2026 TD Summer Reading Books for Older Children

Updated March 13, 2026
Drag items up and down to your preferred order then select the "Save Order" button.
Atana and the firebird
Zhou, Vivian
Paper Book
A mermaid, a firebird, and a witch become entangled with the mysterious and powerful Witch Queen, who may hold the key to each of their past in this epic middle grade fantasy by debut author Vivian Zhou. Atana's island may be quiet and peaceful, but mostly, it's lonely. With...

Also available in eBook format.

Everything you know about sharks is wrong!
Crumpton, Nick
Paper Book
Shark fans will quickly become shark experts in this informative,inventive and entertaining take on an animal book!
Rising seas : flooding, climate change and our new world
Thomas, Keltie
Paper Book
2019 Silver Birch Non-fiction Honour Book "This is an important book but we don't have time for its young readers to replace those in power. So read this book and then give grown-ups hell and demand something be done. It's your future that's at stake." -- David Suzuki<...
Spooky lakes : 25 strange and mysterious lakes that dot our planet
Rutherford, Geo
Paper Book
Dive into the most mysterious waters around the world (if you dare) in Spooky Lakes, an illustrated nonfiction book from TikTok star and educator Geo Rutherford Some of Earth's strangest--and creepiest--wonders lie deep below the surface. There's Lake Natron, a...
The deep! : wild life at the ocean's darkest depths
Leigh, Lindsey
Paper Book
Plunge beneath the waves to find an alien world of bizarre creatures who explain for themselves how they've adapted to life in the deep dark sea. Did you know that there are animals that are completely transparent? That some tube worms live for 1,000 years? That the Pigbutt Worm...
The thief who sang storms
Anderson, Sophie
Paper Book
"A timely quest infused with magic." The Times, Children's Book of the Week The hugely-anticipated, brand-new fairytale adventure from Sophie Anderson, the bestselling author of The House with Chicken Legs. The Island of Morovia is shaped like a broken heart. The humans...
Turtle moon
Gold, Hannah
Paper Book
'Dramatic, atmospheric and incredibly touching, this story is Gold's best yet' Daily Mail, Best Books for Christmas Journey to the heart of the jungle in this unforgettable adventure from the bestselling author of The Last Bear. Beautifully illustrated by Levi Pinfold, this is perfect for...
Little habitats. 1, Welcome to Barnacle Bay
Curll, Jana
Paper Book
Selected for the 2026 Little Maverick Graphic Novel Reading List A Best Graphic Novels for Children 2025 ALA Selection "Perfect for fans of the visual style and humor of Ben Clanton's Narwhal and Jelly, and also a useful introduction to marine...
What fish are saying : strange sounds in the ocean
Pendreigh, Kirsten
Paper Book
Perfect for curious kids ages 4-8, parents, and educators seeking fun and educational reads! Did you know that fish grunt, shellfish crackle, and some sea creatures even burp and boop to communicate? Dive into a fascinating underwater adventure as one little shellfish guides...
Origin
Cardozo, Nat
Paper Book
Portraits of Indigenous children and their communities from around the world in a stunning presentation emphasizing community and a connection to the land and the environment We are all one. We all inhabit the same planet, and we all have a common human origin. This is the...
Hex vetsThe river guardian
Davies, Sam, (Illustrator)
Paper Book
A seemingly normal day at the clinic turns strange when a magical creature begins making wild prophecies, when he usually just predicts the weather and helps find lost household items! Meanwhile, a mysterious magic in the water makes river creatures, both magical and normal, behave in odd ways....
Stories of the islands
Angkasa, Clar
Paper Book
Journey into a land of magic and powerful girls in this feminist graphic novel retelling of three Indonesian folktales. "Brimming with spirit, this is a book all about connection and empowerment. Angkasa's gorgeous rendering and vivid storytelling will pull you right in."--Tillie...
Yoshi, sea turtle genius : a true story about an amazing swimmer
Cox, Lynne
Paper Book
In this picture book that is both heartwarming and exciting, join Yoshi, a sea turtle, on her remarkable journey as she swims farther than any animal in recorded history--23,000 miles!--to return to the beach where she first hatched, to lay her own eggs. Inside every loggerhead...

Library staff! You can create and contribute to lists. Contact your catalog administrator or log in here.