Dear Bound Brook High School Students,
The 2025 Summer Learning assignment includes tasks that ask students to read, think, and engage critically with choice texts. This new format provides increased structure while still retaining the same degree of choice and variety we had in previous years. This year, the expectation is that students "prepare for tomorrow" by striving for excellence each day. One way to do that is to read as much as you possibly can.
We have provided you with grade-specific reading recommendations here. We have also provided you with these assignments designed to keep your ELA and Social Studies skills sharp. While we highly encourage you to read books from our recommendation list, we also recommend you read books you find interesting. Read authors, genres, and series-books you enjoy. The vast majority of research regarding literacy development suggests that "volume of reading" is the most critical contributing factor to student growth. "Volume of reading" is also directly connected to student choice, interest, and motivation.
You don't have to read Shakespeare to get better in English class, but you need to read A LOT to ever be ready to read Shakespeare. I compare reading Shakespeare to sports training, to lifting a 50lb dumbbell. You need to be able to lift the 10, 15, 20, and so on before you can lift the 50. If you try to lift the 50 without putting in the initial work you can't expect great results. To that end, I challenge you to train for reading.!
Your parents, regardless of your age, are welcome to take an active role in your reading life. Parents may learn more about the titles you select and help you choose books on Goodreads (www.goodreads.com), Common Sense Media (www.commonsensemedia.org), and School Library Journal (www.slj.com). These sites contain synopses, reviews, and recommend discussion questions for many, many titles. Parents may even enjoy reading the same books and discussing the themes of each with you.
Books are available at the Somerset County Library System, local bookstores, or internet booksellers (Amazon, BN.com). Audio versions of many of the titles are also available through the district's digital audio book (and ebook) platform Sora. To check out an item through Sora please use your school gmail and password.
Note: Students who complete summer assignments will be recognized and awarded credit, equivalent to a 50-point minor assessment grade, at the start of the school year.
Note: Parents, here is a collection of resources to best support your child's reading and writing development at home.
**Students taking Honors and AP Courses have a Required Summer Reading Assignment. Links to those assignments can be found here: