Hello, everyone! Today, I am going to be sharing 10 books that are perfect for summer reading! There will be a variety of genres included, so there will be something for everyone!

For Middle-Grade Readers

1. The Saturdays by Elizabeth Enright

This children’s novel from the 1940s is a delightful slice-of-life story, with each chapter centering on one Saturday adventure that the four Melendy children, ranging in ages from 6 to 13, partake in. I enjoyed reading this story a lot and thought the characters were fun and realistic. This book takes place in the summer, making it a great summer read-aloud for families or a good read for anyone who enjoys classic middle grade fiction!

2. Summer of Suspense by C.R. Hedgcock

This is actually the first book in a series, The Baker Family Adventures. This series was a favorite of mine as a teenager. It is about a Christian, homeschooling family and the mysteries and adventures that they get involved in. This first book is about the family investigating a jewelry theft crime ring. There is a lot of excitement, but there are also always good moral lessons in these books, making them a great choice for young readers, or just anyone who likes a good mystery!

3. Candle Island by Lauren Wolk

I greatly enjoyed all of the Lauren Wolk novels I read during my childhood, so when Candle Island came out more recently, I was excited to read it. It did not disappoint! The beautiful Maine setting, Wolk’s lyrical prose, and the main character Lucretia’s search learning how to deal with loss combine to create a beautiful story. This is not a Christian novel, and there are a few content concerns parents may have, mainly dealing with some attitudes and lying from the children (usually portrayed as wrong, but still something parents may want to discuss with younger children). However, for older readers, this is a beautiful summer story!

4. The Penderwicks by Jeanne Birdsall

A childhood favorite of mine, The Penderwicks is a fun story about four sisters and the summer adventures they have when they spend a summer with their father at a vacation cottage. Like the above book, this is not a Christian novel, so parents may want to be aware of some of the content (there are some good, detailed reviews on Goodreads).

For Contemporary Fiction Readers

5. The Divine Proverb of Streusel by Sara Brunsvold

I had heard good things about Sara Brunsvold’s writing before, but I was still blown away by how good this novel was! The story follows Nikki, a young woman grieving her parent’s divorce while spending the summer on her uncle’s farm. Baking and family heritage play a large part in the story, which was so fun, and there is a lot of good Biblical wisdom in the story, in the form of proverbs written in her late grandmother’s recipe book, as well as themes about family and forgiveness. Also, while there is some romance in this story, it does not play a large part until the very end, which is a nice change from so many romance-heavy books in the Christian women’s fiction market.

6. I Don’t Dance by Jesseca Wheaton

This is a sweet, summery romance novella that has one of my favorite romance tropes (childhood friends to lovers). It follows the story of Jen and Ty and their budding romance during Ty’s last summer before leaving for basic training.

For Historical Fiction Readers

7. Whose Waves These Are by Amanda Dykes

This was my first introduction to Amanda Dykes’ writing, and I absolutely loved it! (All of Amanda Dykes’ books are amazing, and I would highly recommend them all, btw 😉) It is a dual-timeline story, with one storyline set during WWII and another set during modern times on the coast of Maine. Both timelines are excellent, dealing with themes of grief and hope, and I love Dykes’ poetic writing style.

8. The Memories We Painted by Caitlin Miller

Another split-timeline novel, both time periods in this story are historical and center on the same main character, just at different points of her life (1930s and 1950s). The novel follows Josie, a young girl with polio. In the 1950s timeline, she is spending the summer in New York, where she gets a job, falls in love, and deals with new tragedies. This novel (along with Caitlin Miller’s other novel, Our Yellow Tape Letters, another personal favorite of mine) is excellently written!

9. Once Upon a Summer by Janette Oke

Like the other Janette Oke novels I have read, this is a sweet, slow-paced historical fiction story. It follows the story of twelve-year-old Josh’s summer, an orphan being raised by his aunt, uncle, and grandfather, as he finds out that his aunt is getting married. It is the first in a series (The Seasons of the Heart), but it can be enjoyed as a standalone, as well.

10. Hymns in the Hills by Rebekah A. Morris

I have enjoyed all of the Rebekah Morris books I have read, but this one is probably one of my favorites! It is the story of a young girl who goes to live with some family members who are not Christians for a summer. I loved how many hymns were incorporated in the story and the Biblical encouragement as the main character tries to live a Godly life and be a good witness to her family. This is a great story for both children and adults.

And that’s all! I hope you enjoyed reading this list and find some good summer reads! Comment below what your favorite summer books are! I will be back with a book review next week!