Summer Reading 2023

Make sure the littles and teens in your life are reading this summer with these action packed, summer inspired reads!

Availability

Price

$
$

More filters

  • Sharks (A Day in the Life): What Do Great Whites, Hammerheads, and Whale Sharks Get Up To All Day?

    by Carlee Jackson

    $16.99
    A beautifully illustrated nonfiction story following great whites, hammerheads, whale sharks, and more over the course of one day.

    Meet deadly tiger sharks, baby lemon sharks, and gigantic basking sharks in this kids’ science book about the coolest predators in the ocean.

    Follow the lives of individual sharks as they hunt, hide, and play their way through their day, from gargantuan whale sharks to tiny epaulette sharks (who hunt in rock pools!). Witness:

    • A great white shark escaping a pod of orcas
    • A giant hammerhead hunting stingrays
    • A nurse shark asleep in a coral reef

    Packed with animal facts, Sharks (A Day in the Life) encourages kids to look at sharks in a new light—not just fearsome hunters but endangered animals who play a key role in the ocean’s ecosystem.

    Also available: Bugs (A Day in the Life) and Big Cats (A Day in the Life)

  • Swim Team

    by Johnnie Christmas

    $15.99

    A splashy, contemporary middle-grade graphic novel from bestselling comics creator Johnnie Christmas!

    Bree can’t wait for her first day at her new middle school, Enith Brigitha, home to the Mighty Manatees—until she’s stuck with the only elective that fits her schedule, the dreaded Swim 101. The thought of swimming makes Bree more than a little queasy, yet she’s forced to dive headfirst into one of her greatest fears. Lucky for her, Etta, an elderly occupant of her apartment building and former swim team captain, is willing to help.

    With Etta’s training and a lot of hard work, Bree suddenly finds her swim-crazed community counting on her to turn the school’s failing team around. But that’s easier said than done, especially when their rival, the prestigious Holyoke Prep, has everything they need to leave the Mighty Manatees in their wake.

    Can Bree defy the odds and guide her team to a state championship, or have the Manatees swum their last lap—for good?

     

  • Aniana del Mar Jumps In

    by Jasminne Mendez

    $18.99

    A powerful and expertly told novel in verse by an award-winning poet, about a 12-year-old Dominican American swimmer who is diagnosed with Juvenile Arthritis.

    Aniana del Mar belongs in the water like a dolphin belongs to the sea. But she and Papi keep her swim practices and meets hidden from Mami, who has never recovered from losing someone she loves to the water years ago. That is, until the day Ani’s stiffness and swollen joints mean she can no longer get out of bed, and Ani is forced to reveal just how important swimming is to her. Mami forbids her from returning to the water but Ani and her doctor believe that swimming along with medication will help Ani manage her disease. What follows is the journey of a girl who must grieve who she once was in order to rise like the tide and become the young woman she is meant to be. Aniana Del Mar Jumps In is a poignant story about chronic illness and disability, the secrets between mothers and daughters, the harm we do to the ones we love the most—and all the triumphs, big and small, that keep us afloat.

  • Ty's Travels: Beach Day!

    by Kelly Starling Lyons

    Sold out

    Join Ty on his imaginative adventures in Ty's Travels, a My First I Can Read series with rhythmic text by Kelly Starling Lyons and joyful art by Nina Mata.

    Ty turns an ordinary day in the sandbox into a fun beach day. He wiggles his toes in the sand, finds seashells, builds a castle, and splashes in the ocean. Splish, splash! When his neighbor’s beach ball flies into his backyard, Ty learns that a beach day is even better with a friend. 

  • Leon the Extraordinary: A Graphic Novel (Leon #1)

    by Jamar Nicholas

    $12.99

    Leon is an ordinary kid who becomes extraordinary when he fights a supervillain to save his school!

    In the city where Leon lives, superheroes -- and supervillains -- are commonplace. So how does an ordinary kid like Leon, who has no superpowers himself, become the superhero he wants to be? When all his classmates suddenly become obsessed with a new phone app that turns them into zombies, Leon gets his chance to prove that using his brain and following his heart can save the day.

    Equal parts New Kid and The Incredibles, the first graphic novel in this action-packed, heartfelt, and joyously funny series by Jamar Nicholas reminds readers that when it comes to being a hero, you just need to believe in yourself.

  • The World Belonged to Us by Jacqueline Woodson
    $18.99

    Two children’s book superstars—#1 New York Times bestseller Jacqueline Woodson, the author of The Day You Begin, and Leo Espinosa, the illustrator of Islandborn­—join forces to celebrate the joy and freedom of summer in the city, which is gloriously captured in their rhythmic text and lively art.


