Read, Renew, Repeat | Chapter Books

The 2024 statewide Summer Reading theme is Read, Renew, Repeat: sustainability and the environment. These chapter books, graphic novels, and nonfiction books for readers in grades 2-7 share a wide variety of takes on this theme--from youth activism to nature guides!

Books for younger readers are available in our Read, Renew, Repeat | Picture Books list.

Updated May 14, 2024
LINCC (Libraries in Clackamas County)Oregon City Public Library
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Expedition backyard : exploring nature from country to city
Mosco, Rosemary
Paper Book
Join two best friends-a mole and vole-on their everyday expeditions to find beautiful plants, meet new animals, and learn more about the world all around them in this nonfiction graphic novel. Each day, Mole and Vole venture out into the world - never forgetting their nature...

This nonfiction graphic novel explores the wonderful world of nature close to home in our yards and parks. (Bridging Graphic Novel Grades 2-4)

Just keep walking
Downing, Erin Soderberg
Paper Book
*A MIBA Bestseller! Wild meets Gilmore Girls on the trail in this indie bestselling story of resilience and the healing and restorative power of the nature from bestselling author Erin Soderberg Downing "A fun, heartfelt tale of adventure, family, and...

A girl and her mother set off on a backpacking trip along Lake Superior, healing their relationship in this mother-daughter take on Cheryl Strayed's memoir Wild. (Children's Fiction Grades 3-5)

The adventure is now
Redman, Jess
Paper Book
A fun-filled, action-packed middle grade novel about a boy who learns about protecting the environment, finding real friends, and living in the now while spending the summer on a remote island. Sometimes it's hard to be Milton P. Greene. He says all the wrong things,...

After the worst school year ever, Milton P. Green joins his scientist uncle on a remote island for a summer of environmental research, new friendships, and an intriguing mystery. (Children's Fiction Grades 3-5)

Two degrees
Gratz, Alan
Paper Book
The instant #1 New York Times bestseller! #1 New York Times bestselling author Alan Gratz (Refugee; Ground Zero) is back, tackling the urgent topic of climate change in this breathtaking, action-packed novel that will keep readers turning pages while making...

Bestselling author Alan Gratz explores a not-too-distant potential future in which global temperatures have risen 2 degrees Celsius with three interconnected survival stories about middle schoolers surviving concurrent climate disasters. (Young Teen Fiction Grades 5-7)

Lowriders to the rescue
Camper, Cathy
Paper Book
The next books in the acclaimed Lowriders series combines comics, Spanish, mixing cultures, science, superheroes, and first loves for an out-of-this-world graphic novel experience. A changing planet means new problems--and new friends--for nuestros amigos favoritos! ...

In this installment of local author Cathy Camper's beloved graphic novel series, the Lowriders must save monarch butterflies from the twin dangers of drought and climate change. (Children's Graphic Novel Grades 3-5)

The Green Girls
Nicoloff, Loc̐
Paper Book
Emma, Lily, and Fadila want to save the planet . . . but no one around them seems to care. Frustrated, they name themselves the Green Girls, take to social media, and launch a series of bold protests. Alongside their classmate and aspiring Green Girl Silas, the crew risks getting in...
A group of middle school girls become climate activists in this graphic novel translated from the original French. (Children's Graphic Novel Grades 3-5)
Survive in the outdoors!
Lawrence, Mike (Comic book artist)
Paper Book
In this volume of Maker Comics, First Second's DIY graphic novel series, you'll find step-by-step instructions for seven projects that will help you survive in the wild! Sophia and Alonso have been packed off to their grandpa's for a fishing trip, and they're dreading spending...

This hands-on graphic novel installment in the Maker Comics series focuses on survival skills for staying safe in nature. (Children's Graphic Novel Grades 3-5)

Haven Jacobs saves the planet
Dee, Barbara
Paper Book
" From critically acclaimed author Barbara Dee comes a middle grade novel about a young girl who channels her anxiety about the climate crisis into rallying her community to save a local river. Twelve-year-old Haven Jacobs can't stop thinking about the...

A middle schooler with debilitating climate anxiety confronts her fears with action and activism on a crisis close to home. (Young Teen Fiction Grades 5-7)

Cast away : poems for our time
Nye, Naomi Shihab
Paper Book
"Nye at her engaging, insightful best." --Kirkus Reviews (starred review) Acclaimed poet and Young People's Poet Laureate Naomi Shihab Nye shines a spotlight on the things we cast away, from plastic water bottles to those less fortunate, in this collection of more than eighty...

This book of poems for children by the renowned poet Naomi Shihab Nye explores the wide variety of things, concepts, and people humans can discard. (Children's Nonfiction Age 8-12)

Get Outside!: How Humans Connect with Nature
Payne, Leah
Paper Book
We know spending time in nature is good for us, but why? And how did people become so disconnected from the natural world, anyway? Get Outside! How Humans Connect with Natureexplores the important relationship between people and nature. It asks big questions, like Are humans part of nature...

Oregonians tend to spend a lot of time in nature exploring our beautiful state, so the idea that nature is good for us isn't necessarily news! This nonfiction book explores the relationship between humans and the environment, including the benefits for both us and the planet when we spend time outside. (Children's Nonfiction Age 9-12)

Hatchet
Paulsen, Gary
Paper Book
A Newbery Honor Book An ALA Notable Book A Booklist Editors Choice 30th Anniversary Edition This award-winning contemporary classic is the survival story with which all others are compared âe" and a page-turning^ heart-stopping adventure. Thirteen-year-old Brian...

A young man finds his inner strength after a plane crash strands him in the wilderness with just a hatchet and his wits in this classic novel from the late, great Gary Paulsen. (Young Teen Fiction Grades 5-7)


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