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MS / HS Summer Reading Overview
MS / HS Summer Reading Overview
There is an extensive body of research that tells us that academic achievement is directly related to how much time children spend reading outside of school. This is, in large part, due to the fact that reading builds vocabulary and background knowledge. Therefore, summer reading is critical, not only for helping kids maintain learning while school is out, but also for fostering social-emotional development, discovering the joy of stories, and elevating the importance of lifelong learning.
To maintain and develop reading skills over the summer, it is encouraged that students entering grades 6-12 read for personal enjoyment. Having a routine is important, as even 30 minutes of reading per day can make a dramatic impact on your child’s academic success. To assist your child in the book selection process, you may choose to use the following resources (below). The books suggested are not required reading nor are these lists intended to be all-inclusive. As always, parents are encouraged to review the selections to ensure the appropriateness for individual students.
Students are asked to choose a grade-level book that is relevant and/or interesting to them; they are encouraged to read every day for at least 30 minutes. For each book that a student reads, they can complete one of the assignments below and submit to the Summer Reading Google Classroom (Code: qwrsg6fn). Please be sure to submit to the appropriate grade band (middle or high school). Each submission that meets the assignment requirements will earn students an entry into a raffle to win a gift bag of goodies generously donated by the Barnes & Noble at Menlo Park Mall. Additionally, all students who enter will earn themselves an English homework pass (limit: one per student). The deadline for submissions is Friday, September 5, 2025.
MS / HS Summer Reading Lists
MS / HS Summer Reading Lists
Choose a book that is appropriate for your grade level and most of all, is interesting to you! There are many options listed here. Don't forget to check out the Woodbridge Public Library for access to many more summer reading titles.
The Association for Library Services for Children (ALSC) has compiled these lists of varied, diverse summer reading options.
The School Library Journal’s “Best of” Lists has recommendations across a variety of genres and levels. They also put together book lists with specific themes that will be updated throughout the summer.
The Connections Academy by Pearson has compiled this list from several sources including the American Library Association and the International Reading Association.
The Woodbridge Public Library also has a vast collection of print and e-book resources.
For nonfiction reading selections across a variety of reading levels, you can check out Common Sense Media’s Best Nonfiction Books for Tweens and Teens. (You'll need to filter for these age groups once you are on the page.)
Barnes & Noble - Top Young Adult books for Summer Reading
MS / HS Summer Reading Assignment Options
MS / HS Summer Reading Assignment Options
Assignment Options:
Movie Trailer - 1-2 minute trailer for a movie version of the book
Include a cast list - choose 5 main characters and pick a current actor to play them. Write a paragraph that explains why the actor is best suited to represent this character.
Music Soundtrack - Create a playlist that includes 10 songs that reflect the book.
Include 3-5 sentences for each song that explains how the song reflects the story and why you made the choice to include it on your soundtrack.
Character Analysis - Choose three characters and complete a STEAL chart for each one.
Choose one of those characters and write a 1-2 paragraph characterization of them; be sure to include specific references/examples from the text.
Thematic Analysis - Choose 2 themes from the book and complete ONE graphic organizer to complete for each theme.
Choose one of the themes and write a 1-2 paragraph analysis of the theme. Be sure to discuss how the author develops this theme throughout the reading and how it might change or develop as the story progresses. Be sure to include specific references/examples from the text.
Plot Diagram - Use this plot diagram to analyze the story that you read. (Need guidance on the different parts of a plot - review this explanation.) Complete the plot diagram and then complete the writing below.
Focusing on the climax of the story, write a 1-2 paragraph that explains how the climax changes the story. Think about how it affects certain characters, changes the actions of the story, and/or how it sets up the conclusion of the story.
Creative Writing - Choose one of the creative writing options below and build off of the story that you read.
A. Rewrite the ending - Not satisfied with how the story ends? Choose a point after the climax and rewrite the ending in a compact 1-2 page conclusion.
B. Write a spinoff - Take a secondary character and write a 1-2 page short story using that character. Events in your story don’t have to coincide with the story you read, but it can not conflict with them.
C. Need more detail - Take an event in the story you read that is mentioned, but not detailed, and write a detailed 1-2 page account of this event. The details should not conflict with the details of the story you read.
Reading Journal - As you are reading, keep a reader’s journal in which you can summarize what you read, reflect on the story or characters, make connections to the characters or story, etc. The topics of what you write about are totally up to you!
For every 50 pages of the book you’re reading, write a 1 page journal entry in which you respond to the text in your own personal, unique way.
Photo Journal - Create a photo album of 10 items for any of the main characters in the story you are reading. You can treat it like the character’s online social media profile.
For each of the entries, write 3-5 sentences to explain the picture, what is happening, and how it relates to the story you read.
Scavenger Hunt - Review this worksheet on Figurative Language, and go on a scavenger hunt while you are reading. Find 15 examples of different types of figurative language in the book that you are reading.
For each example of figurative language, write 2-3 sentences that explains the example and what the author’s purpose is for including it.
Symbol Hunter - Find 2-3 examples of symbols in the book that you are reading. Here’s some clarification of symbolism, if you need it.
For each symbol, write a paragraph that explains what the symbol is, what it represents in the story, its importance/meaning to the story, and how it changes or develops throughout the story.
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