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Stories of a Colorful World · Summer 2026
Summer Is Lit!
Challenge yourself to read 50 books or read for 50 days this summer — with BIPOC-authored books curated for every reader, K through 8th grade.
Browse Reading Lists ↓ See Events ↓The Challenge: 50 Books or 50 Days
Read 50 books this summer — or commit to reading every day for 50 days. Either way, you win. Download your reading tracker below to get started.
Summer Is Lit! Outdoor Book Festival
Five dates on Franklin Avenue
Join us on Franklin Avenue in Brooklyn for five outdoor book festivals in partnership with Bridge Street Development Corporation. Free, family-friendly, and full of books.
Event 01
June
6
Franklin Ave · Brooklyn, NY
Event 02
July
25
Franklin Ave · Brooklyn, NY
Event 03
August
22
Franklin Ave · Brooklyn, NY
Event 04
September
26
Franklin Ave · Brooklyn, NY
Event 05
October
3
Franklin Ave · Brooklyn, NY
How It Works
Three steps to a colorful summer
1
Pick your challenge
Choose to read 50 books this summer or read every day for 50 days. Download your reading tracker to keep track of your progress.
2
Browse your reading list
Find your grade level below and explore BIPOC-authored titles curated just for you — from picture books to middle grade and beyond.
3
Come to a Summer Is Lit! event
Join us on Franklin Avenue this summer for outdoor book festivals, author activities, and community fun — free for all ages.
2026 Summer Reading Lists
Books curated for every reader
All titles are by BIPOC authors and illustrators, selected to inspire, challenge, and delight readers at every level.
The History of We
Every person on Earth can trace their roots back to Africa. A lyrical picture book celebrating our shared human beginnings. 2026 Sibert Honor; Jane Addams Award winner.
Little Big Man
Elijah can't wait to fly his brand-new kite — but Daddy has to work. A sweet father-son story about growing up and pitching in.
Fish Fry Friday
A warm, joyful celebration of Black family traditions, community, and the love that gathers around a table.
All Good in the Hood
A bounce-to-the-beat tribute to city life, brotherhood, and finding courage together. From America's favorite rapping teacher.
Paletero Man
A vibrant, musical celebration of community, kindness, and summer. Includes Spanish throughout. ★ Kirkus Reviews.
Bilal Cooks Daal
A warm multicultural story about patience, community, and the power of sharing food you love.
Abdul's Story
An empowering story about creative confidence, dyslexia, and finding your voice. ★ Kirkus Reviews.
Punky Aloha
A charming Polynesian picture book about bravery, community, and saying hello.
Amy Wu and the Perfect Bao
A Kirkus Reviews Best Picture Book about persistence, family, and the joy of trying again.
Jump In!
A bold, joyful celebration of neighborhood, movement, and community. Author/illustrator debut with read-aloud gatefolds!
Plátanos Go With Everything
A delicious ode to Dominican culture, food, identity, and the flavors that make us who we are.
The Way Champs Play
An inspiring rhyming anthem for kids who want to play all day. Kirkus: 'This book is a Grand Slam.'
Reina Ramos Works It Out!
A charming I Can Read Level 2 story featuring a confident Latina protagonist with a big personality and plenty of heart.
Jada Jones #1: Rock Star
A fun, affirming chapter book series starter. Jada discovers she has more star power than she ever imagined.
Ty's Travels: Beach Day!
A Geisel Honor series with simple, rhythmic text perfect for emergent readers ages 3–6.
Ali the Great and the Bug Hunt Hazard
A charming chapter book about a Pakistani American second grader who believes every problem has a creative solution.
Yasmin the Explorer
A fun, confidence-boosting early chapter book featuring Pakistani American culture and Urdu words throughout.
Camila the Fashion Star
A fun early chapter book about creativity, friendship, and Latinx pride.
Jasmine Toguchi: Super Sleuth
A charming chapter book about friendship, sisterhood, and Japanese American culture.
JoJo Makoons: The Used-To-Be Best Friend
Full of pride, joy, and plenty of humor. American Indian Youth Literature Award Honor Book.
Miles Lewis: Track Star #4
A STEM-infused spinoff of the beloved Jada Jones series about what winning really means.
Alvin Ho: Allergic to Girls, School, and Other Scary Things
A hilarious, touching series about anxiety, perfect for fans of Diary of a Wimpy Kid. ★ Kirkus Reviews.
Wednesday and Woof #1: Catastrophe
A fun, full-color early chapter book with art on every page, perfect as the next step after I Can Read books.
Bodega Cats: Picture Purrfect
A heartwarming story about family, community, and trust. In the Heights meets Front Desk.
Gigi and Ojiji (I Can Read Level 3)
A warm story about a biracial girl discovering her Japanese culture. Includes Japanese words and glossary.
📚 This list contains 25 titles. Challenge yourself to read as many as you can — or read for 50 days straight using any of these books!
The Last-Last Day of Summer
A rollicking, time-bending adventure full of Black boy joy. Cousins must solve a mystery before summer ends forever.
Ghost (Track Series #1)
Castle 'Ghost' Cranshaw wants to outrun his past. A powerful series opener. Kirkus Prize finalist.
Something Like Home
A Pura Belpré Honor verse novel about belonging, love, and finding your way home.
Gabby Torres Gets a Billion Followers
A funny, heartfelt graphic novel about friendship, activism, and growing up online. Texas Bluebonnet Award winner.
Chester Keene Cracks the Code
A scavenger-hunt adventure full of humor and heart. Shelf Awareness starred review.
Stuntboy, in the Meantime
A joyful, tender story about family, friendship, and belonging.
