School’s out and sun’s out! Summer may not start for a few more weeks, but kids are already enjoying their summer vacations. Parents can shine a bright light on summer reading to fill up all that new free time. Whether reading on the beach or just chilling at home, these new June books will keep young readers busy and entertained. Check them out below!
Onyeka and the Academy of the Sun by Tọlá Okogwu is an action-packed adventure following a British-Nigerian girl named Onyeka once she discovers her Afro hair has psychokinetic powers. Her mother tells her she is part of the Solari, a secret group of Nigerians with super powers, and is sent off to the Academy of the Sun. Onyeka and her new friends soon have to put their powers to the test in a momentous battle.
I Am I. M. Pei, written by Brad Meltzer and illustrated by Christopher Eliopoulos, features the next hero in the picture book biography series. In this nonfiction story, kids can learn about I. M. Pei, an award-winning Chinese architect who worked on the John F. Kennedy Library and the pyramid at the Louvre. The book also features a pop-up of the Louvre so kids can see Pei’s design in 3D.
Charlie Thorne and the Curse of Cleopatra by Stuart Gibbs is the third story in the Charlie Thorne series. In this breathless adventure, Charlie must solve a 2,000-year-old mystery to prevent Cleopatra’s most powerful treasure of the ancient world from falling into the wrong hands. She will have to fight ruthless enemies, decode an ancient stone tablet, and even match wits with Cleopatra herself.
Because of You, John Lewis, written by Andrea Davis Pinkney and illustrated by Keith Henry Brown, tells the inspiring story of 10-year-old Tybre Faw. Obsessed with history and the civil rights movement, he reads every book on the subject. When he hears that Congressman John Lewis heroically marched across the Edmund Pettus Bridge for the right to vote, Tybre and his grandmothers make the trip to meet him. The pair meet and develop a remarkable friendship.
Mi Ciudad Sings, written by Cynthia Harmony and illustrated by Teresa Martínez, takes place in a vibrant Mexican neighborhood when a little girl is walking with her dog. Their lively trip is interrupted by a devastating earthquake, but the spirit of the city is not shaken. This heartwarming story reminds kids to be brave and find joy even when they’re scared.
These books are available to order now on Amazon or at your local bookstore.
