Bridgeway’s Summer Reading List: A Journey Through the Classics

Do you remember the books you read when you were younger? The books that allowed you to escape into worlds of wonder and embrace new discoveries are etched into your memory for a lifetime. Get refreshed on some of the classics to add to your student’s summer reading list. These timeless stories will transport your child to fascinating worlds and inspire a new way of thinking. From Where the Wild Things Are for young readers to Holes and Frankenstein for older students, these books have captured the hearts and minds of readers for generations.

Take a journey through the classics with Bridgeway’s summer reading list.

Kindergarten – 2nd

Where the Wild Things Are by Maurice Sendas – Is a classic you’ve likely read when you were little. Where the Wild Things Are follows the journey of a young boy craving adventure and wandering into a world of extraordinary creatures. Add this book to your child’s 2024 summer reading list and let your child drift into the world of imagination. Who knows, maybe reading this together might reveal that we have a “wild thing” in all of us.

The Very Hungry Caterpillar by Eric Carle – Here is another classic. This book resonates with kids across the globe. It’s short, fun and educational. The Very Hungry Caterpillar is a great science lesson, as it introduces the idea of metamorphosis, and that most living things don’t stay the same. Education, illustration, and a fun incentive to eat fruits and vegetables make The Very Hungry Caterpillar a must-read this summer.

Goodnight Moon by Margaret Wise Brown – Is it hard to get your kids settled into bed? This book can help establish a bedtime routine. While Goodnight Moon doesn’t have a pronounced storyline, the soothing repetition and rhyming of the lines can help young readers establish a pattern or routine. It’s a perfect soothing lullaby-like story for bedtime.

Early Elementary

Charlotte’s Web by E.B. White – It’s no secret that young readers love animals, so introduce this age-old classic where they can explore the different variations of animals found on a farm. Charlotte’s Web teaches young people the importance of friendship and how friendship can be found in the most unlikely pairs. Add Charlotte’s Web to your elementary student’s 2024 summer reading list.

Ramona Quimby, Age 8 by Beverly Cleary – With comedic reliefs highlighting relatable life events, this book delves into a young girl’s journey as she grapples with finding her place in her changing family dynamic, new school, and neighborhood. It’s a great way to introduce chapter books to your elementary reader, offering relatable tales filled with humor and valuable life lessons.

Magic Tree House series by Mary Pope Osborne – These books provide great history lessons for young readers. Go on a magical journey with brother and sister duo Jack and Annie as they make prehistoric discoveries, delve into different cultures, and explore the world of science.  Add Magic Tree House books to spark curiosity and education in your young reader.

Advanced Elementary

Percy Jackson & The Olympians series by Rick Riordan – Another classic tale makes the 2024 summer reading list. Encourage your child to follow the journey of misfit Percy Jackson as he begins to realize that his disability in this world is his superpower in the next. With Greek mythology themes coupled with modern adventure, this book series is a prominent summer favorite.

Holes by Louis Sachar – Cursed with generational bad luck, protagonist Stanley uncovers his family secret while forming friendships and finding his inner voice at a juvenile detention center. Holes is a great read for advanced elementary school children, as it is one of the first books at their grade level that features a central character who does not come from the ideal family upbringing. Reading Holes can make children more tolerant and empathetic towards those who come from diverse and complex backgrounds.

Matilda by Roald Dahl – An uplifting story for a bright summer day. Matilda follows the tale of a bright young girl who isn’t celebrated by her family but is a shining star academically. She finds refuge in her teacher, Ms. Honey, who provides mentorship and acts as a positive role model for Matilda. The book illustrates the power of teacher-student relationships and emphasizes how an incredible teacher can be just what a child needs to reach their full potential.

Middle School

The Hunger Games by Suzanne Collins – Middle school students are at the age where they are first introduced to the idea of a dystopian society. Political and social themes are at the forefront of this novel. Your reader can begin to think critically about how the society they are in directly impacts their sense of sacrifice, survival, and classism. Before skipping straight to the award-winning movie, add The Hunger Games to your student’s 2024 Summer reading list and allow your middle school student to explore themes of political and social influences.

Harry Potter series by J.K. Rowling – You can’t have a 2024 summer reading list without including one of the best-selling series of all time. Dive into the world of fantasy and magic with a Harry Potter book. It’s the perfect form of escapism for long road trips, relaxing days near the pool, or a great way for your middle school student to start a summer book club with friends. Harry Potter is one of those classics that is sure to spark conversation and keep your child turning the pages as they uncover more magical adventures at Hogwarts.

The Giver by Lois Lowry – Imagine living in a society where you have no memory of your past and no control over your future. The Giver depicts a dystopian world where the elders enforce strict control to avoid conflict and hardship. This thought-provoking book is well-suited for middle school students who are gaining independence and starting to grasp the gravity of a world without memory or choice.

High School

1984 by George Orwell – This isn’t the big brother you’re used to. In a world of extreme surveillance and compromised freedoms, your freshman and sophomore students can explore Oceania’s dystopian society. 1984 helps your child put into perspective how a totalitarian form of government affects the masses and how rebellion is inevitable when small voices aren’t heard.

The Catcher in the Rye by J.D. Salinger – A coming-of-age story you want to add to your student’s summer reading list. Once the young protagonist is expelled from school, he is forced to grow up fast and discover that adults don’t have it all figured out. Exploring teenage angst and curiosity, The Catcher in the Rye is a great read for students on their own self-discovery journey.

The Maze Runner by James Dashner – Students who enjoy fantasy and adventure will likely enjoy The Maze Runner. Thomas is teleported into a new world without having any sense of self or understanding of how he got there. Trapped in a stone maze, Thomas must join forces with the other teens to survive and escape. Promoting themes of friendship, community, and endurance, The Maze Runner is an excellent read for high school students.

Frankenstein by Mary Shelley – Frankenstein is a captivating gothic novel that is perfect for high school students to explore. The story follows a mad scientist who becomes obsessed with creating life and uses human remains to create a monstrous being. As this creature wreaks havoc, Victor Frankenstein’s character is revealed, prompting the reader to question who the true monster really is.

Reading is magical, educational, and thought-provoking. Make this summer great by encouraging your child to read new materials with adventures and new discoveries on every page. The right books can broaden your child’s horizons, and it can even make them see the world in a brand-new light. Choose one of the books from Bridgeway’s 2024 summer reading list so your child can explore fun adventures wherever they are.