2025 Summer Reading Program: Grades 3-5

Updated March 5, 2025
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Robots : explore the world of robotics and AI
Admoni, Henny, Dr
Paper Book
The future is here. Explore the world of robots and artificial intelligence in this kids' STEM book by robotics professor Dr. Henny Admoni. Hang out in a factory with a pizza-making robot, blast into the past to meet the robot statues in ancient Egyptian temples that spoke to...
Monster locker. 1
Aguirre, Jorge Augusto
Paper Book
A Kirkus Best Book of the Year In this first volume of a thrilling middle grade graphic novel series, a sixth-grader named Pablo discovers his locker is a portal to the realm of monsters! For hundreds of years, something in the basement of Glenfield...
Dogtown
Applegate, Katherine
Paper Book
The New York Times bestseller, Indie bestseller, and Amazon Best Children's Book from beloved authors Katherine Applegate and Gennifer Choldenko and with illustrations by Wallace West, Dogtown is at once an uplifting story and a page-turning adventure, sure to find a forever home...
Lost in the Empire City
Avi
Paper Book
Newbery Medalist Avi is back with a gripping exploration of the immigrant experience at the turn of the twentieth century. A must-read for fans of Moon over Manifest and Echo Mountain. When Santo's father left their tiny town in Italy for America, he made Santo promise to...
The cookie crumbles
Badua, Tracy
Paper Book
The Great British Bake Off meets Knives Out in this fun and propulsive middle grade novel following two best friends who must solve the mystery behind a baking competition gone awry. Laila gave Lucy a cupcake on the second day of kindergarten, and they've been...
Sea legs
Bakes, Jules
Paper Book
Set sail for adventure! Dive in to this hilarious and moving middle grade graphic memoir about friendship, growing up, and life at sea. Janey's family is about to set sail for the adventure of a lifetime! The only problem? Janey must leave her school, her life, her best friend, the entire...
Mountain of fire : the eruption and survivors of Mount St. Helens
Barone, Rebecca E. F.
Paper Book
Mountain of Fire is the narrative nonfiction account of the violent volcanic eruption of Mount St. Helens on May 18, 1980, the story of the people who died, those who survived, and the heroes who fought to raise an alarm. For weeks, the ground around Mount St. Helens...
The Hill : inside the secret world of the U.S. Capitol
Brower, Kate Andersen
Paper Book
#1 New York Times bestselling author Kate Andersen Brower shares a special look inside America's Capitol and highlights what the people who work there mean to the future of democracy. Perfect for readers of Brower's first middle grade book, Exploring the White House! There's a...
Snow White and the dragon Sleeping Beauty and the seven dwarfs
Bussing, Kim
Paper Book
What would happen if Sleeping Beauty had to create a poisoned apple, and Snow White faced off against a dragon? Fairy tales meet Freaky Friday in this series, where there's a magical mix-up for every princess! *The magical first edition paperback of Snow White and the...
Uprooted : a memoir about what happens when your family moves back
Chan, Ruth
Paper Book
Perfect for fans of New Kid and A First Time for Everything, a joyful and tearful debut middle grade graphic memoir about one girl being uprooted when she moves to Hong Kong, a place where her family fits in but, for her, it's nothing like home. Ruth Chan loves...
The other side of tomorrow
Cho, Tina
Paper Book
Booklist Editor's Choice of 2024: Books for Youth School Library Journal Best Book of 2024 Kirkus Reviews Best Books of 2024 A Junior Library Guild Gold Standard Selection Perfect for fans of Illegal and When Stars Are Scattered, this poignant and moving...
The girl from Earth's end
Dairman, Tara
Paper Book
Gifted gardener Henna embarks from her island home to search for the plant that might save her papa's life in this vibrant story of love, grief, and growth. Twelve-year-old Henna loves living with her two papas and cultivating her beloved plants on the tiny island of Earth's End-...
Gabby Torres Gets a Billion Followers
Dominguez, Angela
Paper Book
A new series that's perfect for emerging readers who love graphic novels and are ready to read chapter books! Join Gabby as she navigates the inevitable disasters of fourth grade and social media. Gabby Torres is nine years old and ready to conquer the world. She...
Buffalo dreamer
Duncan, Violet
Paper Book
Summer and her family always spend relaxed summers in Alberta, Canada, on the reservation where her mom's family lives. But this year is turning out to be an eye-opening one. First, Summer has begun to have vivid dreams in which she's running away from one of the many real-life residential schools...
The Flicker
Edgmon, H. E.
