I’m definitely one of the types who packs more books than days I’m going to be on vacation, regardless of whether or not it will actually be feasible to read them all. I think to myself, I never know what I’m going to be in the mood to read at any given moment and just how quickly I might get through each book. It’s better to be prepared.
Picking out those vacation reads for yourself and your kids is one of the most important steps of packing. A good book can really make or break a long car ride, boring layovers in airports, or late nights when you’re having trouble falling asleep in a strange bed. When I go on vacation now with my family, I pack books for myself AND my eight-year-old nephew because I know there’s nothing better than passing books and sharing what we loved about them. During our past vacations we’ve devoured:
The Mysterious Benedict Society series by Trenton Lee Stewart, illustrated by Carson Ellis (Little, Brown & Co), Lunch Lady and the Summer Camp Shakedown by Jarrett Krosoczka (Alfred A. Knopf) and Alvin Ho: Allergic to Camping, Hiking and Other Natural Disasters by Lenore Look, illustrated by LeUyen Pham (Schwartz & Wade).
Here are a few other books (both new and older titles) for the middle grade reader that also make terrific vacation reads, especially if, like us, you’re planning a trip to the ocean!
Swallows and Amazons by Arthur Ransome (David R. Godine)
Junonia by Kevin Henkes (Greenwillow Books)
The Worry Week by Anne Lindberg, illustrated by Kevin Hawkes (David R. Godine)
The Penderwicks at Point Mouette by Jeanne Birdsall (Alfred A. Knopf)
Two of these books were written in the last year, while two were written decades ago. What I love is that, upon reading them, it’s not terribly obvious which is which. They all have the same classic feel of vacation with your family. No cell phones. No TV. Just pure summertime adventure.
What are your favorite chapter books about summer vacation? Check back next week for recommended summer picture books!
Tags: Alvin Ho, Anne Lindbergh, Arthur Ransome, chapter books, Jarrett Krosoczka, Jeanne Birdsall, Junonia, Kevin Hawkes, Kevin Henkes, Lenore Look, LeUyen Pham, Lunch Lady, middle grade, Mysterious Benedict Society, ocean, summer, Swallows and Amazons, The Penderwicks, The Worry Week, Trenton Lee Stewart