Summer Solstice Reading List

Photo: Sunset by Martin

“Do you ever wait for the longest day of the year and then miss it? I always wait for the longest day of the year and then miss it!”–F. Scott Fitzgerald, The Great Gatsby

Happy Summer Solstice, everyone! In case you’re not up on your astronomy, this is when the northern hemisphere of the earth is most tilted toward the sun, giving us the most daylight of the year. (Summer hemisphere friends, this happens for you in December.) This year the solstice coincides with the Strawberry Moon, aka June’s full moon. Lots of cool stuff going on in the sky today!

 It also marks the beginning of summer, which feels like a great day to share some of my suggestions for summery reading. In ascending order of target age of reader:

The Penderwicks: A Summer Tale of Four Sisters, Two Rabbits, and a Very Interesting Boy by Jeanne Birdsall

Cozy and clever story of sisters on summer vacation.
Tuck Everlasting by Natalie Babbitt

Life and death and eternity, all on the hottest day of the year.
A Ring of Endless Light by Madeleine L’Engle

The most famous of the Austin family novels, about grief and hope and dolphins.
Lumberjanes, Vol. 1: Beware the Kitten Holy by Noelle Stevenson, Grace Ellis, Shannon Watters, and Brooke A. Allen

I never went to summer camp, but I want to sign up for  Miss Qiunzilla Thiskwin Penniquiqul Thistle Crumpet’s camp for hard-core lady-types.
The Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants by Ann Brashares

Fun and surprisingly moving story of family, love, and why you need your friends.
Breakfast Served Anytime by Sarah Combs

Set at a summer program for gifted and talented students, Gloria is in my heart forever.
This One Summer by Mariko Tamaki and Jillian Tamaki

Touching story about family and coming of age, paired with beautiful art.
99 Days by Katie Cotugno

When a summer at home means having to face your old loves and mistakes.
We Were Liars by E. Lockhart

Old money and secrets and tragedy on a private island.
The Girl Who Chased the Moon by Sarah Addison Allen

Magical lights and cakes and wallpaper feature in this summer story of coming home.
Midsummer Night’s Dream by William Shakespeare

The original summer love story.
The Great Gatsby by F. Scott Fitzgerald

Wild parties and the most self-destructive summer romance ever.
Mrs. Dalloway by Virginia Woolf

Set on a day in June, a lyrical story of connection.

What are your favorite summery stories? Share them in the comments!