4 Boredom-Beating Summer Reads

The sun rises early but sets late, temperatures are hitting triple digits, and there are ice cream & shaved iced stands on every street corner.

Yes, summertime is in full swing but with it comes the two most dreaded words every child utters while they are not in school…. I’m Bored. Boredom is the #1 killer of summertime fun but you can beat that boredom with books! Activities or an enthralling story are the best remedies against being bored. Here are some suggestions for summertime reading:

Boredom Busters! by Eileen Mc Aree  (Activities/Crafts, ages 6 to 12 years) — This activity book is great for getting kids off their digital devices and outside for  some sun and old fashioned fun. It includes backyard games, sidewalk games, travel games, and crafts. Don’t forget the sunblock!

Cooking Class: 57 Fun Recipes Kids Will Love to Make (and Eat!) by Deanna F. Cook (Cooking/Recipes, ages 8 & up) — This is a great resource to teach kids how to learn an essential skill. It outlines the entire cooking process from picking good ingredients to prep work to cleaning up and includes a cooking vocabulary. The recipes are rated by skill level and have clever presentations. This book is available in both print and eBook format.

Story Thieves by James Riley (Juvenile Fiction, ages 8-12) — Owen’s life is changed when he discovers that his classmate Bethany is half-fictional and has the ability to jump in and out of books. He promises to keep her secret if she agrees to take him book jumping while she searches for her father.

The Outsiders by S.E. Hinton (Fiction, ages 12 & up) — This classic coming of age story focuses on the issues with social class segregation and the bonds of friendship. Ponyboy Curtis is a greaser along with his two brothers. Life has never been easy for the Curtis family but it’s about to become more complicated when Ponyboy’s best friend, Johnny, kills a fellow teen-ager in a fight.

What books have brightened your summer? Share in the comments below.