Summer Reading 2026 Can a Rock Grow?: A STEM Coloring & Activity Book

 

This STEM guide has pages to accompany each spread of the book Can a Rock Grow? The original book, also written and illustrated by Audrey Sauble, is an introduction to geology and petrology for young readers. It covers the rock cycle, the various types of rocks (sedimentary, metamorphic, igneous), as well as fossils and other related topics. 

In the activity book there are coloring pages based on the original illustrations, as well as puzzles, writing prompts, and matching activities. Readers can answer fill-in-the-blank questions, match vocabulary words to definitions, play bingo, complete a word search or crossword puzzle, and much more. The writing activities range from journaling about a favorite rock to listing uses for rocks that the reader observes in everyday life.

There are also directions for hands-on exploration such as investigating the hardness of rock samples with a scratch test (see image), making rock candy, and using playdough to model folding and erosion. Other activities include growing a stalactite, using a sediment jar and observing the action, or making kindness rocks to leave around the neighborhood.

The best part about these activities is that they can be done by an individual child who is fascinated with rocks and nature, but they can also be incorporated into a science class or STEM club setting and used with a group. 

If you haven't yet encountered Can a Rock Grow? it has been out for several years and was recently updated. You can find it at https://www.aesauble.com/ or other online retailers like Amazon. It is part of the Early Science Questions series, which also inlcudes Can a Spider Be Fluffy? and A Bee or Not a Bee? 

Interior page samples:

Try out both books today and encourage any little rock hounds that you know!

Summer Reading 2026 We Are Legion (We Are Bob) Bobiverse Book 1

 

Just imagine that you hear "Ironic" by Alanis Morissette playing in the background as you read this. Okay? Now that we’ve set the mood… Bob Johansson is feeling great. He has sold his software company for a comfortable amount. He has used some of his newfound wealth to arrange for himself to be cryofrozen at death in hopes of being revived in the future. Then, he is hit by a car while crossing the street. What are the odds?

When Bob next awakens, he learns that he is now the property of a company that is attempting to make interstellar probes to find habitable planets for humanity to colonize. Aside from the fact that he is treated as a program that can be ordered around and deleted at any time, the actual mission sounds great to a science geek and sci-fi fan like Bob. Readers get to follow along as Bob ventures out looking for possible new worlds, while also dealing with lingering issues from the rivalries of factions back on Earth. 

One part of accomplishing his mission is to create copies of himself with their own ships so they can cover more territory in their search. Being a nerd who in some ways has never grown up, Bob’s iterations choose rather amusing names for themselves - Riker, Goku, Calvin, Garfield, Homer, Khan, etc. The sort of reader who will enjoy this book will doubtless recognize many of the references, if not all. There are also plenty of science and hard sci-fi notions to keep readers engaged. Colony ships, rail guns, saving human personalities as a form of AI, terraforming, 3-D printers, and von Neumann probes are just a few of the gadgets and processes the text explores. 

If you enjoy science fiction stories that include characters with relatable personalities, advanced technology that still leaves users wrestling with ethical decisions, and plots that show humans don’t change much even if they are on another planet, then you need to jump into the Bobiverse. We Are Legion (We Are Bob) was first released ten years ago. With a new book in the series just released this month [Book 6: The Infinite Extent], the other titles have been re-released and now is the perfect time to start at the beginning and enjoy all the adventure.

Summer Reading 2026 Fury in Death (In Death, 63)

 

Lt. Eve Dallas knows death. She has seen it in so many guises that it takes a lot to surprise her. But she is certain that if one case is straightforward and easy to solve, the next time she is called out will not be so simple. So when the first investigation of the night turns out to be a tragic accident, Dallas has the feeling that the second body she stands over is not just a home invasion or attempted burglary gone wrong. She and Peabody wind up tracing a carefully hidden trail of betrayal and revenge going back years - to a time when Dallas was just a rookie cop. This latest “In Death” title explores what happens when someone is pushed past the point of breaking. What would someone be capable of if the ones they loved most were taken and left their heart hollowed out to be filled with nothing but rage? And what would motivate those behind that loss? Greed? Fear? Entitlement? 

Every Eve Dallas story counts on the resilience, strength, and compassion that wraps around her core of justice. As usual, this one also includes her found family: Roarke, Mavis and Leonardo, Charles and Louise, Summerset, Peabody and McNabb and their families, Nadine and Jake, Feeney, and the rest of Eve’s homicide squad and Feeney’s e-geeks. The shared housewarming for Mavis, Leonardo, Peabody and McNabb is scheduled and guests are arriving from out of town. Can they get the case wrapped up before the shindig? And there is the added pressure of the upcoming arrival of Mavis and Leonardo’s second child, with Mavis insisting Eve and Roarke must be there for the delivery. (It is a wonder that Dallas doesn’t prolong the investigation just to have a reason to be absent from the birthing room.)