    It's getting hot outside, hot enough to turn on the hydrants and run through the water--and that means it's finally summer in the city! Released from school and reveling in their freedom, the kids on one Brooklyn block take advantage of everything summertime has to offer. Freedom from morning till night to go out to meet their friends and make the streets their playground--jumping double Dutch, playing tag and hide-and-seek, building forts, chasing ice cream trucks, and best of all, believing anything is possible. That is, till their moms call them home for dinner. But not to worry--they know there is always tomorrow to do it all over again--because the block belongs to them and they rule their world.
     
    (This book is also available in Spanish, as El mundo era nuestro!)

  • The Little Mermaid Live Action Novelization

    By Faith Noelle

    $8.99
    Dive into Ariel's enchanting story in this official novelization of Walt Disney Studios' live action reimagining of The Little Mermaid, coming to theaters.

    Ariel is a curious mermaid who has always wanted to explore the human world! After saving a prince named Eric from a dangerous shipwreck, Ariel makes a deal with the Sea Witch, Ursula, so she can meet him and learn more about what life is like beyond her ocean home. 

    But Ursula is full of tricks, and it will take all of Ariel’s courage to save the human world and the ocean from the Sea Witch’s devious plans.

    This fresh take on a classic story will enchant a new generation of Disney fans, immersing them in Ariel's undersea world.
  • Happily Ever Afters

    by Elise Bryant

    $10.99

    Jane the Virgin meets To All the Boys I’ve Loved Before in this charming debut romantic comedy filled with Black Girl Magic. Perfect for fans of Jenny Han, Mary H.K. Choi, and Nicola Yoon.

    Sixteen-year-old Tessa Johnson has never felt like the protagonist in her own life. She’s rarely seen herself reflected in the pages of the romance novels she loves. The only place she’s a true leading lady is in her own writing—in the swoony love stories she shares only with Caroline, her best friend and #1 devoted reader.

    When Tessa is accepted into the creative writing program of a prestigious art school, she’s excited to finally let her stories shine. But when she goes to her first workshop, the words are just...gone. Fortunately, Caroline has a solution: Tessa just needs to find some inspiration in a real-life love story of her own. And she’s ready with a list of romance-novel-inspired steps to a happily ever after that will surely refill Tessa’s creative well. Nico, the brooding artist who looks like he walked out of one of Tessa’s stories, is cast as the perfect Prince Charming.

    But as Tessa checks each item off Caroline’s list, she gets further and further away from finding her words, and herself, again. She risks losing her parents’ trust, her spot in the writing program, and her friendships—including the surprising bond she develops with Sam, the aspiring baker who lives across the street. She’s well on her way to having her own real-life love story, yet she can’t help but wonder…Is it the one she wants, after all? 

     

  • The Braid Girls

    by Sherri Winston

    $16.99

    In this unforgettable summer novel perfect for fans of From the Desk of Zoe Washington, Maggie, her best friend Daija, and her new half-sister Callie team up to create the ultimate hair-braiding business.

    Maggie's world is turned upside down when she learns that her father, whom she admires, has a second daughter, Callie, whom no one knew existed. But she won't let a new family member get in the way of her summer plans with best friend Daija. They're determined to make tons of money braiding hair for kids around the neighborhood.

    Daija's always felt like she had a sister in Maggie. So she can't let new half-sister Callie take her place! And she can't let her interfere with their new Braid Girls business, either. She needs the money to pay for extra ballet lessons so she can go en pointe and earn a spot in the fall dance showcase, making her distant father proud at last—if she pulls this off, he'll have to pay attention to her.

    Callie's still grieving her late mom. Now she's leaving her old home in the Bahamas behind, including her old school and friends to move in with the father she's never met, plus his family. When she hears of Maggie's and Daija's business, she sees a chance to prove her skills and a way to be accepted.

    With three very different girls on board, the Braid Girls arrive to a summer camp full of kids with locs begging to be braided. Business is booming, until rival Angela shows up with her friends and starts a new braiding business—the Sistahs Who Braid. With competition heating up, the Braid Girls are sure to have an unforgettable summer.

  • I Want to Ride the Tap Tap

    by Danielle Joseph

    $8.99

    A day-of-the-week picture book about a young boy and his parents who ride the taxi-bus service—called a tap tap—in Haiti, and the fascinating people they meet along the way, illustrated by a Haitian artist known for his vibrant street art.

