What to read and watch in the summer break?

21 September 2024

As the school year winds down, summer offers a precious chance to slow down, reflect, and reimagine. Whether you're soaking up the sun at the beach or enjoying quiet evenings at home, this curated list of books, films, and thought-provoking talks is here to nourish minds young and old.

From children's reads to family movie nights and big-picture ideas for grown-ups, we hope these recommendations will spark meaningful conversations—and maybe even a few new perspectives.

For children

Books

Below is a collection of age-appropriate books to keep children inspired, wondering, and imagining over the summer.

REAL School reading list by Key Stage

Reading time varies by book and age (10–30 minutes/day recommended)

For parents

Books

• In Other Woods by Mary-Ann Ridgway (~250 pages)

A real story of a small school with a big vision—deeply aligned with the spirit of REAL.

• The Anxious Generation by Jonathan Haidt (~400 pages)

What went wrong with childhood in the smartphone era—and how to fix it.

Conversations, Podcasts & Talks

Yuval Noah Harari on AI, democracy & our future

• Why AI is the biggest game-changer in history (114 minutes)

• More war is coming (106 minutes)

Dr. Daniel Amen on Brain health & parenting

• Parenting & brain scans (138 minutes)

Dr. Anna Lembke on dopamine & addiction

• Dopamine resets & what to avoid (131 minutes)

Geoffrey Hinton (the Godfather of AI) talking about AI

• We've already lost control (90 minutes)

Jonathan Haidt on Tech and Mental Health

• How smartphones & social media impact mental health and solutions (146 minutes)

For families

Films & series

• Wall-E (98 minutes)

Pixar’s futuristic fable of love, loneliness and our ecological footprint.

• The Lord of the Rings trilogy (~11 hours) and Rings of Power TV series (~8 hours)

A rich journey into courage, community, and the power of small choices.

• Ocean by Sir David Attenborough (95 minutes)

Stunning underwater visuals and a call to protect our blue planet.

• HOME documentary (120 minutes)

A beautiful documentary about Earth created in collaboration with the world's biggest fashion houses.

• HUMAN – The Movie (Director's Cut) (191 minutes)

A moving and deeply human collection of voices from across the globe. Recommended for teens and adults.

Projects & Explorations

• The Herds

Life-sized puppet animals migrate across continents in this bold public art project about climate and hope.

• Cult-ED by the Jimmy Nelson Foundation

An interactive journey into the vibrant cultural diversity of people around the world. A visual feast and empathy-builder for all ages.