For longtime readers, there are the expected lulls as the team awaits lab results, background checks, or the processing of warrants, followed by the dramatic scenes in “the box” where Dallas and Peabody work their own special kind of magic to get a confession from the guilty party. Readers new to the series may not catch all the undercurrents of the existing relationships, but all the books in the series work fine as stand-alone titles. Just be warned, like a certain brand of potato chips, you won’t be able to stop with just one.

I read a review copy provided by the publisher through NetGalley.

Summer Reading 2026 The N-Word Is Not Nice

 

The story begins with Lennel in the park with her friends. It is a beautiful day and the kids are laughing and enjoying the playground. But when some older boys come by and one of them calls Lennel the ‘N-word” it ruins their fun. Despite her friends’ efforts to comfort her, Lennel runs home to her grandmother.

Grandma tells her the word has a long, painful history and is “used to make Black people feel less than others.” She explains its roots in the Spanish word negro for the color black and even describes some of the history of the Civil Rights Movement to gain respect and fairness for everyone. Lennel learns that it is important “to always speak up against meanness.” When she gets to school, she shares everything she has learned with her friends.

The book is illustrated in a style like that of animated television shows that children enjoy. The artist has made sure there are a wide range of skin tones among the characters, rather than using a few generic shades. Facial expressions capture the emotions of the different individuals, adding to the weight of their words or actions. And when the hateful word is used, an image of shattered glass over the heads of Lennel and the older boy shows the shock and pain the word causes. 

"School-age children of all cultures often repeat words they hear without fully understanding their meaning or the impact those words can have on others...The message of this book is rooted in an important truth: our words can either heal or hurt." Dr. Kennesha Gill, author of this story, explains her purpose in the author’s note. She has also put together a companion guide with activities, reflection questions, and discussion tools to make the book even more useful. 

This is a helpful book for a child who has been hurt by being called this name. It is also a story to use with the child doing the name-calling to help them see the consequences of their words. It is told simply enough to be used with elementary ages and up.

I received a review copy from the author in return for my honest feedback.

Summer Reading 2026 The World's Best Soccer Book

 

For those kiddos who couldn't get enough of the FIFA World Cup action, you need to put this book in their hands. 240 pages of soccer history, stats, and stars will be at their fingertips. Contents are divided up just like a game. 

The Warmup: Why We Love Soccer - is a quick introduction to both the topic and the players on an imaginary team who appear in short comic book style stories throughout the book. 

The First Half: The Basics - covers the positions on a team (complete with diagrams), the rules, a list of “the most common no-nos in the sport,” the role of the coach, and the top ten skills needed by players.

Halftime: A Beautiful Game - a look at games similar to soccer from around the world and throughout history, “some of the wildest, weirdest, and wackiest soccer trivia from around the globe,” a look at how soccer rules have changed over time, soccer in the United States, and details on some of the most popular teams around the world.

The Second Half: Top of the world - profiles of great players, a review of some major competitions, and a timeline of FIFA World Cup History for Men’s and Women’s teams (including the year, host, and winner), and highlights of famous moments over the years.

Extra Time: Just for Fun - a look at soccer uniforms from different teams, a discussion of the evolution of the soccer ball over the years, alternate ways to play (crab soccer, power soccer, etc.), and even detailed instructions on how to do some of the victory dances of famous players, along with other fun facts about record holders, funny moments, and changes in the game over time.

The comic story follows a team as they get to know each other, develop their skills and teamwork, and make it to their final game of the season. 

Overall, the book is packed with color photos of fan favorites and inspiring moments, lots of information for reference about soccer basics, and amazing facts to share with friends and family. This is sure to stay checked out and keep a waiting list going at the library, so you may want to get a copy for your own soccer enthusiast. Great for ages 8 -12. 

Virtual Book Tour The Boy and His Higher Self and My First Day of School

 

ABOUT THE BOOKS

The Boy and His Higher Self

Written by Ricardo Santa Cruz

Illustrated by Yuko Kondo

Ages: 4-8 | 38 Pages

Publisher: Mascot Kids (2026) | ISBN: 979-8-99068-351-8

Publisher's Book Summary: And have you always been here right by my side? I have always been with you, living inside. Have you ever listened to the little voice inside your head? What does it say to you? The Boy and His Higher Self is the story of a boy who discovers and learns to trust his higher self, a presence that has always been with him. Dedicated to the inner child and higher self within young children and adults alike, this book offers guidance and tools to help children overcome feelings of insecurity and sadness and gain self-confidence and positivity.

