Summer Reading

Though your summer may be action-packed, “down-time” can easily turn into screen-time if you don’t make other plans. We put the question to Lexercise therapists: what books would you recommend for summer reading? Here we offer their list of suggestions, along with a link where you’ll find more information on each book. (Please note that age recommendations are approximate. Some books may be available in audio format.)

Books for kids (and, in some cases, the adults who read to them):

Ages 3 and up:

The Alphabet War: A Story About Dyslexia by Diane Burton Robb

An illustrated story about Adam, who struggles as he learns to read

Recommended by Jennifer Parra

 

 

Ages 5 and up

Thank you, Mr. Falker by Patricia Polacco

Illustrated novel about struggling reader Trisha, based on the author’s personal story.

Recommended by Jennifer Parra

 

 

Ages 6 and up

It’s called Dyslexia by Jennifer Moore-Mallinos

An illustrated storybook about the struggles and triumphs of Sarah as she learns to read and write.

Recommended by Jennifer Parra and
seconded by Amanda Bush

 

Ages 8 and up

My Name is Brain Brian by Jeanne Betancourt

The struggles and adventures of a dyslexic 6th-grader named Brian.

 

A Week in the Woods by Andrew Clements

A novel about Mark, his teacher, Mr. Maxwell, and a camping trip.

Recommended by Karen Bruton

 

 

Ages 9 and up

The Percy Jackson series by Rick Riordan

Elles recommends starting with the graphic novel (which is the abbreviated story), then moving on to Percy Jackson and the Olympians, which are fantasy/action/adventure novels starring Percy, who is dyslexic.

Recommended by Elles Taddeo  

 

 

Karen Bruton also recommends the books on this Brightly page: “13 Books That 9- to 12-Year-Old Boys Say Are Awesome”

 

Ages 10 and up

Fish in a Tree by Lynda Mullaly Hunt

Award-winning novel about Ally, who can’t read but doesn’t want anyone to know.

Recommended by Jennifer Parra

 

 

Ages 11 and up

Hatchet and Brian’s Winter by Gary Paulsen

Novel about a young boy’s struggle to survive in the Canadian wilderness and a follow-up book exploring the story’s alternative endings.

Recommended by Karen Bruton

 

 

Teens and up

The Maze Runner Series by James Dashner

A series of science fiction novels about a group of teenagers surviving in a post-apocalyptic world.

 

Holes by Louis Sachar

Award-winning novel about Stanley’s experiences at a boys’ detention center.

Recommended by Karen Bruton

 

 

Books for parents and teachers:

 

The Dyslexic Advantage: Unlocking the Hidden Potential of the Dyslexic Brain by Brock L. Eide and Fernette Eide

The authors examine the differences and the advantages of individuals with dyslexia.

Recommended by Lindsey Blackburn 

 

 

The Dyslexia Empowerment Plan by Ben Foss

A practical guidebook for parents by an author who was himself diagnosed with dyslexia. (Reviewed here.)

Recommended by Susan Mayes

 

 

Overcoming Dyslexia by Sally Shaywitz

An essential guide for parents and teachers.

Recommended by Laura Noe  

 

 

Proust and the Squid: The Story and Science of the Reading Brain by Maryanne Wolf

Examines how the brain learns to read, both in the big picture and over the course of a single child’s life.

Recommended by Mindi Johanneman 

 

 

Reader, Come Home by Maryanne Wolf

The author of Proust and the Squid considers how technology is impacting our ability to read deeply.

Recommended by Andrea Gallo 

 

 

If you plan to purchase any of these books on Amazon.com we encourage you to do so through AmazonSmile, and choose the Dyslexia Services Foundation as your charitable organization. That way Amazon will donate 0.5% of the purchase price to the Foundation, which provides funding for services for low-income students.

We hope you enjoy these books and would love to hear your recommendations.

Have a wonderful summer!