summer reading book report

Take aim at the "Summer Slide" and get your students excited about reading with these titles picked specifically for kids at the sixth grade reading level.

by Sharon Creech
A prequel to the Newbery Medal-winning this book chronicles the daily life of 13-year-old Mary Lou Finney during her most chaotic and romantic summer ever. Mary Lou's summer journal -- which she begins grudgingly as a dreaded assignment for school -- becomes a hilarious chronicle of the circle of people and events that make her summer. There is Carl Ray, the mysterious and troublesome cousin that comes to visit; Beth Ann Bartels, her best friend who's recently gone boy crazy; Alex Cheevy, the boy that makes Mary Lou's brains "mushy;" and, of course, the Finney clan, her "normally strange family." What follows is the story of a summer filled with lessons and observations on love, death, friendship, and family.

by Katherine Paterson, Donna Diamond (illus.)
An extraordinarily powerful tribute to friendship, this Newbery Award-winning novel recounts the unlikely friendship of a country boy, Jess, and his neighbor, an uprooted city girl named Leslie. When Leslie is killed during a storm while trying to reach Terabithia, their secret hiding place, Jess must gather all his strength to come to terms with his loss and find a way to heal.

by Karen Cushman
Catherine, the spirited and inquisitive daughter of an English country knight, narrates in diary form the story of her 14th year -- in the year 1290. Here, she records the events of her life, particularly her longing for adventures beyond the usual role of women and her efforts to avoid being married off.

by C. S. Lewis, Chris Van Allsburg (illus.)
Enter the magical land of Narnia, where enchanted creatures live and battles are fought between good and evil! The seven volumes of C. S. Lewis's famed fantasy series come boxed in a hardcover case.

by Zilpha Keatley Snyder, Alton Raible (illus.)
Even to Melanie, who knew that you could never predict what a new kid would be like, April Hall was something of a surprise. One look at her stringy upswept hair, false eyelashes, and ragged fox-fur collar, convinced Melanie that April was not going to be easy to integrate into the sixth grade at Wilson School. Within a month, April and Melanie had developed a common interest in ancient Egypt and had begun to develop a land of Egypt in an abandoned storage yard. Complications arose when other people joined the original Egyptians, when a murderer ranged the neighborhood, and when an oracle predicted strange things. But it was all in the game, which gave even April a fall and winter to remember.

by Lois Lowry
Eleven-year-old Jonas lives in a seemingly ideal world. There is no war or pain, and there are no choices. Every person is assigned a role in the community. When Jonas turns 12, he is chosen to receive special training from The Giver himself -- a man who alone holds the key to the true pain and pleasure of life: memories. Now it is time for Jonas to receive the truth. What will Jonas do once he experiences the power of deep emotions? This gripping and provocative Newbery Award-winning novel keeps readers turning the pages and exploring the special qualities that make us each human.

by J. K. Rowling
Orphaned as a baby, Harry Potter has spent 11 awful years living with his mean aunt, uncle, and cousin. But everything changes for Harry when an owl delivers a mysterious letter inviting him to attend a school for wizards. At this special school, Harry finds friends, fun, and magic in everything from classes to meals, as well as a great destiny that's been waiting for him...if Harry can survive the encounter. Fans of C. S. Lewis and Roald Dahl will love this enchanting, funny book! Also recommended:

by Margaret Craven
Amid the grandeur of the remote Pacific Northwest stands Kingcome, a village so ancient that, according to Kwakiutl myth, it was founded by the two brothers left on earth after the great flood. The Native Americans who still live there call it Quee, a place of such incredible natural richness that hunting and fishing remain primary food sources. But the old culture of totems and potlatch is being replaces by a new culture of prefab housing and alcoholism. Kingcome's younger generation is disenchanted and alienated from its heritage. And now, coming upriver is a young vicar, Mark Brian, who has two years to live. Sent to this Indian parish in British Columbia, Mark embarks on a journey of discovery that can teach him -- and us -- about life, death, and the transforming power of love.

by Gary Paulsen
Every morning 15-year-old Wil Neuton gets up, brushes his teeth, leaves the house, and rows away from shore. He's discovered the island, a place where he can go to be alone and learn to know nature -- and himself. On the island he watches the loons and the fish in the lake, and he writes and paints. It feels good to get away from the tension rising between his parents -- tension brought on by yet another move to a new town. But Wil can't stay away from the outside world forever. He must face Ray Bunner, the bully determined to challenge him, and his parents, who worry when Wil decides to stay on the island indefinitely. Can Wil bridge the growing gap between himself and the rest of the world?

