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If you love the Read with Jenna book club, a few years back she created something for your kids. She announced on TODAY the Read with Jenna Junior book list that included 23 titles for kids. Each year she releases a new list for the summer. I have every year on this blog. You can find all the links at the bottom of this post. This is the Jenna Junior 2025 Book Reading List.
Jenna Junior 2025 Book Reading List
I have the list below and if you want a library checklist to take to the library with you, just sign up in the box below to sign up for my email list and the list will come straight to your inbox.
Picture Books
The Book That Can Read Your Mind by Marianna Copp0
Lady Rabbit guides children through a magical experience inside a book! Kids choose a member of the magician’s audience, and the book magically figures out who it is. It’s an interactive story with fun and surprising endings.
Princess & The Pea-tition by Kim Nguyen
After unexpectedly passing a strange test that names her the next ruler, the Princess is shocked and questions if that’s really how leaders should be chosen. Determined to bring democracy to her fairytale world, she sets off on a mission to make a difference—one vote at a time—transforming the lives of everyone she meets.
Mama Hug by Emma Straub
Join Mama and baby on their sweet, love-filled day in this rhyming story. With Steve Lewis’ cozy, colorful illustrations, it’s the perfect book to cuddle up with at bedtime.
Cranky Makes a Friend by Phuc Tran & Pete Oswald
In the second book of Phuc Tran’s bestselling Cranky series, a new crane joins the construction crew. Meet Lefty — cheerful, chatty, and full of fun — the total opposite of Cranky. This heartwarming story explores friendship and learning to accept yourself just as you are.
Wash Day Love by Tanisia Moore & Raissa Figueroa
Tasha dreads wash day—it’s messy, soapy, and never fun. But what starts as her least favorite day turns into something more. This touching story celebrates Black hair, self-care, and the special bond between generations, showing that wash day is about more than just getting clean.
So-Hee and Lowy by Anna Kang
So-Hee is a lonely girl who longs for a cuddly pet — but she’s allergic to nearly all animals! Everything changes when she meets an unexpected new friend: a snake named Lowy.
Bored Panda by Mike Bender
Panda loves everything tech-related, but when the power goes out, he’s forced to unplug. Follow him on a screen-free adventure into the great outdoors — he just might discover that boredom can lead to the best kinds of fun.
Kittybunkport by Scott Rothman
Chowder and Crackers are two fun-loving cats who enjoy sunbathing and lobster hunting in their coastal town of Kittybunkport. But when the town’s spooky lighthouse suddenly goes dark, it’s up to them to fix it. Can these two scaredy-cats overcome their fears and save the day?
Middle Grade
The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe by C.S. Lewis
To celebrate the 75th anniversary of The Lion, the Witch & the Wardrobe, HarperCollins has released a special edition paperback of the classic fantasy tale. In the story, four siblings step through a wardrobe and find themselves in the enchanting world of Narnia, where an unforgettable adventure awaits.
In Doucet’s graphic novel, talented artist Dale Donavan has always been told that art isn’t a practical career path. When his school cuts funding for the art program and his family urges him to concentrate on academics, Dale takes matters into his own hands by launching an after-school art club. But the clock is ticking — if the group can’t raise enough money to show its value before the semester ends, both the club and Dale’s hopes of becoming an artist could disappear in a flash
When We Flew Away by Alice Hoffman
Alice Hoffman, best known for bestselling novels like Practical Magic, tells a powerful and emotional story about one of history’s most well-known figures: Anne Frank. Aimed at readers the same age Anne was, this book explores her life both before and after her family was forced into hiding during the Nazi occupation of Amsterdam.
Camp Famous by Jennifer Blecher
Abby Herman, age eleven, is beyond excited for her first-ever summer camp experience. But things take an unexpected turn when she finds herself at Camp Famous — a luxurious getaway for the children of celebrities. Hoping to fit in, Abby makes up a whole new persona. But as the days go on, she discovers that staying true to herself might be the biggest challenge of all.
