18 Books to Read by the Pool This Summer

With school over, we know how excited students are to take a break from learning and worrying about studying, and instead spend time travelling, relaxing, and enjoying the summer. While we want students to take advantage of this time and recharge for the coming school year, it is important not to let academics go the way of the wind entirely. Reading is a great opportunity to keep your mind engaged, learn something new, and in some cases it can even be a way to get ahead of your studies! 

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Here are our suggestions of fun books to read this summer, with recommendations for all ages 

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KS2 (ages 7-11)

‍Matilda, Roald Dahl 

“Matilda” by Roald Dahl explores the life of an incredibly smart young girl, Matilda, who is mistreated by her parents and her evil headteacher Mrs. Trunchbull. A genius at maths, and able to read from the age of 3, the book explores how Matilda navigates her home and school life after discovering that she has telekinetic abilities.  

The Lightning Thief, Rick Riordan 

A classic read for kids and teenagers, “The Lightning Thief” is the first book in the Percy Jackson series. Set in New York, twelve-year-old Percy Jackson discovers that he is a ‘half-blood’ – someone who has a Greek god for a parent, and that his best friend is actually a satyr. The book follows Percy as he makes Camp Half Blood, a special camp for demi-gods, his new home, and the quest he must soon undertake to save his mother and return Zeus’s lightning bolt to Olympus. 

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Holes, Louis Sachar 

Combining mystery and adventure, “Holes” follows Stanley Yelnats after he is sent to Camp Green Lake – a juvenile detention centre – for a crime he didn’t commit. Here, he and the other boys are forced to dig holes daily as a form of punishment. However, as Stanley learns more about the camp and his family, he learns there is more than meets the eye, and learns the power of friendship and the importance of resilience. 

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KS3 (ages 11-13)

Lord of the Rings 

J.R.R. Tolkien's “The Lord of the Rings” is a classic fantasy tale set in the world of Middle-earth. The story follows Frodo Baggins, a hobbit, who is entrusted with the dangerous task of destroying a powerful ring that could bring darkness to the world. Accompanied by a diverse fellowship of humans, elves, dwarves, and other hobbits, the company sets off on a journey across Middle Earth. Facing an array of dangers, monsters, and challenges, the story explores themes of good versus evil and the dangers of power. If the book sounds familiar, it is probably because it is also a very popular movie series! 

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The Hunger Games 

Also a famous film series, “The Hunger Games” is the first book in the series of the same name written by Suzanne Collins. It is set in the future totalitarian nation of Panem, which forces two children from each of its 12 districts to fight in a televised yearly battle called the Hunger Games. When Katniss Everdeen from District 12 finds herself fighting in the Hunger Games, she finds it in herself to become a symbol of resistance against Panem’s leaders, and brings into question the social injustice that exists in the nation. 

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The Outsiders 

Regarded by many as a classic, S.E. Hinton's “The Outsiders” is a coming-of-age novel set in the 1960s that explores the lives of two rival teenage gangs, the Greasers and the Socs, in a small American town. The story is narrated by Ponyboy Curtis, a sensitive and introverted Greaser, who grapples with issues of belonging and class conflict. When a violent encounter leads to tragic consequences, Ponyboy and his friends are thrust into a series of events that challenge their loyalty and courage. 

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The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Nighttime 

A mystery novel, “The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Nighttime'' is told from the perspective of Christopher Boone, a 15-year-old boy with autism, as he investigates the mysterious death of a neighbour's dog. The book provides a glimpse into his world, including his extraordinary mathematical abilities and challenges with social interactions. As Christopher uncovers clues about the dog's demise, he also embarks on a journey of self-discovery and unravels hidden family secrets. 

The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy

Arthur Dent, an ordinary human, is whisked away from Earth just before its destruction. Accompanied by Ford Prefect, an alien researcher for a travel guide, Arthur embarks on a journey through space, encountering characters like Zaphod Beeblebrox, Marvin the depressed robot, and Trillian, the only other human survivor. A classic science fiction book, “The Hitchhiker’s Guide to the Galaxy” is famous for its humour, satire, and fantastical adventures through space.  

