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2016 Recommended SUMMER Reading

Because we want kids and teens to read this summer, here is a list of titles that captured our

attention and our hearts – It would be selfish and mean to keep it to ourselves. With so many to

choose from this year, this is our handpicked selection of books that we hope will provide fun,

escape as well as some discussion around the dinner table.

If you have any suggestions, or books you would like us to consider, let us know at

Youth@wordfest.com or send us a tweet at @wordfestyouth

Click on a title below or scroll down the list.

Ice Cream Summer by Peter Sís ............................................................................................................... Age 4-7

Harry and Walter by Kathy Stinson.......................................................................................................... Age 4-7

Scribble by Ruth Ohi ................................................................................................................................ Age 4-7

If I Had a Gryphon by Vikki VanSickle ...................................................................................................... Age 5-7

Are We There Yet? by Dan Santat ........................................................................................................... Age 5-7

Lenny & Lucy by Philip C. Stead ............................................................................................................... Age 5-7

The Wild Robot by Peter Brown ............................................................................................................. Age 8-12

A Dragon’s Guide to the Care and Feeding of Humans by Laurence Yep ................................................ Age 8-12

The Terrible Two Get Worse By by Mac Barnett .................................................................................... Age 8-12

A Year in the Life of a Total and Complete Genius by Stacey Matson ..................................................... Age 8-12

OCDaniel by Wesley King....................................................................................................................... Age 8-12

WET CEMENT-A Mix of Concrete Poems by Bob Raczka ........................................................................ Age 8-12

Sea Change By Frank Viva ...................................................................................................................... Age 10+

Lightfinder by Aaron Paquette ............................................................................................................... Age 10+

Booked by Kwame Alexander ................................................................................................................. Age 10+

The Night Parade by Kathryn Tanquary .................................................................................................. Age 10+

Me and Miranda Mullaly by Jake Gerhardt ............................................................................................ Age 10+

The Hill by Karen Bass ............................................................................................................................ Age 12+

Saving Montgomery Sole by Mariko Tamaki .......................................................................................... Age 12+

The Leaving by Tara Altebrando ............................................................................................................. Age 13+

You Know Me Well by David Levithan .................................................................................................... Age 13+

Beware that girl by Teresa Toten ........................................................................................................... Age 14+

Flannery by Lisa Moore .......................................................................................................................... Age 14+

Shooter by Caroline Pignat ..................................................................................................................... Age 14+

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Exit, Pursued by a Bear by E.K. Johnston ................................................................................................. Age 15+

Ice Cream Summer by Peter Sís Age 4-7

Get the scoop on some fun history, math, new vocabulary, and much more

in this entertaining book all about ice cream.

Dear Grandpa, Summer is going well.I am very busy. But don't worry, I am

not forgetting about school! I read every day. I practice my math facts. And

I am even studying world history!

From Hans Christian Anderson Award winner and three-time Caldecott

Honoree Peter Sis comes a delectable picture book that is as breezy,

sweet and irresistible as ice cream in summer.

Harry and Walter by Kathy Stinson Age 4-7

Harry may be four and three-quarters and Walter may be ninety-two and a

half, but that doesn’t stop them from being best friends.

Acclaimed author Kathy Stinson has created a poignant, cross-

generational story that will warm the hearts of children and adults alike.

With charming illustrations by Qin Leng, Harry and Walter is a perfect book

for children to share with grandparents.

Scribble by Ruth Ohi Age 4-7

Circle loves to roll — around and around. Solid Square likes to sit still and

strong. But when Scribble suddenly dashes through their ordered world —

all messy lines and energy — Circle, Square and Triangle don’t know what

to think.

This wonderful picture book by Ruth Ohi will spark creativity, and

encourage young minds to identify and draw the Circle-Square-Triangle-

Scribbles in their worlds too!

If I Had a Gryphon by Vikki VanSickle Age 5-7

Sam just got a hamster for a pet. But the hamster is kind of boring ... he

just eats and sleeps and gets his shavings wet. Inspired by her book of

mythological creatures, Sam longs for a more exciting pet. She soon

realizes that taking care of magical beasts might not be that easy.

If I Had a Gryphon is a raucous rhyming read-aloud about fantastical

beasts in everyday situations--and the increasingly beleaguered heroine

who has to deal with them.

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Are We There Yet? by Dan Santat Age 5-7

On a summer family road trip, a boy feels time slowing down so much that

it starts going backward--into the time of pirates! Of princesses! Of

dinosaurs! The boy was just trying to get to his grandmother's birthday

party, but instead he's traveling through Ancient Egypt and rubbing

shoulders with Ben Franklin. When time flies, who knows where--or when--

he'll end up?

"Are we there yet?" Every parent has heard this classic kid question on a

long car ride--and after reading this astonishingly inventive new book (that

even turns upside down for several pages!), you'll never look at being

bored the same way again.

Lenny & Lucy by Philip C. Stead Age 5-7

Peter and his father are moving to a new house beyond the dark unfriendly

woods. When they arrive at their new home, Peter wants to turn back.

Fortunately, he has Harold for company, but Harold is just a dog and can't

help Peter.

“Hypnotic artwork and storytelling invite children to linger in the wild woods

of worry and emerge intact, enriched, and utterly invigorated by this

complex, contemporary fairy tale.” —Kirkus Reviews, starred review

The Wild Robot by Peter Brown Age 8-12

When robot Roz opens her eyes for the first time, she discovers that she is

alone on a remote, wild island. She has no idea how she got there or what

her purpose is--but she knows she needs to survive. After battling a fierce

storm and escaping a vicious bear attack, she realizes that her only hope

for survival is to adapt to her surroundings and learn from the island's

unwelcoming animal inhabitants.

A heartwarming and action-packed novel about what happens when

nature and technology collide..

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A Dragon’s Guide to the Care and Feeding of Humans by Laurence Yep Age 8-12

Crusty dragon Miss Drake has a new pet human, precocious Winnie.

Oddly enough, Winnie seems to think Miss Drake is her pet—a ridiculous

notion!

Fans of How to Train Your Dragon will love this whimsical tale, the first in a

series, by a Newbery Honor winner, featuring charming illustrations and

pet “training tips” in each chapter.

“Alternately comical, suspenseful and sometimes sweetly emotional.” –

Kirkus Reviews

The Terrible Two Get Worse by Mac Barnett Age 8-12

On their own, pranksters Miles and Niles were pretty devious. Now that

they’ve formed a pranking duo, they’re terrible! But their powers will be

tested when their favorite nemesis, Principal Barkin, is replaced by his

stern and cunning father, Former Principal Barkin. Now Miles and Niles will

do just about anything to get their old antagonist back—including pranking

alongside him

"This Humorous sequel makes for engaging, fast-paced reading that again

highlights the meaning of friendship, and animated, amusing cartoon

illustrations enhance and extend the story." —Booklist

A Year in the Life of a Total and Complete Genius by Stacey Matson Age 8-12

Arthur Bean, soon-to-be a rich and famous author, has set two goals for

himself: to win the school writing contest and to win the heart of his secret

crush, Kennedy. But his life has had some major twists and turns lately,

and the recent loss of his mother definitely complicates things.

Arthur is in turns outrageous, defiant, and unintentionally hilarious as we

peek over his shoulder at his reading journals, notes from his long-

suffering teachers, his offbeat articles for the school newspaper — even

the emails he sends to writing partner Kennedy. A Year in the Life of a

Total and Complete Genius is a fresh and funny story about a boy whose

bad luck can't dampen his spirit — or his love of writing.

3rd book in the series to come out in September 2016

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OCDaniel by Wesley King Age 8-12

Daniel is the back-up punter for the Erie Hills Elephants. He spends

football practice perfectly arranging water cups. Actually, he spends most

of his time hoping no one notices his strange habits—he calls them Zaps:

avoiding writing the number four, for example, or flipping a light switch on

and off dozens of times over. He hopes no one notices that he’s crazy,

especially his best friend Max, and Raya, the prettiest girl in school. His life

gets weirder when another girl at school, who is unkindly nicknamed

Psycho Sara, notices him for the first time.

After Incredible Space Raiders from Space! Wesley King gives us a brand-

new coming-of-age story about a boy whose life revolves around hiding his

obsessive compulsive disorder.

WET CEMENT-A Mix of Concrete Poems by Bob Raczka Age 8-12

Concrete poetry is a perennially popular poetic form because they are fun

to look at. But by using the arrangement of the words on the page to

convey the meaning of the poem, concrete or shape poems are also easy

to write! From the author of the incredibly inventive Lemonade: And Other

Poems Squeezed from a Single Word comes another clever collection that

shows kids how to look at words and poetry in a whole new way.

As Raczka points out, “In the poems…I’ve created pictures with words.”

Youngsters will be inspired to put their own writing implements to paper

voluntarily. Indeed, the author’s final effort is entitled “poeTRY.”

Sea Change By Frank Viva Age 10+

One summer can change your whole life. As soon as school lets out,

Eliot's parents send him to the very edge of the world: a fishing village in a

remote part of Nova Scotia. And what does the small town of Point Aconi

have to offer? Maggots, bullies and grumpy old men. But along the way,

Eliot discovers much more - a hidden library, starry nights and a

mysterious girl named Mary Beth.

Critically acclaimed author and artist Frank Viva (Outstanding in the Rain)

brings us this warm, funny and innovatively designed coming-of-age story.

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Lightfinder by Aaron Paquette Age 10+

Lightfinder is a Young Adult fantasy novel about Aisling, a young Cree

woman who sets out into the wilderness with her Kokum (grandmother),

Aunty and two young men she barely knows. Together they must find and

rescue her runaway younger brother, Eric.

Set in the Alberta landscape with references to real-world challenges faced

by youth today, Lightfinder has proven to be a hit with young adults and

adults alike. Lightfinder spent over 60 days in Amazon’s Top 100 Sci-Fi

and Fantasy novels in 2014, and a fourth printing was ordered within the

first year of the book’s release due to popular demand.

Booked by Kwame Alexander Age 10+

In this middle grade novel-in-verse by the author of The Crossover, soccer,

family, love, and friendship, take center stage as twelve-year-old Nick

learns the power of words as he wrestles with problems at home, stands

up to a bully, and tries to impress the girl of his dreams.

In this follow-up to the Newbery-winning novel THE CROSSOVER,

soccer, family, love, and friendship, take center stage as twelve-year-old

Nick learns the power of words as he wrestles with problems at home,

stands up to a bully, and tries to impress the girl of his dreams. This

electric and heartfelt novel-in-verse by poet Kwame Alexander bends and

breaks as it captures all the thrills and setbacks, action and emotion of a

World Cup match!

The Night Parade by Kathryn Tanquary Age 10+

The last thing Saki Yamamoto wants to do for her summer vacation is

trade in exciting Tokyo for the antiquated rituals and bad cell reception of

her grandmother’s village. Preparing for the Obon ceremony is boring.

Then the local kids take interest in Saki and she sees an opportunity for

some fun, even if it means disrespecting her family’s ancestral shrine on a

malicious dare.

“This adventurous story perfectly mixes Saki’s tech-savvy tendencies with

ancient Japanese customs, nicely illustrating the connections between the

past and the present.” - Bookish.com

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Me and Miranda Mullaly by Jake Gerhardt Age 10+

Meet Sam, the comedian; Duke, the intellectual; and Chollie, the athlete.

Their fates converge at Penn Valley Middle as each falls desperately for

the enigmatic Miranda Mullaly—the girl who smiles like she means it, the

girl who makes Christmas truly magic when she sings, the girl who…barely

realizes her admirers exist!

Small misunderstandings lead to big laughs, and alternating perspectives

fuel this exciting, swiftly-paced story. And beneath the humor, every

attempt to win Miranda’s favor becomes a compelling look at the larger

world of each guy’s life. Me and Miranda Mullaly is perfect for fans of

Flipped and The Swap.

The Hill by Karen Bass Age 12+

Jared’s plane has crashed in the Alberta wilderness, and Kyle is first on

the scene. When Jared insists on hiking up the highest hill in search of cell

phone reception, Kyle hesitates; his Cree grandmother has always

forbidden him to go near it. There’s no stopping Jared, though, so Kyle

reluctantly follows.

Inspired by the real story of a remote plane crash and by the legends of

her Cree friends and neighbours, Karen Bass, the author of Graffiti Knight

and Uncertain Soldier, brings eerie life—or perhaps something other than

life—to the northern Alberta landscape in The Hill

Saving Montgomery Sole by Mariko Tamaki Age 12+

Montgomery Sole is a square peg in a small town, a girl with two moms

forced to go to a school full of homophobes and people who don't even

know what irony is. Her saving grace--her two best friends, Thomas and

Naoki. When strange things actually start happening to Monty, she realizes

that the greatest mystery of all is herself. Thoughtful, funny, and honest,

this book will make you want to laugh and cry over a big cup of frozen

yogurt with extra toppings and your best friends at your side.

A beautiful, offbeat novel from Mariko Tamaki, co-creator of the bestselling

Printz Honor and Caldecott Honor Book This One Summer

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The Leaving by Tara Altebrando Age 13+

Eleven years ago, six kindergartners went missing without a trace. After all

that time, the people left behind moved on, or tried to.

Until today. Today five of those kids return. They're sixteen, and they are .

. . fine. Scarlett comes home and finds a mom she barely recognizes, and

doesn't really recognize the person she's supposed to be, either. But she

thinks she remembers Lucas. Lucas remembers Scarlett, too, except

they're entirely unable to recall where they've been or what happened to

them. Neither of them remember the sixth victim, Max

This unforgettable novel--with its rich characters, high stakes, and plot

twists--will leave readers breathless.

You Know Me Well by David Levithan Age 13+

Who knows you well? Your best friend? Your boyfriend or girlfriend? A

stranger you meet on a crazy night? No one, really?

Mark and Kate have sat next to each other for an entire year, but have

never spoken. For whatever reason, their paths outside of class have

never crossed. That is until Kate spots Mark miles away from home, out in

the city for a wild, unexpected night.

A book told in alternating points of view by Nina LaCour, author of Hold

Still and The Disenchantments, and David Levithan, this novel is a deeply

honest story about navigating the joys and heartaches of first love, one

truth at a time.

Beware that girl by Teresa Toten Age 14+

The Haves. The Have Nots. Kate O'Brien appears to be a Have Not. Her

whole life has been a series of setbacks she's had to snake her way out

of--some more sinister than others. But she's determined to change that.

She's book smart. She's street-smart. And she's also a masterful liar.

From Governor General award-winner Teresa Toten comes a powerful

and twisted psychological thriller that will rightly draw comparisons to We

Were Liars and Gone Girl. Beware That Girl will keep readers guessing

until the very last line.

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Flannery by Lisa Moore Age 14+

Sixteen-year-old Flannery Malone has it bad. She’s been in love with

Tyrone O’Rourke since the days she still believed in Santa Claus. But

Tyrone has grown from a dorky kid into an outlaw graffiti artist, the rebel-

with-a-cause of Flannery’s dreams, literally too cool for school.

Which is a problem, since he and Flannery are partners for the

entrepreneurship class that she needs to graduate. And Tyrone’s

vanishing act may have darker causes than she realizes.

Written in Lisa Moore’s exuberant and inimitable style, Flannery is by turns

heartbreaking and hilarious, empowering and harrowing — often all on the

same page. It is a novel whose spell no reader will be able to resist.

Shooter by Caroline Pignat Age 14+

A lockdown catches five grade 12 students by surprise and throws them

together in the only unlocked room on that empty third floor wing: the boys'

washroom. They sit in silence, judging each other by what they see, by the

stories they've heard over the years. Stuck here with them--could anything

be worse?

Told in five unique voices through prose, poetry, text messages, journals,

and homework assignments, each student reveals pieces of their true

story as they wait for the drill to end. But this modern-day Breakfast Club

takes a twist when Isabelle gets a text that changes everything: NOT A

DRILL!! Shooter in the school!

Exit, Pursued by a Bear by E.K. Johnston Age 15+

In every class, there’s a star cheerleader and a pariah pregnant girl.

They’re never supposed to be the same person. Hermione struggles to

regain the control she’s always had and faces a wrenching decision about

how to move on. The assault wasn’t the beginning of Hermione Winter’s

story and she’s not going to let it be the end. She won’t be anyone’s

cautionary tale.

Veronica Mars meets William Shakespeare in E.K. Johnston’s latest brave

and unforgettable heroine.

A must-read - for any teenager, boy or girl - “Fierce and gorgeously

drawn, this is a rape story that doesn’t focus on victimhood.”—

Booklist, starred review