August might be the dog days of summer, but summer reading is still in full swing! While you’re enjoying your last few weeks before returning to the classroom, check out these books featuring summer adventures, traditions, and mysteries! We hope you enjoy them as much as we do.
Early Readers (3-K–Grade 2)
- Churro Stand, by Karina N. González; illustrated by Krystal Quiles
- Hello There, Sunshine, by Tabitha Brown; illustrated by Olivia Duchess
- Summer is for Cousins, by Rajani LaRocca; illustrated by Abhi Alwar
- Tala Learns to Siva, by Kealani Netane
- When You Can Swim, by Jack Wong
Elementary (Grades 3–5)
- The Best and Worst Summer of Esme Sun, by Wendy Wan-Long Shang
- Camp Frenemies: Bunkmates for Never, by Liz Montague
- Farah Rocks Summer Break, by Susan Muaddi Darraj; illustrated by Ruaida Mannaa
- The Lemonade War, by Jacqueline Davies
- Mother of Sharks, by Melissa Cristina Marquez; illustrated by Devin Elle Kurtz
Middle School (Grades 6–8)
- The Forgotten Summer of Seneca, by Camryn Garrett
- Miss Camper, by Kat Fajardo
- Operation Sisterhood, by Olugbemisola Rhuday-Perkovich
- Summer at Squee, by Andrea Wang
- The Summer of Lost Letters, by Hannah Reynolds
Upper Grades (Grades 9–12)
- Brownstone, by Samuel Teer and Mar Julia
- Cool for the Summer, by Dahlia Adler
- The Counselors, by Jessica Goodman
- Dragonfruit, by Makiia Lucier
- The Summer I Ate the Rich, by Maika Moulite and Maritza Moulite
You can find these books and many more great reads on Sora, our Citywide Digital Library, which provides free access to thousands of digital e-books and audiobooks for our students. You can also find even more recommendations in the Summer Reading Collection on Sora. Have a happy and safe rest of your summer!
Missed our previous book recommendations?
Check them out in the "What We're Reading" Archive!
SPOTLIGHT ON OUR SCHOOLS
This past June was one for the history books for New Yorkers—not only did our City commemorate a long-awaited championship and host the start of the biggest sporting event in the world, but we also marked the end of the 2025–26 school year!
From graduation ceremonies and award celebrations, to final project presentations and end-of-year exams, City public schools were buzzing with activity and excitement all month long! Check out some of the snapshots we took over the past month, and join us in thanking all of the incredible educators, school leaders, volunteers, and students who made the past year truly special for NYC Public Schools!
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Every year, the Public Schools Athletic League (PSAL) recognizes exceptional student-athletes with its Wingate Awards, which are given to the most outstanding high school seniors in every PSAL sport who demonstrate athletic excellence, leadership, dedication, and sportsmanship. Congratulations to this year's winners! (Photo Credit:
NYCPSAL via Flickr)
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June's Bronx STEAM Center Student Showcase highlighted some of the incredible hands-on work and research that juniors and seniors from 10 Bronx high schools completed over the past school year. From hands-on tech demonstrations to brilliant digital designs, these students showed firsthand they are ready to hit the ground running with the skills, experiences, and guidance needed to thrive in high-demand careers. (Photo Credit: John Brown, NYCPS)
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Thousands of City students celebrated the end of their high school journeys last month—we are incredibly proud of all of our graduating seniors from the Class of 2026. (Photo Credit: John Brown, NYCPS)
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Chancellor Samuels stopped by Martin Van Buren High School's graduation ceremony last month and delivered remarks for the hundreds of students, families, and staff members in attendance. (Photo Credit: John Brown, NYCPS)
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June also saw the launch of our very first-ever 2-K admissions process, and trucks like these were spotted throughout the City looking to get the word out! 2-K, the City's free early care and education program for two-year-olds, is launching in fall 2026 in select neighborhoods, and will expand citywide in future years. (Photo Credit: John Brown, NYCPS)
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It seemed like everyone in our schools was wearing orange and blue last month—and who could blame them? We're CHAMPIONS! (Photo Credit: John Brown, NYCPS)
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June also saw the start of the 2026 World Cup, and many school communities celebrated "the world's game" with fun events for students and teachers alike. (Photo Credit:
NYCPSAL via Flickr)
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Thousands of City students, including these outstanding scholars from the Cobble Hill School of American Studies, earned their high school diplomas last month—and we are incredibly proud of each and every one of them! (Photo Credit: John Brown, NYCPS)
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PSAL held an end-of-year celebration at Tweed Courthouse last month in honor of its Student Ambassadors. This program empowers City student-athletes representing 37 PSAL sports to act as advocates on behalf of their peers. Each ambassador is committed to service, responsibility, collaboration, and making an impact both on and off the field. On behalf of NYCPS, we thank all of this year's Student Ambassadors for their service! (Photo Credit:
NYCPSAL via Flickr)
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"I'm in love with my future; can't wait to meet her"—and neither can we! On behalf of NYC Public Schools, we wish all of our students, including our most recent graduates, an amazing summer! (Photo Credit: John Brown, NYCPS)
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