Summer Reading
As we come into the summer months, it is important for students to continue to refine their literacy skills and foster a love of reading. Reading builds visualization, thinking, and language abilities. Summer reading is also essential to retain information from the previous school year. Reading is not only important for our students, but for parents too. This year’s summer reading list will also include books for parents.
It is our goal at Shining Stars Montessori Academy PCS is two fold: to continue to improve our students’ literacy skills year-round AND encourage a love of reading. The SSMA 2025 Summer Reading List list includes a wide variety of books for all ages , for all grades , from different cultures, bilingual books, fiction, and nonfiction. All of the books are available at the DC Public Library. Enjoy!
To get a DC Public Library card, click DC Public Library below
To check out our school’s library database please follow the link below.
https://search.follettsoftware.com/metasearch/ui/136638
Have a great summer of reading
ShiningStars Montessori: Nurturing Readers, Building Global Citizens."
Days and Nights (Fiction, Ages 2-6) *
By Wong Herbert Yee
In Summer Days and Nights, a young girl finds herself fascinated with all the sights and sounds of summer days and nights. The story highlights small details that make summer time special for all of us.
The reader will gain a curiosity about the little things around them and appreciate the small details of each season more.
Summer Color! (Fiction, Ages 4-8) *
By Diana Murray
Going on adventures in your backyard can create a whole new world for children. In Summer Color! two children explore that back and discover that it is a colorful landscape of all things summer!
Are You Small? (Non-Fiction, Ages 3-5)
Mo Willems
This book takes children on a journey to see the smallest of the small, from cookie crumbs and water molecules to a quark to put size in perspective.
The Little Island (Fiction, Ages 2-6)*
By Margaret Wise Brown
This beautifully written story follows a kitten who decides to visit an island. The seasons pass and the inhabitants of the island notice the array of changing sights, smells, and sounds. The kitten among the friends they meet discovers that even small, we are all an important part of the
world.
Listening With My Heart: A Story of Kindness and Self-Compassion (Fiction, Ages 4-7)
By Gabi Garcia
A young girl named Esperanza finds a heart shaped rock, and while looking at it, it reminds herself to spread kindness and love into the world. But during her school play something happens that makes her forget to show kindness to herself. Discussing showing love and kindness to others, we often forget to discuss how to show love and kindness to ourselves.
Listening With My Heart is a great way to show children that we can be a little kinder to ourselves.
Magic Like That (Fiction, Ages 5-8)
By Samara Cole Doyon
In Magic Like That a young girl is excitedly waiting on her mother to finish her hair. Everytime her mother styles her hair, she waits impatiently to discover what hairstyle she will get. Reading this book will inspire young readers to embrace and believe in the beauty of their natural selves.
Loretta’s Gift (Fiction, Ages 4-8)
By Pat Zietlow
Loretta is on a search to find the perfect gift for her new baby cousin. Everyone is showering her cousin with gifts but Loretta has no idea what to buy! She discovers that sometimes the best gift is something that money cannot buy.
Family Reunion (Fiction, Ages 5-10)
By Chad and Dad Richardson
A young boy is dreading his family reunion because he thinks he will not have fun. Then he sees his PopPop and knows that he is about to have the time of his life. He is drawn into dancing and sharing food with his family. This book shows the importance of intergenerational bonds and the importance of family.
The Girl Who Makes a Million Mistakes (Fiction, Ages 4-7)
By Brenda Li
This story teaches that it is okay to be okay and not everything in life is perfect. It also teaches children how to regulate their emotions and build resilience.
Honeybee: The Busy Life of Apis Mellifera *(Fiction, Ages 4-8)
By Candace Fleming
A small honeybee comes out of her wax cap cell, ready to protect her hive. But, she is still trying to find the courage to fly. Once she breaks through the wall of her hive she finally feels free. Follow her along her journey of self-discovery and breaking out of spaces that are too confining for her growing need of adventure.
A Friend Like You (Fiction, Ages 5-8)
By Frank Murphy
Friends are there to laugh with you and always ready to give you a hug when you need one. This book celebrates all the different ways to be a friend.
The Girl Who Thought in Pictures: The Story of Dr.Temple Grandin ** (Non-Fiction, Ages 4-9)
By Julia Finley Mosca
Temple was diagnosed with autism and no one expected her to talk, let alone become one of the most powerful voices in modern science. Being a unique thinker allowed her to connect with animals in a special way, helping her invent groundbreaking improvements for farms around the globe.
The Mouse and the Motorcycle (Fiction, Ages 5-9)
By Beverly Cleary
Ralph the mouse sees a red toy motorcycle unattended and vows to ride it. Ralph is very adventurous and takes the bike on a joy ride. During his ride, he takes risks and makes mistakes but that is all a part of his journey.
The Tale of Despereaux (Fiction, Ages 7-10)
By Kate DiCamillo
The Tale of Despereaux is about a mouse named Despereaux Tilling who decides to take on a quest to save the beautiful Princess Pea. This book is full of enchantment and encourages readers to be courageous. Despereaux Tilling may faint at loud noises, but he takes on challenges throughout this tale and stops at nothing to fulfill his dream.
Missing Momma (Fiction, Ages 4-8)
By Winsome Bingham
The narrator of this story, Momma’s Baby, misses her mother who is a fighter for her country’s freedom. When her mother comes home she seems different, much sadder. Missing Momma is a comforting hopeful story that reminds us that family love is important even on days that are not perfect.
Desmond Cole Ghost Patrol (Fiction, Ages 6-8)
By Andres Miedoso
Moving to a new town can be hard, making new friends, exploring your new neighborhood, but finding out your new town is haunted? But thankfully you moved in next door to Desmond Cole! In these series follow these two friends that enjoy ghost hunting and exploring their neighborhood.
The Story of Katherine Johnson ** (Non-Fiction, Ages 6-9)
By Andrea Thorpe
Katherine Johnson was one of the best mathematicians in the history of the United States. Her math skills helped send the first American astronauts safely into space.
The Story of Ruby Bridges: An Inspiring Biography for Young Readers ** (Non-Fiction, Ages 6-9)
By Arlisha Norwood Alston PhD
Ruby Bridges was the first Black student to attend an all-white public school in the southern United States. She became a civil rights leader at a very young age. Explore what it was like to become an important figure in the civil rights fight at a young age.
The Cartoonists Club: A Graphic Novel (Fiction, Ages 8-12)
By Raina Telgemeier
Makayla has so many ideas to write, but has no clue how to turn them into a story. Howard loves drawing but cannot come up with a story to go with it. Lynda draws in her sketchbook and cannot focus on anything but her mistakes. Art is trying to be creative and looking for something new to try. Together they create the Cartoonists Club where kids can come together to use their creativity and imagination to create comics.
Nancy Drew: The Secret of the Old Clock (Fiction, Ages 8-13) *
By Carolyn Keene
In this debut novel of the Nancy Drew Mystery Stories, Nancy is on the search to find a missing will. Her search leads her into a thrilling adventure. The reader will feel a sense of adventure and curiosity about the mysteries around them.
Front Desk (Fiction, Ages 9-11)
By Kelly Yang
Mia Tang has a lot of secrets. Each day she pretends to be someone that she is not. Mia wants to become a writer, but her mother wants her to focus on math since English is not her first language. It takes a lot of hard work from Mia to complete the school year with so many things going on in her life as she reaches for her dreams, but once she realizes that some
things are not in her control and focuses on the things that are, her path becomes a lot clearer.
Onyx and Beyond (Fiction, Ages 8-12)
By Amber Mcbride
Onyx lives with his mother who is showing signs of illness, but he is afraid to get her the help she needs. While he is trying to get his life together, his home life is in turmoil, and so is his community. Onyx only wants to fulfill his dream of becoming an astronaut where he can leave all of his problems behind.
Survival Skills for Kids: How to Perform First Aid, Build Shelter, Start a Fire, Find Water, and Handle Emergencies Non-Fiction
By Peter Myers
Survival Skills for kids will help children feel more comfortable exploring the nature around them, and not staying inside the entire summer! Though some skills may seem extreme, and they may never find themselves in these situations, reading this book will help them (and parents) feel safer, comfortable, and develop skills to problem solve.
Roll of Thunder, Hear My Cry (Fiction, Ages 10-12)
By Mildred D. Taylor
Roll of Thunder, Hear My Cry is a coming-of-age novel told from the perspective of Cassie Logan and discusses racial and economic hardships that her family faces in their community.
Path to the Stars: My Journey from Girl Scout to Rocket Scientist (Non-Fiction, Ages 10-12) **
By Sylvia Acevedo
When a meningitis outbreak took over Sylvia’s underprivileged neighborhood, her life was forever altered. She channels her pain into beating the cultural expectations put on her by her school. She becomes the first Latinx to graduate with a master’s in engineering from Stanford University and becomes a rocket scientist at NASA’s Jet Propulsion Laboratory.
Dual Language Immersion Selections
La oruga muy hambrienta (The Very Hungry Caterpillar) (Fiction, Ages 2-5)
By Eric Carle
A colorful and engaging story that follows a tiny caterpillar as it eats its way through a variety of foods before transforming into a beautiful butterfly. Great for teaching counting, days of the week, and the life cycle of a caterpillar.
Sapo y Sepo son Amigos (Frog and Toad Are Friends) (Fiction, Ages 4-7)
By Arnold Lobel
Frog and Toad Are Friends is geared for students that are learning how to read independently. Frog and Toad are two good friends that are there for each other to do the mundane activities of everyday life together including finding lost buttons, telling each other about their day, and sometimes just reveling in silence as best friends do. This book is a part of a series.
Hombre Mosca Presenta:Dinosaurios (Fly Guy Presents: Dinosaurs) (Non-Fiction, Ages 5-7)
Tedd Arnold
While on a field trip, Buzz and Fly Guy discover an entire new world of dinosaurs!
La lección de August (Wonder) (Fiction, Ages 8-12)
R.J. Palacio
This heartwarming novel follows August Pullman, a young boy with a facial difference, as he navigates his first year at a mainstream school. The book touches on themes of kindness, acceptance, and the power of empathy.
El único e incomparable Iván (The One and Only Ivan) (Fiction, Ages 7-10)
By Katherine Applegate
Inspired by a true story, this novel is told from the perspective of Ivan, a silverback gorilla who lives in a shopping mall. Through his eyes, readers see how he forms bonds with other animals and a young elephant named Ruby.
Todo sobre los tiburones (National Geographic Kids: Everything Shark) (Non-Fiction, Ages 7-12)
A fascinating, fact-filled book about sharks, offering both educational information and fun visuals.
Guides’ Summer Reading Selections
The Most Magnificent Thing * (Fiction, Ages 3-7)
By Ashley Spires
A young girl attempts to create her “most magnificent thing” with her dog as an assistant. Through her frustrations, she works hard after her initial plan does not pan out.
A Bad Case of Stripes (Fiction, Ages 3-7)
By David Shannon
Camilla Cream becomes covered in stripes because she is worried about what other people think of her, especially her food preferences. Read this book to learn how Camilla can handle her stress and embrace her true self.
Rin Rin Renacuajo (Fiction, Ages 3-8) (DLI)
By Rafael Pombo
A Columbian book filled with Pombo’s beloved characters, this book is about a teenage frog that does not listen to his mother! He disobeys and reunites with friends instead, but what good comes when we disobey our parents?
The Bad Seed (Fiction, Ages 3-7)
By Jory Johns
The Bad Seed is about a sunflower seed who thinks that he is horrible because of his reaction to past experiences. But he will learn that he is not a bad seed, he just has to learn how to react to negative situations.
A Raisin in the Sun (Fiction)
By Lorraine Hansberry
A Raisin in the Sun is a play about a family on Chicago’s Southside, who is struggling to make ends meet and dream of a better future.
Parents
Remarkably Bright Creatures
By Shelby Van Pelt
Remarkably Bright Creatures tells the story of an unlikely friendship between a woman, Tova and an octopus, Marcellus. After forming this friendship Marcellus decides to get answers for Tova whose 18-year-old son disappeared at sea thirty years ago. In this heart-wrenching tale, we learn that it is okay to think about the past, it can sometimes lead to a brighter future that once seemed impossible.
Parable of the Sower
By Octavia Butler
Parable of the Sower is a dystopian novel about a post-apocalyptic America where social and environmental collapse are rampant. This story follows Lauren who can feel the pain of others while she is on her journey to the north to escape violence and instability. On her journey she is fighting to forge a new destiny for herself and her community.
How to Talk So Kids Will Listen & Listen So Kids Will Talk
By Adele Faber
This parenting book is a must-read for not only parents but for anyone that works with children. This book includes time-tested methods for common problem solving, building foundations for lasting relationships, and innovative ways to cope with children’s negative feelings including frustration, anger, and disappointment.
