Braen Reading Rocks Summer 2025 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 July 3, 2025
S
Sussex County Library System (NJ)
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From seed to plant
Gibbons, Gail.
Paper Book
Flowers, trees, fruits--plants are all around us, but where do they come from?   With simple language and bright illustrations, non-fiction master Gail Gibbons introduces young readers to the processes of pollination, seed formation, and germination.  Important...
How a seed grows
Jordan, Helene J.
Paper Book
Revised illustrations and format make this book, originally published in 1960, a valuable choice. With charming illustrations and clear text, this simple introduction leads young readers through a series of steps that result in bean plants as well as a basic understanding of how seeds work. Children...
I'm trying to love rocks /
Barton, Bethany,
Paper Book
The fourth totally awesome, funny, and incredibly informative book in the "I'm Trying to Love..." book series! Think rocks are boring? Hard to like? Kinda just sit there, doing nothing? Why even write a whole book about them?? Bethany Barton will tell you why . . ....
Listen to the language of the trees :
Kelley, Tera,
Paper Book
This captivating book explores the real connection and communication that runs underground between trees in the forest. The well-researched details about trees' own social network will help readers see that the natural world's survival depends on staying connected and helping others-just like us!
Nesting /
Cole, Henry,
Paper Book
Award-winning author-illustrator Henry Cole soars to new heights in this stunning picture book about robins: their homes, their lives, and their families. In this black-and-white picture book highlighted with robin's egg blue, the reader will follow two robins as they build a nest with...
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
Paper Book
Step out of your element with Science Comics: The Periodic Table of Elements, the latest volume of First Second's nonfiction graphic novel series! A book of fun chemistry experiments has fallen into the wrong hands. Only Mel can use her knowledge of the periodic table to...
A rock can be ... /
Salas, Laura Purdie
Paper Book
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...
A Rock Is Lively
Aston, Dianna Hutts/ Long, Sylvia (CON)
Paper Book
From the award-winning creators of An Egg Is Quiet, A Seed Is Sleepy, and A Butterfly Is Patient comes a gorgeous and informative introduction to the fascinating world of rocks. From dazzling blue lapis lazuli to volcanic snowflake obsidian, an incredible variety of rocks are...
Rocks /
Ortler, Brett,
Paper Book
Introduce children to 10 important rocks and minerals to know, through this geology-themed board book. Children are never too young to begin learning about and appreciating nature. That's the idea behind the Nature Baby series of board books, and it's exemplified in Nature Baby:...
Rocks and minerals /
McDonald, Jill
Paper Book
Learning about rocks and minerals is made easy for young readers with the bestselling nonfiction board book series Hello, World! A perfect gift for aspiring little geologists! Young children love exploring the beach to find shiny, colorful rocks. Now Hello, World! can teach them...
Roxaboxen
McLerran, Alice
Paper Book
From two-time Caldecott Medal-winning illustrator Barbara Cooney and celebrated children's book author Alice McLerran comes Roxaboxen, a treasured story about the magic of a child's imagination.  Marian called it Roxaboxen. There across the road, it looked like any rocky hill--nothing...
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
Paper Book
Stick and Stone are sticking together in this hilarious and heart-warming board book that proves why best friends ROCK! When Stick rescues Stone from a prickly situation with a Pinecone, the pair become fast friends. But when Stick gets stuck, can Stone return the favor? The author...
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...
Where do diggers sleep at night?
Sayres, Brianna Caplan
Paper Book
Truck-obsessed toddlers will want to make this fun-filled construction tale part of their nightly bedtime routine! Over one million copies sold! Discover what bedtime looks like for fire trucks, snowplows, dump trucks, tractors, and all the vehicles that fill the pages of this...

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