Unearth a Story: 2026 Summer Reading Children's Book List

he books are this list are to align with our 2026 summer reading slogan "unearth a Story". It was chosen to align with our high-interest theme of dinosaurs, paleontology, archaeology. This book list was created for kids ages 5 - 12. They include easy readers, fiction and nonfiction picture books as well as DVDs, and VOX audio books for school age children and are available at the Sussex County Library System.

Updated April 2, 2026
S
Sussex County Library System (NJ)
Drag items up and down to your preferred order then select the "Save Order" button.
Apex predators : the world's deadliest hunters, past and present
Jenkins, Steve
Paper Book
What does it take to be "top dog?" In this illustrated exploration of the animal kingdom, Caldecott Honor winner Steve Jenkins introduces readers to some of the most powerful predators in history, from the Tyrannosaurus rex to the African Siberian tiger. Using his signature cut...
Big words for little paleontologists : the dino dictionary every little explorer needs
Gerry, Lisa M.
Paper Book
This stunningly illustrated picture book will inspire every budding paleontologist with the impressive words that dino-crazy little kids love to learn--and show off! Featuring more than 50 wow-worthy words, with definitions and phonetic pronunciation, this info...
Dinosaur atlas : when they roamed, how they lived, and where we find their fossils
Paper Book
More than 250 million years ago, our planet looked and felt a lot different from how it does now. The seven separate continents we have today hadn't yet taken shape. Instead, there was only one "supercontinent" called Pangaea. This was the beginning of the time of the dinosaurs. Journey...
Dinosaurs before dark
Laird, Jenny
Paper Book
The #1 bestselling chapter book is now a graphic novel! Magic. Mystery. Time-travel. Get whisked back in time in the magic tree house with Jack and Annie! Where did the tree house come from?      Before Jack and Annie can find out, the mysterious...
The fossil whisperer : how Wendy Sloboda discovered a dinosaur
Becker, Helaine
Paper Book
Wendy has an eye for the unusual and is skilled at finding things that others don't see. On a middle school field trip, she spots one of those unusual things - it's fossilized coral 100 million years old! Wendy's thrilled! And soon, she gets hooked on hunting fossils. She decides to turn her passion...
Here we go digging for dinosaur bones : sung to the tune of "here we go round the mulberry bush"
Lendroth, Susan
Paper Book
"This is a perfect book for a dinosaur storytime."-School Library Journal This STEM-friendly musical fossil dig will have dinosaur lovers singing along as they learn the science behindpaleontology. Set to the tune of "Here We Go 'Round the Mulberry Bush," Here We...
How dinosaurs went extinct : a safety guide
Dyckman, Ame
Paper Book
From author Ame Dyckman and illustrator Jenn Harney comes a hilarious faux-cautionary tale featuring dad jokes and tantrum-throwing dinosaurs!   In this outrageous "safety guide," a child in a museum asks their parents how the dinosaurs all became extinct. Well,...
I know dino! : amazing breakthroughs, mega mistakes, and unsolved mysteries in dinosaur science
Ricci, Sabrina
Paper Book
Get the deets on dinos and find out how we know what we know about them, from the hosts of the popular podcast I Know Dino! Dinosaurs have been extinct for millions of years, but the world of dinosaur science has never been more alive! Over the last few decades, amazing...
The magic school bus : in the time of the dinosaurs
Cole, Joanna.
Paper Book
To celebrate its 20th anniversary, Scholastic is re-releasing the ten original Magic School Bus titles in paperback. With updated scientific information, the bestselling science series ever is back!The classroom is decorated as Dinosaur Land, but Ms. Frizzle-inspired by an archeological dig-craves a...
Peter Lee's notes from the field
Ahn, Angela
Paper Book
Eleven-year-old Peter Lee has one goal in life: to become a paleontologist. But in one summer, that all falls apart. Told in short, accessible journal entries and combining the humor of Timmy Failure with the poignant family dynamics of Lynda Mullaly Hunt, Peter Lee will win readers' hearts....
Sam & Dave dig a hole
Barnett, Mac
Paper Book
A New York Times bestseller! A 2015 Caldecott Honor Book With perfect pacing, the multi-award-winning, New York Times best-selling team of Mac Barnett and Jon Klassen dig down for a deadpan tale full of visual humor. Sam and Dave are...
Santiago's dinosaurios
Ri?os Rami?rez, Mariana
Paper Book
2023 International Latino Book Awards SILVER, The Mariposa Award (Best debut author) 2023 Best Books for Kids & Teens starred selection, The Canadian Children's Book Centre Santiago finds a way to connect to his classmates--through...

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