Summer Reading, Having a Blast: 15 New Reads for the Young & Young at Heart

Is there anything better than the whole family kicking back in the sun with some good books? Whether you’re heading to the beach, the pool, or having a staycation at home, these staff picks for the young and young at heart will get your summer reading off to a great start!

P.S. If you’d like to help other kids in the Nashville area get access to great summer reads, consider donating to our summer book drive in partnership with Book’Em! Purchase any children’s book from Parnassus to donate, and the Parnassus Foundation will match your donation!

P.S.S. If you’re ordering a book for donation online, let us know in the order comments section that it’s for Book’Em so we don’t accidentally send it to you.

PICTURE BOOKSRecommended by Rae Ann All Kinds of Special

By Tammi Sauer, Fernando Martin (Illustrator)

A mango tree in the yard of her new house helps a girl feel at home and make a new friend. The brightly-colored illustrations pair perfectly with this delightful story.

Recommended by Chelsea Simon and the Better Bone

By Corey R. Tabor

A dog sees another dog just like him at a pond, except the new dog has a better bone! How can the dog get the better bone when the new dog seems to know all his tricks? This retelling of an Aesop fable has a sweet twist at the end that will delight readers.

Recommended by Rae Ann Hiding: A Story About Finding Quiet in a Busy World

By Kate Pugsley

This book is a celebration of fun and games and also of being alone. The artwork is the perfect complement to the story.

Recommended by Rae Ann My Dog Just Speaks Spanish

By Andrea Cáceres

After Aurora moves to the US, she learns to speak English, but her dog does not. She translates for him as they go about their day in this charming picture book.

INDEPENDENT READERSRecommended by Rae Ann The Labors of Hercules Beal

By Gary D. Schmidt

Herc Jones is the smallest kid in his class. His school assignment to replicate the Twelve Labors of Hercules in real life and write about them takes him on an unexpected journey in his family, school, and community. This funny book is full of heart and characters to root for.

Recommended by Chelsea The Takeout

By Tracy Badua

Mila is trying to fit in to her new small town while spending time on her dad’s Indian-Filipino fusion food truck. When her favorite celebrity chefs open a restaurant with an eerily familiar menu, how far will Mila go to save her family’s truck and uncover the truth? This is a perfect read for anyone trying to find exactly where they fit in while keeping true to themselves.

YOUNG ADULTRecommended by Theo The Princess and the Grilled Cheese Sandwich (A Graphic Novel)

By Deya Muniz

Do you like royal sapphic romance? Do you like cheese puns? Do you like REALLY PRETTY drawings of princesses and castles? If this sounds like you, read this comic!

Recommended by Aly The Queens of New York: A Novel

By E. L. Shen

Three best friends are spending their first summer apart. Jia, Ariel, and Everett are looking for love, fame, independence, and answers, but just might get more than they bargained for without one another to lean on. This book is beautiful, kindhearted, and incredibly real.

Recommended by Rae Ann You: The Story: A Writer’s Guide to Craft Through Memory

By Ruta Sepetys

Instructive and entertaining. Ruta Sepetys teaches us the craft of writing while telling stories of her days as a rock and roll manager in LA and more!

Recommended by Katie A Little Bit Country

By Brian D. Kennedy

I am so grateful my son (who is now five) is going to grow up in a world that has so many brilliant queer stories being published. And I know there are still so many stories that need to be told. A Little Bit Country by Brian Kennedy is a joyous love song to both country music and young queer love. You can’t help but fall right alongside Luke and Emmet.

Recommended by Sarah Girls Like Girls

By Hayley Kiyoko

Let it be known that pop sensation Hayley Kiyoko can write songs AND books! Her 2015 song “Girls Like Girls” was a hugely impactful cultural moment for queer folks, and this novel extends the story told in the viral music video. It’s exactly what teenage Sarah needed.

Recommended by RJ The Grimoire of Grave Fates

By Hanna Alkaf (Created by), Margaret Owen (Created by)

There’s been a murder at an elite school for sorcerers, and it will take the combined talents of the students to solve the crime. Uniquely told in interlocking short stories, each containing clues to the murder, this collection features a diverse line-up of amazing writers working together to stage a highly entertaining magical mystery.

Sprout Book Club: June Selection Before, Now 

By Daniel Salmieri

The June 2023 Sprout Book Club selection is Before, Now by Daniel Salmieri. Ava’s world is full of opposites that complement each other. Fluffy birds rest in a prickly nest and a light balloon floats above a heavy table. Things change and stay the same all at once in this beautiful picture book.

Early praise for the book:

“This meditation on the patterns of life shines with reminders of what we carry with us as we grow.” – Kirkus

Sprout Book Club is the book subscription box for picture book lovers. Every month members will receive a first edition picture book.  Set up a subscription for yourself or buy a gift membership for your favorite picture book lover for 3, 6, or 12 months. 

Spark Book Club: June Selection Camp Sylvania

By Julie Murphy

The June 2023 Spark Book Club selection is Camp Sylvania by Julie Murphy. Maggie’s dream of going to Rising Star Summer Camp with her BFF is dashed when her parents break the news that she’s going to fat camp instead. Things at camp are strange…and maybe run by vampires! This fun and spooky story is perfect for summer reading!

Early Sparks for the novel:

“Murphy renders her camp of fat characters with nuance, giving them unique personalities beyond their size and often pointing out how others’ judgments ignore their full humanity and undermine their confidence. A fun and spooky celebration of fat kids and friendship.” –Kirkus

Spark Book Club is the first editions club for middle grade readers.  Every month members will receive a first edition middle grade novel — plus a letter written by the author especially for club members. Makes a great gift for the independent reader! Sign ups are available for 3, 6, or 12 months.

ParnassusNext: June Selection Something Close to Magic

By Emma Mills

The June 2023 ParnassusNext selection is Something Close to Magic by Emma Mills. Aurelie had to leave her magic school unexpectedly and landed an internship as an apprentice at Basil’s Bakery. She feels like she will never make it out of the small town and into her destiny. One day a stranger arrives with a set of seeking stones, demanding that Aurelie dust off her magic to find someone. When the “someone” turns out to be Prince Hapless, Aurelie’s life will never be the same.

Early praise for the novel:

“Teens who relish light, character-driven stories will enjoy this fantasy with a setting that evokes medieval European ways of life and social structures.” – Kirkus

ParnassusNext is the book subscription box for YA lovers. Every member of ParnassusNext receives a first edition hardcover of each month’s selected book, signed by the author. There is no membership fee to join — and no line to stand in for the autograph. Not only will you have one of the best YA books of the month when it comes out, you’ll have it straight from the author’s hands, with an original, authentic signature! Set up a subscription for yourself or buy a gift membership for your favorite YA reader for 3, 6, or 12 months.