Independent Reading

You Get to Choose!

Studies show that lifelong readers are successful people, and the goal of any reading program is to help cultivate a love of reading. Therefore, for our independent reading program, you are allowed to read books of any genre and reading level as long as you have your parent’s or guardian’s approval. Best wishes on your exploratory journey into the world of books!

Daily Homework

Independent reading is a part of your daily homework assignment. Only prose novels will earn credit, not graphic novels or short stories published in a book. Be sure to read at least 70 pages per week. If this goal is too easy, feel free to challenge yourself further.

Independent Reading Grade

You will be reading and writing about your IR Book on Thursdays (also known as Reading Thursdays). Your final reading grade will be based on how well you meet the following requirements:

• Bringing and reading your IR Book (Not off-task)

• Completing your Weekly IR Record for the books you are reading. (You must have the book with you on Reading Thursdays to earn credit for writing about your book.) These writing reflections are short in-class assignments that must be completed within 15 minutes during class.

• Your reading progress and whether you are meeting the minimum reading requirements per grade level.

Bring Your Book to Class Every Day

If you are done with your assignment before your classmates, you are expected to read your independent reading book. 

What Other People Are Reading

Consider browsing Goodreads.com to find your next book. They also have a great middle school list here and here. Barnes & Noble also has a suggested middle school reading list. Another idea to look up your favorite books on Amazon and check out what other suggestions show up under "Customers who bought this item also bought...." If you want to discover books based on reading level or genre, consider doing your search through this book finder website.

School Library Hours

Mondays, Tuesdays, Wednesdays, and Fridays – 11:45am to 2:45pm

Thursdays – 10:30am to 1:30pm

Note to Parents & Guardians

Do take the time at home to regularly discuss the books your teen is reading with you and to make sure that you approve of the novels she/he has chosen. As a parent, I regularly took my own kids to the library to help them discover new books, and we'd walk the aisles together. As they look through different books, I'll do the same. If I think my child might be interested in a book I find, I'll hand it over and say, "What do you think of this one?" It's a routine that has truly fostered a love of reading in both my kids, and it has definitely helped them with their own academic success.

Check out these recommendations below from your classmates! You have to be signed into your school account to view the slides.