There’s nothing quite like enjoying summertime by reading a great book in the shade of a beautiful tree.  Here are just the books that are terrific reads geared for ages 9 through adult.  There’s no better way to pass the lazy hazy days than with a great book.  The books I’ve reviewed are a great assortment of different genres that are sure to please.  And, all of these books would be great to read aloud!

I’ll begin with an amazing book that concerns relationships, friendships, bullies and – even a huge surprise towards the end that you will not expect.  Don’t worry, I won’t tell.  When You Reach Me,by Rebecca Stead,has sixth grader Miranda living in New York City and learning to deal with friends and school issues. Her life seems complicated and confusing due to notes that mysteriously appear from some unknown person.  And, to compound the mystery – these notes tell about the future. The book is much more than a fantastical mystery.  The author has developed the characters and settings with such descriptive detail that you feel you are right beside Miranda on every page.  I’m betting this book will be a Newbery Award candidate!

Up and Down Scratchy Mountains,by Laurel Snyder, is a sweet but feisty tale about a girl of low descent who enjoys the friendship of a prince.  Life is about to change when the King is readying his son for a future wife worthy of him.  Her disappointment in losing her dearest friend throws her into a search for her long lost mother leading her up, over and through mountains and even into danger.  What she ultimately discovers is more valuable than what money or kingdoms can buy. 

Fortune’s Magic Farm,by Suzanne Selfors, is a very clever and different kind of magical fantasy that takes Isabelle from a dreary place full of rain and mud to a place of sunshine and the discovery of her real home.  After her grandmother dies, she flees the boarding house and soon discovers that she is the last holder of magic.  However, she is forced to make a difficult decision to go back to save her muddy land.  This story is full of creative imagery that will make your senses become heightened along with a story full of adventure. 

Moonrunner:  A Boy, A Horse, An Unbreakable Bond,by Mark Thomason, is a story about twelve-year-old Casey and the difficulties of moving from his beloved ranch in Montana to a farm in Australia.  The difficulty of making the cultural adjustment along with attempting to make new friends leaves him lonely and missing his horse back in America.  The story addresses bullies, harassment and family support. And, you don’t have to be a horse lover to love this book. It’s also very enlightening to life down-under in the 1890’s.

Hannah’s Winter,by Kierin Meehan, is most likely going to be one of my top favorites for the entire year.  It’s beautifully written and full of metaphors and descriptions of Japanese culture and you’ll be transported to this exotic country.  Twelve-year-old Hannah travels to Japan because her mother has a work assignment there.  When she leaves Hannah with a Japanese family during her travels, Hannah befriends Miki which quickly evolves into best friends. The story involves a mystery that weaves fantasy so well throughout that you’ll become mystified into believing the possibilities.

Mudshark,by Gary Paulsen, is a delightful, funny and quick read with only 83 pages that will envelop the reader, making you smile from the first page to the last.  Mr. Paulsen has the uncanny ability to know his reader and what makes reading enjoyable.  He’s written dozens of books, many award winners, that never seem to fail.  Mudshark is a twelve-year-old who is valued by his classmates for his extreme abilities of observation and memory.  When a student misplaces something at anytime when Mudshark is near, he can tell them exactly where to find it. When erasers suddenly go missing, Mudshark is on the trail and the discovery will be a pleasant surprise to all.

The Robe of Skulls, by Vivian French, is a zany but utterly charming fairytale with more twists, action, comic relief and hilarious storytelling than one would suspect. An evil, but not-too-bright, sorceress has just decided on the gown to wear to the ball:  a gown made of black velvet and decorated with skulls.  But to her incredulous and angry surprise, she cannot pay for it as her chest of gold is empty!  She comes up with a plan of zapping all of the nearby princes and turning them into frogs.  Her ransom is for the kings to pay with gold.  Then she will turn the frogs back again into princes. The humble hero, Gracie, along with other interesting characters will make this tale end happily-ever-after.

The Garden of Eve,by K. L. Going, is a story where magic wraps around a mystery complete with intrigue and ambiguity. Young Evie is struggling with the death of her mother as her father moves them far away from everything familiar and into an old house and a large apple orchard.  Everything around her seems dead or dying, including the orchard.  They even live next to a cemetery.  But it’s all about to change when Evie thinks she sees a young boy lurking in the cemetery and is shocked when she learns that he recently died.  The theme of dealing with loss is countered with healing and love.

Wild Things,by Clay Carmichael, is a vividly portrayed story about family, hope and redemption.  Young Zoe has come to live with her uncle after losing her mother.  Up to then she’s lived a hectic and untrusting life.  Now, under the roof of this unfamiliar uncle, she begins learning trust and love again.  The author has written a rich story in both character and events as you find yourself completely immersed in a beautifully written book.