5 Summer Reads that Adults Can Enjoy
Some books seem to be staples in education that every student will read before they graduate. Although many of us have read these same books when we were young, they have powerful, pertinent messages that can still affect us today. For this list, we’re sharing some popular summer reads for students that adults can still relate to and enjoy.
Bridge to Terabithia by Katherine Paterson – This winner of the Newbery Medal is filled with all the things that make up a good kid’s book: adventure, fantasy, and friendship. However, it also explores heavier areas such as coping with the loss of a friend and the stages of grief; making it applicable to readers of all ages.
The Giver by Lois Lowry – Another winner of the Newbery Medal, this book tells the story of Jonah: a young boy who is selected to carry all the memories of the past in his sterile society. Through his experiences he begins to understand what his community, devoid of all emotion, is missing and that without the experience of pain, one cannot truly know joy.
To Kill a Mockingbird by Harper Lee – This book is considered an American Classic and addresses difficult points of contention from the life of the young narrator, Scout. The narrator’s father, Atticus Finch, is often referred to as “The Greatest Hero in Literature,” as he tries to be a good example to his children and stay true to his convictions despite pressure from their community.
The Diary of Anne Frank – This powerful diary of a young girl is usually read in later middle school years, or even high school. As a hideaway, Anne leads a life that in many ways is not typical to the average 13-year old. However, Anne is wise beyond her years and provides nuggets of truth that children and adults can appreciate.
Catcher in the Rye by J.D. Salinger – Due to its language and some suggestive material, this book is generally saved for high school reads. With Holden Caulfield, Salinger created one of the most distinctive voices in literature. Holden is relatable to every student who feels like an outcast, but this coming of age story also deals with heavier topics such as depression, neglect, and the desire to protect innocence.
What are some of your favorite summer reads? What children’s or young adult books do you feel have relatable messages for adults? Let us know in the comments below!
Check out this article for ideas about a summer project for your students.
Carolina Fransen is the EdTech Apps and Tools Editor at SimpleK12.com. She writes regularly about the use of educational technology in K-12 classrooms. If you have an app, tool, website, or service that you think we should know about, please send your information or tip to editor@simplek12.com.
10 Free Web Tools to Promote Literacy 
A few years back, while teaching 5th grade, I loved my students’ yearly novels so much, I have read them again and again.
Hatchet, Where the Red Fern Grows, Johnny Tremain, and Where the Lilies Bloom… If you haven’t read these in a while, or have never read them, I highly recommend each one!
I have always loved A Wrinkle in Time by Madeline L’Engle.
“Wonder” by RJ Palacio
Absolutely! Great book.
A fun trilogy to read is by Zizou Corder: Lion Boy, Lion Boy the Chase, and Lion Boy the Truth. Many of my teachers have read and enjoyed them. Another author that has some wonderful books is Cornelia Funke. Translated from the German, she has a trilogy for those who love books: Inkheart, Inkspell, and Inkdeath. Two other favorites of hers are Dragon Rider and The Thief Lord.
I’ll leave you with two more that I love. One is less well known: The Boy Who Spoke Dog by Clay Morgan, and a Must read by Ben Mikaelsen, Petey, which is 90% true and will tug at your heart strings long after it’s over. Everyone who’s read it has loved it and it’s definitely a keeper.
I read “Because of Winn Dixie” to my kids every year. My absolute favorite 4th grade book….so many valuable and insightful lessons! A must read!
The Watsons Go to Birmingham 1963 is a children’s book that is a great read for adults. It has so many layers to it that after 8 years of using it in my classroom I am still gaining new insights from it. I truly love this book!
One my favorites of all times is Island of the Blue Dolphin. I was assigned to read it in fifth grade and loved it so much that I continue to recommend it to my students.
Agree! Also A Single Shard
Joined our 5th graders this year in the Battle of the Books and read Because of Winn Dixie for the first time. Loved it! Also A Dog’s Life: The Autobiography of a Stray by Ann M. MArtin, The Indian in the Cupboard by Lynne Banks, The Chronicles of Narnia: The Lion the Witch and the Wardrobe by C.S. Lewis. Just a very few of my favorites.
I love “Marina” by Carlos Ruiz Zafon. Carlos Ruiz Zafon is a Spanish Author who is brilliant at writing for teenagers. I highly recommend it for adults.
My students read The Outsiders by S.E. Hinton for their summer reading assignment. They love it, and many say it is the best book they have ever read. It kicks off a “Hero” study.
Stepping on the Cracks! Takes place in WWII. Great way to kick off 6th grade. We also read The Hound of the Baskervilles and Code Talkers.
I love reading with students and myself: Where the Red Fern Grows, Hatchet by Gary Paulsen, Out of My Mind is another great read, and another one I love, The One and Only Ivan. Students love these reads!
One book I tried this year, it is a bit more compex, but students love it, What Elephants Know.
My best book, I loved it so much, I had to have a copy for myself.
The Berlin Boxing Club——awesome read!
I really enjoyed teaching the book Touching the Spirit Bear.
The Other Side of Truth by Beverly Naidoo and Purple Hibiscus by Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie.