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Best children’s books for the summer holidays
The Week Junior’s Summer of Reading challenge celebrates young readers’ ‘superpowers’
Children across the UK are being encouraged to spend time reading this summer thanks to a national campaign by The Week Junior magazine.
The Summer of Reading challenges children to read, rate and review three books during the school holidays, with all entrants to the challenge in with a chance of winning a bundle of books worth £250.
“Reading really is a superpower with lifelong benefits, from building empathy to boosting vocabulary and concentration and reducing anxiety,” said Anna Bassi, the magazine’s editorial director.
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Join more than 350,000 subscribers and keep yourself informed with a selection of The Week’s most interesting, enlightening and entertaining stories - plus daily puzzles.
Join more than 350,000 subscribers and keep yourself informed with a selection of The Week’s most interesting, enlightening and entertaining stories - plus daily puzzles.
“We would like to invite as many children as possible to accept our Summer of Reading challenge and use the holidays to relax and get stuck into some really good books.”
Find out more about how to take part and submit an entry on TheWeekJunior.co.uk. The children’s reading charity BookTrust has compiled a list of 50 titles to help inspire young readers to take part. Here are some of the team’s top picks.
Demolition Dad by Phil Earle and Sara Ogilvie
Jake enters his dad George into a wrestling competition without him knowing – but when they get there, things don’t quite go to plan. “This is essentially a heart-warming story with a very happy ending,” said BooksForKeeps.co.uk.
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Readers aged 9 and older
Dr Maggie’s Grand Tour of the Solar System by Dr Maggie Aderin-Pocock and Chelen Écija
Readers join Dr Maggie Aderin-Pocock, a BBC presenter and renowned space scientist, on an epic journey through space. You will see planets, asteroids and moons, all through the power of imagination.
Readers aged 8 and older
Time Travelling with a Hamster by Ross Welford
Al Chaudry and his hamster find themselves in a race against time as they travel through history to try to change the past. This book’s “heart and humour are hard to resist”, said The Guardian.
Readers aged 9 to 12
The Pavee and the Buffer Girl by Siobhan Dowd and Emma Shoard
Jim is from an Irish Traveller family and is forced to go to school for the first time. “This brief tale about outsiders unwanted by a community is very touching,” said book blogger Bookwitch.
Readers aged 9 and older
Earth Heroes: Twenty Inspiring Stories of People Saving Our World by Lily Dyu and Jackie Lay
The collection of 20 short biographies of those working to tackle climate change include world-famous environmentalists Greta Thunberg, Amelia Telford and Sir David Attenborough.
Readers aged 7 and older
The Suitcase Kid by Jacqueline Wilson and Nick Sharratt
Andy has to decide who she wants to live with after her parents divorce and each remarry, as she finds herself moving back and forth between their houses with her suitcase.
Readers aged 9 and older
The School for Good and Evil by Soman Chainani
Sophie and Agatha are taken from their home village to a school that trains fairy-tale heroes and villains.
Readers aged 11 and older
Can We Save The Tiger? by Martin Jenkins and Vicky White
This book explains to young readers how competition for space in the natural and built environment has led to some animal populations becoming among the world’s most endangered species.
Readers aged 8 and older
Refugee Boy by Benjamin Zephaniah
Alem’s father brings him to England to escape a deadly war. “It’s about a family who were connected becoming disconnected,” said one reader, sharing their review on The Guardian.
Readers aged 10 and older
You Are a Champion by Marcus Rashford and Carl Anka
England footballer Marcus Rashford assures readers that hard work, good friends and a positive attitude will make anything possible.
Readers aged 8 and older
My Name Is Book by John Agard and Neil Packer
This story follows the history of the written word and books, told from the perspective of an actual book.
Readers aged 9 and older
The Wolf Wilder by Katherine Rundell
Feo’s mother is a wolf wilder – the opposite of a tamer. When the corrupt Russian army arrests her, Feo has no option but to make a run for it.
