How do I select a choice book?

Select one book (2 for Honors) for your summer reading focus. Choose a book that works well for you:

• Does the book fit your personal reading purpose (to laugh, to learn, to explore)?

• Does the book interest you?

• Do you comprehend the story? Open up to any random page. Count the number of words that you don’t know. If there are more than two words that you don’t know, the book may not be a good choice. If there are four or more words you don’t know, then the book is probably not a good fit, at this time. 

If you need assistance choosing a high quality text, these lists can help you get started:

• ALSC (Assoc. for Library Service to Children) Summer Reading List 2024

• School Library Journal Best Books of 2023: Middle Grade

• School Library Journal Best Books of 2023: Graphic Novels

• Bulletin of the Center for Children's Books Blue Ribbons 2023

Common Sense is an independent nonprofit organization dedicated to helping kids thrive in a world of media and technology. This site provides unbiased information to help families make educated decisions about their children’s use of media. If you would like additional information about your child’s book selection, visit https://www.commonsensemedia.org/

What do I do during and after reading?

Use the attached graphic organizer to jot notes about the book's character(s), setting, conflict, and resolution prior to returning to school in August. This activity is designed to provide an opportunity to engage with your book and analyze the text. 

While your teacher may use the assignment as an assessment to guide their instruction, the assignment itself may not be graded.  *Please feel free to make copies of the graphic organizer if you need more room than allotted. 

Summer Reading Notes Page

What will happen when I get to school?

Your ELA teacher will explain the exact procedures for collecting your summer reading assignment within the first two weeks of school.  You may also be asked to engage in a class discussion about your book, so you should be prepared to do so upon return to school in August. 

Assessment

Official assessment of the summer reading assignment will be contingent upon the course and teacher discretion. The following objectives may be assessed. Instruction on these objectives will take place before an assessment is given and used for an official grade. 

• I can read and comprehend literary fiction on grade level, reading independently and proficiently.

• I can cite textual evidence to analyze a text as well as draw inferences, conclusions, and/or generalizations from the text.

• I can acquire and use accurately grade-appropriate general academic and domain-specific words and phrases; gather vocabulary knowledge when considering a word or phrase important to comprehension or expression.

• I can present claims and findings, emphasizing salient points in a focused, coherent manner with pertinent descriptions, facts, details, and examples; use appropriate eye contact, adequate volume, and clear pronunciation.

• I can engage effectively in a range of collaborative discussions, on grade-level topics, texts, and issues, building on others’ ideas and expressing their own clearly.