All summer, I’ll be sharing books for kids of all ages on topics that interest them or offer something new to learn about. Most of the time, these will be nonfiction books, but sometimes we can learn from fictional stories too. I believe reading over the summer is so important, and keeping kids interested in reading by finding relevant books about topics that they are interested in is very important. Kids should read at least 20 minutes every day, and I hope that these books offer you ideas to keep your kids reading and learning all summer.
I hope you will stay tuned to these posts. They will always have Summer Read-to-Learn in the title and will be tagged in the post. There will be books on all kinds of topics kids love to read and learn about. Be sure to stop by each week to see what book I’m sharing as part of my Summer Read-to-Learn series.
To see all the books in the Summer Read-to-Learn series, click HERE.
SOUNDS OF TRASH
Steamworks
By: Tina Athaide
Illustrated by: Neha Rawat
Published: August 4, 2026
Publisher: Charlesbridge Publishing
Fiction
Pran and his friends are excited about the upcoming Block Party. But this year, the party is in the park, which means no electricity. No electricity means no music. After Pran complained about the lack of music, his grandpa challenged him to think outside the box and find ways to create music at the party.
Pran and his friends put their heads together and brainstormed ways to make instruments from recycled materials. They drew out some plans, made lists of supplies, and then started raiding their neighborhood. Using jam jars and dried beans, they made shakers. Trial and error helped them notice that different beans and different-sized jars made clinks or rattles. Pots, hubcaps, and trays all made various banging sounds. Using different types of sticks also produced different sounds.
After numerous creations and practicing, Pran and his friends had a wide variety of instruments. At the Block Party, young, old, and in-between boogied together to the music created by the homemade instruments. The end of the book offers a glossary of terms as well as explanations of the science of sound. Creating music from recycled materials includes a bit of an engineering process, and a flowchart is included to help kids understand the steps needed to create a design. Ideas for activities to do with your kids are also included.
Tina Athaide is an educator and children’s book author who wrote the middle-grade novel Orange For The Sunsets, which was awarded the Geoffrey Bilson Award by the Canadian Children’s Book Council, and Wings to Soar, as well as picture book Meena’s Mindful Moment. Tina was born in Uganda and emigrated to London and then Canada and now lives in Southern California. Check out her website, HERE.
Neha Rawat is a children’s book author-illustrator from India who loves stories that explore emotions, relationships, humor, culture, and diversity. She has illustrated many books, including Zuni and the Memory Jar, Masala Chai, Fast and Slow, and Buddha and the Rose. Check out her website, HERE.
Download Activities and Lesson Plans, HERE
Click HERE to purchase a copy of SOUNDS OF TRASH
Get this Ukulele for the music lover in your house!
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Thanks to the publisher for sending a copy of this book for this review. This review is my honest opinion. If you choose to purchase through the above links, I may receive a small commission without you paying a cent more for your purchase.
Posted Under Book Review, Children's books, Music, Neha Rawat, STEAM, STEM, Summer Read-to-Learn, Tina Athaide, fiction, steamworks