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GCSE (ages 14-16)

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Dracula

A classic among horror books, Bram Stoker's “Dracula” introduces readers to the legendary Count Dracula, a centuries-old vampire who moves from Transylvania to England in search of new blood. The story unfolds through a series of journal entries, letters, and newspaper clippings, making it feel as though you are living in England at the same time as him. As Dracula's influence spreads, a group of people band together to thwart his plans. Its fame and thrilling writing shaped the genre as a whole, and continues to haunt readers to this day.

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One Day in the Life of Ivan Denisovich 

Aleksandr Solzhenitsyn's “One Day in the Life of Ivan Denisovich” is a powerful portrayal of life in a Soviet labour camp. The novel follows Ivan Denisovich Shukhov in a single day during his life in a Gulag. Through detailed descriptions of Ivan's routines, struggles, and small triumphs, Solzhenitsyn sheds light on the resilience of the human spirit in the face of dehumanising conditions. With its unflinching depiction of suffering and survival, the novel offers a profound commentary on totalitarianism and the endurance of hope and dignity. 

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Atonement 

“Atonement” begins in 1935 with thirteen-year-old Briony Tallis, whose misunderstanding and false accusations irrevocably alter the lives of her sister Cecilia and Robbie Turner, the son of the family’s housekeeper. As the narrative unfolds across World War II and beyond, McEwan delves into the characters' inner lives and the lasting impact of Briony's actions. McEwan explores the themes of truth and forgiveness and leaves readers thinking about the book long after its final page. 

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The Name of the Rose 

“The Name of the Rose” is a captivating historical mystery set in a remote Italian monastery in the 14th century. The novel follows the investigation led by Brother William of Baskerville and his assistant Adso of Melk. As they delve into a series of murders within the monastery walls, they uncover secrets that challenge the authority of the Church and the boundaries of knowledge. 

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The Kite Runner

Khaled Hosseini's “The Kite Runner '' centres on Amir, a young boy from a privileged family in Kabul, Afghanistan, and Hassan, the son of his father's servant. The story explores both Afghan history, from the monarchy to Soviet invasion and the rise of the Taliban, and Amir’s journey of guilt and atonement for an action when he was a child that spans decades. Both educational and emotional, the book is great for those interested in themes of friendship, betrayal, and redemption, as well as Afghan history. 

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The Secret River

Another exciting read for those interested in history, “The Secret River” explores life in colonial Australia, as William Thornhill is sent to New South Wales as punishment for crimes committed in England. Thornhill sets out to claim land along the Hawkesbury River and start his new life, but soon realises he isn’t the only person here. Thornhill clashes with the Aboriginal Dharug people, and begins to come to grips with the uncomfortable realities of colonisation. 

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A-level (ages 16-18) 

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Never Let me Go 

“Never Let me Go” is a contemporary science-fiction novel set in an alternate England where clones are bred for organ donation. The story is told from the perspective of Kathy H., who tells the reader about her idyllic childhood at a British boarding school, but where she and her friends grow up under the shadow of their predetermined fate. Exploring issues of ethics, identity, and love, Ishiguro lets us follow Kathy and her friends as they come to terms with their fate and the sacrifices they are forced to make. 

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One Hundred Years of Solitude 

“One Hundred Years of Solitude” chronicles the rise and fall of the Buendía family through multiple generations in the fictional town of Macondo, Columbia. As the Buendía family navigates through civil unrest, political upheavals, and personal triumphs and tragedies, their destinies become intertwined with the fate of Macondo itself. A classic of Latin American literature, this novel is great for students interested in themes of love and war, and who are interested in diving into the world of magical realism. 

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Dune 

If you 've seen the movie, you may already be familiar with the plot of “Dune”, but for those that haven’t, “Dune” is a epic of science fiction set in the distant future on the desert planet Arrakis, home to a bountiful supply of ‘spice’ – an invaluable resource in this future universe. Paul Atrades, heir to the House Atreides, and his family take control of the planet, and are forced to navigate political issues, the dangers of Arrakis, and Paul’s rapidly unfolding destiny. 

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A Complicated Kindness 

A classic of contemporary Canadian literature, “A Complicated Kindness” is set in a strict Mennonite community in Manitoba, Canada, and follows the turbulent, but comfortingly every-day life of Nomi Nickel, who is set on rebelling against her conservative community as a way of grieving the loss of her family. Towes shows the tension that can arise between individual and community for those that refuse to conform, and the repercussions that this can have. With an ominous ending and rapidly increasing pace, “A Complicated Kindness” leaves readers pondering the life of Nomi and those she knew. 

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