Engage Readers with Fun Books for Kids

Whether your family is enjoying the last days of summer or you are looking for great books to engage readers in your classroom this fall, there is something for everyone on this list. From picture books and early chapter books to middle grade and YA, these fun books will engage readers of all ages. Some feature typical summer activities, while others are fantasy or science fiction. Many highlight problem solving and persistence or how to nurture friendships. All are great adventure books, whether solving mysteries or fighting robots from outer space.

Engage Readers with Fun Books for Kids

Engage readers with these fun reads for kids and teens!

This lovely picture book takes a very common problem – a child’s anxiety about learning to swim – and puts it in a larger context of history and tradition. When Kwesi confesses to his grandmother that he is afraid of swimming, Nana tells him that she never learned herself, because of segregation when she first immigrated to the US. She then draws on Ghanaian beliefs of a water spirit called Mami Wata to help Kwesi feel more at ease in the water. Gradually, Kwesi begins to feel more comfortable and even inspires Nana to try to learn to swim, too! Wonderful book for a child learning to swim or facing any new challenge. Watch my interview with the author.

Buy Kwesi and Nana Ruby Learn to Swim on Amazon or Bookshop

This lovely book is a celebration of children’s incredible capacity for make believe. A child and their grandfather build a treehouse, but it is the child’s imagination that transforms it into a ship, an igloo, and so much more. A lyrical tribute to the simple joys of childhood and creativity. I also love that the illustrations leave the child’s gender ambiguous, since all kids love this sort of imaginative play. A great book to engage readers on lazy summer days or to relax after school.

Buy This Is My Treehouse on Amazon or Bookshop

This off-beat picture book is a gentle tale about learning to appreciate the beauty around you and realizing that sometimes the great adventure comes from staying right where you are. A spaceman arrives on a new planet to complete his usual, boring task of collecting and labeling samples. But this time, something unexpected happens. His spaceship is stolen by a giant creature, and he must go in pursuit of it. Along the way, he comes across other surprising and (perhaps) menacing creatures. Yet soon he begins to enjoy this new planet and finds it is not as dull as he first thought. In fact, he might just be having a great time. When he finally recovers his spaceship, he wonders whether or not he might be better off staying where he is. Children will enjoy the disconnect between the text and the pictures, which make it clear that the spaceman has landed on Earth. The giant creature who steals the spaceship, for example, is just a bird, and the menacing creature is a dog who simply wants to play. A fun read with a lovely message.

Buy The Spaceman on Amazon or Bookshop

This adorable book for early readers is a great way to teach problem solving and persistence. Brandon loves playing with his new puppy, Dash, but soon the pair have a mystery to solve! Where has Dash’s wánjù (toy) gone, and what are the strange marks on the floor? The two put on their detective hats to follow the clues, which eventually lead to a surprising discovery. As with all of the books from this author, the text includes Mandarin vocabulary, which can either reinforce the knowledge kids already have, or teach them a few words they didn’t know! A sweet story that will engage all little animal lovers and budding detectives. Older readers won’t want to miss out on the author’s chapter books starring Brandon.

Buy Brandon and Dash: and the Case of the Missing Wánjù on Amazon or Bookshop

Eddie isn’t so sure about spending the summer with his grandparents on the Rosebud Reservation. He knows it’s important, so his father can have the surgery he needs, but Eddie has never been away from his parents before. On top of that, life on the reservation is so different from home. There is no electricity or running water, and certainly no toys for him to play with. But little by little, his grandparents gently show him the beauty of their way of life. He learns to ride a horse and plays with the bone horses his grandfather gives him – traditional toys made from cow bones. Eddie begins to feel at home with his grandparents, and as the end of the summer approaches, the thought of leaving them is bittersweet. This early chapter book is based on the real story of the author’s brother, who kept his bone horses for decades after that memorable summer on the reservation.

Buy The Summer of the Bone Horses on Amazon or Bookshop

Does your little duck enjoy solving mysteries and helping their friends? Then they will love this new early chapter book series starring Willow Feathers McBeavers, aka Detective Duck. And you can enjoy reading a book co-authored by The Fonz (really!) I must admit I am always skeptical about celebrity books, but this fun story with its charming characters (not to mention stellar illustrations from Caldecott Medal winner Dan Santat) won me over. The main character demonstrates not only her problem solving skills but also persistence and determination when faced with a nearly overwhelming problem of a tire wreaking havoc in their pond. Children will adore the animal characters, who make the book’s dialogue particularly funny. There is also an important message for human readers about the importance of recycling!