Paper Book
Perfect for fans of The Marrow Thieves, Hatchet and The City of Ember, H.E. Edgmon's middle grade debut offers a bittersweet tale of hope and survival, a modern classic for the climate change generation. One year ago, a solar flare scorched the Earth and...
The eyes & the impossible
Eggers, Dave
Paper Book
NEWBERY MEDAL WINNER * #1 NEW YORK TIMES BESTSELLER An enthralling novel for all ages by award-winning author Dave Eggers, told from the perspective of one uniquely endearing dog--featuring beautiful artwork from Caldecott honoree Shawn Harris. ...
Next stop
Fong, Debbie
Paper Book
Get ready for a graphic novel road trip with more than just a few bumps in the road! Middle schooler Pia is dealing with grief as she finds herself on the biggest adventure of her life--a bus tour stopping at weird and wacky roadside attractions. Inspired by a real life road trip and...
Galapagos George
George, Jean Craighead
Paper Book
This is the story of the famous Lonesome George, a giant tortoise who was the last of his species, lived to be one hundred years old, and became known as the rarest creature in the world. His story gives us a glimpse of the amazing creatures inhabiting the ever-fascinating Galápagos Islands. ...
My so-called family
Gordon, Gia
Paper Book
A moving middle grade debut about foster care, self-advocacy, and realizing that a found family is a real family. "I loved every page--a gorgeous rendering of what it means to find home in ourselves and others." --Mariama J. Lockington, Stonewall Honor and Schneider...
Heroes : a novel of Pearl Harbor
Gratz, Alan
Paper Book
Off the map
Hashimoto, Meika
Paper Book
From Meika Hashimoto, author of The Trail, comes an action-packed adventure about doing what it takes to survive--and realizing you can't do it alone. Amos and Marlo have always been best friends. From hiking trips to backyard camp-outs, from playing soccer at the park to sitting...
How it all ends
Hunsinger, Emma
Paper Book
Nominated for the 2025 Will Eisner Award for Best Publication for Kids Kirkus Reviews Best Book School Library Journal Best Book The Horn Book Fanfare Common Sense Media Best Book New York Public Library Best Book NPR Books We Love  ALA...
Clairboyance
Kahakauwila, Kristiana
Paper Book
A Junior Library Guild Gold Standard Selection Perfect for fans of Debbi Michiko Florence and Lisa Greenwald, Clairboyance's heartfelt and sweet coming of age story with a touch of magic follows Clara as her life is turned upside down when she discovers that she has boy...
Mallory in full color
Leahy, Elisa Stone
Paper Book
A funny, poignant middle grade novel about a tween who navigates questions of identity and friendship when her anonymous web comic goes viral, from the acclaimed author of Tethered to Other Stars. Mallory Marsh is an expert at molding into whatever other people want her to be...
Please bury me in the library
Lewis, J. Patrick.
Paper Book
There's nothing like curling up with a good book, but you have to be careful. Before you know it, a minute turns into an hour, an hour turns into a day, and a day may turn into . . . eternity. Inspired by the likes of Edward Lear, X. J. Kennedy, and Lewis Carroll, the author of Arithme...
Ruby lost and found
Li, Christina
Paper Book
For fans of Kelly Yang and Rebecca Stead, this touching middle grade novel maps one girl's quest to remember her grandfather through his scavenger hunts; reconnect with her family; and fight for her community in her rapidly changing hometown. Winner of the APALA Youth Literature Award! ...
Swimming with spies
Lucyk-Berger, Chrystyna
Paper Book
As war escalates between the Russians and Ukrainians in the port city of Sevastopol, can one girl and a pod of dolphins prove that communication is the greatest weapon of all? It's February of 2014 in the seaport city of Sevastopol in Crimea. Sofiya Oleksandrivna only wants two...
Lei and the fire goddess
Maunakea, Malia
Paper Book
"Lei and the Fire Goddess blends preteen angst and beloved Hawaiian moʻolelo in a way that hasn't been done before." -Auliʻi Cravalho, actress and voice of Disney's Princess Moana Curses aren't real. At least, that's what twelve-year-old, part...
Onyx & beyond
McBride, Amber
Paper Book
Praised as "a story of perserverance and love" in a starred review by Kirkus, here is a story about keeping dreams alive. Onyx lives with his mother, who is showing signs of early-onset dementia. He doesn't want to bring attention to his home -- if Child Protective...
The ribbon skirt : a graphic novel
Mukwa, Cameron
Paper Book
A joyful coming-of-age middle-grade graphic novel by debut Indigenous creator Cameron Mukwa about the journey of a two-spirit kid who wants to create a ribbon skirt for the upcoming powwow.Ten-year-old Anang wants to make a ribbon skirt, a piece of clothing typically worn by girls in the...
