Summer Reads
Clap When You Land by Elizabeth Acevedo
Camino Rios lives for the summers when her father visits her in the Dominican Republic. But this time, on the day when his plane is supposed to land, Camino arrives at the airport to see crowds of crying people...
In New York City, Yahaira Rios is called to the principal's office, where her mother is waiting to tell her that her father, her hero, has died in a plane crash.
Separated by distance and Papi's secrets, the two girls are forced to face a new reality in which their father is dead and their lives are forever altered and when it seems like they have lost everything of their father, they learn of each other.
Jackdaw Summer by David Almond
A long hot summer - A wild boy - An abandoned baby - An act of violence
Every summer Liam and Max roam the wild countryside of Northumberland – but this year things are different. One hot summer’s day a jackdaw leads the two boys into an ancient farm house where they find a baby, wrapped in a blanket, with a scribbled note pinned to it: PLESE LOOK AFTER HER RITE. THIS IS A CHILDE OF GOD.
And so begins Jackdaw Summer. A summer when friendships are tested. A summer when lines between good and bad are blurred. A summer that Liam will never forget.
Black Rabbit Summer by Kevin Brooks
Pete Boland was busy doing nothing that summer. Long, stiflingly hot, lazy days stretched ahead of him. Then she called. It was Nicole.
'Listen, Pete. . . you know that funfair, up at the recreation ground...I thought we could all meet up...you know, for old times sake.'
But, where there are old times there are old tensions. And as secrets, bitterness and jealousies resurface, five old friends are plunged into the worst night of their lives. . .
Butterfly Summer by Anne-Marie Conway
In her summer of secrets, all Becky knows is that everything can change in the beat of a butterfly's wing.
When Becky finds an old photo in a box under her mum's bed, everything she thought she knew comes crashing down. The only place she finds comfort is at the Butterfly Garden with her new friend, Rosa May. But with her wild ways, and unpredictable temper, is Rosa May hiding something as well?
In the heat of the sun-drenched summer, it seems that Becky is the only one in the dark.
That Summer by Sarah Dessen
For fifteen year old Haven this is the summer where everything changes.
Dad is remarrying. Her sister Ashley is planning a wedding of her own. They're both moving on, but Haven is lost in memories of a time when life was happy and her family was whole.
And then Ashley's ex, the charming and funny Sumner Lee, arrives in town. He reminds Haven of carefree days gone by, and she cannot help but wonder - has fate brought this person from her past back to change her future?
I know what you did Last Summer by Lois Duncan
It was only an accident but it would change their lives forever.
Last summer, four terrified friends made a desperate pact to conceal a shocking secret. But now, someone has learned the truth, and the horror is starting again. There is an unknown avenger out there who is stalking them in a deadly game. Will he stop at terror--or is he out for revenge?
This summer, four friends are going to learn that some secrets just will not stay buried.
Bringing the Summer by Julia Green
It is the lazy end of summer and Freya is about to start her A Levels. Her brother Joe died a year ago, but she is slowly coming to terms with his death. She is beginning to feel ready for something new, a change. Then a railway accident brings her into contact with the gorgeous Gabes. Freya is drawn not just to Gabes himself and his blond good looks, but everything about him, including his large, shambolic, warm and loving family, which seems to Freya so different to her own family of three.
And then Gabes' clearly troubled older brother makes it clear he is interested in Freya - and Freya has some decisions to make about what she really wants.
On Midnight Beach by Marie-Louise Fitzpatrick
When a dolphin takes up residence in Carrig Cove, Emer and her best friend, Fee, feel like they have an instant connection with it. Then Dog Cullen and his sidekick, Kit, turn up and the four friends begin to sneak out at midnight to go down to the beach, daring each other to swim closer and closer to the creature.
But the fame and fortune the dolphin brings to their small village builds resentment amongst their neighbours across the bay. As the summer days get longer and hotter there is something wild and intense in the air. Love feels fierce, old hatreds fester and suddenly everything feels worth fighting for.
The Summer I turned Pretty by Jenny Han
Every year Isabel spends a perfect summer at her favourite place in the world, the Fisher family's beach house. It has everything a girl could want: a swimming pool, a private stretch of sandy beach and two (very cute) brothers:
Unavailable, aloof Conrad - who she has been in love with forever and friendly, relaxed Jeremiah - the only one who has ever really paid her any attention.
But this year something is different. This year, the boys seem to really notice Isabel for the first time. It is going to be an amazing summer - and one she will never forget.
Worst Holiday Ever by Charlie Higson
Stan is going on holiday to Italy with his (fifth) best friend Felix and a load of strangers - Stan is absolutely terrified.
Luckily, his mum's given him an emergency list that includes how to survive a shark attack, and what to do if he gets kidnapped. Stan thinks that a better list would include how to cope with odd food, and what to do if he accidentally calls Felix's mum 'mum' in front of everybody.
And it soon turns out Italy is full of dangers and things that can go wrong. One thing's for certain, Stan's not going to come back the same boy he left. He just hope he comes back at all.
Summertime of the Dead by Gregory Hughes
Yukio's two best friends are dead. Tormented and blackmailed by the Yakuza - the Japanese mafia - they have taken their own lives.
Yukio is a kendo champion and he knows all the stories of the samurai. Heartbroken and furious, he is determined to avenge the deaths of his beloved Hiroshi and Miko.
And so begins a deadly struggle between Yukio and the Yakuza, and between Yukio's capacity for love, and his thirst for revenge.
A Song for Summer by Eva Ibbotson
When Ellen Carr abandons grey, dreary London to become housekeeper at an experimental school in Austria, she soon knows she's found her calling.
