2024 Summer Reading Suggestions: Grades 3-5

Looking for a great read this summer? Check out our youth librarian team's recommendations! Learn more about summer reading at the library: https://www.clackamas.us/lib/summer-reading-program

Updated May 28, 2024
Drag items up and down to your preferred order then select the "Save Order" button.
Blood City rollers
Anderson, V. P.
Paper Book
Skates on. Fangs out. Let's roll. This perfectly paranormal graphic novel about a 13-year-old ice skater who embraces the dark side and finds her light when she joins a vampire roller derby team is to die for. Ice-skater Mina is on a one-track path to Olympic gold and...
Camp Sylvania
Murphy, Julie
Paper Book
From Julie Murphy, the #1 New York Times bestselling author of Dumplin', comes a hilarious and creepy middle grade summer camp story that takes a bite out of fat camp and diet culture. Perfect for fans of Spooky Stories and Starfish. Magnolia "Maggie" Hagen is determined to...

Also available as:

EBook

Get the sequel:

Camp Sylvania: Moon Madness

Dogtown
Applegate, Katherine
Paper Book
Now a New York Times bestseller, an Indie bestseller, and an 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...

Also available as:

EAudiobook

EBook

Duel
Bagley, Jessixa
Paper Book
A rivalry between sisters culminates in a fencing duel in this funny and emotional debut graphic novel sure to appeal to readers of Raina Telgemeier and Shannon Hale. Sixth grader Lucy loves fantasy novels and is brand-new to middle school. GiGi is the undisputed queen bee of...
Four eyes
Ogle, Rex
Paper Book
A humorous and heartwarming middle-grade graphic memoir about fitting in, facing bullies, and finding the right pair of glasses. Sixth grade isn't as great as Rex thought it would be. He's the only kid who hasn't had a growth spurt, and the bullies won't let him forget it. His...

Also available as:

EBook

Haru, zombie dog hero
Oh, Ellen
Paper Book
"Tender character relationships between both pup and human, and the myriad fully realized animals Haru meets along his journey, combine for a multilayered and thoroughly heartfelt must-read."--Publishers Weekly (starred review) "Oh covers heavy, relevant topics in this tense middle-grade...
Hide and seeker
Hermon, Daka
Paper Book
One of our most iconic childhood games receives a creepy twist as it becomes the gateway to a nightmare world.I went up the hill, the hill was muddy, stomped my toe and made it bloody, should I wash it?Justin knows that something is wrong with his best friend.Zee went missing for a year. And...

Also available as:

EAudiobook

Get the sequel:

Nightmare King

Hunted
Melki-Wegner, Skye
Paper Book
Wings of Fire meets Jurassic Park in this action-adventure middle grade debut series by Skye Melki-Wegner about five outcasts--and former enemies--who are the only hope to save their warring kingdoms from impending doom. "My favorite...

Get the whole series:

The Deadlands

It Watches in the Dark
Strand, Jeff
Paper Book
"She glanced over her shoulder. Had the scarecrow moved? It stood there, smile stitched on its face, but now it felt like a smirk." Prepare to be scared silly in this creepy middle-grade novel! Twins seek medical help in a remote village after their father is in a canoeing accident...only...
Kira and the (maybe) space princess
Brennan, Megan
Paper Book
Fashionable fights, flashy attacks, and friends that are out of this world! This wacky and funny graphic novel series is a love letter to manga fans. With a tongue in cheek humor and delightfully fun action scenes, this series is perfect for fans of Sailor Moon, Cardcaptor Sakura,...
Last laugh
Alexander, K. R.
Paper Book
What's scarier than a collection of clown dolls in a secret locked room? How about... those clown dolls coming to life. And hunting you down.
Lost time
Mukanik, Tas
Paper Book
Jurassic World meets How to Train Your Dragon in this gorgeously drawn, adventure-packed middle grade graphic novel about a girl who gets trapped 65 million years in the past and must learn to survive with only her wits...and the pterosaur she befriends. Twelve-year...
Max in the house of spies
Gidwitz, Adam
Paper Book
An acclaimed Best Book of 2024! Instant New York Times bestseller * Wall Street Journal Best Books of the Year * Booklist Editors' Choice * Publishers Weekly Best Books of the Year * School Library Journal Best Books of the Year * Common Sense Best Books...

Also available as:

EAudiobook

EBook

Not quite a ghost
Ursu, Anne
Paper Book
Named one of the Best Books of 2024 by the Chicago Public Library, New York Public Library, and NPR! From the award-winning author of The Troubled Girls of Dragomir Academy comes an unforgettable and deeply personal story of the ghosts that surround us--and the ones we carry inside. ...

Also available as:

EAudiobook

EBook

Picture day
Sax, Sarah
Paper Book
Everyone knows the most stressful day of middle school is picture day! And that's exactly where this yearbook-worthy graphic novel series opener begins: with reinventing yourself, drama, popularity, and the friends who see you through. Seventh-grader Viv never looks...

Also available as:

EAudiobook

EBook

Punycorn
Watson, Andi
Paper Book
Praised as "hilarious, whimsical epic adventure" by the creator of Hilo, a big-hearted diminutive unicorn and his friends battle to save their kingdom from a powerful (if bratty) ogre in this fast-paced and funny fantasy graphic novel. Carbuncle is a land of endless rainbows...
The secret language of birds
Kelly, Lynne
Paper Book
USA TODAY BESTSELLER * A poignant and heartwarming coming-of-age novel that captures the moment of learning to spread your wings in a way you'll never forget--from the award-winning author of Song for a Whale. "Perfect for readers who enjoy stories about curious kids...

Also available as:

EAudiobook

EBook

Terror in Shadow Canyon
McMann, Matt
Paper Book
This series of terrifying standalone tales that combine monsters + mysteries is perfect for fans of Goosebumps. "Spine-chilling and creepy!" -Max Brallier, #1 New York Times bestselling author of The Last Kids on Earth, on Escape From Grimstone Manor...

Get the whole series:

Monsterious


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