2023 Summer Reading List for Kids (K-8)

K-8 summer reading list recommendations to keep your kids on their Social and Emotional Learning journey this summer!

Published in

Classroom Champions

7 min readJun 13, 2022

Your kid’s social and emotional wellbeing is so important during the summer months. Read through for the ultimate summer reading list for kids that includes social and emotional learning (SEL) themed books. These books will not only help your students improve their reading skills, but also promote positive mental health and emotional well-being.

Reading SEL themed books can help kids as they embark on significant changes, transitions, more freedom, and new routines. Use this list to help your kid reinforce important skills.

Want to keep track of where you are in your summer reading list? Set your goals and track how you’re doing with these downloadable bookmarks!

Goal Setting

Goal setting teaches kids to plan, be persistent, and disciplined. This helps them develop a “growth mindset” and believe that hard work can improve their abilities. Plus, achieving goals boosts their confidence and motivation, leading to success as they grow up.

K-2

Beautiful Oops by Barney Saltzberg
Giant Steps to Change the World by Spike Lee and Tonya Lewis Lee
The Curious Garden by Peter Brown

3–5

Arcady’s Goal by Eugene Yelchin
Teddy Mars Book #1: Almost a World Record Breaker by Molly B. Burnham
Salt in his Shoe: Michael Jordan in Pursuit of a Dream by Deloris Jordan

6–8

The Boy Who Harnessed the Wind by William Kamkwamba
Tales from the Top of the World: Climbing Mount Everest with Pete Athans by Sandra Athans
The Academy By T.Z Layton.

Emotions

Teaching kids to navigate their emotions is vital! It helps them understand and express their feelings healthily, manage their mental and emotional well-being, and build positive relationships. Plus, it develops empathy and compassion, essential skills for social situations.

K-2

When Sophie Gets Angry — Really, Really Angry by Molly Bang
Of Course It’s a Big Deal! by Bryan Smith
The Way I Feel by Janain Cain
Wilma Jean the Worry Machine by Julia Cook
The Boy with Big Big Feelings by Britney Winn Lee

3–5

Soda Pop Head by Julia Cook
The Lemonade War by Jacqueline Davies
The One and Only Ivan by Katherine Applegate

6–8

Fighting Invisible Tigers: A Stress Management Guide for Teens by Earl Hipp
Shouting at the Rain by Lynda Mullaly Hunt
Sidetracked by Diana Harmon Asher
Turtle Boy by M. Evan Wolkenstein

Community

Being part of a community teaches teamwork, diversity, and social skills, while providing a sense of belonging and support. It also helps develop empathy and communication skills, which are essential for building positive relationships and contributing to society.

K-2

Miss Bindergarten Takes a Field Trip by Joseph Slate
Ordinary Mary’s Extraordinary Deed by Emily Pearson
Look Where we Live by Scot Ritchie
Whose Tools are These? by Sharon Katz Cooper

3–5

Any Small Goodness: A Novel of the Barrio by Tony Johnston
Three Cups of Tea: Young Reader’s Edition by Greg Mortenson
Invisible: A Graphic Novel by Christina Diaz Gonzalez

6–8

I Am Malala: The Story of the Girl Who Stood Up for Education and Was Shot by the Taliban by Malala Yousafzai
Be a Changemaker: How to Start Something That Matters by Laurie Ann Thompson
The 7th Most Important Thing by Shelley Pearsall

Perseverance

Teaching perseverance helps kids learn the value of persistence and hard work, develop resilience, and improve their self-esteem. Plus, perseverance is a key trait of successful people, so teaching this skill can set them up for success.

K-2

After the Fall: How Humpty Dumpty Got Back Up Again by Dan Santat
The Book of Mistakes by Corinna Luyken
The Most Magnificent Thing by Ashley Spires
Jabari Jumps by Gaia Cornwall

3–5

The Magician’s Elephant by Kate DiCamillo
Girls Think of Everything: Stories of Ingenious Inventions by Women by Catherine Thimmesh
Holes by Louis Sachar

6–8

Hatchet by Gary Paulsen
How They Choked: Failures, Flops, and Flaws of the Awfully Famous by Georgia Bragg
Fish in a Tree by Lynda Mullaly Hunt

Teamwork

Teaching teamwork helps kids learn to collaborate, communicate, and empathize with others towards a common goal. Teamwork also teaches important skills like leveraging individual strengths, respecting differences, and sharing responsibilities, which are essential for success in school, sports, and life.

K-2

Swimmy by Leo Lionni
Officer Buckle and Gloria by Peggy Rathmann
Stone Soup by Marcia Brown
The One Day House by Julia Durango

3–5

Wonder by R.J. Palacio
The Three Little Wolves and the Big Bad Pig by Eugene Trivizas and Helen Oxenbury
Iggy Peck Architect by Andrea Beaty

6–8

The Mighty Dynamo by Kieran Mark Crowley
Team Players by Mike Lupica
National Park Mystery Series by Aaron Johnson

Feedback

Teaching kids the value of feedback helps them learn how to give and receive constructive criticism positively and respectfully, fostering a growth mindset and improving performance. It also improves communication skills, builds relationships, and encourages continuous learning and improvement.

K-2

“The Kite” from Days with Frog and Toad by Arnold Lobel
Do Unto Otters by Laurie Keller
Flight School by Lita Judge

3–5

Thanks for the Feedback, I Think by Julia Cook
I Dissent: Ruth Bader Ginsburg Makes Her Mark by Debbie Levy
Jake and Lilly by Jerry Spinelli

6–8

Emotional Judo: Communication Skills to Handle Difficult Conversations and Boost Emotional Intelligence by Tim Higgs
Writing for Emotional Balance: A Guided Journal to Help You Manage Overwhelming Emotions by Beth Jacobs
The Unteachables by Gordon Korman

Healthy Living

Reading about healthy living helps kids develop lifelong habits promoting physical and mental wellbeing, make informed health decisions, and reduce the risk of chronic health problems. It also empowers them to take control of their health and improve their quality of life.

K-2

Gregory, the Terrible Eater by Mitchell Sharmat
Little Pea by Amy Krouse Rosenthal
I can Eat a Rainbow by Olena Rose

3–5

Lunch Lady and the Cyborg Substitute by Jarrett J. Krosoczka
Are You What You Eat? by Ann Baggaley, Carrie Love, and James Mitchem
Summer Fit Actvities by Kelly Terrill

6–8

Chew on This: Everything You Don’t Want to Know About Fast Food by Eric Schlosser
Finding Perfect by Elly Swartz

Leadership

Teaching kids leadership helps them develop communication, decision-making, problem-solving, and empathy skills, preparing them for success in life. It empowers them to take initiative, think creatively, and inspire others towards common goals. Leadership skills can also build confidence, responsibility, and adaptability, crucial for future success.