2023 Summer Beach Reads Part 2 (For Kids)

Go read a book! It's like a summer anthem for parents but the dividends are worth the nagging.

Research continues to prove that summer reading helps kids avoid the brain drain that often occurs during summer break.

Summer reading improves reading skills. Reading fluency is key to academic success in all subjects.

Kids + summer reading = a winning combo.

That said, it's sometimes a tough sell with kids. That's why it's critical to find something that grabs a kid's interest and reflects their individuality.

Tina Ferguson is the owner of Face in a Book bookstore and my co-host on our annual "Summer Beach Reads" show.

In part 2, Tina suggests titles for kids that are rich in inclusivity and imagination. Have a reluctant reader in your home? Tins suggest parents be open to graphic novels, whose popularity has exploded.

"There are things you can do with illustrations along with the vocabulary in the book that really works together to get a beginning reader to really keep going and to really enjoy what they're reading," says Tina.

On this Dying to Ask:

• How the publishing world is meeting the need for more inclusive books
• Tips to get a reluctant reader hooked on books
• The number one thing parents can do to encourage reading
• Tina's top 10 pics for summer books for kids

Tina's picks for kids:

The Swifts: A Dictionary of Scoundrels/Beth Lincoln

The Sour Grape/Jory John and Pete Oswald

The Agathas/Kathleen Glasgow

When You Trap a Tiger/Tae Keller

Dog Man #11: 20,000 Fleas Under the Sea/Dave Pilkey

Big Tree/Brian Selznick

Where You See Yourself/Claire Forrest

The Windeby Puzzle/Lois Lowry

Judy Moody & Friends: Jessica Finch is in Trouble /Megan McDonald

Once Upon a Book/Grace Lin illustrated by Kate Messner