Six Chapter Books Set in the Summer

It’s hard to believe, but in a few short weeks summer break will be here! To celebrate, I have compiled a list of several books that take place specifically during the summer months. They would be great to read during the summer, or perhaps you could save them for the dead of winter when it would be refreshing to think about long, hot, sunny days!

Thimble Summer

Set in the 1930s, this book tells the story of Garnet Linden, a young girl who lives on a farm in Wisconsin and finds a thimble that brings special “magic” to her summer. It is a sweet, family-friendly read with escapades like winning a prize at the county fair, getting stuck in the library, hitchhiking, visiting dime stores, and more innocent childhood fun.

One Crazy Summer

Three young sisters travel to California in the summer of 1968 to meet the mother who abandoned them, and in the process they learn more about their family and the ongoing Civil Rights Movement.

The Penderwicks: A Summer Tale of Four Sisters, Two Rabbits, and a Very Interesting Boy

The four Penderwick sisters get to spend the summer at a beautiful estate called Arundel in the Berkshires of Massachusetts. They have all sorts of adventures with Jeffrey, the boy who also lives at the estate, and a truly unforgettable summer. In some ways this book reminds of a more modern Little Women, and all of my kids love it!

Summer of the Monkeys

Set in the Ozark Mountains of Oklahoma, this book tells the story of 14-year-old Jay Berry. When he stumbles upon a tree full of monkeys, his grandfather encourages him to try and catch them and return them to the local circus from which they were lost. In the process, he learns about himself and the faith it takes to make miracles happen.

Summer of the Swans

14-year-old Sara has a close relationship with her brother Charlie, who is also mentally impaired. Sara takes Charlie to see the swans in their town one day, and that night he wanders off and no one can find him. Compelling and meaningful.

Gone Away Lake

Two children, Portia and Foster, leave their home in the city to visit their cousins in upstate New York one summer. They soon discover an abandoned lakeside resort that leads them into all sorts of fun and innocent adventures.