Best Summer Reads for Kids: 6 Book Series They'll Want to Read All Summer Long

Summer is finally here! That means longer days, family vacations, trips to the lake, afternoons at the park, and hopefully a little extra time for Summer reading.

But if you're a parent, you know that finding books your child actually wants to read can sometimes feel like a challenge. Many kids start Summer with good intentions, only to spend more time on screens than turning pages.

If you're looking for the best Summer reads for kids ages 8-12, you're in the right place. 

Whether your kiddo loves camping, video games, sports, space, mysteries, or outdoor adventures, these series from Bakken Books are packed with action, excitement, and page-turning adventures that make reading feel like part of Summer fun. 

Why Summer Reading Matters

Summer reading does much more than keeping kids entertained. Studies have shown that children who continue reading during Summer break are better prepared when school starts again in the Fall. Reading helps maintain vocabulary, comprehension skills, critical thinking, and overall confidence.

But here's the key… Kids are much more likely to keep reading when they find books that match their interests.

Best Summer Reads for Kids

If you're searching for good Summer book reads that won't collect dust on a shelf, these six series deserve a spot on your kid's Summer reading list.

1. The Campground Kids: Perfect for Summer Adventures

When people think about books to read this Summer, it's hard to imagine a better fit than The Campground Kids.

This bestselling 15-book series follows Isaiah, Sadie, and Ethan as they travel through real-world locations, encountering mysteries, challenges, and exciting adventures along the way. The series combines camping, outdoor exploration, and page-turning mysteries that keep kids hooked from the very first page.

What makes this series especially great for Summer reading is how closely it mirrors the adventures many families dream about taking themselves during vacation.

Why kids love it:

• Mystery and adventure in every book

• National park settings

• Relatable characters

• Easy-to-read, short chapters

• Positive life lessons woven naturally into the stories

The Campground Kids books are ones you will not want your kid to miss out on this season.

2. Game On!: For Kids Who Love Video Games

The Game On! series was created specifically for kids who love video games. 

Instead of competing with a child's interest in gaming, these books use that passion to spark a love for reading.

Each story is filled with gaming-inspired adventures, exciting challenges, humor, and characters kids can relate to. The fast-paced, short chapters and action-packed plots feel similar to the excitement kids experience while playing their favorite games, making it easier for them to stay engaged and finish.

Why gamers love it:

• Video game-inspired adventures

• Fast-moving plots

• Action-packed chapters

• Relatable gaming characters

• Designed specifically for ages 8-12

If your kid would rather spend Summer leveling up in a virtual world, Game On! can help them find that books can be just as exciting.

3. Space Bound: Blast Off Into Summer Reading

Summer is the perfect time to let your imagination travel beyond Earth.

Our Space Bound series follows siblings Monty and Ivory after they discover Nova, a spaceship that launches them into unforgettable adventures across the solar system. Alongside their robotic companion Echo, they travel to distant planets, complete missions, and uncover secrets hidden throughout space.

Throughout the series, readers encounter fascinating facts about planets, robotics, physics, and space exploration without feeling like they're reading a school textbook. They capture the wonder of discovery while delivering the action and suspense kids love.

Why it makes a great Summer read:

• Space exploration adventures

• STEM and science woven into the story

• Memorable characters and missions

• Encourages curiosity and imagination

• Perfect for aspiring astronauts and science lovers

For kids who dream about rockets, planets, and life beyond Earth, Space Bound offers an adventure they'll never forget.

4. The Math Inspectors: Summer Reading That Sneaks In Learning

Mau parents worry about Summer learning loss.

The Math Inspectors series can provide a fun solution by turning math into an exciting mystery adventure! Instead of formula worksheets, readers follow a team of young detectives who use math to solve crimes, uncover clues, and crack challenging cases.

The genius of the series is that kids are so focused on solving the mystery that they hardly realize they're strengthening problem-solving and critical-thinking skills at the same time.

Every case encourages readers to think like detectives while building confidence with math concepts in a low-pressure, engaging environment.

Why parents love it:

• Combines reading and math

• Mystery-driven storytelling

• Encourages problem-solving

• Builds confidence with numbers

• Makes learning feel like an adventure

If you're looking for a series that keeps young minds active while school is out, The Math Inspectors is an awesome choice.

