Brown Bear Daughter is twelve years old. Her favorite books are Harry Potter, Kiki Strike by Kirsten Miller, Rules by Cynthia Lord, and Julia’s Kitchen by Brenda Ferber. Here’s the reading list I made for her for this summer. To be accurate, she made the list in consultation with me.

The Higher Power of Lucky by Susan Patron. Brown Bear likes quirky, and I think this year’s Newbery winner is quirky.

Hattie Big Sky by Kirby Larson. This one was a Newbery Honor book this year. I just read it a couple of weeks ago and found it quite good.

Criss-Cross by Lynne Rae Perkins. Brown Bear chose this one from the Newbery award list.

Number the Stars by Lois Lowry. Brown Bear also likes sad, and I’m thinking this story set in Germany during WW II will be sad enough.

Homecoming by Cynthia Voigt. I put this book and Dicey’s Song on Dancer Daughter’s list, too because they’re two of my favorites.

Dicey’s Song by Cynthia Voigt.

Bridge to Terebithia by Katherine Paterson.

The Bronze Bow by Elizabeth George Speare. Several of Brown Bear’s friends read this book for a class at homeschool co-op last year, so BB thought it would be good to read it. too.

The Shakespeare Stealer by Gary Blackwood. Shakespeare is on our agenda this summer in preparation for our annual trek to Shakespeare at Winedale. As I’ve bragged several times, Eldest Daughter is one of the students at Shakespeare at Winedale this year and will be studying and performing in three plays: A Comedy of Errors, Richard II, and Measure for Measure.

Eight Cousins by Louisa May Alcott. Brown Bear has already started this book, another of my favorites.

To Kill a Mockingbird by Harper Lee. “Am I old enough to read To Kill a Mockingbird” asked Brown Bear Daughter. I think she’s old enough.

The Cross and the Switchblade by David Wilkerson.

Saffy’s Angel by Hilary McKay.

The Moon by Night by Madeleine L’Engle. She’s already read the first of L’Engle’s Austin familly series, Meet the Austins.

The Comedy of Errors by William Shakespeare. Shakespeare at Winedale reading.

Loving Will Shakespeare by Carolyn Meyer. More background for Shakespeare at Winedale and also a favorite author with Brown Bear.

Doomed Queen Anne by Carolyn Meyer. About Anne Boleyn.

Marie Dancing by Carolyn Meyer. About one of Degas’ models. Brown Bear is a dancer, too, so this book ought to interest her.

Revelation from the Bible. I told her to choose a book from the Bible for reading this summer, and she chose Revelation. I’m not sure exactly what she’ll get out of it, but “all Scripture . . . is profitable.”

How To Be Your Own Selfish Pig by Susan Schaeffer Macaulay. Excellent worldview reading for middle school age young people.