Top 10: Summer Reading List that Feeds a Kid's Adventurous Spirit

Kiddo is an 11-year old boy who has an adventurous spirit and a huge imagination to go right along with it. We've had great luck in choosing books that have really hit the mark with him and I wanted to share a bit of that list with you. Reading for pleasure is an important gift that needs to be passed down from generation to generation.

1. I'm going to start with the most awesome book series on THE.PLAN.ET!!!! This will keep your adventurer busy for the whole summer. Warning: as fantastic as Brandon Mull is as author of this amazing series, he falls short on his other book series, Beyonders. Honestly, we couldn't even get through it. I can't even believe it's the same author. But, Fablehaven, I can stand behind 100%

The Fablehaven Series by Brandon Mull

2. Legend is a classic story of the haves versus the have-nots but set in what used to be the Western United States. It's got a great twist that just stuns the young reader! This book is being made into a series, as well.

Legend by Marie Lu

Wonder

3. Wonder, written by R.J. Palacio, is a beautifully written story of a 5th grader who lives with a severe facial deformity. The story takes viewpoints from several people in his life and we learn how these people find within them compassion, empathy, and acceptance. How perfect are these lessons at this age when fitting in, no matter who you are or what you look like, matters most (in their minds)?

4. This next book is as great as the title: Ida B:...and Her Plans to Maximize Fun, Avoid Disaster, and (Possibly) Save the World. Author, Katherine Hannigan, has a flair for words in this touching story of hardship, growth, and determination. You'll fall in love with Ida B and her shenanigans. Rest assured, this is not an Anne of Green Gables girly book. Ida B has a spunk any adventurous boy could appreciate!

Ida B

5. Kiddo read Hatchet in school during 4th grade and loved it so much, he insisted we read it together as a family one rainy summer afternoon last year. WOW! This tale has you gripping your seat there's so much action. The author really has a way of having you hang on to every word, wondering what will happen next. It's a nice, quick read.

Hatchet

The Goats

 6. This next book is NOT for the faint of heart. The Goats, by Brock Cole, offers quite an adventure between a boy and a girl camper that begins in a very mean, bullying way. Their adventure remains at a steady-pace and some of the subject matter is mature in an adolescent sort of way (Think, Are You There God? It's Me, Margaret. by Judy Blume). It's an old classic, but a must-read for any young literary scholar.



7. Another book about a futuristic, fantasy city. Mortal Engines is first in the series of books named Predator Cities. I can't claim to know about this one because only Kiddo read it. But, he seemed to enjoy it and read it quite willingly, without being told. Always a good sign!

Mortal Engines by Philip Reeve

8. I remember reading the book, The Outsiders, during my middle school years. I guess kids are more mature these days because Kiddo, a former 5th grader, read it this past year. Actually, to be truthful, the teacher read it to the class aloud, so I'm not sure if he skipped a few words? Regardless, the boys seem to especially enjoy this book and Kiddo is no exception.

The Outsiders

9. My kid LOVES graphic novels!!! The best series Kiddo can recommend is one known as Amulet. We own every single one they've produced so far and we can't wait to lay our money down for the next one. Kiddo goes through them fast, too fast, but, I'm not complaining.

Amulet: Graphic Novel Series

10. I know it's not for everyone, but I couldn't put a list together of Kiddo's favorite adventure books and not include The Hobbit and The Lord of the Rings Trilogy. It had to be done! You know your kid best to know if they would be ready for a Tolkien story (the writing is pretty advanced). The best suggestion I could give is to read it together, as a family, throughout the summer. Good times!

The Trilogy: Lord of the Rings

The Hobbit

Stop by this Thursday and take a gander at what will be sitting on my nightstand this summer!

The Everyday Makes a Life

 1. Waking up my son for school

2. Home cooking

3. The smell of fresh laundry

4. The way my kitchen's wood floor feels underfoot

5. Talking to my mom on the phone

6. The sound of the garage door opening when Super Hubby gets home

7. The silence of the house when I'm the only one home

8. The way the morning sun floods the kitchen

9. Getting mail

10. Writing

Buy this print here.

Don't discount the mundane, the routine, the comfortable because it's in the everyday that makes a life. Sure celebrations and events worthy of fireworks and brass-band parades are fun and memorable, but even if you lived at Disney World, could you take one more breakfast with Cinderella in the castle day in, day out? So, because our lives are not led by daily roller coaster thrill rides, it's important to cherish the little things we do everyday and discover the joys of daily living, even if it's the simple luxury of having our coffee with extra cream.

Happy May Day!

Friends: Quality not Quantity

1. Lunches.

2. Craft projects.

3. Sharing our lives and life's lessons.

4. Exploring new shops.

5. Bouncing ideas off each other.

6. Supporting one another.

7. Celebrating birthdays.

8. Being real with no pretense.

9. Growing together.

10. Sharing a laugh (and sometimes a tear) together.

I may not have tons, but the friends I do have are worth their weight in gold in my heart. I love you all and appreciate our beautiful friendship. I just wanted you to know.

Summer Love

 Summer is almost over and school is just around the corner. I asked my son on a recent hike we took together what he loved about summer and here's what he came up with.

1. No school

2. You get to stay up late

3. Playdates

4. Lots of pool time

5. Freedom

6. You get to eat the best fruit

7. The warm sun feels really good on your skin

8. Swim suits are the day's wardrobe

9. Burgers and hot dogs on the grill

10. Lots and lots of lemonade

I couldn't agree more!

What does your list look like?

Kid Wisdom

It is Playdate City at our house this week and my son is in heaven! He knows summer is coming to an end so he's wasting no time making sure he gets all the fun out of every day he has left! On a recent Michael's trip I saw these cute little "10 Things" scrapbook projects and I just had to take a photograph for inspiration. You'll see more in the next few weeks. So this is my first one and since I couldn't exactly answer it as it's been awhile since I fit the "kid" label (mental or behavior does not count), I asked my son and today's playdate friend for their thoughts. What follows is their collaborated list (Being an adult is way over-rated!).

 1. You get the most presents at Christmas time

2. You get to go trick-or-treating in a costume

3. You get free food, a free place to stay, and free hugs and kisses

4. Summer break, Winter break, Spring break

5. Kids can stay awake a lot longer than adults.

6. There are stores just for kids like Toys R Us, GameStop, and LEGO store

7. Kids don't have to drive so we can get places by sleeping or reading in the car

8. Amusement Parks and discount tickets

9. Sledding

10. We have overactive imaginations

If you have kids, or know any, ask them what they would put on their list?