Bookworm’s Summer 2013 Reading List

Being in a cool, air-conditioned library reminds me of long summer days where I’d have all day to read through stacks of dusty books. I’d love to go back to those drowsy days of jumping into another world.  These days, summer reading is a chance to catch up on a pile of books that I’ve been wanting to read.  Here’s my main list of novels, linked to and briefly described from Goodreads. What’s on your list for the summer? I always can add to mine!

 Three Times Lucky by Sheila Turnage (2012)

Newbery honor winner, New York Times bestseller, and Edgar Award Nominee. A hilarious Southern debut with the kind of characters you meet once in a lifetime. Rising sixth grader Miss Moses LoBeau lives in the small town of Tupelo Landing, NC, where everyone’s business is fair game and no secret is sacred. She washed ashore in a hurricane eleven years ago, and she’s been making waves ever since. (Goodreads)

Ten Ways to Destroy the Imagination of Your Child by Anothony M. Esolen

The Great Unexpected by Sharon Creech (2012)

In the little town of Blackbird Tree live two orphan girls: one Naomi Deane, brimming with curiosity, and her best friend, Lizzie Scatterding, who could talk the ears off a cornfield. Naomi has a knack for being around when trouble happens. (Goodreads)

Ruby Holler by Sharon Creech

“You are now entering Ruby Holler, the one and only Ruby Holler! Your lives are never going to be the same–“

The Toothpaste Millionaire by Jean Merrill

Likable, clever, and inventive sixth-graders Rufus Mayflower and Kate Mackinstrey develop and sell toothpaste to become millionaires in just one year! This fun, breezy story includes many real-life mathematical problems which the characters must solve to succeed in their budding business. (Goodreads)

Listening for Lions by Gloria Whelan

Historical fiction with a wicked twist. Listening for Lions is a breathtaking story of tragedy, deception, and triumph against all odds. National Book Award-winning author Gloria Whelan sets this richly historical coming-of-age adventure in British East Africa in the year 1918. (Goodreads)

Middle School Is Worse Than Meatloaf: A Year Told Through Stuff by Jennifer L. Holm

Ginny has ten items on her big to-do list for seventh grade. None of them, however, include accidentally turning her hair pink. Or getting sent to detention for throwing frogs in class. Or losing the lead role in the ballet recital to her ex-best friend. Or the thousand other things that can go wrong between September and June. But it looks like it’s shaping up to be that kind of a year! Here’s the story of one girl’s worst school year ever — told completely through her stuff. (Goodreads)

Summer of the Gypsy Moths by Sara Pennypacker

Stella loves living with Great-aunt Louise in her big old house near the water on Cape Cod for many reasons, but mostly because Louise likes routine as much as she does, something Stella appreciates since her mom is, well, kind of unreliable. So while Mom “finds herself,” Stella fantasizes that someday she’ll come back to the Cape and settle down. (Goodreads)