Get your child reading with these books for kids and teens
Sure, there might be some assigned summer reading, but it's also a great time to encourage kids to read for pleasure. We've asked Shanghai teachers for their top reading picks for students this summer.
I'm Sorry
by Sam McBratney and Jennifer Eachus
‘This book talks about what happens when best friends fall out. When the relationship between the story’s main characters, a boy and a girl, goes wrong, McBratney describes how each child feels and struggles to apologize to the other. The story shows kids that it’s normal to have falling outs with friends. It also demonstrates the best way children can help make up fights or spats with their close friends.’
- Jacqui Peterson
Montessori teacher, Montessori School of Shanghai, West Hongqiao campus
Children Around the World
by Donata Montanari
‘A picture book that introduces young children to 12 children from different cultures around the world, Children Around the World lets kids get a glimpse into the way other children live, eat, study and play. One of the most appealing things about the book to me are the eye-catching illustrations which are a mix of cheerful, collage-style pictures.’
- Jacqui Peterson
Montessori teacher, Montessori School of Shanghai, West Hongqiao campus
The True Story of the Three Little Pigs
by Jon Scieszka
‘One of my favourite books from childhood that I believe stands the test of time is The True Story of the Three Little Pigs by Jon Scieszka. It’s a spin on the traditional tale told from the perspective of the wolf. I really love the humour and creativity of this story as it asks the reader to question the original, time-honoured narrative of The Three Little Pigs. The story can be a great conversation starter for young children about point of view and unreliable narrators (eg, how not everything you read is necessarily the truth).'
- Jenny Elam
Kindergarten Core Teacher, EtonHouse International School
The Giving Tree
by Shel Silverstein
‘The Giving Tree by Shel Silverstein is another classic story that I believe every child should read. It tells the tale of a boy and a tree and their relationship throughout the boy’s life. This book is interesting because the moral of the story can be interpreted in many different ways. It could be a conversation starter about environmentalism, the nature of parent and child relationships or what it means to truly love someone. A timeless book that’s very touching and important.'
- Jenny Elam
Kindergarten Core Teacher, EtonHouse International School
Moon Over Manifest
by Clare Vanderpool & One Crazy Summer
by Rita Williams-Garcia
‘If you’re looking for a couple of engaging, high-quality books to hold your child’s attention over the summer holidays, look no further than Moon Over Manifest by Clare Vanderpool and One Crazy Summer by Rita Williams-Garcia. These two stories that have great, multi-dimensional characters in them would both be great vacation reads for any 11 or 12 year olds, especially girls. Both are great examples of historical fiction, with Moon taking place in the summer of 1936 amid the Great Depression in America and Summer in 1968, also in the USA during an era of especially fraught civil rights. During their respective summers, the main characters of these books learn a great deal about their own family histories and life stories. Great reads, especially for mothers and daughters to bond over together. They’re also stories that adults can enjoy for themselves, due to the calibre of writing.’
- Tania Jordan
Teacher Librarian, Yew Chung International School (YCIS), Regency Park campus
The Field Guide (Book One from the Spiderwick Chronicles)
by Tony DiTerlizzi and Holly Black
‘In addition to the quick and fascinating story, these books are pleasurable physical objects as well. They’re small and lightweight, with irregularly cut pages, and illustrations on every second page. The book also has a delightfully old-fashioned feel. Add to that the short length (107 pages) and fluid readability that will appeal even to reluctant readers without seeming childish, and you may have the perfect summer read for the middle elementary crowd!’
- Vanessa Avery
Learning Support Teacher, The Western International School of Shanghai (WISS)
Farenheit 451
by Ray Bradbury
‘While this was written in 1953, it still has huge current cultural resonance, especially in regards to the digital age we live in. This dystopian novel presents very current questions that all young people should be thinking about with regards to the impact of technology in our lives. So much of the book is also about the need for critical thinking and personal agency as well as exploring the need for human connection and intimacy. Children of this age are often blown away by how accurate Bradbury’s visions of the future are.’
- Gemma Treeby
Head of English, The British International School of Shanghai, Puxi
All the Bright Places
by Jennifer Niven
‘This isn’t an especially challenging novel in terms of prose but it does make a person think. Based on the lives of teenagers, this explores issues they face in an accessible and gripping story. Characters are edgy and inspiring; events thrilling and emotive. It is a must-read.’
- Kerry Coburn
Head of Senior English, Wellington College International Shanghai
Me Talk Pretty One Day
by David Sedaris
‘After all that studying and the pressure of the exams, students in these year groups really want to kick back and relax with something funny to read and David Sedaris has the power to make you splutter your cold, refreshing drink all over your Kindle or book. A great read for on the beach or whilst travelling, his collections are sharp, witty, warm and uncompromising. He takes everyday situations and skewers them helplessly in effortless, hilarious prose. Ideal for picking up between your deserved lie-ins, your prolonged snoozes and generally well-deserved ‘me time’. Sedaris’ books are a treat. The other plus is that you can also track down Sedaris on podcasts. If you have never listened to This American Life, then Sedaris may be your gateway into a whole new world of audio entertainment. A regular contributor to the show, you will meet the people who brought you Serial, the podcast’s spinoff show that’s just as much of an audio treat as Sedaris’ work.'
- Vanessa Scully
Head of English, The Western International School of Shanghai (WISS)
The Ongoing Moment: A Book About Photographs
by Geoff Dyer
‘You’re on Snapchat, Instagram, WeChat and sharing your ‘Moments’. More than at any other time in history, children are living in a visual world. And therefore they’ll appreciate English writer Dyer’s unique take on this art. Looking at benches, hats, hands, roads and the topics of everyday pictures, he makes unexpected links between some of the great photographers and photographs of the past 150 years. His style is breathtaking (he also writes brilliantly on music and literature) and he will show readers things they’ve never seen before despite them hiding in plain sight. As an educator I recommend this book due to the fact that the texts students study at school tend not to encompass this kind of personal exploration of a topic. Dyer’s prose is delicious and witty and he leads the reader effortlessly into familiar territory made new.’
- Vanessa Scully
Head of English, The Western International School of Shanghai (WISS)
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