You know that you want your kid to happily dive into books this summer, but choosing a laundry list of great reads one at a time can admittedly be time-consuming — and expensive. That’s why we’re so excited about the Courageous Kids Summer Reading Novel Collection, which bundles five of the best summer reads for 9- to 11-year-olds into one convenient, money-saving pack.
Each of these books is curated from the Scholastic Read-a-Palooza Summer Reading Challenge, a free, fun educational program in which kids enter reading minutes to earn exclusive digital rewards and help donate books to kids in need across the country.
Take this bundle with you on a family vacation or road trip, or use it as a starter kit to get your kid hooked on summer reading. With these action-packed, inspiring books, turning pages will easily become one of your child’s favorite summer activities. Check out the great reads below, then snag your Courageous Kids Summer Reading Novel Collection to save up to 30% on them!
Courageous Kids Book #1: A Drop of Hope by Keith Calabrese
Times are hard for the inhabitants of Cliffs Donnelly, Ohio: Jobs are scarce, finances tight, and miracles in short supply. But one day, the town’s old wishing well suddenly begins granting wishes, and three 6th graders are the only ones who know why! The only thing is, the results aren’t always what the wisher intended. The touching tale shows how small, thoughtful acts of kindness can make a big difference in your own little corner of the world.
Courageous Kids Book #2: Front Desk by Kelly Yang
In this book, your reader will meet 10-year-old Mia and her family, following their move from China to the United States. Mia finds herself stuck behind the front desk of the motel where her parents clean the guest rooms — and where they secretly help immigrants hide in the hotel’s empty rooms. On top of keeping that big secret, Mia must discover if it’s worth following her dreams to become a writer, even though she’s told to stick to math. This book is relatable yet so very eye-opening for kids, who will learn about empathy and bravery in the face of injustice.
Courageous Kids Book #3: Resistance by Jennifer A. Nielsen
Chaya is a teenager living in Nazi-occupied Poland, where simply being Jewish puts her family in danger of being sent to camps or killed. After her little sister is taken away and her brother disappears, her parents give up hope. Chaya, however, decides she won’t back down without a fight: She uses her unique features and fluency in Polish to pass herself off as Polish Catholic, and becomes a courier for a resistance group, smuggling food, medical supplies, and even kids in and out of the various Jewish ghettos. It’s a dangerous job, and when a mission goes wrong, Chaya finds herself unsure of where to go or who to trust.
Courageous Kids Book #4: Dactyl Hill Squad by Daniel Jose Older
In this thrilling book, your child will be transported to Civil War-era New York City in an alternate history where dinosaurs exist alongside humans! During the historic 1863 Draft Riots (in which working-class New York City citizens violently protested the Civil War draft), an evil magistrate kidnaps a number of kids from the Colored Orphan Asylum — but Magdalys and her friends flee to a safe haven called Dactyl Hill in Brooklyn. There, they train to fly on dactylback and formulate a plan to rescue the rest of their friends before it’s too late. It’s the perfect way for kids to learn about history in a fun, new way that’s totally action-packed.
Courageous Kids Book #5: Merci Suárez Changes Gears by Meg Medina
Sixth grade can be tough, but for Merci, it feels particularly tough. She’s a scholarship student in an expensive academy who just doesn't feel like she fits in with her classmates, and it doesn’t help that she’s teased by mean girl Edna. Plus her grandfather has been acting strangely, forgetting important things and falling from his bike, and nobody in her family will tell her what’s going on. This coming-of-age story perfectly captures the confusion and transitions that define middle school, and the unbreakable connection that makes a family.
Shop exclusive value bundles and summer reading picks for all ages at the Scholastic Store Online.