My First Day of School

Written by Ricardo Santa Cruz

Illustrated by Yuko Kondo

Ages: 4-8 | 38 Pages

Publisher: Mascot Kids (2026) | ISBN: 979-8990683501

Publisher's Book Summary: I'm afraid to be myself and don't know if I can. Relax and remember to be yourself. There's no need to try to be someone else. My First Day of School, the second book in a series dedicated to the inner child and higher self, tells the story of a boy on his first day of school. Nervous about making new friends and being accepted by his peers, he confides his insecurities in his higher self. With insight and guidance, his higher self shares with him that having the courage to be your authentic self inspires others to do the same and create a positive environment.

PURCHASE LINKS

Amazon | Barnes & Noble | Bookshop.org

MY REVIEW

As the new school year approaches (or has even started for some with an extended-year schedule), books about school-related anxiety come in very handy. My First Day of School shows one child’s doubts and worries and his inner dialogue with himself about his feelings.

The child’s inner self is depicted as a fluffy cloudlike presence that can float alongside him or oven wrap its fluffy arms around him. Rhyming text shares the child’s conversation with his inner self as they discuss being authentic, worrying about whether other kids will see him as cool, or looking for opportunities to show kindness. As his inner self reminds him, “When you aren’t true to yourself, It is hard to be truthful to anyone else.” This wiser version of himself also points out that many students who seem to be very confident and assured may be faking it because they are also worried, “So they start to pretend that they have the right stuff.”

Many stories about the start of the school year feature very young children. One thing that stands out about this book is that the child is shown as someone a bit older. He can ride his bike to school without an adult escort, for example. That makes this a good choice to share with a student who has been to school in previous years, but still has some anxious feelings when starting a new grade.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Ricardo Santa Cruz currently lives in Xala, located on the Pacific Coast of Mexico, a project of which he is a co-founding partner. All proceeds from The Boy and His Higher Self will be given to The Xala Foundation, aimed at helping to educate and bring opportunities to marginalized communities from the region. You can learn more at theboyandhishigherself.com and thexalafoundation.org.

TOUR SCHEDULE

Tuesday, August 4, 2026 The Children’s Book Review Tour Kick-Off for The Boy and His Higher Self and My First Day of School

Thursday, August 6, 2026 The Starlit Path Book Review of My First Day of School

Friday, August 7, 2026 The Fairview Review Book Review of My First Day of School

Monday, August 10, 2026 Deliciously Savvy Book Review of The Boy and His Higher Self and My First Day of School

Tuesday, August 11, 2026 Country Mamas With Kids Book Review of The Boy and His Higher Self and My First Day of School

Thursday, August 13, 2026 icefairy’s Treasure Chest Book Review of The Boy and His Higher Self and My First Day of School

Friday, August 14, 2026 @nissa_the.bookworm Book Review of The Boy and His Higher Self and My First Day of School

Monday, August 17, 2026 Me Two Books Author Interview with Ricardo Santa Cruz

Tuesday, August 18, 2026 Life Skills 2 Learn Book Review of The Boy and His Higher Self

Thursday, August 20, 2026 Confessions of a Book Addict Book Spotlight on The Boy and His Higher Self and My First Day of School

Friday, August 21, 2026 Q&As with Deborah Kalb Author Interview with Ricardo Santa Cruz

Monday, August 24, 2026 Crafty Moms Share Book Review of The Boy and His Higher Self

Tuesday, August 25, 2026 @meghenslittlelibrary Book Review of The Boy and His Higher Self

Thursday, August 27, 2026 Cover Lover Book Review Book Review of The Boy and His Higher Self and My First Day of School

This post is sponsored by Ricardo Santa Cruz. The review and opinions expressed in this post are based on my personal views.

Summer Reading 2026 Tiny T.Rex Tries Soccer

Tiny T.Rex is back in another delightful story about our favorite little dinosaur. This time Tiny is ready to join the soccer team. His older brother and sister have played for years and he knows all about the game and has all his equipment. He says, “My jersey is a little too big, but that will not stop me.” 

Even though he has watched his siblings, Tiny has some trouble with the skills during practice. Juggling, dribbling, passing, shooting…nothing seems to be working out right. He sees that all his teammates have skills that help out, so he is determined to find his own special skill. (It is not being the goalie - he is so small that when he blocks the ball he just gets knocked into the net along with it.) 

After a pep talk from his brother and sister, Tiny is even more determined to master all the skills and be ready for when his team needs him. When his big moment comes (yes, even tiny people can have big moments), he is prepared and helps his team just as he has hoped.

A spread at the back of the book offers some helpful tips for first-time soccer players. Spot illustrations accompany pointers such as “Always tie your soccer cleats” and "remember to hold the water bottle the right way!” 

A fun book to share with your favorite little dino (or human) who has caught the soccer bug like so many kiddos after all the recent FIFA World Cup coverage. Chronicle Books also has an activity kit available for download to accompany the book.