Summer is a time for rest, fun, and friends, but it also offers the opporunity to keep your mind sharp and your imagination strong. Whether you’re heading into middle school or preparing for high school, reading over the summer helps you:

• Keep Your Brain Active – Just like your muscles, your brain needs regular exercise. Reading prevents the “summer slide,” so you return in the fall ready to learn.

• Build Vocabulary and Comprehension – The more you read, the more words you know—and the better you understand everything from novels to textbooks.

• Grow as a Thinker – Good books challenge your perspective, teach empathy, and help you explore new ideas, people, and cultures.

•  Stay Ahead Academically – Students who read regularly often do better in school. Summer reading helps you stay on track for success in all your subjects.

• Enjoy the Freedom to Choose – Summer reading isn’t about assignments but finding books that interest you. Whether it’s fantasy, mystery, nonfiction, or graphic novels, there's something out there for everyone.

So find a shady spot, grab a book from the reading list, and dive into a new world. Your future self will thank you.