Summer Reading

Summer 2025

Reading in the summer is one of my favorite activities!  I want to encourage all my upcoming 4th graders to join me this summer in enjoying a few good books. Summer slide is a real thing and reading is the easiest way to keep your brain working over the summer.   Here are some reasons that summer reading is so important:

1)   Kids who don’t read during summer vacation lose two to three months of reading achievement. (“The Effects of Summer Vacation on Achievement Test Scores”)

2)   Elementary students who read 10-15 books at home over the summer gain as much in reading achievement as students who attend summer school. (“Addressing Summer Reading Setback Among Economically Disadvantaged Elementary Students“)

3)   Middle school students who read only five to six books over the summer don’t suffer from that summer reading loss. (“Summer Reading and the Ethnic Achievement Gap“)

The 4th-grade summer reading requirement is to read a CHAPTER book of your choice this summer!  The book should be at least 125 pages long and be 4th-grade appropriate.  The only book you should NOT choose is The Wild Robot.  That will be our first class novel. You must have your book in class the first week of school. (If you are using a library book, be sure you can check it out for that week!)

Use this list if you need some help finding a book. (Disclaimer - I have read many of the books on this list, but not all of them, so parents, please help your student choose wisely.) 

I am encouraging you to read as many books as possible this summer—don't just stop at one! Books, magazines, recorded books, and even the back of your cereal box all count as reading!! Remember, the best way to be a better reader is to read, so try to read as much as possible.

Have fun reading! Read by yourself. Read as a family.  Let a book take you to new places and introduce you to characters that will become new friends.  Let a book teach you about the world around you and maybe even a little something about yourself.  Lose yourself in a book and enjoy every page turn!  

I can't wait to hear all about your summer reading adventures!!