If you enjoy Book #1 of Detective Duck, you should also try Book #2 and Book #3.

Buy Detective Duck: The Case of the Strange Splash on Amazon or Bookshop

Ready for an adventure that transports you through time and space? All you need is a magic paintbrush and good friends! The latest book in the Stroke of Magic series sends a trio of friends to Hawaii to uncover the story behind a mysterious painting. As they meet the historical woman who was the subject of the portrait, the kids learn about the history of Hawaii and the importance of preserving language and culture. As a history lover myself, I love this book makes history come alive for kids, especially emphasizing the story of marginalized people whose lives are often overlooked in history books. It also weaves in touches that celebrate the culture of the diverse protagonists, who come from Italian and Afro-Panamanian backgrounds. Watch my interview with the author.

If you enjoy The Last Hawaiian Princess, you should also try The Dinosaur Woman from the same series.

Buy A Stroke of Magic: The Last Hawaiian Princess on Amazon or Bookshop

Billie Blaster may seem like any ordinary kid, but she is far from it. She is the genius child of two genius scientists and has already made a name for herself as an inventor. One of her inventions, an intelligent and creative robot, gets blasted into space by her nemesis (the kid whom she beats every year in the science fair). But later her robot sends a warning back to her on Earth. Her robot has accidentally created a robot army, which was taken over by an evil alien emperor. Realizing that the impending intergalactic war might be her fault, Billie and her companions blast into space to see if they can stop it. What ensues is an incredibly fun and wacky adventure, making this graphic novel an instant favorite with my daughter, who loved the art and the humor. How can you not love a book with a villain named Emperor Mwahaha? Great for reluctant readers, fans of sci-fi, or anyone who enjoys a quirky and wild adventure.

Buy Billie Blaster and the Robot Army from Outer Space on Amazon or Bookshop

This fast-paced hybrid text/graphic novel captures the excitement and drama of speed cubing competitions. Based on the author’s own experience with his son’s competitive speed cubing, the story follows a 12 year old boy who overcomes personal hardship to attend the cubing national championships, along with the stories of several other competitors vying for the title. Readers get swept up in the emotional journey of each character, as we learn what drives them to succeed and what lengths they will go to in order to win. Ultimately, the message of the book is that competition is about inspiration, not just winning, and that it’s as important to learn from defeat as it is to celebrate victory. A great read that’s sure to get even more people excited about the world of speed cubing.

Buy Lucky Scramble on Amazon or Bookshop

Kit has a dream – to be a Dungeon Runner, even though, as part gone and part dwarf, he is so much smaller than typical runner. All he has to do to prove everyone wrong is win the Dungeon Running League, but the only teammates he can find are a beginning sea hog and a nervous vampire. How will the new friends rise to the challenge? The characters in this middle grade read, with all their foibles and quirks, are so relatable, even if they are fantastical creatures. An action-packed adventure story full of humor and emotional depth that is perfect for fantasy lovers, fans of RPG, or anyone who has been told they can’t achieve their dreams – then proves them wrong.

If you enjoy Level 1 of Dungeon Runners, you should also try Level 2 (Sky Battles) and the forthcoming Level 3 (Ocean Chase).

Buy Dungeon Runners Level 1: Hero Trial on Amazon or Bookshop

Esme is ready for another fun summer at the pool, hanging out with friends and enjoying swim team. But just this once, wouldn’t it be nice to be good, really good at swimming, so she could get her mother’s approval? And how can she come back from that awkward exchange with the new girl? This middle grade read perfectly captures the confusing emotions and dilemmas of the tween years, including how to balance competition and friendship with her teammates. What does it mean to be a good sport, really? And why do Esme’s sisters warn her that winning her mother’s approval is more a curse than a blessing? A perfect poolside read that helps readers think through relationships and discovering their own path. Watch my interview with the author.

