The Ramsey Public School District is dedicated to encouraging young people to see reading as a meaningful way to better understand the world. In these particularly trying times, we feel that reading now, more than ever, is an essential outlet for our young people, as it provides a medium to grow creativity, critical thinking, communication, empathy, reflection, and the essential literacy skills that they will need in the future. We also have received feedback that indicated that choice and developing a personal connection are essential to finding the right book. In essence, self-directed reading produces deeper engagement.

We would like to build upon this success this summer. Our goal is to find the kinds of literature which draw upon what students feel is both important and enjoyable; therefore, this summer students will be able to read any book, fiction or nonfiction, which they feel would be both engaging and appropriate for a high school audience. This must be completed by September 20, 2021; on this day students will need to be prepared to present why they feel the book they selected will motivate young people to read, which will count as their mandatory assignment. From our research, we have found that overly assessing reading can take away from the joy of reading; however, students who would like to dig deeper into the process may complete a non-mandatory reflective journal. This will serve as an extra credit assignment.

We also have a list of student generated recommendations. We encourage you to read as a family, draw upon common interests, and have conversations that create deep and lasting connections with literature. We also highly recommend that you preview the book to ensure it is appropriate for you and your family. One resource to help with this is Common Sense Media.

Honors / AP classes will each have a separate mandatory reading assignment, which can also be viewed below. Any Honors / AP student should feel free to read a choice book and complete the extra assignment, however, it is not mandatory.

If you have any questions about the summer reading, please feel free to call Carmen Lacherza, English Language Arts Supervisor, at 201-785-2300 extension 21572 or email clacherza@ramsey.k12.nj.us.

Honors and Advanced Placement Assignments

English I Honors

English II Honors

English III Advanced Placement

English IV Advanced Placement