Swim Team
A graphic novel about courage, community, and breaking barriers. National Book Award longlist; Coretta Scott King Honor.
The Secret Library
A spellbinding adventure about family secrets and self-determination. NYT bestseller; National Book Award finalist.
Falling Short
A hilarious, heartfelt story about two best friends relying on each other. From the Pura Belpré Award–winning author of Efrén Divided.
The Last Rhee Witch
A thrilling fantasy rooted in Korean folklore. Ignyte Award winner for Outstanding Middle Grade.
Amina Banana and the Formula for Friendship
A charming, STEM-infused chapter book debut. Kirkus starred review; Good Housekeeping 2025 Kids' Book Award winner.
Ahmed Aziz's Epic Year
A hilarious, poignant debut SLJ called 'destined to become a classic.' ★ School Library Journal.
Sofía Acosta Makes a Scene
Perfect for fans of Front Desk and Merci Suárez Changes Gears. A story about speaking up for your family's place in the world.
Future Hero #1: Race to Fire Mountain
A thrilling, highly illustrated series starter. Perfect for younger fans of Black Panther and Last Gate of the Emperor.
We Are Family
An inspiring NYT bestseller about five kids with big dreams learning to lean on each other.
Just Right Jillian
A warm debut about finding the confidence to be exactly who you are.
Blended
A timely, honest story about identity and belonging in a divided world.
Mid-Air
A novel in verse about a Black girl navigating grief and identity. National Book Award longlist; multiple starred reviews.
We Are Big Time
An energetic graphic novel about an all-girls hijab-wearing basketball team. Packed with girl-power spirit.
Lety Out Loud
Funny and full of heart. Lety is undocumented and uses her perfect English to volunteer at an animal shelter.
Bodega Cats: Picture Purrfect
A delightful, community-rooted graphic novel full of Dominican American culture and charm.
Finally Seen
A moving story about friendship, identity, and finding the courage to be seen.
Tumble
A warm, funny story about belonging, Latinx heritage, and found family.
Pie in the Sky
A hilarious, moving graphic novel debut. Perfect for fans of Front Desk and New Kid.
It's All or Nothing, Vale
A poignant verse novel about disability, queerness, and finding self-worth beyond achievement.
📚 This list contains 25 titles. Challenge yourself to read as many as you can — or read for 50 days straight using any of these books!
Omar Rising
A stirring story about injustice, courage, and stubbornly optimistic change at an elite Pakistani boarding school.
All the Blues in the Sky
A verse novel about loss and hope. Winner of the 2026 Newbery Medal.
A Hero's Guide to Summer Vacation
A road trip about grief, generational stories, and becoming a hero. NYT bestseller; 2026 Pura Belpré Honor.
Shot Clock
Tony carries his best friend Dante's legacy while helping heal a grieving community.
Karthik Delivers
A warm story of Indian American identity, first love, and chasing your dreams.
Danilo Was Here
After Operation Just Cause destroys his neighborhood in Panamá, Danilo uses baseball to reach his absent father.
Huda F Wants to Know?
The hilarious, poignant third graphic novel about being Muslim American and figuring everything out.
The Incredibly Human Henson Blayze
A searing, beautiful novel. National Book Award longlist; Coretta Scott King Honor.
Weirdo
A graphic novel memoir about self-love, mental health, and becoming the hero of your own story.
Kwame Crashes the Underworld
Kwame must battle gods to save his grandmother. Coretta Scott King John Steptoe Award winner.
Kareem Between
Winner of the National Book Award for Young People's Literature.
Operation Sisterhood
A jubilant celebration of Black girlhood, community, and sisterhood in a Harlem brownstone.
Miss Quinces
A laugh-out-loud graphic novel about family, culture, and learning to love where you come from. Pura Belpré Honor.
SharkTeeth
A powerful story about resilience, family loyalty, and dancing through fear. Schneider Family Book Award Honor.
Frizzy
A heartwarming graphic novel about embracing your roots. Winner of the 2023 Pura Belpré Award.
Swim Team
Bree leads an unlikely championship run. National Book Award longlist; Coretta Scott King Honor.
Mexikid
A hilarious graphic memoir. Newbery Honor; Pura Belpré Author & Illustrator Award winner.
Tristan Strong Punches a Hole in the Sky
An electrifying fantasy bringing Brer Rabbit, John Henry, and Anansi to life.
Amari and the Night Brothers
High-stakes fantasy full of Black girl magic — perfect for fans of Harry Potter.
The First Rule of Punk
A story about loud music, fierce zines, and refusing to be someone you're not.
Front Desk
A powerful, award-winning story about resilience, kindness, and speaking up for justice.
Before the Ever After
A quiet, heartbreaking portrait of a family holding on. Coretta Scott King Award winner.
You Are Here: Connecting Flights
Twelve East and Southeast Asian American kids stranded in a Chicago airport. Booklist starred review.
The Comeback
A fierce story of racism, rivalry, and not giving up. Kirkus starred review.
The Many Masks of Andy Zhou
A beautiful novel about identity, courage, and belonging.
📚 This list contains 25 titles. Challenge yourself to read as many as you can — or read for 50 days straight using any of these books!
Free Downloads
Track your reading this summer
Download your free reading tracker and book lists to use all summer long.
Summer Reading Tracker
50 books or 50 days — track your progress
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K–Grade 2 Book List
25 BIPOC-authored titles for early readers
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Grades 3–5 Book List
25 BIPOC-authored titles for growing readers
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Grades 6–8 Book List
25 BIPOC-authored titles for middle schoolers
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Shop our full collection of 300+ BIPOC-authored titles — or find us on Franklin Avenue this summer.