Snapp Shots: East Bay librarian offers up kids’ summer reading list

When I was a kid, they used to make us read as a punishment for being naughty. I always thought that sent the wrong message to children: that reading is something to fear. They should have been giving us reading as a reward for being good instead.

Years later, at one of my college reunions, we had a guest speaker: the great historian John Morton Blum, who told us, “Yes, you can learn a lot by reading; but in the final analysis, the best reason to read is that it’s just so much fun!”

In that spirit, every year I turn this space over to Kiana Borjian, the librarian at St. Paul’s Episcopal School in Oakland, and ask her for a list of books for kids to read for enjoyment over their summer vacation; and every year she comes through.

This year, however, she has some advice for parents too: “Acclaimed children’s author Mac Barnett released his first-ever book for grown-ups — ‘Make Believe,’ a treatise on the significance of children’s literature in and of itself. He insists that we do children a disservice when we fixate on reading them books that achieve a purpose, like increasing literacy or imparting a moral.

“Most amazing children’s books are amazing simply because they are well-told stories: linguistically delightful, artfully captivating and emotionally and imaginatively evocative. These recommendations are made with this perspective in mind: that children’s literature should be first and foremost for children, not for the dreams and goals that grown-ups sometimes have for their children.

“If you are a cool grownup, though, you’ll like these books too.”

For kids in kindergarten through second grade, Borjian’s list includes “Dim Sum Palace” by X. Fang: “a gorgeous picture book that hops to and from the world of dreams and dim sum,” she says. “I was captivated and delighted!”

Also on the list for those ages is “Tigers & Tea with Poppy” by Barbara Kerley and Rhoda Knight Kalt: “Explore the Natural History Museum, and dive into the work of wildlife artist Charles R. Knight in this sweet picture book from the perspective of grandchild and grandfather,” Borjian says.

Remaining on the K-2 list are “The Red Fruit” by Lee Gee Eun (“a simple tale you simply don’t want to miss!”), “Ho’onani, Hula Warrior” by Heather Gale (“an inspiring true story that celebrates nonbinary identity and indigenous Hawaiian culture”) and “Masters of Disguise: Camouflaging Creatures and Magnificent Mimics” by Marc Martin (“because seek and find books are fun!”).

Third through fifth grades: For this age group, she recommends the “Didi Dodo, Future Spy” series by Tom Angleberger (“for ridiculous and dramatic romps to solve some food-themed mysteries”) and “Fifth-Grade Top Dogs” by Jerry Spinelli (“for a funny, tender and close-up view of fifth grade life”).

Also recommended are “Styx and Stone” by Gary D. Schmidt and Ron Koertge (“the new Greek mythology-inspired book we didn’t know we needed — the lovable Simon of Athens escapes from the underworld after nearly 3,000 years into the contemporary world”) and “The Forest of a Thousand Eyes” by Frances Hardinge (“In this wondrous dystopia, nature is at war with humans, and main character Feather embarks on a harrowing journey, learning about the nature of survival and cooperation”).

Middle school: “Graciela in the Abyss” by Meg Medina (“underwater ghost adventure to defeat evil, need I say more? Written with the gentle clarity of a classic”). “When Tomorrow Burns” by Tae Keller (“tells an unforgettable story of three middle schoolers navigating the literal and figurative wildfires around them — which seem to have been prophesied in a book they found many years ago in the forest. A very special novel that gives us special insight into the wisdom of trees and tweens”).

“The Moon without Stars” by Chanel Miller (“creative and earnest Luna gets launched into unexpected popularity as the result of her zines that she makes with her dear friend Scott. The story captures the unrelenting insecurity and bullying typical of middle school life, as well as the strength and sincerity it takes to grow amidst it all”).

Finally: I’d like to add a suggestion of my own. In the third grade, I discovered Freddy the Pig, the hero of a delightful series of children’s books by Walter Brooks, the man who also created Mister Ed the talking horse.

Acclaimed author Adam Hochschild calls the Freddy books “the moral center of my childhood universe,” and New York Times columnist Nicholas Kristoff calls them “funny, beautifully written gems, among the best children’s books ever written.” I have 22 of them, and I reread them whenever I can. They never disappoint.

Martin Snapp can be reached at [email protected].