Summer Learning: YA Recommended Reading

Updated May 27, 2026
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Absolutely everything! : a history of Earth, dinosaurs, rulers, robots and other things to numerous to mention
Lloyd, Christopher
Paper Book
Discover how history, nature, and science connect in this fast-paced, entertaining, and incredibly informative history of the world, from the beginning of time to the present day. How was our universe made from a tiny speck of energy? Where did the first trees, plants, animals, and...
Biology's Beginnings
Hakim, Joy
Paper Book
Trace the history of life science in the first of a four-part MITeen series by mega-best-selling author Joy Hakim, who brought us The History of US. When did we start learning the scientific secrets of life? Step back to the Islamic Golden Age, when scholars ask questions...
China : a history
Bardoe, Cheryl
Paper Book
Discover the history of one of the world's most influential civilizations. Based on the Cyrus Tang Hall of China exhibit at The Field Museum, China: A History traces the 7,000-year story of this diverse land. Full-color maps, photos, and illustrations of the people, landscape, artifacts, and rare...
Computing through the ages : from bones to binary
Woods, Michael
Paper Book
"The discovery both of [geometry] and of the other sciences proceeded from utility."--Proclus Lycius, Greek philosopher, fifth century CE "Geometry is the knowledge of the eternally existent."--Plato, Republic, ca. 380 BCE Ancient peoples around the world navigated the seas, built...
Daughter of Sparta
Andrews, Claire M.
Paper Book
Don't miss the page-turning sequel, Blood of Troy! In this thrilling reimagining of ancient Greek mythology, a headstrong girl becomes the most powerful fighter her people have ever seen. Seventeen-year-old Daphne has spent her entire life honing...
Digging for Troy : from Homer to Hisarlik
Rubalcaba, Jill.
Paper Book
The fall of Troy is a legend that has been passed down for thousands of generations. It is the tale of an epic war, brave heroes, meddling gods and goddesses, and the face that launched a thousand ships. Although some have questioned whether Troy was ever anything more than a legend, the Iliad has...
Dinotopia : journey to Chandara
Gurney, James
Paper Book
Critics have gushed over Gurney's phantasmagorical creation, likening him to such venerated literary fantasists as Jules Verne, Wells, and J. R. R. Tolkien." -People magazine The fourth book in James Gurney's best-selling Dinotopia series transports readers to an enthralling world of...
The encyclopedia of early Earth
Greenberg, Isabel
Paper Book
A beautifully illustrated book of imaginary fables about Earth's early -- and lost -- history. Before our history began, another -- now forgotten -- civilization thrived. The people who roamed Early Earth were much like us: curious, emotional, funny, ambitious, and...
The Evolution of an Idea
Hakim, Joy
Paper Book
In the second volume of the Discovering Life's Story series by best-selling author Joy Hakim, the theory of evolution takes hold--transforming ideas about survival, extinction, and life itself. Can species change? Or go extinct? In the eighteenth century, most people answer no to...
The Forgotten Teachers: How Nature Wrote the Story of Life
Isett, Brian
Paper Book
Interweaving science and storytelling, spirituality and art, a neuroscientist and an artist guide us toward a deeper understanding of how radically interconnected all of life is. Starting from science, while reaching for spiritual truth, The Forgotten Teachers charts...
History year by year
Chrisp, Peter.
Paper Book
Get to grips with history like never before as you travel through the ages in this history encyclopedia for children that stretches from prehistoric times to modern day. Introducing an updated volume of History Year by Year - a timeline of world history that joins the dots...
Last of the dinosaurs : the Cretaceous period
Holmes, Thom.
Paper Book
In the Early and Late Cretaceous periods, changing geological and ecological conditions created opportunities for the expansion of dinosaurs. These worldwide geologic and climate shifts of the Cretaceous period allowed for the evolution of Saurischian - lizard-hipped - dinosaurs and Ornithischian -...
Last of the giants the rise and fall of Earth's most dominant species
Campbell, Jeff, 1964-
Paper Book
Today, an ancient world is vanishing right before our eyes: the age of giant animals. Over 40,000 years ago, the earth was ruled by megafauna: mammoths and mastodons, saber-toothed tigers and giant sloths. Of course, those creatures no longer exist, due to the evolution and arrival of the...
Machines through the ages : from furnacaes to factories
Woods, Michael
Paper Book
". . . with the lighter catapults, which had a long range, he drove back those who were constructing the wall along the harbour, and with the ballistae he shook or destroyed the engines of the enemy."--Diodorus Siculus, Greek historian, first century BCE "Round their circumference are...
Medicine through the ages : from acupuncture to antibiotics
Woods, Michael
Paper Book
"In medical knowledge the Egyptian leaves the rest of the world behind." -Homer, Greek poet "I swear by Apollo the physician . . . and all the gods and goddesses, and call them to witness that . . . I will prescribe treatments to the best of my ability and judgement for the good of the...
Mummies exposed!
Hollihan, Kerrie Logan
Paper Book
Just when you think that you know everything there is to know about mummies, new ones are discovered! Packed with facts but light in tone, this book introduces young readers to the most compelling examples of mummies from all over the world. There are many books about Egyptian mummies, butMummies...
The prehistory of the Far side : a 10th anniversary exhibit
Larson, Gary
Paper Book
A Far Side retrospective, celebrating its tenth anniversary. Copyright © 1989 FarWorks, Inc. All rights reserved. The Far Side®, FarWorks, Inc.®, and the Larson® signature are registered trademarks of FarWorks, Inc. in certain countries.
Shackles from the deep : tracing the path of a sunken slave ship, a bitter past, and a rich legacy
Cottman, Michael H.
Paper Book
A pile of lime-encrusted shackles discovered on the seafloor in the remains of a ship called the Henrietta Marie, lands Michael Cottman, a Washington, D.C.-based journalist and avid scuba diver, in the middle of an amazing journey that stretches across three continents, from foundries and tombs in...
Tunnels
Gordon, Roderick
Paper Book
14-year-old Will Burrows has little in common with his strange, dysfunctional family. In fact, the only bond he shares with his eccentric father is a passion for archaeological excavation. So when his dad mysteriously vanishes, Will is compelled to dig up the truth behind his disappearance. He...
Us in ruins
Moore, Rachel
Paper Book
Margot is on the quest to uncover and reassemble an ancient--and cursed--vase, with the help of a boy who went missing in 1932, because it's the only way to put back together her broken heart in this standa-lone adventure rom-com, perfect for fans of What the River Knows and The...
Vesuvius
Biehn, Cass
Paper Book
This thrilling historical fantasy set days before Mount Vesuvius destroys Pompeii is a meet cute with an explosive fallout. This limited First Edition hardcover includes metallic foil on the jacket and a hidden illustrated case! An exploration of ambition and...
Warrior Girl Unearthed
Boulley, Angeline
Paper Book
An Instant New York Times bestseller! A #1 Indies Bestseller! Six Starred Reviews! #1 New York Times bestselling author of Firekeeper's Daughter Angeline Boulley takes us back to Sugar Island in this high-stakes thriller about the power of discovering your stolen...

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