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Mrs. Laura Bush's 2020 Summer Reading List for Kids

Recommended reading for youngest, elementary, and middle school readers.

Article by Laura W. Bush July 22, 2020 // 2 minute read

Now, more than ever, it is important to keep children engaged in reading. This summer reading list includes picks for the youngest readers through middle schoolers – with topics ranging from race and kindness, to staying true to yourself, to the special bond of sisterhood — ensuring all readers are kept entertained throughout the summer and into the school year.

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View 2019 Summer Reading List

Books for youngest readers

A is for Apple
by Tiger Tales
Illustrated by Georgie Birkett

Little Blue Truck
by Alice Schertle
Illustrated by Jill McElmurry

Sisters First
by Jenna Bush Hager and Barbara Pierce Bush
Illustrated by Ramona Kaulitzki

Mae Among the Stars
by Roda Ahmed
Illustrated by Stasia Burrington

Juno Valentine and the Magical Shoes
by Eva Chen
Illustrated by Derek Desierto

Hair Love
by Matthew A. Cherry
Illustrated by Vashti Harrison

All Are Welcome
by Alexandra Penfold
Illustrated by Suzanne Kaufman

Books for elementary school readers

The Proudest Blue: A Story of Hijab and Family
by Ibtihaj Muhammad with S.K. Ali
Illustrated by Hatem Aly

Separate Is Never Equal
author and illustrator Duncan Tonatiuh

A Place to Land: Martin Luther King Jr. and the Speech That Inspired a Nation
by Barry Wittenstein
Illustrated by Jerry Pinkney

The Wild Robot
by Peter Brown

Wrecking Ball (Diary of a Wimpy Kid Book 14)
by Jeff Kinney

Escape from Mr. Lemoncello’s Library
by Chris Grabenstein

The Year of Billy Miller
by Kevin Henkes

Stella Diaz Never Gives Up
by Angela Dominguez

Books for Middle School Readers

Best Friends
by Shannon Hale
Illustrated by LeUyen Pham

Bud, Not Buddy
by Christopher Paul Curtis

New Kid
by Jerry Craft

Inside Out & Back Again
by Thanhha Lai

Brown Girl Dreaming
by Jacqueline Woodson

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