2025 TD Summer Reading Books for Older Children

Updated February 27, 2025
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Anne dares
George, K.
Paper Book
The fifth book in an early chapter book series inspired by Anne of Green Gables, starring the spirited Anne Shirley as she agrees to a dangerous dare and learns a valuable lesson about courage. Anne is excited to be a guest at a party at Orchard Slope, the home of her...
Anzu and the realm of darkness
Nguyen, Mai K.
Paper Book
5 Worlds meets Spirited Away in this tale of a girl fighting her way back home after getting trapped in the spirit world. Anzu has just moved to a new town during Obon, a time for families to remember and celebrate their ancestors. Ever since her obaachan died,...
Building a dream : how the boys of Koh Panyee became champions
Khiani, Darshana
Paper Book
A Thai soccer team creates their own place to play -- a floating field -- in this unforgettable tale of persistence and problem-solving. Based on a true story.  In Thailand's Phang Nga Bay, atop a network of stilts, floats the village of Koh...
Ellen outside the lines
Sass, A. J.
Paper Book
Winner of a Sydney Taylor Book Award Honor! A heartfelt novel about a neurodivergent thirteen-year-old navigating changing friendships, a school trip, and expanding horizons for fans of Rain Reign and Ivy Aberdeen's Letter to the World. ...

Also available in eBook format.

A first time for everything : a true story
Santat, Dan
Paper Book
*Winner of the National Book Award for Young People's Literature* A middle grade graphic memoir based on bestselling author and Caldecott Medalist Dan Santat's awkward middle school years and the trip to Europe that changed his life. Dan's always been a...
Game Changers : Stories of Hijabi Athletes from Around the World
Smith, Charlene/ Tariq, Natalya (ILT)/ Ahmed, Shireen (FRW)
★ "Profiles 13 inspirational athletes...Written and illustrated by two hijabi, these uplifting profiles set off by cheerful illustrations are sure to spark interest. Great for readers passionate about athletics and hijabi representation."--Booklist, starred review Meet 13 inspiring...
Grounded : a novel
Saeed, Aisha
Paper Book
When a thunderstorm grounds all flights following a huge Muslim convention, four unlikely kids are thrown together. Feek is stuck babysitting his younger sister, but he'd rather be writing a poem that's good enough for his dad, a famous poet and rapper. Hanna is intent on finding a lost cat in the...

Also available in eBook format.

The journey of the ancestors' gifts
Trinh, Linda
Paper Book
The Nguyen kids are going on vacation! It's their first time in Vietnam and staying in Grandma Nội's childhood home, so they should be excited. As soon as they enter the house, though, something doesn't feel right. Why is the door to the ancestors' room always closed? And why can't...
Lost at Windy River : a true story of survival
Rathgeber, Trina
Paper Book
★"Colorful illustrations in classic comic-book style help readers explore the challenging landscape. An excellent choice for a book report and good addition to a children's nonfiction collection." -- School Library Journal (SLJ), starred review It takes courage and bravery to survive...
Lunar boy
Wibowo, Jessica
Paper Book
For fans of The Witch Boy and Squished, Lunar Boy is a must-have heartwarming coming-of-age graphic novel about a young boy from the moon who discovers a home in the most unlikely places, from debut twin creators Jes and Cin Wibowo. Indu, a boy from the moon, feels like he...
The new girl
Calin, Cassandra
Paper Book
This funny, feel-good middle-grade graphic novel about change and acceptance will be a hit with fans of Guts by Raina Telgemeier, Pizza Face by Rex Ogle and Dave Valeza, and Parachute Kids by Betty C. Tang. Goodbye, old life... Lia and her family are...

Also available in eBook format.

Out of my dreams
Draper, Sharon M.
Paper Book
Melody flies to London to speak at a convention about differently abled kids in this "warm and beautifully told" (Kirkus Reviews, starred review) sequel to the acclaimed, New York Times bestselling middle grade novels Out of My Mind and Out of My Heart.

Also available in eBook and eAudiobook formats.

