These days television and the Internet compete with books for kids' attention, but "Good Morning America" parenting contributor Ann Pleshette Murphy has some must-reads that are sure to turn your couch potatoes into bookworms.These selections are divided into four categories -- supernatural, how-to, growing pains and books+ -- and are perfect for tweens and teens as they enjoy their summer vacations.Growing Pains
Books about the trials and tribulations of growing up are staples of summer literature."The Evolution of Calpurnia Tate," by Jacqueline Kelly
Callie lives in rural Texas in 1899 with her six brothers. She's a real rebel, preferring to explore nature with her granddaddy to darning socks. "Along for the Ride," by Sarah Dessen
Writing for older girls, Sarah Dessen presents a first-person account of a slightly awkward girl named Auden, who spends her summer before college at a small beach town with her dad and stepmom and their new colicky baby.
"Surface Tension," by Brent Runyon
In this coming of age story told over four consecutive summers, the narrator, Luke, goes from caring about fishing and skipping stones to checking out the girls in their bikinis to writing pretentious poetry.
"Jack Tumor," by Anthony McGowan
Hector faces an unlikely bully: a talking brain tumor. It's a know-it-all, too, and insists on coaching Hector even as it threatens his life.
"Neil Armstrong Is My Uncle and Other Lies Muscle Man McGinty Told Me," by Nan Marino
Ten-year-old Tammy is lonely and angry when she begins to bully the new kid Douglas, who just moved into a foster home down the street. She ridicules him for his outlandish lies: His uncle is Neil Armstrong, he's training for the Olympics and others. Slowly readers begin to understand what's behind her harsh attacks.
"Also Known as Harper," by Ann Haywood Leal
Fifth-grader Harper Lee Morgan has a lot of family angst. Her father with his drinking problem has gone, and her mom is late with the rent. Harper wants to enter her poetry in a school contest, but her hopes dim after her mom loses her job and she's forced to stay home with her younger brother.