Summer has a way of loosening the grip of routine. School schedules dissolve, bedtimes stretch, and suddenly there’s space to simply be together, free of devices and screens. That space is an invitation, and one of the best ways to fill it is with a shared book.

At Pa Family Support Alliance, we know that strong families aren’t built in a single moment. They grow through thousands of small, everyday connections: a question at the dinner table, a laugh over something unexpected, a quiet moment of understanding. Reading together is one of the simplest and most powerful ways to create those connections — at any age.

Below you’ll find a curated selection of books organized by age group. Pick one. Pick several. Read them out loud or pass them around. The goal isn’t to finish a list; it’s to start a conversation.

For Little Ones (Ages 3–7)

• The Wonderful Things You Will Be by Emily Winfield Martin (Ages 3+)
  A lyrical, illustrated love letter from parent to child, celebrating all the possibilities a young life holds. Its gentle rhymes make for a perfect bedtime ritual that leaves both reader and listener feeling seen. Talk about it: “What’s something wonderful you want to be when you grow up, and what’s something wonderful you already are?”
• Last Stop on Market Street by Matt de la Peña, illustrated by Christian Robinson (Ages 4+)
  CJ rides the bus with his grandmother and learns to find beauty in everyday moments. This Newbery Medal winner is a masterclass in gratitude, community, and seeing the world through someone else’s eyes, themes ripe for family discussion. Talk about it: “What’s something you see every day that most people might walk right past?”
• All Are Welcome by Alexandra Penfold, illustrated by Suzanne Kaufman (Ages 3+)
  A vibrant picture book that follows a group of children through a day at school where every background, family structure, and tradition is embraced. It opens the door to talking about what “welcome” means in your own home. Talk about it: “How do we make people feel welcome in our family?”

For Growing Readers (Ages 8–12)

• Front Desk by Kelly Yang (Ages 8+)
  Ten-year-old Mia Tang manages a motel’s front desk while her immigrant parents work around the clock. Funny, tender, and anchored in real struggle, this novel invites families to talk about hard work, fairness, and what it means to belong. Talk about it: “Have you ever felt like you didn’t belong somewhere? What helped?”
• The One and Only Ivan by Katherine Applegate (Ages 8+)
  Inspired by a true story, Ivan is a silverback gorilla living in a shopping mall who discovers the power of art and friendship. It’s a quiet, deeply moving book about keeping promises to others and to yourself. Talk about it: “What’s a promise you’re proud of keeping?”
• Merci Suárez Changes Gears by Meg Medina (Ages 9+)
  Merci navigates a new school, shifting friendships, and her beloved grandfather’s declining health. This Newbery winner captures the messy, loving reality of multigenerational family life with warmth and honesty. Talk about it: “What’s something you’ve learned from a grandparent or older family member?”

For Teens (Ages 13+)

• The House on Mango Street by Sandra Cisneros (Ages 13+)
  Told in spare, poetic vignettes, Esperanza Cordero’s coming-of-age in a Chicago neighborhood is a timeless meditation on identity, home, and aspiration. Short enough to read aloud together, deep enough to talk about for weeks. Talk about it: “What does ‘home’ mean to you beyond the building you live in?”
• I’ll Give You the Sun by Jandy Nelson (Ages 14+) Twin siblings Jude and Noah tell their story from different points in time as they drift apart and struggle to find their way back. A luminous novel about art, grief, jealousy, and the fierce bond between siblings. Talk about it: “Is there someone in the family you feel differently about now than you did a few years ago?”
• Long Way Down by Jason Reynolds (Ages 14+)
  Written entirely in verse, this novel takes place during a single elevator ride as fifteen-year-old Will decides whether to avenge his brother’s death. It’s short, gripping, and impossible to put down — a powerful springboard for conversations about choices and consequences. Talk about it: “What would you have told Will if you were in the elevator?”

For the Grown-Ups

• The Whole-Brain Child by Daniel J. Siegel and Tina Payne Bryson
  A neuroscience-backed, practical guide to understanding how a child’s developing brain affects behavior and emotions. Full of strategies you can use immediately, and the science is explained clearly enough to share with older kids, too.
• The Book You Wish Your Parents Had Read by Philippa Perry
  Psychotherapist Philippa Perry explores how your own upbringing shapes your parenting and offers gentle, insightful guidance for breaking unhelpful patterns. Honest without being preachy, it’s the kind of book that changes how you listen.
• Hunt, Gather, Parent by Michaeleen Doucleff
  An NPR journalist travels the world to learn parenting practices from Maya, Inuit, and Hadza communities. The result is a refreshing, research-rich alternative to Western parenting culture that will make you rethink everything from chores to tantrums.

Making the Most of Summer Reading Together

• Read aloud at any age. Teens and grown-ups benefit from hearing stories, too. Take turns reading chapters after dinner.
• Let kids choose. Autonomy fuels motivation. If a book isn’t clicking, it’s okay to move on: no guilt required.
• Ask open-ended questions. Try “What would you have done?” or “Did anything surprise you?” instead of quizzing on plot details.
• Visit your local library. Many offer free summer reading programs with incentives for all ages. Make it a family outing.
• Model the habit. Let your kids see you reading for pleasure. It matters more than any assigned list ever will.

The titles on this list span continents, cultures, and centuries of experience, but they all share a common thread: they make it easier to understand each other. Whether you’re curled up with a four-year-old or swapping a dog-eared paperback with your teenager, you’re doing something quietly powerful by building a family culture where curiosity, empathy, and conversation are valued.

At PFSA, we believe that every family has unique strengths. Reading together is one more way to discover and build on yours. So, grab a stack from the library, claim a shady spot, and read. Summer is short. The connections you build are not.

Links to Goodreads are provided for informational purposes only. Pa Family Support Alliance is not affiliated with, endorsed by, or sponsored by Goodreads or Amazon. PFSA does not receive any compensation from book purchases or site visits.

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