The Racc Pack. 1
Cooke, Stephanie
Paper Book
Live life in the trash lane with this first entry in a hilarious middle grade graphic novel series about a family of sneaky raccoons from graphic novel superstars Stephanie Cooke and Whitney Gardner! Meet the Bins family, a trio of raccoons in the risky business of dumpster...
Safiyyah's war
Khan, Hiba Noor
Paper Book
Inspired by the true story of how the Grand Mosque of Paris saved the lives of hundreds of Jews during World War II, this breathtaking tale of suspense, compassion, and courage stars an extraordinary young heroine readers will never forget. "A riveting read for children and adults alike." -...
Sankofa : a culinary story of resilience and belonging
Adjepong, Eric
Paper Book
"Based on his own experiences as a first-generation Ghanaian American growing up in New York City, chef and author Adjepong's debut picture book beautifully captures Kofi's complicated feelings of in-betweenness, seeing himself as not quite American enough and not quite Ghanaian enough, even as...
Search for a giant squid : pick your path
Forrester, Amy Seto
Paper Book
A new and exciting pick-your-path STEM adventure for emerging readers! This series starter takes emerging readers on an expedition to the ocean's twilight zone in search of a giant squid. But giant squids are hard to find. Readers will need to join the expedition...
Song of the sea : the graphic novel
Sattin, Samuel
Paper Book
A lush graphic novel about family adrift and the magical adventure that brings them together. Based on the award-winning film, this gorgeous adaptation includes a bonus story from the film's creator. Many years after the disappearance of their...
Special delivery : a book's journey around the world
Faber, Polly
Paper Book
This unique story follows the process of making a book from printing to shipping to selling . . . to reading! This beautifully illustrated picture book shows the journey of one book from printer to reader. Bright, contemporary artwork details the people, the vehicles, and the...
Tasty : a history of yummy experiments
Elliott, Victoria Grace
Paper Book
How did cheese happen? Who pickled the first pickle? Explore the history of innovative food in this non-fiction graphic novel filled with facts, legends, and recipes. Have you ever wondered how some of our favorite foods came to be? How was cheese created and who realized it...
Time to roll
Sumner, Jamie
Paper Book
In the eagerly anticipated sequel to Jamie Sumner's acclaimed and beloved middle grade novel Roll with It, Ellie finds her own way to shine. Ellie is so not the pageant type. They're Coralee's thing, and Ellie is happy to let her talented friend shine in the...
Viewfinder
Chung, Christine D. U.
Paper Book
A young space traveler happens upon Earth in the future in this gorgeous wordless adventure for fans of Shaun Tan. A transportive graphic novel for ages 6 to 9, perfect for Earth Day. A young space traveler visits Earth on a whim and finds a planet empty of people. She happens...
Walking together
Marshall, Albert
Paper Book
This bestselling, innovative picture book introduces readers to the concept of Etuaptmumk--or Two-Eyed Seeing, the gift of multiple perspectives in the Mi'kmaw language--as we follow a group of young children connecting to nature as their teacher. A poetic, joyful celebration...
Where we live : mapping neighborhoods of kids around the globe
Ruurs, Margriet
Paper Book
A fascinating look - in maps and stories - at neighbourhoods around the world! This unique illustrated map book explores the neighbourhoods of 16 real children from around the world. Each child's story highlights what's important to them in their community, from their homes and schools to the places...
Monstrous mammals
Pallotta, Jerry
Paper Book
Eight monstrous mammals battle it out in this exciting bind-up featuring four Who Would Win? books in this action-packed animal series! Which dangerous animals would win in a fight? Find out in this awesome bind-up of four books in the popular Who Would Win? series. The collection features...
Swimming into trouble
Ahn, Angela
Paper Book
Temporarily sidelined from her swim team by an earache, Julia won't be kept down in this buoyant illustrated novel for ages 7 to 10 by acclaimed writer Angela Ahn. As a member of the Vipers Swim Team, Julia Nam's always in the pool. Mountainview Community Center is like her...

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