It's summer. Time to get some good hammock reading into our schedule.  A summer of reading without a great fiction book is a sad summer indeed. Truthfully, I enjoy a good young adult fiction book every month, maybe it's because I am part of a kids book club or that it reminds me of being a kid. Regardless, there are a ton of great youth fiction books being written today! Join me as I share a few great reads and I'll see you in the hammock!

Without further ado, here are a few great youth fiction reads in no particular order:

1. 1. 1. Farmer Boy, Little Britches (particularly "fields of home"), Little Men, Diary of an Early American Boy : I realize this is a list of 4 books and not one, but they are all the same genre and feel. That is, they feel great to read and are centered on boys! Which, as you can imagine is a hit in my house.
      2. The Green Ember Series by SD Smith : apparently literature lovers are rabbit lovers. If you liked Watership Down, then you and your children will love this series. Of course, if you haven't read Watership Down, maybe you should add that to your list as well, I did.
      3. The Dragon Keeper Chronicles by Donita K Paul : If someone comes to me asking for a thoroughly enjoyable fantasy series this is what I point them to. Start with Dragonspell, enjoy the main female character, and try not to be pulled into reading all five of these in one week. Bonus: If you like perilous journeys check out Andrew Peterson's The Wingfeather Saga.
      4. The Miraculous Journey of Edward Tulane by Kate DiCamillo : So your kids aren't old enough for dragons or fighting rabbits, then what? I realize this list is for you, but sometimes we need to stop to enjoy a youth fiction book that wasn't around when we were kids. This book may be written for youth, but its message is profound, especially in today's world. Bonus: Check out Kate's Mercy Watson series for your younger kids and see the great art of Mainer Chris Van Dusen!
      5. The Rise and Fall of Mount Majestic by Jennifer Trafton : In case you want an adventure book that is less boyish, this is the one! It's quirky feel with the serious mission and unforgetable characters will leaving you laughing and maybe falling out of your rising and falling hammock. Bonus: Check out Jennifer's book "Henry and the Chalk Dragon" for your kids' summer reading lists.

This list could have gone on forever, but I forced myself to stick with 5 and choose a broad array of books. Obviously, my counting may have been a little off since each suggestion is more than one book. Pick a number, maybe roll a dice, and start enjoying a lovely summer fiction read!