back to the summer of 1989.

Bullied in middle school, then thirteen-year-old Dan is reluctant to go on the class trip to Europe, but his parents insist. What happens next defies his expectations. From making new friends to experiencing his first crush, Dan realizes there’s more to life than he once thought.

Stand Up, Yumi Chung! 
Jessica Kim

Middle-grade readers will adore this humorous story of mistaken identity by Jessica Kim.

The shy Yumi Chung dreams of becoming a stand-up comedian, but her parents would rather have her focus on her studies. Because of financial troubles at the family’s Korean restaurant, they enroll Yumi in test-prep tutoring over the summer to qualify for a private school scholarship.

One day after class, Yumi stumbles into a comedy camp for kids and starts secretly attending using another student’s name. But as her double life begins unraveling, Yumi must learn to confront her fears and embrace being her true self.

One Crazy Summer
Rita Williams-Garcia

In the summer of 1968, sisters Delphine, Vonetta, and Fern travel from Brooklyn to California to spend time with their estranged mother, Cecile. Unlike the affection they imagined after being separated for so long, the girls are met with painful indifference. Cecile dashes the girls’ plans for a fun-filled summer, instead sending them to a day camp run by the Black Panthers. It’s here that Delphine must step up for her younger sisters while trying to connect with Cecile, learning more about their family’s history as the season progresses.

Because of Winn-Dixie
Kate DiCamillo

When Opal and her preacher father move to Naomi, Florida, she never expects a trip to the grocery store to change her life. But after adopting a stray dog she names Winn-Dixie, Opal begins to discover friendship, community, and the truth about her absent mother. With Winn-Dixie by her side, Opal meets an unforgettable cast of characters, including a librarian with wild stories, a nearly blind woman with a kind heart, and a lonely pet store owner who plays guitar for his animals after hours.

Over the course of one memorable summer, Opal learns about forgiveness, belonging, and the unexpected ways people—and animals—can bring us together.

The Penderwicks: A Summer Tale of Four Sisters, Two Rabbits, and a Very Interesting Boy
Jeanne Birdsall

When the four Penderwick sisters spend the summer at the beautiful Arundel estate, they discover sprawling gardens, a treasure-filled attic, rabbits to chase, and the best gingerbread in Massachusetts. Best of all, they meet Jeffrey Tifton, the perfect companion for their summertime escapades. But Jeffrey’s mother, the formidable Mrs. Tifton, is less than thrilled by the growing friendship and warns the children to stay out of trouble. That may be easier said than done for the spirited Penderwicks.

Filled with adventure and heart, this delightful story captures the magic of summer and the joys of family and friendship.

We Were Liars
E. Lockhart

High society views the wealthy Sinclair family with regard, but Cadence, the granddaughter of patriarch Harris Sinclair, knows misery hides beneath the picture-perfect veneer. As Harris ages, tensions rise as family members vie for his favor—and his inheritance.

One summer on the family’s private island, Cadence and her cousins find themselves at the center of the struggle. Calling themselves the Liars, the group attempts to end the fighting, but they find that meddling with Sinclair family affairs comes at a terrible cost.

Perfect for older students, this psychological thriller poses questions about greed, morality, and personal responsibility.

The Summer I Turned Pretty
Jenny Han

For Belly, summer means the beach house, endless days by the ocean, and time spent with Jeremiah and Conrad—two brothers she has known and loved for as long as she can remember. Year after year, the boys have been her closest friends, her family, and the center of her world.

But this summer feels different. As old relationships shift and long-hidden feelings rise to the surface, Belly finds herself caught between the comfort of the past and the uncertainty of growing up.

Heartfelt and unforgettable, this coming-of-age story captures the intensity of first love, family bonds, and the bittersweet magic of summer.

Burn Baby Burn
Meg Medina

Nora Lopez wants to be a typical teenager and enjoy her summer, but in 1977, New York City struggles with chaos, violence, and a serial killer targeting young women. But the dangers Nora faces aren’t only on the city streets. At home, tensions are rising as her brother’s behavior grows more threatening, her mother struggles to keep the family afloat, and Nora dreams of turning eighteen and escaping for good. Even a promising new romance feels uncertain in a city consumed by fear.

Mature readers will undoubtedly be hooked on Meg Medina’s well-researched novel, in which historical fiction has never been hotter than this electrifying page-turner.

The Summer of Broken Rules
K. L. Walther

After losing her sister, Claire, Meredith Fox has spent the last eighteen months shutting everyone out. But during her family’s annual summer trip to Martha’s Vineyard, she’s ready to reconnect. As her extended family gathers for a wedding, Meredith dives into the Fox family’s favorite tradition: a weeklong game of assassin held during the festivities. Determined to honor Claire’s memory, Meredith is focused on winning until she teams up with a charming groomsman who quickly becomes more than just an ally.

Filled with romance, humor, and heart, this coming-of-age story explores grief, healing, and the risks of opening yourself up to love again.

Dry
Neal Shusterman and Jarrod Shusterman

A cautionary tale, Dry offers a harrowing look into a future marred by climate change. In California, extreme drought has changed the rules of water usage: no watering the lawn, no long showers, no filling up pools. Alyssa has gotten used to the situation—until the taps run dry at the start of summer.

Suddenly, Alyssa’s quiet suburban street spirals into chaos as neighbors turn against each other on the hunt for water. When her parents go missing and her brother’s life is threatened, Alyssa must make impossible choices if they’re going to survive.