Bad news for outlaws : the remarkable life of Bass Reeves, deputy U.S. marshal
Nelson, Vaunda Micheaux.
Paper Book
Coretta Scott King Author Award Read about the fascinating life of Bass Reeves, who escaped slavery to become the first African American Deputy US Marshal west of the Mississippi. Sitting tall in the saddle, with a wide-brimmed black hat and twin Colt pistols on his belt,...
The lumbering giants of Windy Pines
Netz, Mo
Paper Book
In this debut spooky adventure, Jerry and her trusty wheelchair move into a creepy motel at the edge of the woods where nothing is as it seems. When her mom disappears, it's up to Jerry to brave the forest and its demons so she can save what's left of her family. Ever since...
Onyeka and the heroes of the dawn
Okogwu, Tola
Paper Book
Onyeka and her superpowered friends set off to England on a rescue mission in this third and final installment of "well-crafted fantasy fun" (Kirkus Reviews) in the Onyeka middle grade trilogy, perfect for fans of Rick Riordan, The Marvellers, and X-Men. Solari-...
The labors of Hercules Beal
Schmidt, Gary D.
Paper Book
From award-winning author Gary D. Schmidt, a warm and witty novel in the tradition of The Wednesday Wars, in which a seventh grader has to figure out how to fulfill an assignment to perform the Twelve Labors of Hercules in real life--and makes discoveries about friendship, community...
The labors of Hercules Beal
Schmidt, Gary D.
Paper Book
From award-winning author Gary D. Schmidt, a warm and witty novel in the tradition of The Wednesday Wars, in which a seventh grader has to figure out how to fulfill an assignment to perform the Twelve Labors of Hercules in real life--and makes discoveries about friendship, community...
Any way you look
Siddiqui, Maleeha
Paper Book
What do you do with the wrong kind of attention? Dress Coded meets Amina's Voice in this must-read middle grade novel by Maleeha Siddiqui. Ainy is excited for summer! She plans on working at her mom's clothing store, having adventures with her best friend...
Pearl
Smith, Sherri L.
Paper Book
With five starred reviews and numerous accolades, a beautifully crafted and captivating graphic novel from award-winning writer Sherri L. Smith and Eisner-nominated artist Christine Norrie about a Japanese-American girl who must survive years of uncertainty and questions of loyalty in Hiroshima...
Fake Chinese sounds
Tsong, Jing Jing
Paper Book
A middle-grade graphic novel about a Taiwanese American girl navigating identity, bullying, and the messy process of learning to be comfortable in her skin. Between homework, studying, and Chinese school, Měi Yīng's summer is shaping up to be a boring one. Her only...
The Ojja-wojja : a horror-mystery, or whatever
Visaggio, Magdalene
Paper Book
The first in a new graphic novel series from indie comic stars Magdalene Visaggio and Jenn St-Onge is a coming-of-age story about the transformative power of friendship. And an immortal demon with the power to take over the world. But mostly the friendship thing. Welcome to...
The collectors
West, Jacqueline
Paper Book
2019 Schneider Family Book Award Honor Book "Original, brave, and addictive."--Adam Gidwitz, bestselling author of the Newbery Honor Book The Inquisitor's Tale Fast-paced, witty, and riveting, this contemporary fantasy adventure has magic woven through every page. The...
Lunar boy
Wibowo, Jessica
Paper Book
For fans of The Witch Boy and Squished, Lunar Boy is a must-have heartwarming coming-of-age graphic novel about a young boy from the moon who discovers a home in the most unlikely places, from debut twin creators Jes and Cin Wibowo. Indu, a boy from the moon, feels like he...
Gone fishing : a novel in verse
Wissinger, Tamera Will.
Paper Book
Nine-year-old Sam loves fishing with his dad. So when his pesky little sister, Lucy, horns in on their fishing trip, he's none too pleased: "Where's my stringer? / Something's wrong! / The princess doll does not belong!" All ends well in this winsome book of poems--each labeled with its proper...
Heroes of the water monster
Young, Brian
Paper Book
An unmissable companion to Healer of the Water Monster, which won the American Indian Library Association Youth Literature Award, this novel by Navajo author Brian Young tells the story of two contemporary young Navajo heroes--and one water monster--who must learn to work together...
Shiny misfits
Zayid, Maysoon
Paper Book
Bay Ann doesn't think she's a star--she knows it! Now how does she prove it to the rest of the world? This is a hilarious graphic novel about friendship, fame, and fighting for control of your own story, perfect for fans of Nat Enough, Click, and Invisible. Bay...

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