Summer Reading 2023

Each summer, Parkway circulates new summer reading lists in a brochure or flyer format for grades K-2, 3-5, 6-8, and high school. The lists were adopted from ALSC (Association for Library Service to Children), ILA (International Literacy Association), MASL (Missouri Association of School Librarians), YALSA (Young Adult Library Services Association), and The Best of Titlewave from Follett.The criteria for many of the books on these lists were based on overall appeal, exposure to authors, diversity, genre variety, and relevance.  The current flyer format creates a manageable list with adequate choice to encourage students to read for fun. Summer reading is a chance for students to learn to read for pleasure. The lists and additional resources can be found below. Also, be sure to use the hashtag #parkwayreads to organize social media posts about reading in Parkway. 

St. Louis County Library Summer Reading Club 

St. Louis County Library’s popular summer reading clubs kick-off on June 1 and run through August 6. The program offers great prizes for the whole family! Sign up online beginning June 1. 

Reading Log for All Ages: English | Spanish (PDF)

Download the Beanstack Tracker App for easy logging on your mobile device. Apple App Store | Google Play Android

Earn points for reading, attending library events and completing Community Activities. 

One book for Early Readers (Ages 0-5) = 20 points
One minute of reading for Kids/Teens/Adults (Ages 6-18+) = 1 point
Each library event and Community Activity = 20 points
Redeem prizes by Saturday, August 12, while supplies last.
Raffle winners will be notified the week of August 21. 

Does your family want to participate but can't come to the library? Contact us about the Summer Reading Club by Mail program, where we send books and prizes to your home at no cost to you. For more information, email kidzone@slcl.org or call Youth Services at 314-994-3300.

St. Louis (City) Public Library Summer Challenge

Sign up for SLPL's Summer Challenge from June 1- August 15 and help us reach our Community Reading Challenge!

This summer, we will read 40,000 books as a community!

Visit your local SLPL location to pick up your booklet or participate online at slpl.beanstack.org.

Sora Sweet Reads May 15 to August 28, 2023

Sora Sweet Reads is back! This year's summer reading program will run from May 15th until August 28th with a mix of juvenile and young adult ebooks and select audiobooks.

The titles are at no cost and will be prominently displayed in Sora for simultaneous use. View the Sora Sweet Reads Collection here.

OverDrive’s Sync Is Back for 2023

In addition to Sora Sweet Reads, OverDrive also offers Sync, free audiobooks for teens all summer in Sora. Now in its 13th year, SYNC - sponsored by AudioFile magazine and powered by Sora - is back, providing teens aged 13 and older free audiobooks all summer long. Read more here.

Parkway's Summer Reading Lists 

Summer Reading List Archives

• 2022 Parkway Summer Reading Lists
• 2021 Parkway Summer Reading Lists
• 2020 Parkway Summer Reading Lists
• 2017 - 2019 Parkway Summer Reading Lists

Other Reading Lists 

Each year, the Association for Library Service to Children (ALSC) identifies the best of the best in children's books, recordings, and videos.The Association for Library Service to Children promotes reading and books through recommendations, compilations of lists, and related services. 

• 2022 ALSC Summer Reading Lists 
  ALSC's Quicklists Consulting Committee has updated our Summer Reading Lists with new and exciting titles! The lists are full of book titles to keep children engaged in reading throughout the summer. Four Summer Reading book lists are available for Birth-Preschool, K-2nd, 3rd- 5th and 6th-8th grade students. The interactive lists can be customized to include your program information and call numbers.
• 2021 ALSC Graphic Novels Reading List
  These three lists are offered in the range from kindergarten to 2nd grade, 3rd to 5th grade and 6th to 8th grade. Graphic novels on this list are defined as a full-length story told in paneled, sequential, graphic format. The list does not include book-length collections of comic strips, wordless picture books or hybrid books that are a mixture of traditional text and comics/graphics. The list includes classics as well as new titles that have been widely recommended and well-reviewed, and books that have popular appeal as well as critical acclaim.
• 2022 Día Booklists 
  The 2022 Día booklists provide great stories representing a variety of cultures and backgrounds to share with children from birth through 8th grade.
• ALSC 2019 Tough Topics Resource Lists (May 2019)
  The books on these lists are to help inspire conversations with children going through challenging situations like the death of a loved one, an unexpected move, natural disasters and more. They are available for grades K-2nd, 3rd-5th and 6th-8th. Resources for adults are also included.
• Amelia Bloomer Project - An annual booklist of the best feminist books for young readers, ages birth through 18.

• The Booklist Reader - Produced by Booklist Publications, a part of the ALA, it provides lists of books in many genres, and much more.

Additional Reading Resources 

• Teaching Books Thematic State Lists
• Diverse book lists for grades K-12
• School Library Journal Best Books Of The Year
• Kirkus Reviews Book Lists
• Publisher’s Weekly Book Lists
• New York Public Library Book Lists
• YALSA Great Graphic Novels For Teens (Secondary only)
• ALSC Graphic Novels for K-8
• Recommended Books from ALSC
• YALSA Book and Media Lists