Best Reading Workbooks for Summer Slide: 5 Picks (2026)

The best reading workbooks for summer slide keep a child reading a little every day. We compared five workbooks by listed reading age, grade level, print length and description, so you can match the workbook to the reader.

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The picks

#	Product	Shelf Score	Buy
1	Summer Bridge 5-6 by Summer Bridge	9.7/10	Buy on Amazon
2	Summer Bridge 1st-2nd by Summer Bridge	9.7/10	Buy on Amazon
3	Summer Express 2-3 by Scholastic	9.6/10	Buy on Amazon
4	Summer Express 1-2 by Scholastic	9.6/10	Buy on Amazon
5	Daily Summer Activities by Evan-Moor	9.6/10	Buy on Amazon

1

Summer Bridge 5-6 by Summer Bridge

Summer Bridge Activities·9.7/10 Shelf Score

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The Shelf Score runs from 9.2 to 9.8 and weighs fit for the reader or goal (35 points), contents and edition (25), value (25) and listed reading age or level (10, where the listing gives one), using only what the book listing states. How we pick ›

For rising 6th graders: 160 pages across all subjects, plus flash cards and IXL online practice.

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Pros

• All subjects: math, reading, science, social studies, fitness
• 160 pages, 60+ days at 15 minutes a day
• Flash cards, poster, free eBook, IXL practice

Cons

• Overview says 4th graders, not grade 5 to 6
• Fourth edition from 2015
• Reading age marked as from customers

2

Summer Bridge 1st-2nd by Summer Bridge

Summer Bridge Activities·9.7/10 Shelf Score

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The Shelf Score runs from 9.2 to 9.8 and weighs fit for the reader or goal (35 points), contents and edition (25), value (25) and listed reading age or level (10, where the listing gives one), using only what the book listing states. How we pick ›

Bridges 1st to 2nd grade skills over 160 pages, for a child moving into 2nd grade.

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Pros

• Grade level 1 to 2 matches a child moving into 2nd grade
• Includes a skills matrix and answer key for tracking progress
• Flash cards, stickers and a completion certificate are listed as included

Cons

• The overview calls it a book for soon-to-be kindergarteners, which conflicts with grade level 1 to 2
• The listing gives a reading age of 6 to 7 years, marked as from customers, so check it against your reader
• Published January 25, 2015, the oldest date among these picks

3

Summer Express 2-3 by Scholastic

Scholastic·9.6/10 Shelf Score

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The Shelf Score runs from 9.2 to 9.8 and weighs fit for the reader or goal (35 points), contents and edition (25), value (25) and listed reading age or level (10, where the listing gives one), using only what the book listing states. How we pick ›

For rising 3rd graders: 144 pages of reading, writing, spelling, phonics and math in a 10-week format.

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Pros

• 100+ pages in a 10-week format
• Reading, writing, spelling, phonics, math
• From the editors of Weekly Reader

Cons

• Description mentions preschoolers, not grades 2 to 3
• Spec table lists Ages 2 to 3, not 7 to 8
• Published January 1, 2017

4

Summer Express 1-2 by Scholastic

Scholastic·9.6/10 Shelf Score

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The Shelf Score runs from 9.2 to 9.8 and weighs fit for the reader or goal (35 points), contents and edition (25), value (25) and listed reading age or level (10, where the listing gives one), using only what the book listing states. How we pick ›

For rising 2nd graders: 144 pages of reading, writing, phonics, grammar and math in a 10-week format.

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Pros

• 100+ pages in a 10-week format
• Reading, writing, phonics, grammar, math
• From the editors of Weekly Reader

Cons

• Description mentions preschoolers, not grades 1 to 2
• Spec table lists Ages 2 to 3, not 6 to 8
• Reading age marked as from customers

5

Daily Summer Activities by Evan-Moor

Evan-Moor Educational Publishers·9.6/10 Shelf Score

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The Shelf Score runs from 9.2 to 9.8 and weighs fit for the reader or goal (35 points), contents and edition (25), value (25) and listed reading age or level (10, where the listing gives one), using only what the book listing states. How we pick ›

A 10-week summer plan of one or two short activities a day, for a student at grade level 7 to 8.

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Pros

• Covers reading, writing, math, grammar and geography each week.
• Grade level 7 to 8 and reading age 12 to 14 years are both stated and agree.
• Activities are short, one or two a day, so the summer load stays light.

Cons

• Published January 1, 2018, the oldest date in this list.
• The listing does not mention a newer edition.
• The listing does not state whether an answer key is included.

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Compare the picks

Book details as published on each listing, collected 24 October 2026.

How we scored them

The Shelf Score weighs fit for the reader, contents and edition, value, and the listed reading age or grade level. Three of the five listings give a reading age and a grade level. How we pick explains the weights.

Scores run from 9.2 to 9.8: each book’s point total is placed on that range, so more points always means a higher score. Reading age or level counts on a list where at least one listing gives one, and a book whose listing gives none then scores zero on it. Where no listing gives one, the score is taken over the other 85 points. Books carry no warranty, so warranty is not scored.

How to choose the best reading workbooks for summer slide

Match the grade band to the reader

The Summer Bridge book lists grades 5 to 6; the Summer Express books list grades 1 to 2 and 2 to 3. Pick the band the reader just finished. For more choices, browse best workbooks for summer.

Read the description for contradictions

The Summer Bridge overview says 4th graders and the Summer Express descriptions mention preschoolers, contradicting the grade levels. Trust the grade level and reading age instead. See best reading workbooks for kids for more.

Before you buy

• Check the edition: the Summer Bridge 5th to 6th listing is a fourth edition from 2015.
• For a series, buy the right volume: that book is Book 7 of 10.
• Only the Summer Bridge 5th to 6th listing mentions an answer key; compare the listed grade level with the reader.

Frequently Asked Questions

Which workbook suits a rising third grader?

The Weekly Reader Summer Express (Between Grades 2 and 3) lists grades 2 to 3 and a reading age of 7 to 8 years.

Do these workbooks include an answer key?

Only the Summer Bridge 5th to 6th grade listing mentions an answer key. The others do not state one.

How reliable are the reading ages?

Three listings give reading ages, and two are marked as from customers. Treat those as shopper reports rather than publisher guidance.

Still deciding? Our top pickSummer Bridge 5-6 by Summer Bridge

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Related lists

See every Reading and Phonics list and all Workbooks and Homeschool lists.

More lists: summer workbooks for middle school, summer workbooks for 3rd grade.