Reading for pleasure is its own reward. But it’s also a proven way to combat summer slide, the well-documented decline in achievement experienced by many students, especially those whose families can’t afford tutoring or pricey camps that provide enrichment over summer vacation. To support kids’ enjoyment of reading, public libraries expand their summer programming to help when school’s out. Public libraries rival McDonald’s franchises in this country, but if you don’t live near one, never fear: Some library systems offer free cards with digital borrowing privileges to young people located anywhere in the country, expanding equitable access and pushing back against censorship. If you’re seeking books to engage bookworms and striving readers alike, you can’t go wrong with the following.

Those who enjoy coming-of-age themes will find much to ponder in these two books:

Hear Ye Mortals by Yamile Saied Méndez (Levine Querido, May 5) is a beautifully wrought story set in Argentina in 1976. A diverse group of teens have a band called Río Babel, and when, in the wake of a military coup, people start going missing—including a band member—one of their songs is widely embraced as a political anthem.

Autumn Allen’s You Only Live Twice (Kokila, July 28) is an insightful exploration of a Black Muslim teen’s family, community, and personal growth. Zakiyyah decides just one week into 12^th grade to enter community college. She also surprises herself (and her family and friends) with a sudden, unexpected desire to marry, which takes her on a journey of self-discovery.

These two page-turners blend pulse-pounding suspense with social commentary:

Wendy Heard’s intense thriller Such a Lucky Girl (Christy Ottaviano Books, June 16) explores the tremendous pull jealousy can exert. Influencer Bella, who shares rituals for manifesting success with her millions of followers, abruptly abandoned her best friend, Kerry, when she became popular. When a resentful Kerry finds a mysterious old book describing “shadow work,” events take a deadly turn.

Emily Lloyd-Jones’ riveting high-tech story Augusta Pine Does Not Exist (Balzer + Bray, July 7) is set in a world where people’s lives are closely tracked through facial recognition software and biometric identity tattoos. When a teen commits a crime, she’s given a fresh identity in exchange for her service as an undercover agent—and now she must face down cyberterrorists.

Societal inequality, first love, and light touches of magic blend in these two imaginative reads:

In The Bad Boyfriend Curse by Farah Heron (Simon & Schuster, July 7), risk-averse Toronto teen Meera falls victim to the love curse placed on her ancestor in India. A small-town summer with her mom and new stepdad leads to a chance at love—with a guy who most certainly isn’t safe—and encounters with people’s deeply embedded biases and prejudices.

In Just Another Dead Boy by Kelly McCaughrain (Candlewick, July 7), Regan, whose financially struggling single mom abuses alcohol, works for the Romeo-and-Juliet service at an exclusive resort. Wealthy parents hire her to be the perfect girlfriend for their sons, whose “Death Dates” are imminent. But things go off script—and get very real—with her latest client, Jude.

Laura Simeon is a young readers’ editor.