Read a Book, Watch the Movie
We all know about the dreaded summer slide. And we all want our kids to read more, especially over the summer. Which is why I’m proposing this fun summer reading challenge: read the book with your kids (or ya’ll read separately) and then watch the movie together! Easy-peasy and a fun way to connect and get your kids excited about reading!
This list includes books from the littlest all the way up to high school level books. So whether you still have a child sweetly tucked into your lap for reading time or you can barely get your kid to leave their room, there’s something on this list for you and your child(ren)!
Bonus: Make the movie nights BIG DEALS! Get all the snacks, pop your own popcorn, and do a fun setup like one of these:
Jumbo Projector
Hang a white sheet on your wall or in your garage. You can rent a projector from the Memphis library or go ahead and buy one on Amazon. Movies are more fun when they’re large! Put down pillows or rearrange your couches for a fun, comfy movie night in!
Create drive-in “cars”
Get a big ole box from one of your home delivery services and convert it to a car! Raid that art closet. Cut out wheels, headlights, and make a steering wheel! Park it in front of the TV, put a pillow inside for a comfy tush, and you have your very own drive-in theatre.
Picture books (toddler/preschool):
Dr. Suess books:
There are several of these! How the Grinch Stole Christmas (several versions of this and would be a fun Christmas is July celebration), Horton Hears a Who!, The Lorax, and The Cat in the Hat are all great.
Eloise at the Plaza
Where the Wild Things Are
Potential warning for this one: somehow this really isn’t a kids’ movie…
Alexander and the Terrible, Horrible, No Good, Very Bad Day
Charlotte’s Web
The Gruffalo
Elementary Level Books:
Kate DiCamillo books:
Flora & Ulysses, The Magician’s Elephant, Because of Winn Dixie, The Tale of Despereaux
Roald Dahl books:
Charlie and the Chocolate Factory (several versions of these), James and the Giant Peach, The Witches, Matilda (also several of these), The BFG, and Fantastic Mr. Fox
The Chronicles of Narnia
The One and Only Ivan
Percy Jackson
There is a movie of this, but I think the TV series is better.
Dog Man
The Bad Guys
Diary of a Wimpy Kid
A Series of Unfortunate Events
Holes
How to Train Your Dragon
Bonus: Do this in mid June and go see the new live action version!
Stuart Little
Harry Potter (duh)
The Little Princess
The Secret Garden
Middle School Level Books:
Wonder
A Wrinkle in Time
Ender’s Game
The Outsiders
To Kill a Mockingbird
Call of the Wild
The Wild Robot
The Hobbit
Bridge to Terebithia
Little Women
Another classic with multiple movie versions.
The Never-ending Story
The Golden Compass
The Giver
Are You There God? It’s Me, Margaret
The Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants
High School Level Books:
The Maze Runner
Eragon
Enola Holmes: The Case of the Missing Marquess
Moxie
The Hunger Games
The Hate U Give
Me and Earl and the Dying Girl
Perks of Being a Wallflower
John Green Books:
Turtles all the Way Down, A Fault in our Stars, and Paper Towns
Divergent
Ready Player One
