The sun-soaked days of summer are the perfect time to kick back, relax, and get lost between the pages of a good book. But why not make your summer reading even more meaningful? In this article, we've curated a list of 10 trending books that are not only making waves among today’s readers but also serve as wonderful selections to share with students in the fall. So grab an iced drink, find a cozy spot in the shade, and get ready for a literary adventure that will leave you with plenty of stories to inspire your students in the upcoming school year!

New Kid

Jerry Craft

A Newbery Medal winner, New Kid is a children’s graphic novel about finding one’s identity in a challenging world. Seventh grader Jordan Banks dreams of being a cartoonist. But instead of art school, his parents send him to a prestigious private academy where Jordan learns he is one of the few students of color. As he tries to separate his new school culture from his home life in Washington Heights, Jordan starts to feel like he doesn’t fit in anywhere. It’s only with the help of friends, family, and art that Jordan learns to stay true to himself.

Becoming Muhammad Ali

Kwame Alexander and James Patterson; Dawud Anyabwile (illustrator)

Before he was a boxing legend, Muhammad Ali was Cassius Clay, a boy with big dreams from Louisville, Kentucky. Told in both prose and verse by renowned children’s authors Kwame Alexander and James Patterson, this biographical novel explores Cassius’s early years, including his struggles at school, his relationships with friends and family, and the incident that sparked his love for boxing. With dynamic illustrations by Dawud Anyabwile, this novel is sure to draw students into the incredible origin story of a sports legend.

Everything Sad is Untrue

Daniel Nayeri

Winner of the 2021 Michael L. Printz Award, Everything Sad is Untrue is an autobiographical novel based on Daniel Nayeri’s childhood experiences as an Iranian refugee in Oklahoma. Khosrou, whom everyone now calls Daniel, tells stories of his family’s rich history, from the distant past to the moment they fled Iran. But even though his American classmates don’t believe his extraordinary tales, Daniel knows they’re true. Humorous and sincere, this book offers powerful lessons on memory, faith, and love.

Available August 2023!

SLAY

Brittney Morris

Unknown to her friends, seventeen-year-old Kiera Johnson is the developer behind the online role-playing card game, SLAY. Inspired by Black Panther, SLAY was created as a safe space for Black gamers to play together. But after a teenager is murdered by another player in the real world over an in-game dispute, the media labels Kiera’s video game community as exclusionary and racist. Told from multiple perspectives, this gripping story for young adult readers follows Kiera’s fight to protect the game she loves, even if that means losing everything.

Me (Moth)

Amber McBride

After losing her family in an accident, teenager Moth feels completely alone, until she meets Sani. He’s searching for answers about his roots, hoping that by doing so, he’ll find a way to overcome his depression. The two embark on a road trip to see Sani’s father, learning more about themselves and their heritage along the way. With elements of Navajo and Southern Hoodoo traditions woven throughout, this novel-in-verse explores themes of identity, memories, and love.

Djinn Patrol on the Purple Line

Deepa Anappara

Nine-year-old Jai lives in a slum at the end of the Purple metro line. When a classmate goes missing, Jai starts investigating using the skills he learned from his favorite police shows. But soon, more children from poor families disappear. With parents horrified and the police force useless, Jai and his friends try to find the lost children, even if that means facing an unknown and unjust world. Inspired by real events, this book gives voices to the hundreds of children who vanish every day in metropolitan India.

Crying in H Mart

Michelle Zauner

Originally published as an essay in The New Yorker, this memoir expands upon musician Michelle Zauner’s struggles with grief and identity after her mother passed away. Through vivid prose, Zauner recounts her complex relationship with her Korean mother and how food helped them bond. Upon her mother's death, Zauner found comfort in cooking the dishes she taught her. Honest and heartfelt, this book is a moving portrait of Zauner's journey to understand her Korean American heritage and herself.

Cloud Cuckoo Land

Anthony Doerr

A National Book Award finalist, Cloud Cuckoo Land weaves together five stories across eight centuries, from the Byzantine Empire to a galactic future. Though they live in different times, the characters are connected by a shared love for a classic Greek tale. Blurring the line between historical and speculative fiction, this imaginative story explores the power of literature, technology, and human connection to transcend time and space.

Station Eleven

Emily St. John Mandel

In this Arthur C. Clarke Award-winning story, a deadly flu wipes out nearly all of humanity. Years later, a nomadic troupe of actors and artists navigate the post-apocalyptic landscape to perform Shakespearean plays for the scattered communities left behind. Through interwoven storylines that shift between the past, present, and future, Station Eleven explores themes of human connection, resilience, and the unifying power of art. Because of violent content, we recommend this book for older readers.

The Round House

Louise Erdrich

A National Book Award winner, The Round House is a compelling exploration of justice, revenge, and family bonds. Thirteen-year-old Joe Coutts is living a typical life on the Ojibwe reservation in North Dakota, until a horrific attack on his mother upends his world. As Joe seeks retribution, he must confront the complexities of tribal law and the impact of brutality within his community. With major themes of sexual violence, this novel is better suited for mature readers.

Find even more exciting books in the Trending Literature collection!