A Summer Reading Guide Giveaway!

Win your top 3 books from this year's Summer Reading Starter Guide.

May 15, 2026

Hi friends,

Releasing each year’s Summer Reading Guide always gets me so excited for summer reading (and what a joy that the weather here in Toronto is finally starting to feel like spring)!

I’d love to help you get your kids excited about summer reading too.

Reading Middle Grade is giving away three books from this year’s Summer Reading Starter Guide to one winner (based in the US or Canada.

Our Starter Guide features 7 of our favorite books on this year’s guide and is a great place to start if you can’t decide which book to read first. It’s also the free version of our Summer Reading Guide available to the public—whether or not you purchased the PDF.

To enter, please comment below which three books from the Starter Guide you’d like to win! You’ll need to mention three specific books you’re most excited about—not just “any three.”

This giveaway is open to free and paid Reading Middle Grade newsletter subscribers with US or Canada mailing addresses. I’ll pick winners by next Friday, May 22.

If you’re new here—hi! My name is Afoma Umesi and I run the website, Reading Middle Grade, which is dedicated to helping parents and educators find books for young readers ages 8-14. Here on Substack, I publish weekly tailored book recommendations made for specific reader pain points. Come join the fun!

💬 Your turn!

Which three books would you love to win?

⏭️ Coming Next Week

The 9 year old who loves baseball, soccer, and video games (even if he isn’t really allowed to play)

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📚 Want more?

Consider becoming a paid subscriber to my Substack. You’ll gain access to free Book Matchmaking, my monthly new release and recap posts, and my annual Summer Reading Guide.