Summer months are made for relaxing with some new books.  Whether your child is reading while resting poolside, laying on a hammock, or cuddling in bed, it is always fun to pleasure read in the summertime in the absence of time pressures that the school year often brings each fall.  A few of UltimateMama’s favorite summer reading books for those who are 10, 11, 12, and 13 years old as follows:

My Life in Pink & Green by Lisa Greenwald which happens to be book one in a series for tween girls

York: The Shadow Cipher by Laura Ruby which is also book one in a series

The Miscalculations of Lightening Girl by Stacy McAnulty about a post-lightening strike math genius

The Penderwicks: A Tale of Four Sisters, Two Rabbits, and a Very Interesting Boy by Jeanne Birdsall is a classic summertime tale and just one book in Birdsall’s witty series 

UltimateMama loves to set aside reading time each evening with her girls. Whether it is 10 minutes or 1 hour it is nice for everyone to gather on the couch with their own book for some reading, rest, and relaxation before bedtime.  A few of UltimateMama’s favorite book series for girls who are 10, 11, 12, and 13 years old as follows:

Ava and Pip is book one in a clever series by Carol Weston

The Lemonade War is book one in an entrepreneurial series by Jacqueline Davies

The Wishing Spell by Chris Colfer is book one in the fantastic Land of Stories series

The School for Good and Evil by Soman Chainaini is book one in a fairy tale journey series

The Selection by Kiera Cass is book one in a fairy tale series for older, middle school girls (more mature content so be advised)

11 Birthdays by Wendy Mass is book one in the Willow Falls series

It’s Raining Cupcakes by Lisa Schroeder is book one in her cupcake series

Upside Down Magic is book one in a series by Sarah Mlynowski, Lauren Myracle, and Emily Jenkins

11 Before 12 by Lisa Greenwald is book one in her friendship list series

Percy Jackson and The Lightning Thief by Rick Riordon is book one in the Percy Jackson series

The Hunger Games by Suzanne Collins is book one in a trilogy for older kids due to mature content that includes violence

UltimateMama believes it is never to early to start shopping for books for Mother’s Day and has a few suggestions to alleviate the stress of your search for the perfect gift!  These books below will please mothers of all ages. UltimateMama also encourages everyone to check out Reece Witherspoon’s Book Club at Hello Sunshine for some amazing reads, including a few that UltimateMama discovered too!

Ultimate Nanny: How to Find, Interview, and Manage the Most Important Person You Will Ever Hire — Your Child’s Nanny by Kristen Duca which is available on Amazon.com now

A Gentleman in Moscow by Amor Towles is an exciting political novel that one won’t want to put down

Rules of Civility also by Amor Towles is an interesting account of New York City social life in post-Depression Manhattan

Erotic Stories for Punjabi Widows by Balli Kaur Jaswal tells a tale of Indian immigrants in West London

Eleanor Oliphant Is Completely Fine by Gail Honeyman depicts a quirky loner who develops an unexpected friendship in Scotland

My Brilliant Friend by Elena Ferrante is Book One of the Neopolitan Novels about the struggles faced growing up in post war Naples, Italy

Mila 18 by Leon Uris tells of bravery and determination during the Warsaw ghetto uprising

All the Light We Cannot See by Anthony Doerr is about the paths of a blind French girl and German boy in Nazi occupied France during World War II

The Nightingale by Kristin Hannah moves readers with the stories of two very different sisters involving betrayal, resistance, and survival in war torn France during World War II

Are You Sleeping by Kathleen Barber is a thriller about the reopening of a murder case by an eager investigative reporter who has a hot podcast that impacts families in a Midwestern United States town

Salt to the Sea by Ruta Sepetys which is sometimes found in the Young Adult section of bookstores (but is for mature audiences due to content and subject matter) tells of the courage of 4 interlocking characters from different homelands trying to survive and get aboard a ship to freedom in World War II

Ties by Domenico Starnone is a translated Italian novel which fans of Elena Ferrante will appreciate

Opening Belle by Maureen Sherry is a fun, witty novel about a wife and mother who tries to balance it all while working on Wall Street in 2008

UltimateMama unveiled her new author homepage on amazon.com today!  Check it out and purchase my book Ultimate Nanny: How to Find, Interview, and Manage the Most Important Person You Will Ever Hire — Your Child’s Nanny today.  Everyone on Manhattan’s Upper East Side can find it in The Corner Bookstore as well!

UltimateMama wants to let you know that her book, “Ultimate Nanny:  How to Find, Interview, and Manage the Most Important Person You Will Ever Hire — Your Child’s Nanny” is now available on Amazon.com.

Learn how to find, interview, and manage the most important person you will ever hire — your child’s nanny.

Buy it today for yourself or a friend!

UltimateMama loves taking advantage of children’s reading programs at local libraries.  Not only does it inspire and motivate children to read in the summer months but also such programs often have a social element in which kids can meet new faces outside of the classroom setting.

Whether your child reads books independently, you or another adult reads to them, or your family grabs some books on CD for long road trips there are plenty of great books out there for all ages.  Some great summer reads for 8, 9, and 10 year olds include:

“The One and Only Ivan” by Katherine Applegate was a great book on CD for a recent long car ride

“The Doll People” by Ann M. Martin was another wonderful book UltimateMama enjoyed on CD

“The Princess Academy” by Shannon Hale received rave reviews by UltimateMama’s oldest daughter

“The Girl Who Could Fly” by Victoria Forester was another hit

“The Duel:  The Parallel Lives of Alexander Hamilton and Aaron Burr” by Judith St. George was one that UltimateMama read in order to gain history knowledge with her children

“A Long Walk to Water” by Linda Sue Park is an amazing story that UltimateMama read to her children recently

UltimateMama’s recent visit to the local library was a smashing success.  Her 9 year old devoured the following books:

School’s Out by Johanna Hurwitz

No Talking by Andrew Clements

The Candy Smash by Jacqueline Davies (part of the Lemonade War series)

Ava and Taco Cat by Carol Weston (yes for all you smarties that is a palindromic name!)

UltimateMama’s Kindergartener is a reading machine.  She devoured these books:

The Critter Club Amy and the Missing Puppy by Callie Barkley (terrific series)

Heidi Heckelbeck Has a Secret by Wanda Coven (another great series)

Henry and Mudge The First Book by Cynthia Rylant (wonderful classic series)

UltimateMama encourages her children to read alone in a quiet place each day!  Below are a few favorite books that her second grader enjoyed:

The Chocolate Touch by Patrick Skene Catling

Frindle by Andrew Clements

The Lemonade War by Jacqueline Davies

The Worst Witch by Jill Murphy

Nancy Drew and the Clue Crew: Sleepover Sleuths by Carolyn Keene (really, the entire series is terrific)

UltimateMama loves reading to her girls ages 8 and 6 years old! Here are a few recent gems to add to your home library:

The Miraculous Journey of Edward Tulane by Kate DiCamillo

The Witches by Roald Dahl

How to Eat Fried Worms by Thomas Rockwell

Treasury of Illustrated Classics Great Expectations by Charles Dickens

UltimateMama is a huge supporter of reading the Treasury of Illustrated Classics books to kids. There are about 24 classic books in the series adapted for youngsters (including Oliver Twist, Peter Pan, Black Beauty and more)!