The Girls of Skylark Lane by Robin Benway
Twin sisters Jac and Aggie have always been opposites, and the older they get, the more their differences seem to stand out. When they both join the local softball team, they’re pushed to confront just how far apart they’ve grown — and what it means for their relationship.
Everly “Benny” Benedict’s life takes a wild turn when she learns she’s the unexpected heir to a huge fortune left by a long-lost ancestor. But there’s a catch — to earn it, she’ll have to follow a trail of clues and locate a secret island, all as part of an elaborate, high-stakes game set in motion years ago.
J vs K by Kwame Alexander and Jerry Craft
J, an artist, and K, a talented writer, are the most imaginative fifth graders at Dean Ashley Public School (DAPS). When they learn they’ll be competing against each other in the school’s annual storytelling contest, their friendly competition quickly turns intense. But beneath the rivalry, there just might be the spark of a strong and unexpected partnership.
The Trouble with Heroes by Kate Messner
ChatGPT said:
After defacing a woman’s grave, Finn Connelly is given a shot at redemption: he must hike all forty-six of the Adirondack High Peaks — with her dog as his companion. What follows is a journey of adventure, self-discovery, and making things right, one mountain at a time.
The Wrong Way Home by Kate O’Shaughnessy
A young girl is forced to rethink everything she believed when she and her mother escape from the only home she’s ever known — a place that, she realizes, was actually a cult. As she starts over, she must piece together a new understanding of the world and her place in it.
Young Adult
Sunrise on the Reaping by Suzanne Collins
ChatGPT said:
In this prequel to Suzanne Collins’ bestselling Hunger Games series, Sunrise on the Reaping follows a young Haymitch Abernathy as he’s chosen to compete in the 50th Hunger Games. As part of the Quarter Quell, the stakes are even higher — with double the number of tributes torn from their districts. Readers witness Haymitch’s brutal battle for survival in the arena, as well as his determination to return to the girl he loves in District 12. The story is soon to hit the big screen in a highly anticipated film adaptation.
Wes Mackenzie, the school’s resident troublemaker, is barely keeping it together — his grades are tanking, he’s mixed up with the wrong people, and graduation feels out of reach. But everything changes when his mom drags him to a performance of The Nutcracker. There, he meets Tristan, the charming star of the show, who just might inspire Wes to turn things around — and become the person he’s always hoped to be.
The Art Thieves by Andrea L Rogers
In the year 2052, Stevie Henry, a young Cherokee girl, is working hard at a local museum, saving every penny in hopes of attending college. She’s already navigating a world rocked by constant climate disasters — but everything changes when a strange boy from the future shows up at the museum with a chilling warning. Suddenly, Stevie finds herself at the center of a much bigger fight for the future.
10 Blind Dates by Ashley Elston
All Sophie wants for Christmas is a bit of independence from her overprotective parents — mostly so she can sneak in some alone time with her longtime boyfriend, Griffin. But when Griffin unexpectedly asks for space, Sophie finds herself single and heartbroken. With a little holiday magic (and some meddling from her loving family), she’s set up on 10 blind dates in 10 days. As the countdown to Christmas begins, Sophie must decide: will she go back to Griffin, or has someone new captured her heart?
Red, White, and Whole by Rajani LaRocca
Reha is the only Indian American student at her school, and she constantly feels caught between two identities. At school, she feels like she doesn’t quite fit in, and at home, she struggles to meet her parents’ high expectations. But when her mother is diagnosed with leukemia, Reha becomes determined to rise to the challenge — setting aside her own dreams to become the perfect daughter and help in any way she can, especially by channeling her passion for medicine.
Fourteen-year-old Eva Joyce isn’t expecting much from her summer — just long, boring days at a strange old manor with her distant grandmother, filled with stale biscuits and awkward silences. But everything changes one night when she wanders into the garden and discovers that the fairy tales from her childhood might not have been stories at all — and that her mysterious grandmother may have once been a queen in that very magical world.
In conclusion
When my kids were young I loved all the summer book lists I could find for them. I knew I wouldn’t get through them all and that was ok. It was still fun to look through and pick some we thought would be favorites for each one of the kids. I hope Jenna’s list gives you more great ideas for summer reading for your kids!
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