Find a Good Book!

Do you need a book recommendation? Check out the 2026-2027 South Carolina Book Award Nominees. The links below take you to the SCASL (SC Association of School Librarians) website, where you can view book trailers, summaries, and activity guides for the nominated books. You can even view nominations from previous years. The important thing to remember is to choose books that you like. You don't have to pick from this list.

This summer, Sumter School District is challenging all middle and high school students to read for 20 minutes a day. When you finish a book, log it on your tic-tac-toe sheet. Read more to score more! How many ways can you win? Submit your completed tic-tac-toe sheet(s) to your school librarian within the first week of school. Top readers from each middle and high school will be recognized.

Tic-tac-toe Sheet: Grades 6-12 Summer Reading Challenge

Junior Book Award Nominees

Novels listed here are appropriate for students in grades 6-8. Visit the SC Junior Book Award page to learn more about each book and to see if one of these books is right for you.

26-27 Junior Brochure

26-27 YA Book Previews & Activity Guides

Young Adult Book Award Nominees

Novels listed here are appropriate for students in grades 9-12. Visit the SC YA Book Award page to learn more about each book and to see if one of these books is right for you.

26-27 YA Brochure

26-27 YA Book Previews & Activity Guides

Support Reading at Home!

The amount of reading your teen does is the single greatest indicator of how well they will perform on standardized tests. Below are five ways to support and encourage reading over the summer.

Let them choose. When teens feel in control of their reading selections, they are more likely to enjoy and continue reading.
Talk about books. Talk with your teen about what they are reading. Many junior and YA books deal with common issues teens face. Use these opportunities to discuss how the characters responded to challenges and what you may have done differently in the situation.
Set the example. Let your teen see you read. Show how you value reading by your actions. Discuss what your read. You may be reading newspaper articles, nonfiction books, magazine articles, sports reports, etc. All reading is good reading. Teens need to know reading includes other types of texts in addition to novels.
Read first. Set the expectation that reading comes first before gaming, streaming, or posting. Use parental controls to set limits on devices and monitor screen time.
Read together. Join or create your own book club with your teen, or join a local book club of parents and teens. Pick books together. Read and discuss. In no time your teen will be graduating. Use this summer to bond over books!

Click here to visit the Required Honors English Reading page.