Buy The Best Worst Summer of Esme Sun on Amazon or Bookshop

Dally Peteharrington is born into the kind of wealth that most people can only dream of, yet she isn’t happy. She is bored and stifled by her brusque mother’s parenting style, which is less about fun and affection than it is about training Dally to be a no-nonsense businesswoman like her. Dally misses her recently departed grandfather, with whom she shared so many adventures. Soon she realizes that he had one more surprise in store for her, as she follows the clues he left behind. A hidden, magical library allows Dally to travel back in time to explore her family’s past. It also holds the key to transforming Dally’s boring life forever, but will it be a change for the better? A wonderful, page-turning story with lots of satisfying twists and turns.

Buy The Secret Library on Amazon or Bookshop

This graphic novel takes the classic summer road trip trope and turns it inside-out. First, Pia isn’t traveling with her family, she is part of a large tour group that only includes a few other kids. But most importantly, she has her own tragic motivations that only are revealed bit by bit over the course of the book. The tension of this beautifully unfolding story builds as the tour winds its way through a number of wild and wonderful oddities of the American roadscape. Pia is certain that the final destination – a possibly magic underground lake – will fix her problems and heal her family, but what if it can’t? And is it worth sacrificing the friendships she has made on the tour? A compelling story that offers a thoughtful look at how grief can tear a family apart – but not irreparably.

Buy Next Stop on Amazon or Bookshop

At first glance, this graphic novel might seem like parent propaganda to get their kids off screens: A young gamer is sent away, against his wishes, to a summer camp where no electronics are allowed. You can see where this is going, right? Except that it takes several big swerves to teach us completely different lessons. First, the gamer soon learns that he can apply the skills he learned in video games to situations IRL, like making allies (and possibly even friends!) and solving complex challenges. Second, while it does show the dangers of obsessive gaming, it also demonstrates that the other extreme (in this case, being stuck in traditions) is not healthy either. Adaptability is the key to growth, including allowing space for both online and offline fun. There is also a major subplot about bullying and allowing people the chance to change.

Buy Gamerville on Amazon or Bookshop

Do you love tech, or are you worried about its role in our lives? Either way, you will love this fast-paced middle grade thriller! Hana Hsu is thrilled that soon she will finally be meshed to the multiweb through a neural implant. This is an important milestone, plus she hopes it will help her reconnect to her mother and older sister, from whom she feels more distant since her father died. But soon Hana uncovers a conspiracy to experiment on her and her classmates, all to benefit one of the major corporations that runs their society. This page turning story is a fun way to get kids thinking about technology and the ramifications of our reliance on it. What does it mean when we are constantly being watched? Is it still important to have wild spaces in our lives? Is there such a thing as being too connected? Great for science fiction lovers or anyone who likes to think about the big questions – or who just loves a great story! Watch my interview with the author.

Buy Hana Hsu and the Ghost Crab Nation on Amazon or Bookshop

The Diary of a Wimpy Kid series, with its signature humor and anti-hero, is the ultimate tool to engage readers who are otherwise reluctant to pick up a book. A mix of graphic novel and traditional prose, these highly engaging and laugh out loud books are guaranteed to get kids turning pages. In fact, I use them as tools to get my tween reading in Spanish! In this latest misadventure, Greg and his family set off on a vacation to a tiny beach house, where Greg swelters in the heat and wonders whether it is worth stirring up the past in order to uncover family secrets – such as Grandma’s famous meatball recipe. Perfect for anyone who has lived through some questionable family gatherings or who just wants a good laugh.

Buy Diary of a Wimpy Kid: Hot Mess on Amazon or Bookshop

This charming YA romance follows a teen struggling to trust her heart after it has been broken so many times. She vows to spend her summer proving to her father that she is responsible and stable, despite the fact that she is desperately jealous of his assistant – whom she is also trying hard not to fall for. But thanks to a summer internship, she also discovers a passion for astronomy. During her research, she uncovers a long ago act of betrayal that rewrote scientific history. Does she have the courage to go public with her suspicions? A page turning read full of romance, mystery, and emotional depth. It also sheds light on the history of women in astronomy and how their work was often credited to male scientists.

Buy Summer Nights and Meteorites on Amazon or Bookshop