Braen Reading Rocks Summer 2026 Book List

In partnership with Braen Stone, Sussex County Library System will encourage children ages 2 -12 to read any five books from this list.

Starting August 1, 2025, stop by any branch to register. Kids will receive a bookmark and log sheet to complete the challenge. Children have till August 31, 2025 to read any five books from this list. Those who complete the mission will receive Reading Rocks prize box, which includes:

  • A Braen Stone T-shirt
  • 2 tickets to a 2026 Sussex Miners Baseball Game
  • Notepad & Pen
  • Reusable Cup & Straw
  • Quarry Kids Book, Mighty Machines Diggers Book, & an issue of Boulder Kids Magazine
  • Other Goodies from Braen Stone!

Paper copy of the book list is available at any branch or you can also print out a copy of any of the booklists located on our summer reading 2025 webpage.

Prizes will be available for pick up in September.

Updated December 5, 2025
S
Sussex County Library System (NJ)
Drag items up and down to your preferred order then select the "Save Order" button.
All about fossils : discovering dinosaurs and other clues to the past
Crane, Cody
Paper Book
What kinds of fossils exist, and where are they found? What are fossils and how do they form? This book answers this question and many more about the fascinating world of fossils. From the discovery of dinosaurs to the information fossils reveal about Earth's prehistoric past, everything readers...
Hair /
Turner, Brook Sitgraves,
Paper Book
Beautiful, full-color photos of real-life families showcase all the wonderful forms of hair (curly, straight, twists, locs, covered hair, body hair, even no hair) in this empowering and delightful board book. Each spread features simple, poetic text for building vocabulary and empathy. This...
How a seed grows /
Jordan, Helene J.
Paper Book
Uses observations of bean seeds planted in eggshells to demonstrate the growth of seeds into plants.
The outdoor scientist :
Grandin, Temple
Paper Book
From New York Times bestselling author and world-renowned scientist and autism spokesperson Temple Grandin comes a book about exploring the world around us, asking questions, and making sense of what we see--with 40 fun outdoor activities that promote independent thinking, which kids...
The outdoor scientist : the wonder of observing the natural world
Grandin, Temple
Paper Book
From New York Times bestselling author and world-renowned scientist and autism spokesperson Temple Grandin comes a book about exploring the world around us, asking questions, and making sense of what we see--with 40 fun outdoor activities that promote independent thinking, which kids...
The periodic table of elements :
Chad, Jon
Ebook
A rock can be ... /
Salas, Laura Purdie
Ebook
A rock is a rock, part of cliff, road or sea. But now can you guess what else it can be? A rock can be a...dinosaur bone, stepping-stone, hopscotch marker, fire sparker. Find out about the many roles a rock can play in this poetic exploration of rocks around the world. Laura Purdie...
Rock collecting for kids :
Lynch, Dan R,
Ebook
Rocks /
Ortler, Brett,
Ebook
Rocks and minerals /
Farndon, John
Ebook
Rocks and minerals! /
Brown, Cynthia L.
Ebook
Explore Rocks and Minerals! offers kids ages 6-9 a fascinating introduction to geology. It investigates the geological forces that create and transform rocks, outlining the life cycle of igneous, sedimentary, and metamorphic rocks, and what they can tell us about the earth. It also...
Someone builds the dream
Wheeler, Lisa
Paper Book
Buildings, bridges, and books don't exist without the workers who are often invisible in the final product, as this joyous and profound picture book reveals from acclaimed author of The Christmas Boot Lisa Wheeler andNew York Times bestselling illustrator of LoveLoren Long<...
Stick and Stone
Ferry, Beth.
Ebook
New York Times best-selling duo Stick and Stone are STICKing together in this hilarious and heartwarming picture book that proves once and for all why best friends ROCK! From beloved picture book creators Beth Ferry and Tom Lichtenheld, perfect for fans of Kelly DiPucchio and Jory...
A stone is a story
Barnard Booth, Leslie
Paper Book
A National Science Teaching Association Outstanding Science Trade Book Follow a stone's journey through time as it faces ice, water, wind, and scorching heat in this beautiful nonfiction picture book that is Seeds Move! meets A Stone Sat Still. ...
Tell me, tree :
Gibbons, Gail
Paper Book
Learn all about trees, leaves, and their inner workings in this colorful, favorite picture book by award-winning nonfiction author and illustrator Gail Gibbons. Trees shelter and surround us. Their leaves offer shade from the hot summer sun. In autumn, they dazzle...
What can you do with a rock? /
Miller, Pat Zietlow.
Paper Book
From award-winning author Pat Zietlow Miller, a timeless story about creativity, exploration, and friendship What can you do with a rock? You can skip them. You can sort them. Best of all, you can share them. Rocks are simple, but the things you can do...
When you find the right rock
Ray, Mary Lyn
Somewhere a rock is waiting for you. One just the right size for playing with, or the right color for your windowsill, or just the right shape for holding in your palm. Maybe it is a rock from the heart of a mountain, that will remind you of how big YOU are inside, too. Maybe it is a...

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