    On Monday through Saturday, Claude and Mama walk Papa to the tap tap. Along the way Claude encounters a lady selling mangoes, a fisherman, a straw-hat maker, a steel drummer, and an artist. Claude wants to join Papa on the bus, but Claude has chores at home and classes at school. Finally, on Sunday Mama and Papa surprise Claude with a ride on the tap tap and they ride to the beach where the lady selling mangoes, the fisherman, the straw-hat maker, the steel drummer, and the artist show Claude how to paint, make hats, and fish. With Creole words sprinkled throughout and a glossary at the end, I Want to Ride the Tap Tap is a warm and lively portrayal of everyday life in Haiti.

  • Clean Getaway

    by Nic Stone

    $7.99

    How to Go on an Unplanned Road Trip with Your Grandma:

    Grab a Suitcase: Prepacked from the big spring break trip that got CANCELLED.
    Fasten Your Seatbelt: G’ma’s never conventional, so this trip won’t be either.
    Use the Green Book: G’ma’s most treasured possession. It holds history, memories, and most important, the way home.

    What Not to Bring:
    A Cell Phone: Avoid contact with Dad at all costs. Even when G’ma starts acting stranger than usual.

    Set against the backdrop of the segregation history of the American South, take a trip with this New York Times bestseller.

  • Eb & Flow

    by Kelly J. Baptist

    $16.99

    A ten-day suspension has tweens De'Kari and Ebony seeing the world with a fresh perspective. Don't miss this poignant novel in verse from the award-winning author of Isaiah Dunn Is My Hero.

    Two kids. One fight. No one thinks they’re wrong.
     
    Flow
    I don’t even hit girls . . . is what I’m thinking.
    I roll my eyes, turn them to my shoes.
     
    Shoes I’ma wear every day till they fall off my feet.
     
    Eb
    It was all just an accident!
    Nobody was trying to mess up
    his Stupid Ugly Shoes.
     
    Now I’ve got my third suspension of seventh grade.

  • The Jump by Brittney Morris
    $19.99

    *ships in 7-10 business days

    From the acclaimed author of SLAY and The Cost of Knowing comes an action-driven, high-octane novel about a group of working-class teens in Seattle who join a dangerous scavenger hunt with a prize that can save their families and community.

    Influence is power. Power creates change. And change is exactly what Team Jericho needs.

    Jax, Yas, Spider, and Han are the four cornerstones of Team Jericho, the best scavenger hunting team in all of Seattle. Each has their own specialty: Jax, the puzzler; Yas, the parkourist; Spider, the hacker; and Han, the cartographer. But now with an oil refinery being built right in their backyard, each also has their own problems. Their families are at risk of losing their jobs, their communities, and their homes.

    So when The Order, a mysterious vigilante organization, hijacks the scavenger hunting forum and concocts a puzzle of its own, promising a reward of influence, Team Jericho sees it as the chance of a lifetime. If they win this game, they could change their families’ fates and save the city they love so much. But with an opposing team hot on their heels, it’s going to take more than street smarts to outwit their rivals.

  • When the Vibe Is Right

    by Sarah Dass

    $19.99

    From the author of Where the Rhythm Takes You comes a delightful enemies-to-lovers contemporary romance set in Trinidad.

    There are two things Tess Crawford knows for sure:

    • She’s destined to be a great Trinidadian Carnival costume designer like her renowned uncle, Russell Messina, and will one day inherit leadership of the family’s masquerade band, Grandeur.
    • Her classmate, the popular social media influencer, Brandon Richards, is the bane of her existence. Everything about him irks her, from his annoying nickname for Tess (Boop) to his association with David, her awful ex.

    But when the future of Grandeur nears the brink of collapse in the face of band rivalry, Tess finds to her chagrin that she must team up with Brandon in a desperate attempt to revive the company.

    As Tess and Brandon spend more time together, Tess begins to wonder if everything she thought she knew might not be so certain after all. . . .

     Set in lush, gorgeous Trinidad, this is a novel about finding love in the most unexpected places.

  • The Amazing Adventures of Aya & Pete in Mexico! [Hardcover]
    Sold out
    Aya and Pete are going to visit Mexico! Aya travels with her best friend Esme to meet her family and explore all of the magic and wonder that Mexico has to offer. From the excitement of Mexico City to the historic center of Oaxaca, Aya and Pete explore the foods, languages, arts, landmarks, and historical architecture of one of the most mythical countries in the world. The newest book in the Aya and Pete collection, The Amazing Adventures of Aya & Pete in Mexico is a must-have book for little explorers, and the first book in our next 3-book box set! Ships in a sturdy corrugated flat-pack book box.
  • Papá's Magical Water-Jug Clock

    by Jesús Trejo

    $18.99

    Is this jug really magical? In Mexican American comedian Jesús Trejo’s debut picture book, little Jesús makes a big, funny mistake as he works alongside his landscaper papá, but father and son find a heartwarming solution.

