The following children's books are suitable for summer reading.

Break-In at the Basilica, by Dianne Ahern, illustrated by Katherine Larson. Aunt Dee's Attic, Inc. (Ann Arbor, Mich., 2006). 103 pp., $11.95.
Although the title sounds a bit hokey, this adventure with Sister Philomena, special agent for the pope, is actually entertaining. Sister Philomena's niece and nephew, visiting her in Italy, accompany her to Assisi, where someone has stolen a treasured parchment written by St. Francis. The story is told from the perspective of many people, including the thief, and mixes mystery, adventure, church history and social justice. It also throws in some common Italian terms and includes a translation of Italian words and phrases at the end. Larson's illustrations will help young readers picture the Italian setting (ages 8-10).

Goodnight Kisses, by Barney Saltzberg. Red Wagon Books (San
This fun touch and feel board book will keep very young children asking for it again and again. The large, colorful illustrations open up to additional illustrations with touchable pieces: soft zebra fur, a fuzzy bear nose and even a squeaky bumblebee nose. (Who knew bees had noses?) The illustrations are accompanied by very simple, large text. The final attraction: an illustration with stars that glow in the dark after being placed under a light (ages 6 months-2 years).

Shiver Me Letters: A Pirate ABC, by June Sobel, illustrated by Henry Cole. Harcourt Inc. (San Diego, 2006). 32 pp., $16.
Each season one read-aloud book stands above others, and this time "Shiver Me Letters" is that book. Sobel's clever, rhyming text is delightful and will amuse parents as well as nonreaders. "'R,' roared the captain, 'R's not enough. We need other letters to help make us tough.'" Cole's comical, bumbling animal pirates include an alligator captain complete with a hook for a hand and a rubber duckie belt with an eye patch. The combination is an engaging way to learn the ABCs (ages 2-5).

A Summer of Kings, by Han Nolan. Harcourt Inc. (San Diego, 2006). 334 pp., $17.
Here is an excellent teen novel that draws in readers from the opening statement: "Last summer a murderer came to live with us." Fourteen-year-old Esther Young tells the tale of how an 18-year-old African-American youth accused of murder comes to live with her family. The story occurs in the summer of 1963, amid the turmoil of a burgeoning civil rights movement. This is definitely a coming-of-age story as Esther confronts her impressions and feelings about the young man, race relations, family relations and friendship. Besides a gripping story line, the book gives today's teen readers a taste of life in the early 1960s (ages 12-15).

Zany Zoo, by William Wise, illustrated by Lynn Munsinger. Walter Lorraine Books (Boston, 2006). 30 pp., $16.
Of all the wonderful books I read for these reviews, this one takes the cake. Munsinger's pen and ink watercolor illustrations are humorous, delightful treasures-- and yet the text is so appealing that I read the book twice before I even looked at the illustrations! Wise has compiled a totally unique collection of animal poems -- short, whimsical rhymes -- all of which end in plays on words. His command of the English language is topped only by his creativity. The illustrations and rhymes in this book will appeal to younger children, but it will take slightly older kids with a good command of idioms and vocabulary to truly appreciate how zany this book is (ages 3-up).

Bella at Midnight, by Diane Stanley, illustrated by Bagram Ibatoulline. HarperCollins Children's Books (New York, 2006). 278 pp., $15.99.
Part adventure, part fairy tale, "Bella at Midnight" unfolds in the voices of the main male and female characters. Bella loves her peasant family and especially enjoys playing with her friend, the prince. She is forced to leave her family after discovering she has noble blood, but the strong values she has learned stay with her and help lead her to her destiny -- bringing peace to kingdoms on the brink of war. This book has all the elements -- including romance -- of a classic fairy tale and will keep middle-grade readers turning pages (ages 10-14).

When God Made the Dakotas, by Tim Kessler, illustrated by Paul Morin. Eerdmans Books for Young Readers (Grand Rapids, Mich., 2006). 30 pp., $17.
Morin's full-page canvas paintings -- rich in reds, browns and golds -- beautifully illustrate the Native American perspective of this tale of when God created the Dakotas. Many of the things the Native Americans requested from the Great Spirit were already used elsewhere, but the land now known as North and South Dakota was given vast prairies of waving grass and beautiful sunsets. This book is great as a read-aloud for those too young to read its text (ages 6-11).

Roasted Peanuts, by Tim Egan. Houghton Mifflin Co. (New York, 2006). 30 pp., $16.
For many children, summer means baseball, so this illustrated story for young readers is just right for the season. Sam the horse and Jackson the cat loved baseball and roasted peanuts. They had always played baseball together, but when Sam got chosen for the local team and Jackson did not, the two discovered something was missing from the game. How each grew to use his talents makes a nice ending to this tale of baseball, peanuts and friendship (ages 7-9).

Does God Forgive Me? by August Gold, photos by Diane Hardy Waller. Skylight Paths Publishing (Woodstock, Vt., 2006) 32pp., $8.99.
This read-loud book is a good way to teach young children about God's love. Waller's photographs -- colorful, multicultural and focused on children -- are framed in what looks like crayon and complement the rhyming text that talks about how God and parents always love and forgive. Children's "questions" are included in a typeface designed to look as if someone printed in crayon, while the answers are also in colorful type. The theology is fairly basic: "No matter what you say or what you ever do, God's loving heart never closes to you" (ages 3-6).

The Reviewer: Barb Fraze, international editor of Catholic News Service, is a mother of three and enjoys reading children's books.