Posted on: 12/07/2021
Summer holidays are now finally appearing over the hazy horizon, ushering in the end of another very strange and discombobulating academic year. We do hope you are now getting ready for some R&R. Being literary minded as we are, we also hope you are getting ready for some joyous, holiday reading.
With current restrictions on travel, it will be difficult to visit those far-flung tropical locations and more likely than not you will be hunkering down on home turf or venturing somewhere closer to hand. Whatever your plans, we wanted to give you some ideas for compiling that all-important holiday reading list for you and any children in your life. We have chosen these ten books because of their attractive, geographical locations (whether at home or abroad), their celebration of culture and because of the sheer escapist joy they offer.
Holiday reading can be of course varied in scope but we feel that picture books, mystery, fantasy and adventure stories are key staples in this comforting diet.
If you love High Rise Mystery by Sharna Jackson, you’ll also love this story. Zaiba wants to be a private detective like her aunty and, during her cousin’s Mehndi celebrations, she and her friends are faced with their first, exciting mystery. This book is the first in the series. It is not just a detective story but also a wonderful depiction and celebration of British-Pakistani culture.
We would recommend this book the children aged 7+ who love getting lost in a good mystery and solving a puzzle. Also, for those children who love following a series.
A wonderful murder mystery story here from the award-winning author David Almond. This time we find ourselves in a small Tyneside town which is changed forever by a mysterious death. David Almond captures the life and dialect of this town so vividly. This book is definitely one that will have you pining for sojourns to the North if you’re not there already.
We would recommend this book to children aged 11+ who want to escape to a beautiful northern English setting portrayed in a slightly surreal and lyrical way.
This book takes us on a voyage in time and place. Set in the summer of 1727 and based on a true story about the remote St Kilda, an island off the west coast of Scotland. The story follows Quill who is part of a group of men and boys, dropped off on St Kilda to hunt for birds. When no one comes to pick them up mysteriously, they are left alone to fend for themselves. Could it be the end of the world? A gorgeous book that depicts the stark beauty of a Scottish island.
We would recommend this book to children aged 11+ who love escaping to remote islands and beautiful Scottish landscapes.
A lovely tale about the Conroy sisters who, on their summer vacation, are sent to Cumbria by their parents to stay with their strict Grandma. Big Grandma ruins their fun by giving them a list of jobs and by taking away their precious books. This story is full of entertaining and powerful characters and the setting is gorgeous. This book won the 1992 Guardian Children’s Fiction Award and is the first novel in a series.
We would recommend this book to children aged 9+ who love stories with strong characters and lively antics. Another great series of books to follow!
The Island of Arranmore, off the coast of Ireland, is the setting of this fantastical, multi-award-winning story. Every generation, the island choses a Storm Keeper, someone who guards the island and wields its magic. Fionn Boyle is visiting his grandfather and, little does he know, the island is waiting for him. This gorgeous book is the first in a trilogy.
We would recommend this book to children aged 8+ who love fantasy stories.
In this book, we rediscover the joys of walking. We follow a girl and her grandfather as they explore the wonderful city of Paris. They marvel at the gorgeous buildings and landmarks the city has to offer as well as taste lots of Parisian treats. We love this collection of books which also takes us on walking tours of London and New York!
We would recommend this book to children aged 5+ who love to travel and enjoy gathering interesting factoids.
This beautiful book is set across the Himalayas, taking our heroine across Tibet and India in search of the Dalia Lama. Her parents were kidnapped mysteriously and suddenly by soldiers and she is on a mission to rescue them. The descriptions of India in this book are particularly breath-taking, capturing the sights and sounds of market stalls, temples and shops.
We would recommend this book to children aged 8+ who love the thought of venturing in exotic locations.
This story follows jewel thief Chaya and friends on an action-packed adventure through the jungle. The exotic setting was inspired by the author’s childhood in Colombo, Sri Lanka and is full of rich descriptions of vegetation and food sure to transport you to another world.
Another great adventure story for those children, aged 8+, who love fast-paced adventure in exotic climes.
If you enjoyed the London Eye Mystery, then you will enjoy this follow up story. Ted Spark is on holiday to visit his family in New York. His aunty works at the Guggenheim Museum and, while Ted is visiting, a painting is stolen from the museum. Again, another fun mystery story set in a fabulous location!
Mystery lovers aged 9+ will love this story!
We love Jeanie Baker’s books here at the Literacy Tree and this is no exception. Her colourful collages depict and compares the lives of two boys – one who lives in Australia and the other in Morocco. The book celebrates the landscapes and cultures of the two boys, very different in some ways and similar in others.
From everyone here at the Literacy Tree, we wish you a happy holiday when it arrives and hope this list gives you some inspiration when choosing books. These escapist reads will be sure to keep the mind ticking over and to offer you some vicarious travelling destinations. Enjoy!
A great book for all ages who are interested in expanding their understanding of different cultures.
