My boys and I read A LOT over the summer. Here are some of the books we’ve been digging into. (Make sure and scroll down to see my list of recommended book series for boys…because, believe me, there aren’t as many options for little boys as there are for little girls…but I think we found some great ones!)

Books I’m Reading This Summer:

The Harry Potter Series

I know, I know…most of you have probably already read this series. The first book, after all, came out twenty years ago! But this really is the first time I’ve wanted to read them.

And honestly, I’m reading them because my oldest child is getting to the age when he might want to read them. I know some parents don’t think their kids should read these books, so I wanted to have an educated opinion on the matter BEFORE he asked to read them.

So far, I’m on book 5. I absolutely understand why so many people love these books. They definitely draw you in and make you fall in love with the characters. I’m determined to finish these VERY long books (that are much different from the types of books I typically read) because I really do want to know what happens to Harry, Ron, and Hermoine.

On the other hand, I also understand why many parents hesitate to let their kids read the books. Though the first three books were basic good versus evil tales (where good clearly comes out on top and where there are many good lessons along the way), starting in book 4, the series gets much darker. The opening scene in book 4 is a murder, and there are quite a bit more scary elements in this book than in the first three.

So, as a parent, I’m okay with my boys (probably by about age 8-10) reading books 1-3, but I don’t think my kids are ready for the rest of the series…at least not yet. The evil elements would frighten them too much.

As far as the magical elements that I know many Christian parents worry about, for me, the first three books aren’t that much different from any other magical type of story (like the Magic Tree House, for example). Certainly, there is also the element of evil in the person of Lord Voldemort, and if your child frightens easily, you might want to reconsider. But, because I talk with my children about what’s real and what’s not, the magical element-in and of itself-is not enough to keep me from allowing my children to read the first three books.

What about you? What are your thoughts about kids reading these books?

Sweetbriar Cottage by Denise Hunter

Sweetbriar Cottage by Denise Hunter is a sweet Christian romance book that’s great for summer reading! It’s the story of Josephine and Noah, a couple who are forced to be together because of a terrible winter storm. Josephine and Noah were divorced…or, at least, they thought they were. That is, until Noah gets a letter from the IRS telling him they are still married. When Josephine tries to repair the mistake she made in the divorce and then hand delivers the updated divorce papers to Noah, a huge winter storm hits, leaving the couple forced to be together until the blizzard clears. As both Noah and Josephine battle anger and resentment, they also feel pulled toward one another. When forced into the elements outside and facing death, new truths come to light. Will they make it out of the blizzard alive? And if they do, will they finally be able to mend their marriage?

If you’re looking for a sweet book to read over the summer, this one is perfect!

With You Always by Jody Hedlund

With You Always, the first book in a new Orphan Train series, is yet another home run by Jody Hedlund.

It’s the story of Elise Neumann, the oldest sister of three orphans. Because Elise is the eldest sister, she is responsible for her siblings. Unfortunately, with a financial crisis raging around her and few jobs available, especially for women, she has few options. When she’s presented with the opportunity to go to Illinois on an orphan train, she risks leaving her siblings and takes a chance, hoping she is able to find work as a seamstress.

Meanwhile, wealthy land-developer Thornton Quincy is sucked into a challenge by his dying father. Thornton’s dad told both Thornton and Thornton’s brother that whoever can build a sustainable town and marry a woman he loves in six months will inherit the company. Thornton is determined to finally get out from behind his brother’s shadow and win his father’s approval. But when he begins to fall for a poor woman he suspects his father would never approve of and when his conscience battles with his desire to win, he’s unsure what to do next.

If you’re looking for a great Christian fiction novel to pick up, I highly recommend this book by Hedlund (or any of her other books!) Hedlund has a unique way of making you fall in love with the characters of her story. I also love that many of Hedlund’s books are based on historical accounts, so I’m learning as I read. Grab your copy today. You won’t be disappointed.

An Awakened Heart by Jody Hedlund

An Awakened Heart is actually a prequel novella to With You Always. I read it after With You Always, but I’d recommend you read it first if possible. It will give you some background information about the characters in With You Always.

Must-Read Book Series for Boys:

If you have boys, you might have noticed, as I have, that there aren’t as many book series options for boys as there are for girls. BUT, we have still found some great ones!

Here are our favorites so far. (I would recommend these books for kids aged 5 to 9 or 10.)

The Magic Tree House Series

With 55 books, this is a great series that will take you a bit of time to get through. The books can be read as stand alones, but also fit together really well, so it’s best to read them in order if you can. They build upon the previous books. (Each book, though, has a prologue at the beginning that gives you the background info you need, so it’s not a big deal to read them out of order if you’re unable to read them in order).

These books are the stories of Jack and Annie, two kids who find a magical tree house that takes them to historical and faraway lands on adventures your kids are sure to love reading about!

The I Survived Series

I LOVE these books! They are fictional stories based on true events that happened in history. Your kids will love reading the stories, but they’ll also learn about some really significant events in our history.

Some of the events include…

• The Sinking of the Titanic
• The Hindenburg Disaster
• The Joplin Tornado
• The Eruption of Mt. Saint Helens
• The Chicago Fires
• And more!

The A-Z Mysteries Series

We just found this series not too long ago and love it! It’s probably a bit more on the younger side (something like 5-7 probably, instead of 9-10), but even I enjoy reading these books!

Each book is titled after a letter in the alphabet. For instance, the first book is called The Absent Author, followed by The Bald Bandit, etc. In each of these books, friends Dink, Josh, and Ruth Rose solve mysteries.

Once we finish this series, we plan to pick up The Calendar Mysteries, also written by Ron Roy. In this series, a new mystery happens in each month of the year and Dink, Josh, and Ruth Rose’s younger siblings work to solve the mysteries.

The Boxcar Children Series

These books were popular when I was a kid, but kids still enjoy them today. My oldest child, in particular, has loved reading about the adventures of the Alden children.

Now I want to hear from you! What are you reading this summer? What books do you recommend for young boys?

*I received many of the above book for free for review, but all opinions are my own.