There is great juvenile literature published every year. With so many choices, it is easy to forget older publications.  However, some of my favorite children book recommendations today are the ones that I read over and over again as a child. If you are looking for some new-but-old summer reading choices, take a look at the list below. Whether you are school aged or an adult, these are great reads (or re-reads) for the summer. All of the books were originally published over twenty years ago. Many of the titles may be ones you remember reading while growing up, but there might be something unfamiliar. What was your favorite childhood chapter book? Please add a comment with your favorite!

** I tried to avoid duplicating titles I have on the “Read-Alike” and “Style-Alike” posts, so be sure to check out those articles too. I also included a suggested grade range.

Historical Fiction

• All-of-a-Kind Family by Taylor (3rd/4th grade)
• Celia Garth by Bristow (6th grade and up)
• I am Rosemarie by Moskin (5th grade and up)
• Island of the Blue Dolpins by O’Dell (5th grade and up)
• Snow Treasure by McSwigan (4th grade and up)
• When the Legends Die by Borland (7th grade and up)
• The Witch of Blackbird Pond by Speare (6th grade and up)

Animal

• The Cricket in Times Square by Selden (3rd/4th grade)
• The Incredible Journey by Burnford (5th/6th grade)
• Julie of the Wolves by George (4th grade and up)
• Kavik the Wolf Dog by Morey (4th grade and up)
• Stone Fox by Gardiner (3rd/4th grade)
• Where the Red Fern Grows by Rawls (6th/7th grade)
• The Yearling by Rawlings (6th grade and up– difficult language, dialect)

Fantasy

• The Borrowers by Norton (5th grade and up)
• Castle in the Attic by Winthrop (3rd grade and up)
• Gift of Magic by Duncan (5th grade and up)
• Half Magic by Eager (3rd/4th grade)
• Indian in the Cupboard by Banks (4th grade and up)
• The Last of the Really Great Whangdoodles by Edwards (4th grade and up)
• Mrs. Piggle Wiggle by MacDonald (1st to 3rd grade)

Realistic Fiction

• The Hundred Dresses by Estes (3rd/4th grade)
• The Saturdays by Enright (4th/5th grade)
• The Secret Garden by Burnett (4th grade and up)
• A Summer to Die by Lowry (6th grade and up)
• Wheel on the School by DeJong (5th grade and up)

Adventure

• The Boxcar Children by Warner (1st to 3rd grade)
• My Side of the Mountain by George (4th grade and up)
• Original Nancy Drew Mysteries by Keene (3rd grade and up)