Sun, Stories and Strawberry Jam:Summer Reads for Every Age.

There’s something about summer that makes books feel a bit more magical. Maybe it’s the
slower pace or the long, bright evenings when the world feels quiet. It might be because for
so many of us, our best reading memories live in the summer months.
Remember lying on the grass with a paperback balanced on your knees? Reading Matilda or
Alex Rider under a tree? Or sneaking in a few extra pages by torchlight, whispering, “just
one more chapter…”?
At Emms Tutor & Mentor, we believe summer reading isn’t just about keeping your brain
ticking over. It’s about discovery. Escape. That lovely feeling of getting properly lost in a
story.
We have put together a summer reading list for every age group part beloved classic, part
new favourites. The sort of books you’ll want to bring to the park, on a road trip, or curl up
with on a quiet afternoon. No pressure. No homework. Just the joy of reading.
For Early Readers (Ages 5–7)

1. The Tiger Who Came to Tea – Judith Kerr
   A timeless classic that’s warm, silly and full of imagination.
2. Look Up! – Nathan Bryon & Dapo Adeola
   Rocket wants to be the greatest astronaut ever. Bold, brilliant and full of energy.
3. Oi Frog! – Kes Gray & Jim Field
   Ridiculously funny, with clever rhymes and even sillier animals.
4. The Magic Faraway Tree – Enid Blyton
   Old-school fantasy that’s still full of wonder. A great one for reading aloud together.

For Confident Readers (Ages 8–11)

1. Charlie and the Chocolate Factory – Roald Dahl
   Still weird. Still wonderful. Still a firm favourite.
2. Planet Omar: Accidental Trouble Magnet – Zanib Mian
   A funny, relatable and heart-warming story full of cultural richness and humour.
3. The Wild Robot – Peter Brown
   A thoughtful tale about nature, belonging and what it means to be alive.
4. How to Train Your Dragon – Cressida Cowell
   Dragons, disasters and loads of laughs. Much more layered than the films.
5. The Worst Witch – Jill Murphy
   Mildred Hubble is delightfully hopeless—and endlessly likeable.

For Teens (Ages 12–16)

1. Wonder – R. J. Palacio
   A story that stays with you. Honest, moving and quietly powerful.
2. Noughts & Crosses – Malorie Blackman
   Gripping and thought-provoking. A modern classic.
3. Percy Jackson and the Olympians – Rick Riordan
   Fast-paced and funny. Greek mythology with a twist.
4. The Boy at the Back of the Class – Onjali Q. Raúf
   Tackles serious topics with warmth, humour and childlike clarity.
5. A Monster Calls – Patrick Ness
   Beautifully illustrated and deeply emotional. A story about grief, courage and healing.

For Young Adults (17+)

1. The Book Thief – Markus Zusak
   Told by Death. Set in Nazi Germany. Poetic, haunting, unforgettable.
2. The Hate U Give – Angie Thomas
   Bold, raw and incredibly relevant. A story that demands to be read.
3. Everything I Never Told You – Celeste Ng
   A slow-burning family drama about silence, identity and expectations.
4. Where the Crawdads Sing – Delia Owens
   Atmospheric and lyrical. A mystery that unfolds like a summer day—slow and golden.
5. The Catcher in the Rye – J.D. Salinger
   Still as confusing and relatable as the first time you read it. One for the moody summer days.

Let the Books Choose You
Summer reading doesn’t have to feel like schoolwork. The best books often find us when we
least expect it in a library corner, on a friend’s bookshelf, or tucked in the back of a charity
shop. Go with your gut when choosing a book. Reread a childhood favourite. Try something
totally new. Swap with a mate. Start a mini book club. Do absolutely nothing except lie under
a tree and read.
Summer is fleeting. But a good story? That stays with you.
From all of us at Emms Tutor & Mentor happy reading, and may your summer be full of
books, sunshine and a bit of magic.