On the Shelf: Will read for pizza
Get ready for summer reading, no matter how old you are
By Chris Worthy
It’s the most wonderful time of the year for readers: summer reading is back. Get your kids and grandkids (and maybe yourself) registered at your local library. And there’s some big news for the generation who read for pizza – you know who you are. Pizza Hut’s BOOK IT program is back, but it has a 2026 twist because there’s an app for that now. The summer program is for pre-K – grade 6 nationwide. Teachers, there’s a school year program coming up too. Do I support rewarding reading with pizza? I support rewarding reading with pretty much anything that works. Establish habits, cultivate that love of “one more chapter,” and you’ll grow a reader for life.
Summer, summer, summertime…
When You Dream Big! written and illustrated by Peter H. Reynolds (Orchard Books, ages 4 – 8) – Oh, what a lovely message! What do you want to be when you grow up? What do you want to be if you’re already grown up? How about good? What about brave? This one is a keeper.
Rhea’s Rodeo by Laekan Zea Kemp, illustrated by Raissa Figueroa (Scholastic Press, ages 4 – 8) – Picture books are for all ages, really. If, like me, you know nothing about Escaramuza Charra (women’s Mexican rodeo), get ready to learn. This beautifully illustrated book carries a timeless message of perseverance, along with a rich cultural experience, and loads of extras.
Isaiah Johnson and the Big Game by Esau McCaulley, illustrated by Emmanuel Boateng (Convergent Children’s/Penguin Random House, ages 3 – 7) – From the author of Reading While Black: African American Biblical Interpretation as an Exercise in Hope, this sweet book helps little ones understand the importance of forgiving mistakes. It also shows grownups how to ask their kids for forgiveness – a wonderful reminder. None of it is heavy-handed, and kids will love the simple context here.
My First Seek and Learn: At Home – English and Spanish First Words (Workman Publishing, ages 2 – 5, available June 9) – This is everything a first book should be: bright, happy, and engaging – and it has the bonus of rich, bilingual vocabulary. Read it together, choose words to learn in either language (or both), and then check the end for a rereading opportunity that you might have missed. (Hint: there’s something to search for in each picture.)
Really Rubie written and illustrated by Maddie Frost (Aladdin, ages 8 – 12) – Oh, tween years, you never change. But fortunately, there are new books like this one to help kids laugh and learn together. Physically, this book is gorgeous with “doodled” edges that make this really look like Rubie’s diary. Tweens need to see their lives in print (and even doodles). It just might ease the awkwardness a little bit. Visit the book’s page for a free printable activity so kids can learn to draw Rubie. And great news: this is the first in a series, so we’ll have more Rubie adventures to come.
Work deadlines mean my TBR pile is growing unchecked.
Currently reading…
· Devotions by Mary Oliver – For summer contemplation.
· Contact by Carl Sagan
· The Covenant of Water by Abraham Verghese (Audiobook read by the author) – So good, but lordy, it’s long. Catch me in a few months for an estimated finish date.
Just finished…
Literally not one thing. (But some big work deadlines are behind me and I’m ready for my TBR pile.)
Latest “I’m with the banned” read… Join me in the American Library Association’s effort to Unite Against Book Bans:
(Up next) Melissa (previously published as George) by Alex Gino
Purchases made through our Bookshop help get books in the hands of little readers who lack access.
Love this!!