    Little Jesús is excited to spend a Saturday with his landscaper Papá at the “family business.” He loves Papá’s cool truck and all the tools he gets to use. Papá even puts him in charge of the magical water jug, which is also a clock! When it's empty, Papá explains, the workday will be done. It’s a big job, and Jesús wants to do it right. But he just can’t help giving water to an array of thirsty animals—a dog in a sweater, some very old cats, and a flock of peacocks. Before he knows it, the magical water jug is empty —but the workday’s not over yet! Will Jesús be fired?! Or is the jug not really magical after all? This mischievous tale of a very young comedian’s life lesson will warm hearts and have class clowns, practical jokers, and all high-spirited kids nodding in sympathy.

  • House Party

    by justin a. reynolds

    $18.99

    Ten bestselling, critically acclaimed authors deliver a fresh novel of interconnected stories that follows a group of young adults over the course of a few wild, transformative hours at an epic house party!

    The biggest event of the year is happening, and you’re invited! Join us for Florence Hills High School seniors’ last hurrah before graduation.
    THE LOCATION: A megamansion in one of Chicago’s wealthiest suburban enclaves
    THE HOST: DeAndre Dixon, aka FHHS’s golden boy
    THE GUESTS: The populars, the jocks, the artists, and heck, even that one kid
    THE HOPE: All the drama ensues. Kisses are swapped between old friends, new friends, and could’ve-sworn-they-were-enemies kind of friends. Relationships get tested. Animals roam free. Secrets are spilled. Add dope music that’s thumping, and there’s a good chance the whole neighborhood will be disrupted.

    Featuring: Angeline Boulley • Jerry Craft • Natasha Díaz • Lamar Giles • Christina Hammonds Reed • Ryan La Sala • Yamile Saied Méndez • justin a. reynolds • Randy Ribay • Jasmine Warga


    House Party offers a delightful snapshot of diverse classmates getting ready to say goodbye to high school and hello to life’s next chapter—but not before they make their final night together one they’ll never forget!

  • Green Sea Turtle (Young Zoologist): A First Field Guide to the Ocean Reptile from the Tropics by Carlee Jackson
    $15.99

    A beautifully illustrated first guide to green sea turtles from marine biologist Carlee Jackson.

    Snorkel around coral reefs to study green sea turtles in this beautiful nonfiction field guide for kids.

    You might know that green sea turtles have incredible shells, but there’s so much more to learn about these underwater marvels! Turn the pages to find out how green sea turtles keep seagrass beds healthy by “mowing” them, and how some species of fish like to hitch a ride on their shells. You’ll also witness the amazing egg hatching frenzy that occurs—when baby turtles have to make a mad dash from the beach to the safety of the sea. Filled with simple science and plenty of animal facts, this book also looks at the conservation challenges these endangered animals face due to climate change, poaching, and plastic pollution.

  • Ty's Travels: Camp-Out

    by Kelly Starling Lyons

    $5.99

    *ships in 7-10 business days

    Ty makes his I Can Read! Comics debut! Join Ty on his imaginative camping adventures in Ty’s Travels: Camp Out, a Geisel Honor–winning series with rhythmic text by Kelly Starling Lyons and joyful art by Niña Mata.

    Rain, rain go away!

    When wet weather cancels his family camp out, Ty uses his big imagination! They pitch a tent, go fishing, look at the stars, and roast s’mores. Yum! Camping in is so much fun.

    Join Ty on his camping adventure in this Level One I Can Read! Comic, perfect for shared reading. 

  • Not So Pure and Simple

    by Lamar Giles

    $10.99
    Two-time Edgar Award finalist Lamar Giles delivers his first contemporary YA—an eye-opening novel that spotlights societal pressures, confronts toxic masculinity, and begs the question: What does it mean to be a “real man”?

    Del has had a crush on Kiera Westing since kindergarten, but she’s always been coupled up with someone else. Now, during their junior year, she’s finally single, and Del is ready to make his move. So when Kiera volunteers for a heart-changing opportunity at their church, Del’s not far behind. Though he quickly realizes he’s inadvertently joined a Purity Pledge.

    His dad thinks his wires are crossed. His best friend doesn’t believe any girl is worth that long of a long game. And everyone in his small Virginia town keeps discussing his “reputation.” But Del can’t lose his dream girl (again), which is why he needs fellow Purity Pledger Jameer’s help. With other boys circling Kiera like sharks, Del has got to step up. But he ultimately neglects to ask: What does Kiera want?

Stay Informed. We're building a community committed to celebrating Black authors + artisans. Subscribe to keep up with all things Kindred Stories.