Paws on the Ground, Minds in the Books
In the Aberdeen School District, we know that a strong foundation starts with consistent habits, and reading is one of the best ways to keep young minds growing all summer long. With Paws on the Ground, we’re staying grounded in our values while keeping literacy at the forefront, even when school is out.
Below are reading suggestions handpicked for each age group, blending time-honored favorites with forward-looking selections. Whether you’re reading under a shady tree or curled up during a summer rain, there’s a perfect book waiting to be discovered.
🐾 Elementary School (Grades K–5)
Picture Books & Early Readers:
The Pigeon HAS to Go to School! by Mo Willems
I Am Enough by Grace Byers
There Was an Old Lady Who Swallowed a Cactus! by Lucille Colandro
How to Catch a Dinosaur by Adam Wallace
Our Class is a Family by Shannon Olsen
Chapter Books:
The Wild Robot by Peter Brown
Magic Tree House series by Mary Pope Osborne
Amari and the Night Brothers by B.B. Alston
Dog Man series by Dav Pilkey
J.D. and the Great Barber Battle by J. Dillard
🐾 Middle School (Grades 6–8)
Ghost (Track series) by Jason Reynolds
New Kid by Jerry Craft (Graphic Novel)
Percy Jackson & the Olympians series by Rick Riordan
Brown Girl Dreaming by Jacqueline Woodson
Hatchet by Gary Paulsen
For a Challenge:
A Long Walk to Water by Linda Sue Park
Scythe by Neal Shusterman
🐾 High School (Grades 9–12)
The Hate U Give by Angie Thomas
The Book Thief by Markus Zusak
Fahrenheit 451 by Ray Bradbury
Born a Crime by Trevor Noah
The 7 Habits of Highly Effective Teens by Sean Covey
College & Career Readiness Picks:
Atomic Habits by James Clear
Start With Why by Simon Sinek
Outliers by Malcolm Gladwell
📖 Books for Educators & Lifelong Learners
We encourage our staff and community members to continue learning right alongside our students.
The First Days of School by Harry K. Wong & Rosemary T. Wong
The Energy Bus by Jon Gordon
Culturally Responsive Teaching and The Brain by Zaretta Hammond
Lead Like a PIRATE by Shelley Burgess & Beth Houf
Dare to Lead by Brené Brown
🐾 Keep Those Paws on the Ground—And Eyes on the Page!
Encourage 20–30 minutes of daily reading, make weekly library visits, and consider setting family reading challenges. Simple steps lead to big gains, and we’re here to support our students every step of the way.
Share your summer reading snapshots using #BulldawgPride!