12 children's and young adult books to get you hooked on reading this summer

BarcelonaIt's always a good time to encourage reading. We recommend several titles for all ages and tastes to get your children hooked on reading. A selection made by Marta Gil, bookseller at El Gat Pelut in Barcelona, specializing in children's and young adult literature.

In that house, objects don't just talk: they write letters filled with desires, frustrations, and secret plans. A chair, a rug, or a blender have a lot to say to each other—and perhaps even a plan to change their destiny. With her usual ability to capture the magic of small things, Tina Vallès invites us to listen to the hidden voices in our most everyday surroundings. A story full of humor, tenderness, and a lot of imagination.

For ages 8 and up.

What is happiness? Is it small or large? Is it hidden in a corner or within everyone's reach? This poetic and delicate album delves into a serene and enchanting search for what makes us happy. Luca Tortolini's simple yet profound text intertwines with Marco Somà's evocative illustrations, full of detail and atmosphere, to convey to readers young and old that happiness is often hidden in the simplest things and in the invisible bonds that unite us.

For ages 6+.

Going wild doesn't mean living in a tree or not showering anymore. It means looking at the world with fresh eyes and reconnecting with nature. Cristian Moyano invites us to rethink our relationship with the natural environment, not from nostalgia but from the urgent need to understand the mechanisms that keep the Earth alive. With a pleasant and rigorous style, this book proposes small changes in habits to make room for wildlife and thus save ourselves.

For ages 8+.

A little cork dreams of something beyond the garden and embarks on a great adventure around the world. In this fifth title in the Adventurer Mice series, Torben Kuhlmann pays tribute to aviation pioneer Amelia Earhart and, in the process, celebrates ten years of a collection as delicate as it is exciting. With her highly detailed illustrations and witty storytelling, Earhart tells of courage, exploration, and boundless dreams. A tribute to all girls (and boys) who want to conquer the skies.

Ages 8+.

Tired of being a boring list, the dictionary decides to write its own story... with chaotic and hilarious results! A madcap chase between unexpected words and characters—doughnuts, alligators, ghosts, and queens—takes us into a world where language comes alive. Oliver Jeffers and Sam Winstonens deliver an explosion of creativity, wit, and tenderness that celebrates the power of words and boundless imagination.

Ages 6+.

N is fourteen years old, practices karate, reluctantly writes, and is in love with Raúl. Her red notebook, which she claims isn't a diary, pulses with her fears, dreams, contradictions, and desire to take on the world. Ana Pessoa crafts a fresh and honest account of adolescence, with a voice full of humor, tenderness, and brutal sincerity. A story about growing up, resisting, and learning to accept life—and karate chops.

Ages 12+

Casasses's freest and most playful poetry is made accessible to the little ones. With short verses that play with words, sounds, and images, this collection opens the door to the musicality of Catalan and the pleasure of speaking and listening. The delicate and playful illustrations accompany the poems with complicity. A book to read aloud and smile together.

For ages 5 and up.

Lillebror has heard of a mysterious ghost train running through the enchanted forest. Unable to sit idly by, he decides to investigate... until he ends up trapped on the train! A curse hangs over this train: once you get on, you can't get off. This is the second installment in a collection of picture books that brings mystery and humor to younger audiences.

Ideal for readers aged 6 and up who are eager for intrigue, adventure, and a touch of fear.

A savory journey through the flavors of the world: from Japanese ramen to Argentinian empanadas. This book explains where our favorite dishes come from and shows us how cooking speaks to culture, climate, and memory. With colorful illustrations and text that combines rigor and warmth, it's a delightful invitation to open your mind (and your hunger) and discover how food is eaten everywhere.

For ages 8 and up.

Mermaids, giants, the undead... and a half-human, half-vampire student who just wants to make friends. At Midnight High, Simon hopes to start over, but soon some classmates start disappearing. With lots of humor and a good dose of adventure, this best-seller French invites us to discover the mysteries of a very special boarding school.

Ideal for readers ages 10 and up looking for excitement, fantasy, and a...not-so-heroic hero.

The long-awaited prequel toThe Hunger Games takes us back to Panem years before the events of the trilogy. This time, the protagonist is a young rebel, Roos, who shows a different side of the Capitol and the fight for freedom. With Collins' direct, cinematic style, the novel maintains the narrative pulse and delves into the origins of the revolt. Ideal for fans of the series and new readers eager for dystopian adventures.

Ages 14+.

This June, coinciding with World Environment Day, a classic that connects directly with nature and our deepest instincts: The Call of the Forest, by Jack London. A powerful and moving story of freedom, survival, and a return to one's roots. More than a century later, the book continues to captivate readers of all ages with its wild beauty.

Ages 12+.