Beach Reads

Last updated: May 21, 2026

Whether you want frothy fun, gripping suspense, a tense sports battle, twisty mystery, swoon-worthy romance, or sizzling blockbuster, these page-turners are perfect for your lounge chair or beach towel. For other books you just can't put down, check out these lists for kids and teens: Mystery Books and Thriller Books for Teens.

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Cannonball Poster Image

BOOK

Cannonball

age 3+

Warm story of individuality and achieving a perfect splash.

Sacha Cotter Picture Book (2020)

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Black Brother, Black Brother Poster Image

BOOK

Black Brother, Black Brother

age 8+

Boy challenges school bully in exciting sports story.

Jewell Parker Rhodes Sports (2020)

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From the Desk of Zoe Washington Poster Image

BOOK

From the Desk of Zoe Washington

age 8+

Girl works to clear her father of a crime in smart tale.

Janae Marks Family Life (2020)

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Magic Marks the Spot: The Very Nearly Honorable League of Pirates, Book 1 Poster Image

BOOK

Magic Marks the Spot: The Very Nearly Honorable League of Pirates, Book 1

age 8+

Rollicking, magical tale of girl who joins pirate crew.

Caroline Carlson Fantasy (2013)

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The Dragon Egg Princess Poster Image

BOOK

The Dragon Egg Princess

age 8+

Exciting tale of dragons, friendship, and world-saving.

Ellen Oh Fantasy (2020)

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The Season of Styx Malone Poster Image

BOOK

The Season of Styx Malone

age 8+

Heartwarming story of friendship and adventure.

Kekla Magoon Coming of Age (2018)

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City Spies, Book 1 Poster Image

BOOK

City Spies, Book 1

age 9+

Diverse young, skilled misfits team up in exciting spy romp.

James Ponti Adventure (2020)

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Clean Getaway Poster Image

BOOK

Clean Getaway

age 9+

Boy and grandma's thrilling ride through U.S., family past.

Nic Stone Adventure (2020)

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Shuri: A Black Panther Novel, Book 1 Poster Image

BOOK

Shuri: A Black Panther Novel, Book 1

age 9+

Bold princess shines in African superhero adventure.

Nic Stone Science Fiction (2020)

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The Lightning Thief: Percy Jackson and the Olympians, Book 1 Poster Image

BOOK

The Lightning Thief: Percy Jackson and the Olympians, Book 1

age 9+

Greek myths meet fast-paced adventure in boy-demigod tale.

Rick Riordan Fantasy (2005)

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Beyond the Bright Sea Poster Image

BOOK

Beyond the Bright Sea

age 10+

Moving adventure story of tween's search for her origins.

Lauren Wolk Historical Fiction (2017)

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Race to the Sun Poster Image

BOOK

Race to the Sun

age 10+

Fun girl hero drives fast-paced, modern take on Navajo myth.

Rebecca Roanhorse Fantasy (2020)

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Summer of the Gypsy Moths Poster Image

BOOK

Summer of the Gypsy Moths

age 10+

Captivating story of resilient girls has some dark moments.

Sara Pennypacker Coming of Age (2012)

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The Last Last-Day-of-Summer: Legendary Alston Boys, Book 1 Poster Image

BOOK

The Last Last-Day-of-Summer: Legendary Alston Boys, Book 1

age 10+

Kid sleuths investigate zany time-travel mystery.

Lamar Giles Science Fiction (2019)

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Winterborne Home for Vengeance and Valor, Book 1 Poster Image

BOOK

Winterborne Home for Vengeance and Valor, Book 1

age 10+

Wild tale of orphans, billionaires, mansions, and murder.

Ally Carter Adventure (2020)

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Beauty and the Beast: Lost in a Book Poster Image

BOOK

Beauty and the Beast: Lost in a Book

age 11+

Belle gets lured into book in dark but enchanting spin-off.

Jennifer Donnelly Fairy Tale (2017)

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Better Off Friends Poster Image

BOOK

Better Off Friends

age 11+

Sweet, funny When Harry Met Sally romance for tweens.

Elizabeth Eulberg Coming of Age (2014)

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Deeplight Poster Image

BOOK

Deeplight

age 12+

Undersea fantasy delivers gallons of reading pleasure.

Frances Hardinge Fantasy (2020)

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From Twinkle, with Love Poster Image

BOOK

From Twinkle, with Love

age 12+

Sparkling romantic comedy has lots to say about friendship.

Sandhya Menon Coming of Age (2018)

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Of Curses and Kisses book cover: A red rose with a gem in the middle, surrounded by pink and red leaves

BOOK

Of Curses and Kisses: Rosetta Academy, Book 1

age 12+

Sparkling modern retelling of "Beauty and the Beast."

Sandhya Menon Coming of Age (2020)

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