Monthly Book Recommendations - August

Integra Youth
3 days ago
5 min read

As the end of summer holidays approaches, reading lists are slowly pushed aside, so make the most of your month with these must-read books. August is a month to spend time with family and celebrate many festivals and events.

Elementary - Fiction

Frog and Toad Are Friends by Arnold Lobel

Here’s a short description from Goodreads…

“Celebrate the power of friendship in these five adventurous stories starring Frog and Toad—a Caldecott Honor Book! From writing letters to going swimming, telling stories to finding lost buttons, Frog and Toad are always there for each other—just as best friends should be.”

This book is a heartwarming collection of stories that teaches readers the true meaning of friendship through the simple yet deep bond between two very different characters. With warmth, humor, and emotional honesty, the book shows how small acts of kindness, patience, and understanding build strong relationships. It encourages readers - both children and adults - to value loyalty, accept others’ quirks, and support friends through everyday ups and downs. The timeless lessons about empathy and companionship make this book a meaningful and comforting read for all ages.

Elementary - Nonfiction

What If You Had Animal Teeth!? by Sandra Markle and illustrated by Howard McWilliam

Here’s a short description by Goodreads…

“If you could have any animal's front teeth, whose would you choose? If you chose an elephant's, you could dig holes and pull up tree roots. If you had a beaver's, you'd have orange teeth! And if you had a naked mole rat's set of teeth, you could move each one separately, like chopsticks! The animal kingdom has lots of cool teeth, but yours are pretty awesome, too!”

This is a fun and educational book that sparks curiosity and imagination by exploring what it would be like to have the teeth of different animals. Through engaging facts and humorous illustrations, readers learn how animal teeth are perfectly suited to each creature’s needs, while also discovering the importance of taking care of their own. This book encourages children to appreciate the uniqueness of the natural world and inspires them to think critically about adaptation, biology, and dental health in a playful and memorable way.

Middle School - Fiction

Wonder by R.J. Palacio

Here’s a short description by Goodreads…

“August Pullman was born with a facial difference that, up until now, has prevented him from going to a mainstream school. Starting 5th grade at Beecher Prep, he wants nothing more than to be treated as an ordinary kid—but his new classmates can’t get past Auggie’s extraordinary face. Wonder, begins from Auggie’s point of view, but soon switches to include his classmates, his sister, her boyfriend, and others.”

This book encompasses a powerful and compassionate story that encourages readers to look beyond appearances and treat others with kindness and empathy. Centered on Auggie, a boy with a facial difference entering school for the first time, the book explores how courage, acceptance, and friendship can overcome cruelty and fear. Through multiple perspectives, it teaches that everyone is fighting their own battles and that a small act of kindness can make a big difference. Wonder inspires readers to be more understanding, inclusive, and brave in standing up for what's right.

Middle School - Nonfiction

Brown Girl Dreaming by Jacqueline Woodson

Here’s a short description from Goodreads…

“Raised in South Carolina and New York, Woodson always felt halfway home in each place. In vivid poems, she shares what it was like to grow up as an African American in the 1960s and 1970s, living with the remnants of Jim Crow and her growing awareness of the Civil Rights movement. Touching and powerful, each poem is both accessible and emotionally charged, each line a glimpse into a child’s soul as she searches for her place in the world. Woodson’s eloquent poetry also reflects the joy of finding her voice through writing stories, despite the fact that she struggled with reading as a child. Her love of stories inspired her and stayed with her, creating the first sparks of the gifted writer she was to become.”

As a beautifully written memoir in verse, it invites readers into the author’s childhood as an African American girl growing up in the 1960s and 1970s. Through lyrical poetry, it explores themes of identity, family, racism, and the power of words and storytelling. Readers gain a deeper understanding of the civil rights movement, the complexities of growing up between two worlds, and the importance of finding one’s voice. This book encourages empathy, resilience, and the belief that everyone’s story matters and deserves to be heard.

High School - Fiction

We Were Liars by E. Lockhart

Here’s a short description by Goodreads…

“A beautiful and distinguished family. A private island. A brilliant, damaged girl; a passionate, political boy. A group of four friends—the Liars—whose friendship turns destructive. A revolution. An accident. A secret. Lies upon lies. True love. The truth. We Were Liars is a modern, sophisticated suspense novel from New York Times bestselling author, National Book Award finalist, and Printz Award honoree E. Lockhart. Read it. And if anyone asks you how it ends, just LIE.”

As a gripping, emotionally intense novel, it draws readers into a world of privilege, secrets, and fragile relationships. With its haunting narrative and unexpected twists, it challenges readers to question appearances, confront the consequences of denial, and reflect on the weight of guilt and grief. The story highlights how truth and communication are essential in relationships, and how hiding from reality can lead to irreversible damage. This book is a powerful exploration of memory, loss, and the painful journey toward self-awareness.

High School - Nonfiction

I Am Malala: The Story of the Girl Who Stood Up for Education and Was Shot by the Taliban by Malala Yousafzai and Christina Lamb (primary contributor)

Here’s a short description by Goodreads…

“I Am Malala is the remarkable tale of a family uprooted by global terrorism, of the fight for girls' education, of a father who, himself a school owner, championed and encouraged his daughter to write and attend school, and of brave parents who have a fierce love for their daughter in a society that prizes sons.”

This is an inspiring memoir of courage, resilience, and the relentless pursuit of education. Malala’s story, from growing up in the Swat Valley of Pakistan to surviving a Taliban assassination attempt, sheds light on the importance of education, especially for girls in underprivileged regions. Her unwavering determination to stand up for her rights despite incredible danger teaches us about the power of one voice to challenge oppression and inspire change. This book reminds readers that education is a fundamental right, and that standing up for justice, even in the face of adversity, can transform the world.

Written By: Krisha L