by Jerry Spinelli
When Jeffrey Lionel Magee wanders into Two Mills, Pennsylvania, a legend is in the making. Before too long, stories begin to circulate about how fast and how far he can run and about feats so incredible they earn him the nickname "Maniac."

by Karen Cushman
In medieval England, a nameless, homeless girl is taken in by a sharp-tempered midwife and in spite of obstacles and hardship, eventually gains the three things she wants most: a full belly, a contented heart, and a place in this world.

by Lois Lowry
Ten-year-old Annemarie Johansen and her best friend Ellen Rosen often think about life before the war. But it's now 1943, and their life in Copenhagen is filled with school, food shortages, and the Nazi soldiers marching in their town. When the Nazis begin "relocating" the Jews of Denmark, Ellen moves in with the Johansens and pretends to be part of the family. And as Annemarie helps shelter her Jewish friend from the Nazis and embarks on a dangerous mission, she learns how to be brave and courageous -- to save her best friend's life.

by Norton Juster, Jules Feiffer (illus.)
This ingenious fantasy centers around Milo, a bored ten-year old who comes home to find a large toy tollbooth sitting in his room. Joining forces with a watchdog named Tock, Milo drives through the tollbooth's gates and begins a memorable journey. He meets such characters as the foolish yet lovable Humbug, the Mathemagician, and the not-so-wicked "Which," Faintly Macabre, who gives Milo the "impossible" mission of returning two princesses to the Kingdom of Wisdom. Along his journey, Milo learns the importance of words and numbers -- and learns to appreciate life.

by Gary Paulsen
In this exciting sequel to 15-year-old Brian Robeson, who survived alone in the wilderness for 54 days, returns to the wilderness at the request of a government survival school. This time, however, he won't be alone: Derek Holtzer, a government psychologist, will accompany him to observe and take notes. But during a freak storm, Derek is hit by lightning and falls into a coma. Afraid that Derek will die of dehydration unless he can get him to a doctor, Brian's only hope is to build a raft and try to transport Derek a hundred miles down the river to a trading post.

by Bette Greene
The summer that Patty Bergen turns 12 is a summer that will haunt her forever. When her small hometown in Arkansas becomes the site of a camp housing German prisoners during World War II, Patty learns what it means to open her heart. Even though she's Jewish, she begins to see a prison escapee, Anton, not as a Nazi, but as a lonely, frightened young man with feelings not unlike her own. In Anton, Patty finds someone who softens the pain of her own father's rejection and who appreciates her in a way her mother never will. While patriotic feelings run high, Patty risks losing family, friends -- even her freedom -- for this dangerous friendship. It is a risk she has to take and one she will have to pay a price to keep.

by Wilson Rawls
A young boy living in the Ozarks achieves his heart's desire when he becomes the owner of two redbone hounds and teaches them to be champion hunters. Together, the three of them experience danger, adventure, love, and sorrow.

by Bill Brittain, Andrew Glass (illus.)
The people of Coven Tree are no strangers to magic. In fact, the town's very name comes from a gnarled old tree where covens of witches used to gather. Even now, imps and fiends continue to appear, frightening the townfolk with their devilish pranks. Usually these creatures are easy to spot. They have a particular smell, sound, or way of moving that betrays their dark nature. But Thaddeus Blinn showed none of these signs when he came to Coven Tree. He was just a funny little man who drifted into town with a strange tale about being able to give people whatever they wished -- for only 50 cents. There was nothing scary about him. At least, not until the wishing began....

by Kevin Henkes
While exploring the countryside outside of his home, 10-year-old Blaze Werla spots a devastating message on the side of a hill. Ultimately, Blaze's summer takes a turn toward mystery and adventure when he meets the boisterous and irresistible Joselle.

by Jerry Spinelli
As Palmer comes of age, he must either accept the violence of being a wringer at his town's annual Pigeon Day or find the courage to oppose it.

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2024 MIDDLE SCHOOL SUMMER READING LISTS AND ACTIVITIES

**Summer Reading is required.**

Summer Reading Letter and Book Report PDF

for Incoming Middle School   (6th-8th)

Extra Reading Log Sheets

Incoming 6 th Grade

Required Reading Instructions :

Read 3   Books from either Reading List:

https://www.goodreads.com/shelf/show/6th-grade-reading-list

OR https://www.goodreads.com/list/show/1606.Top_100_Middle_School_Must_Reads

A boo k report must be completed for each book read. 