Swept into an idyllic world of mountains, music, eccentric teachers and wayward children, Ellen brings order and joy to all around her. But it is the handsome, mysterious gardener, Marek, who intrigues her – Marek, who has a dangerous secret. As Hitler's troops march across Europe, Ellen finds she has promises to keep, even if it means sacrificing her future happiness.
The Best Holiday Ever by Pete Johnson
Sun, sea, sand … not to mention Boys.
This is what Louise and her best friend Katie have in mind when they set off on their first parent-free holiday to Spain.
Their only problem is Annette, a last-minute hanger-on who seems to prefer moaning and tidying to checking out the local clubs and talent.
Rainbow Beauty by Kelly McKain
School is out for the summer holidays, but there is no stopping Abbie. With business booming at her family's exciting new venture - the Rainbow Beauty parlour - and heart-throb Marco whisking her off on dates, life is one big whirlwind.
But while Abbie longs to see Dad again, everyone else thinks he should be left out in the cold.
Will Abbie's summer be filled with sunshine and strawberries, or are there storm clouds up ahead?
Ondine by Ebony Mckenna
One boy, one girl, one plot to be foiled! Hamish the gorgeous man (and part time ferret) has a new job with the Duke as a spy in his Autumn Palace. So Ondine goes with him. She imagines a hugely romantic escapade together that involves lots of kissing. What she had not imagined was having to do endless laundry, go to school and keep Hamish the man a secret. All the while trying to find out who is plotting to kill the Duke. If that was not bad enough already, it seems that Hamish is more interested in getting the Duke's attention than hers. Plus he is always in ferret form. Things cannot go on like this! Can Ondine foil the would-be assassin, save the Duke and get her man back in gorgeous human form? It is going to take a little bit of magic, a lot of stolen kisses and some ferreting around.
When Dimple met Rishi by Sandhya Menon
Meet Dimple - Her main aim in life is to escape her traditional parents, get to university and begin her plan for tech world domination.
Meet Rishi - He is rich, good-looking and a hopeless romantic. His parents think Dimple is the perfect match for him, but she has got other plans.
Dimple and Rishi may think they have each other figured out. But when opposites clash, love works even harder to prove itself in the most unexpected ways.
The Great Godden by Meg Rosoff
This is the story of one family, one dreamy summer – the summer when everything changes. In a holiday house by the sea, in a big, messy family, one teenager watches as brothers and sisters, parents and older cousins fill hot days with wine and games and planning a wedding.
Enter the Goddens – irresistible, charming, languidly sexy Kit and surly, silent Hugo. Suddenly there’s a serpent in this paradise – and the consequences will be devastating.
Summer of Secrets by Rosie Rushton
Caitlin Morland has always craved excitement but knows she will never find it with her boring family.
When she wins an art scholarship to the famous Mulberry Court College, she is delighted to find herself adopted by the popular Izzy Thorpe and her mates, Summer and Bianca.
Swept up in a flurry of parties and revelations on holiday with Summer's family, Caitlin finds out that even the best things in life can go pear-shaped.
Dork Diaries - Holiday Heartbreak by Rachel Renée Russell
It is the biggest dance of the year and it is up to the girls to ask the boys.
Nikki really wants to ask her crush, Brandon, but what if he says no? Major cringe!
Will Nikki pluck up the courage to ask Brandon, or will she be left at home like a total dork-arella?!
The Summer we turned Green by William Sutcliffe
It is the summer holidays and thirteen year old Luke's life has been turned upside down. First his older sister Rose moved across the road, where a community of climate rebels is protesting the planned airport expansion. Then his dad followed her.
Dad only went to get Rose back, but now he is out there building totem poles, wearing sandals and drinking mead (whatever that is) with the best of them.
Can Luke save his family when all they want to do is save the planet?
Lying about last Summer by Sue Wallman
Skye’s sister died last year in a tragic accident, so this summer Skye’s parents think that a camp for troubled teenagers might help her process her grief.
All of the kids at the summer camp have lost someone close, but the last thing Sky wants to do is think about the past. But when Skye starts receiving text messages from someone pretending to be her dead sister, she knows the past cannot be avoided.
Someone at the camp is making sure of it – but who, and how far will they go?
The Dead of Summer by Camilla Way
In one moment the horror becomes your life. It is not just in the papers anymore, it is on your hands.
Seven years ago when she was called Anita, Kyle and Denis were her friends. They had not been at first, perhaps she should not have pushed it, but Denis, bespectacled in thick NHS frames and Kyle, permanently clad in his anorak – were the only takers.
Let out of their south-London comprehensive they spent the long, sticky summer days smoking cigarettes, messing about in the Thames tunnels waiting for something to happen - and then something did.
Summer Secrets by Sarah Webb
Teen problem-solving supremos Amy and Clover are trapped in family holiday hell – a week in rainy Ireland with a neurotic aunt, nagging mum, crazy step-dad and irritating cousin.
The summer seems set for disaster until Clover gets the chance to interview an American movie star for The Goss magazine.
And there is no way she is leaving Amy behind! Look out, US of A-mazing – here they come!
How to Survive Summer Camp by Jacqueline Wilson
My new T-shirt said I Love Evergreen Adventure Holidays - My new T-shirt was a liar.
Dumped at Evergreen Summer Camp while her mum's off on a swanky honeymoon, Stella just knows she is going to hate it. Being mistaken for a boy and having to share a room with snobby Louise and nasty Karen is just the start.
It seems Stella's in for a nightmare summer. How can she possibly survive?
Summer School: What Genius thought that up? - by Henry Winkler
Summer and school are two words that Hank Zipzer does not want to learn.
But there is no escape this time - summer school, here he comes!
Will Hank have to spend the whole summer bored to death inside a hot classroom, or will he actually learn a cool lesson or two?
NIcky Raddon - June 2025