Summer is here once again, and there has never been a better time to get your kids engaged with reading. In this article, we examine five fantastic books that will make your kids want to spend time reading.

Summer is finally here and while there is nothing wrong with allowing your kids to have some fun, it is important to keep their minds engaged. One of the best ways that you can ensure that your children’s minds are not simply wasting away over the break is to have them read. While it may seem like a chore to some young readers, not every book has to be an exercise in boring drudgery. Here are five summer books for your kids to read that they will actually enjoy.

1. Story Thieves by James Riley

Story Thieves is a fiction book about a boy named Owen and his friend, Bethany. Owen finds Bethany climbing out of an actual book and discovers that she is partially a fictional character. Owen convinces her to take him on an adventure in his favorite book series, and his life changes forever. While the topic of this book includes school, the subject matter is immersive and interesting enough to keep your child engaged.

2. Percy Jackson and The Olympians: The Lightning Thief  by Rick Riordan

To be fair, the Percy Jackson series is over a decade old, but it is an imaginative look that crosses mythology and action in the modern world. Percy Jackson discovers that he is a demigod, the son of Poseidon, and that the ancient Greek gods have made their home in New York City. Tasked with finding Zeus’ pilfered lightning bolt, Percy and friends cross the United States in a funny, easy-to-read book. Best of all, there are almost a dozen similar books featuring Percy Jackson and friends; you might get your child hooked on a series to last the summer.

3. Hellhole by Gina Damico

Don’t let the name scare you off. If anything, it will make your kids want to read it more. This story features Max Kilgore, a boy who accidentally summons a demon from the underworld. Now, Max has to balance his daily life with the demands of a demon, including fetching his favorite snacks and obtaining outlandish items. This book is fun for tweens and teens and has many unique elements that separate it from the typical young adult fare.

4. As Brave As You by Jason Reynolds

While it might read like your kid’s worst nightmare, the premise of this story involves a Google-addicted Genie spending the summer with his grandparents in rural Virginia. The only problem is that their house is in an internet-free zone. The horror! The story emphasizes the importance of family and the need to get some of life’s answers through experience rather than being behind a keyboard all day.

5. Drowned City by Don Brown

Drowned City takes on some heavy subject matter, approaching the story of Hurricane Katrina which struck land in 2005. This nonfiction work examines the struggles faced by people in Louisiana as they dealt with the horrible conditions during the storm. The story follows the characters through the raging floods to the Superdome, and finally to Texas where they settled after having no home to go back to. This story is great for young people to learn about the strength of human spirit and the need to help one another in times of trouble.

There are thousands of great books that your kids can read during the summer break. Finding ones that are suitable for your specific child can be daunting, but the fact remains that summer readers become lifelong readers. While the topics vary on this list, every one of these books is a fantastic place to start summer reading.