As a kid, summertime is the perfect time to find a nice, warm sunny spot to read a book. And what better place to get a good book than at your public library?
The Scotts Valley Library suggests several books for this summer’s reading pleasure:
Picture books
- “No Go Sleep!” by Kate Feiffer, illustrated by Jules Feiffer
Rhyming words and soothing illustrations tell a story of the world heading to bed.
- “Me Want Pet!” by Tammi Sauer
A friendship with an endangered dodo bird teaches Cave Boy and his family that it’s worthwhile to have animal friends around.
- “Clorinda plays Baseball” by Robert Kinerk, illustrated by Stephen Kellogg
Clorinda the cow steps up to the plate in a rhyming tale that teaches the value of self-esteem and teamwork.
- “The Jellybeans and the Big Art Adventure” by Laura Joffe Numeroff and Nate Evans, illustrated by Lynn Munsinger
This fourth book in the successful “Jellybeans” series finds Bitsy and the other girls painting a mural at their favorite candy shop. As they learn about art, they use their different strengths and talents to work together to create a colorful success.
Beginning readers
- “I Broke my Trunk” by Mo Willems
Gerald the elephant tells his friend Piggie the long, crazy story about how he broke his trunk. Will Piggie end up with a long, crazy story of her own?
- “Cats vs Dogs” by Elizabeth Carney
This National Geographic Kids book introduces children to debating controversial issues and taking a stance on them by looking at arguments and facts, and asking “Which is the better furry friend?”
- “Deadliest Animals” by Melissa Stewart
Children will learn about 12 animal species that you wouldn’t want to meet in a dark alley.
- “Dinosaurs” by Kathleen Zoehfeld
The perfect introduction to the world of dinosaurs that’s sure to spark a lifetime fascination with the prehistoric beasts.
Fiction for kids
- “Bears Beware” by Patricia Reilly Giff
Sleeping in the woods with creepy-crawly things, coyotes and bears on a camping trip doesn’t really appeal to young Mitchell. He’s just got to find a way to be brave, and scare the bears away.
- “Diary of a Wimpy Kid: Cabin Fever” by Jeff Kinney
The latest in the “Wimpy Kid” series, Greg Heffley is in big trouble. School property has been damaged, and Greg is the prime suspect.
- “Athena the Wise” by Joan Holub
The most recent of the Goddess Girls series addresses issues like friendships and relationships from an entertaining perspective that is also true to ancient Greek myths.
Young adult
- “Theodore Boone: The Abduction” by John Grisham
Fresh from solving a high-profile murder trial, 13-year-old Theodore Boone is faced with a new legal mystery — and this time, it’s personal.
- “A Kid from Southie” by John Shea
The story of a teen boxer as he takes a treacherous trip through the temptations of power and the sacrifices that come with it, while he chooses who he wants to be.
- “The Warlock (The Secrets of the Immortal Nicholas Flame)” by Michael Scott
In the fifth installment of this bestselling series, a young girl must scour the Earth to find a teacher so she can learn Earth Magic to save her friends.
Reading program
The Santa Cruz County Public library system will host its summer reading program: “Dream Big, Read.”
The program runs June 11 through July 29 with a Festival of the Book party at Harvey West Park in Santa Cruz on July 29.
There will be special events with performers and story times at all of the county library branches.
For more information, visit www.santacruzpl.org
