Summer reading blockbusters

The Last Olympian by Rick Riordan

That electricity you may have noticed in the air is due to nothing else but the collective energy of school children all across America counting the days to the end of the school year. These young people are no doubt looking forward to sleeping late, summer blockbuster movies, playing video games and the mayhem that usually unfolds during summer camp. With all of that excitement and anticipation, its no surprise that the summer reading lists distributed at the end of the school year are virtually forgotten.

Brotherhood of the Traveling Underpants by Greg Trine

Since reading lists are often compiled a month or so prior to the end of the school year, summer literary blockbusters are rarely listed making it difficult to foster enthusiasm for summer reading. Just as May saw the kickoff to the summer blockbuster movie season with the much anticipated X-men Origins, the literary world also looked forward to the final book in the Percy Jackson series. On May 5, 2009 New York Times Best Selling author Rick Riordan released The Last Olympian, officially commencing the summer reading season.  To say this book is on par with any summer movie is an understatement Rick Riordan has created a fantastic tale that is exciting as well as plausible, after all we never really did get any closure as to what happened to all those Greek Gods. Through the young dyslexic, Manhattanite, thirteen year old who discovers he is the son of Poseidon we suddenly find out what they have been up to.

Georges Cosmic Treasure Hunt by Lucy & Stephen Hawking

Another exciting sequel is the fourth installment in The 39 clues series, The 39 Clues beyond the Grave by Jude Watson, on bookshelves June 2, 2009. There are to be ten books each written by a popular author, the afore mentioned Rick Riordan wrote the first book - The Maze of Bones - and designed the story arc for the entire series. This set of books combines trading cards and an online game where children can win prizes by solving clues in the story and trading cards. This is a must for any mystery or adventure lover from elementary to middles school.

Whatever the child’s interest there is a new summer book that is sure to capture his attention. Science lovers will be excited to read the sequel to George’s Secret Key to the Universe - George’s Cosmic Treasure Hunt-  written by Stephen Hawking and his wife.  Star Wars fans will be excited to know that there will be new additions to the Clone Wars and Knight of the Republic series. Children who enjoy humor and loved reading The Diary of a Wimpy Kid series may enjoy Lawn Boy, no he is not a super hero just a young guy with a very quirky grandmother and a lawn mower.

Reading can be part of the excitement this summer offers by infusing one or two of the titles below to the summer reading list:

The Last Olympian (Percy Jackson & The Olympians, Book 5) by Rick Riordan

George’s Cosmic Treasure Hunt by Stephen Hawking, Lucy Hawking and Garry Parson

Vindication (Star Wars: Knight of the Old Republic) by John Jackson Miller

Lawn Boy by Gary Paulsen

The Edge Chronicles: The Last of the Sky Pirates by Paul Stewart & Chris Ridell (May 26, 2009)

Melvin Beederman: The Brotherhood of the Traveling Underpants by Greg Trine and Rhode Montijo (June 9, 2009)

Simon Bloom: The Octopus Effect by Michael Reisman (June 11, 2009)

The Lost Legion (Star Wars: The Clone Wars) by Tracey West (July 23, 2009)

The 39 Clues #4  Beyond the Grave by Jude Watson (Aug 11, 2009)