3 Books to Inspire Imagination This Summer

I lay on my stomach in the cool, soft grass. A canopy of intertwining branches shaded me from the summer sun. A breeze ruffled my pony tail. But I didn’t notice these things. I was being transported to another time, solving the secret of the mysterious tunnel with Mandie, the heroine of one of my favorite mystery series.

As a kid, extra time to read was always one of my favorite things about summer. Whether at the pool, on the beach, on road trips, or in my own back yard, I always had my most recent read tucked under my arm.

And I still do.

Recently, I’ve been taking my kids along with me on my reading journeys. Not only am I excited to share with them some of the great books I read as a child, I’m also ready to discover new stories written by some excellent authors who have created new worlds, new characters, and new adventures.

Summer is the perfect time to ignite your children’s imaginations. Whether you read these books as a family or offer them as suggestions for independent reading, you should be ready for a mystery and excitement!

On the Edge of the Dark Sea of Darkness by Andrew Peterson

Singer/songwriter Andrew Peterson tells the story of three siblings, Janner, Tink, and Leeli Igiby who discover that the past is more complicated than they’ve been led to believe. Their land is overrun by the venomous lizard-like creatures called the “Fangs of Dang” who enjoy their power over the town of Glipwood. When the Fangs get it into their heads that the Igiby family is hiding the precious Jewels of Anneria, the Igibies must flee for their lives.

I will admit that it took a while to get hooked on this book. It was a bit too quirky for us at first, but by the end, my kids were begging for the sequel.

100 Cupboards by N. D. Wilson

Henry is sent to live with his aunt and uncle one summer and is given a bedroom in the attic. Soon, Henry makes a surprising discovery behind the plaster of his bedroom wall: it’s filled with small cupboards of various shapes and sizes! When Henry realizes the cupboards are actually portals to other worlds, the adventure has just begun.

Both of these series deal with the epic battle of good versus evil, so they could be a bit scary for the most sensitive of readers at times.

The Little White Horse by Elizabeth Goudge

This book is much older than the last two titles but full of magic, mystery, and old-fashioned charm. It has all of the qualities of a favorite fairytale: an orphan girl is sent to live with an uncle she has never met in a big house called Moonacre Manor. There, she discovers secrets in her family’s past and takes it upon herself to right past wrongs.

I hope these titles may inspire your kids or your family to go on an epic adventure this summer–and you don’t even have to leave your house!

Do you have any book suggestions that will inspire the imagination?

Blessings, 

Danielle