5. Local Legends: Inspiring Young Sports Fans

For sports-loving kids, few things are more motivating than stories about athletes who worked hard to achieve their goals.

The popular Local Legends series introduces readers to young athletes facing challenges both on and off the field. Through exciting sports stories, kids learn valuable lessons about perseverance, teamwork, sportsmanship, discipline, and character.

Rather than focusing only on winning, these books highlight the personal growth that happens through sports. Readers see characters overcome setbacks, develop confidence, work through adversity, and discover what true success looks like.

It's one reason the series resonates so strongly with young athletes.

Why sports fans love it:

• Action-packed sports stories

• Relatable young athletes

• Lessons about teamwork and perseverance

• Positive role models

• Encourages strong character development

Whether your child spends Summer at baseball tournaments, basketball camps, soccer practices, or backyard games, Local Legends delivers stories they'll connect with.

6. Wilderness Adventures: For Kids Who Love the Outdoors

Summer and outdoor adventures naturally go together.

The Wilderness Adventures series takes readers deep into nature through exciting journeys filled with wildlife encounters, outdoor challenges, and unforgettable discoveries. Kids experience the thrill of exploring forests, lakes, mountains, and wild places while learning fascinating facts about the natural world.

The stories blend adventure with outdoor education, helping readers develop a greater appreciation for nature while keeping them entertained from beginning to end.

It's the perfect series for families who spend their Summers camping, fishing, hiking, and exploring the outdoors.

Why outdoor-loving kids enjoy it:

• Wildlife and nature themes

• Outdoor survival elements

• Adventure-packed storylines

• Educational facts woven into the story

• Inspires kids to explore the outdoors

There's something special about reading an outdoor adventure while sitting beside a campfire, and Wilderness Adventures captures that feeling perfectly.

How to Choose the Right Summer Reading Series

Not every child loves the same types of stories.

And that's actually a good thing.

The best Summer reads are the ones that match your child's interests.

Ask yourself…

• Do they love camping and outdoor adventures?

• Are they obsessed with video games?

• Do they dream about space?

• Do they enjoy solving puzzles?

• Are they passionate about sports?

• Do they love nature and wildlife?

When books align with a kid's interests, reading stops feeling like an assignment and starts feeling like entertainment.

That's the difference between a child who reads one book during Summer and a child who finishes an entire series.

5 Tips for Encouraging Summer Reading

If you're hoping to build a strong Summer reading habit, keep these simple tips in mind:

1. Let Kids Choose

Children are more likely to read books they pick themselves.

2. Make Reading Part of the Routine

Set aside a consistent time each day for reading, even if it's only 15-20 minutes.

3. Bring Books Everywhere

Keep books in the car, at the cabin, at the beach, and on vacation.

4. Focus on Enjoyment

The goal is helping kids discover that reading can be fun.

Make This Summer a Reading Adventure

The best Summer reads aren't necessarily the books with the biggest awards or the longest reading lists. They're the books kids actually want to read.

And when kids find books they genuinely enjoy, they stop being told to read and start asking for the next book in the series!

Don't Know Where to Start? Take the Quiz.

Every kid is different. Bakken Books built a quick, 3-question quiz that matches your child to their perfect series in under 60 seconds.

Take the Interest-Based Quiz! 

Frequently Asked Questions About Summer Reading

How many books should my child read during Summer break?

There isn't one perfect number. The goal is consistency rather than quantity. Even reading 15-20 minutes a day can help kids maintain and strengthen their reading skills over the Summer.

Why is Summer reading important?

Summer reading helps children maintain vocabulary, reading comprehension, and critical thinking skills while school is out. It also helps build confidence and encourages a lifelong love of reading.

How can I get my reluctant reader interested in books?

Start by finding books that connect to your child's hobbies and interests. Reluctant readers are far more likely to read stories about topics they already enjoy, such as sports, gaming, camping, science, or mysteries.

Are book series better than standalone books for Summer reading?

Many kids enjoy book series because they become attached to the characters and want to continue the adventure. Series can also help build reading momentum throughout the Summer.