Get that Reading Done!

Summers can be so action-packed and filled with fun, outdoor activities so we won’t blame you if you haven’t had time to do your summer reading. However, school is coming up fast so you really do need to finish up your summer books. If the book you picked in the beginning was too long or too complicated to finish in the last week of summer, here are books you can read instead! They’re all fascinating books that’ll challenge your imagination and tickle your fancy but they’re also very fast and readable. If you put your mind to it, you could finish them up in a week!

1. The Lightning Thief by Rick Riordan

This book is filled with fantastical creatures and legends from Greek mythology but it isn’t boring at all! The story cleverly incorporates ancient Greek lore into our modern era and they add a unique flavor to the epic adventure that unfolds. The characters are also very well-crafted and the book’s protagonist, Percy Jackson, has a sometimes lame, but laugh-worthy sense of humor.

2. A Little Princess by Frances Hodges Burnett

A long-time classic, this book is filled to the brim with a sense of innocent wonder and determination. The book’s strong messages of love, friendship and imagination make the story an essential read. The main character, Sara Crewe, is beautifully creative and complex character whose deep thoughts keep us constantly guessing. Overall, the book seems to breathe a timeless sense of magic that’ll keep you thinking about it long after you’ve finished.

3. The Watsons Go to Birmingham by Christopher Paul Curtis

Set in the 1960s, the book tells the tale of a young African-American and his family moving to Birmingham. The voice of the main character, Kenneth, is humorous and one-of-a-kind and totally believable. There is also a depth of naivete and innocence that allows us to see through the eyes of a child. The story itself is brilliantly written and very telling of the segregation that African-Americans faced and some of the horrors of racial violence.

4. The Penderwicks by Jeanne Birdsall

This charming book is about the summer adventures of the Penderwick family when they vacation at a cottage called Arundel. The book’s point of view switches around the four Penderwick daughters, each with a contrasting personality, and they all describe their experiences at the beautiful cottage. The story is whimsical, dreamy and full of bright colors but it also has genuine moments of tenderness and love. This is a must read for those wanting to remember the last days of summer.

5. Stargirl by Jerry Spinelli

Don’t be fooled by its simple cover, the plain design masks a wonderful and eccentric story underneath. The writing consists of short sentences but you can tell each sentence has been lovingly created and honed until they shine. The story is told from the viewpoint of Leo, who chronicles the appearance of a student named Stargirl in his school. Stargirl is a free-spirited soul whose positivity and nonconformist attitude manages to touch the hearts of many students. Her antics and the evolution of individuality among the students make this book an essential, summer read.

Reading Doesn’t Have to be Boring!