Books About Summer
Last updated: July 15, 2026
Summer's here—and, depending on where you live, so are BBQs, swimming trips, and long afternoons sprawled in front of the fan with snacks and a good book. These picture books, middle-grade stories, and teen novels deliver relaxed summer vibes (or thrills and chills!) and help prevent summer slide. For more great summer reads, check out Beach Reads and Summer Camp Books.
About the Author
Mandie Caroll
Mandie Caroll edits book reviews, curates book lists, and geeks out on all things kids' lit as the Books Editor. Her passion for kids' books was sparked as a teacher, where she witnessed books inspire wonder, provide comfort, and empower her students. After working as a higher education administrator, Mandie earned her MFA in Creative Writing, during which she served as an editorial intern at Common Sense and then transitioned into a book and TV reviewer. Before joining the editorial team full time, Mandie wrote and edited app and website content as a content designer. When not at work, Mandie reads YA fantasy, writes personal essays, memoir, and lengthy but impassioned social media posts, watches the Avatar: The Last Airbender with their almost-teenager over and over, dotes on her two chiuhuahuas, knits stuff, rambles around nature in the East Bay, or bakes passionfruit butter mochi.