Graphic novels do not count. 

Book reports are due to the English teacher on the first day of school.

Incoming 7 th Grade

Required Reading Instructi ons :

Read  3   Books from either Reading Lists:

https://www.goodreads.com/shelf/show/7th-grade-reading-list

A book report ​ must be completed for each book read. 

Incoming 8 th Grade

Required Readi ng Instructions :

https://www.goodreads.com/shelf/show/8th-grade-reading-list

https://www.goodreads.com/list/show/1606.Top_100_Middle_School_Must_Reads

A book repo rt ​ must be completed for each book read.

Happy Summer Reading! 

Knowledge Center

How to make summer reading effective, report/publication.

Research in Brief  – With the prevalence of television, computers and other electronic distractions, how can parents, educators and librarians encourage kids to immerse their minds and imaginations in books over the summer months?

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My Summer Reading Report

Name: Anthony González

The book I chose to read this summer is . . .

“The Grimoire of the Coven of the Newe England,” and it is an undiscovered gem of American literature. For real undiscovered, because I found this book buried deep in the ground after my dog, Alfie, dug up the back yard at this Airbnb in Massachusetts where me, my mom, and her boyfriend, Judd, were staying this past summer.

The author of this book is . . .

Ms. Perkins, I tried looking but I couldn’t find any author. All it said on the first page was “BEWARE ye who read these pages for ye will learn the ways of Hell and in so doing renounce the God of Men.” So I guess Anonymous? Or Shakespeare.

The genre of the book is . . .

I think the genre of “The Grimoire of the Coven of the Newe England” is grimoire, or spell book. That’s my guess, because the word is in the title, and also because the whole thing is, like, fifty pages of spells with pictures of some ladies dancing naked around a fire with a demon that has a giant p*nis. I know I’m too old for picture books but I was in a bind, Ms. P! There were no other books in the house, and Mom and Judd said that maybe we could go into town to see if they had a bookstore there, but when we went the only bookstore they had there was a gas station that sold maps, books about talking to angels, and also truck nutz.

The main character in the book is . . .

I think the main character in the book is you ? Like, the person reading it? Because the book is just a manual, there are no characters—unless you count the people in the illustrations. In that case, the main character is probably the p*nis demon. He’s in a lot of them.

What I liked most about the book is . . .

The illustrations. Not only do they help you understand what the spells do but they also show you some stuff I definitely can’t write about in a book report for school!

The most challenging thing about this book is . . .

The old-timey language, like the “ye”s and the “thou”s and the “give thine soule to the Prince of Darkness”es. I tried to Google “when was the grimoire of the coven of the newe england written?” but when I did a green light came out of the book and blasted my phone out of my hands and across the room. It bounced off the wall and hit Alfie in the face, killing him on the spot.

What I disliked most about the book is . . .

When the book killed my dog.

This book made me feel . . .

This book taught me . . .

A lot! Mostly the chapter called “To Re-turne a Loved One to This Realme.” I used that spell to bring back Alfie! So I learned that the world of the living and the world of the dead are closer than we thought. Plus, I recited the incantation in Latin—even though I didn’t know I could speak it! So I guess this book also taught me a third language.

The theme of this book is . . .

I would have to say rebirth, because it brought my dog back to life. Once I was done with the incantation, a storm hit our back yard and the ground opened up. A chorus of voices was chanting from below, “To bring one back, we must take one in return.” The voices were so loud that Judd came downstairs and asked what the h*ll was going on. Tough for him because the voices replied, “He will do nicely.” Then a figure appeared from the depths of the earth. It was p*nis demon! He grabbed Judd and ate him in one big gulp. This sucked because Judd was nice. Then p*nis demon turned to me and said, “It is done,” and Alfie woke up!

If I could ask the author one question, it would be . . .

Who are you? My teacher really wants me to know. Also, am I banned from Heaven now? Because, after p*nis demon took Judd, the skies cleared and p*nis demon went back below and the ground closed shut. A bright light came down from the sky and made it look like it was day. Then a figure descended. There are no words to describe what it looked like—and, trust me, I tried using all my vocab words—but I knew it was an angel. The angel grabbed the grimoire and gave me a real judgmental look as it said something in its language that I couldn’t understand. But it pointed to Heaven and made it clear that I was not welcome there. Of course, I was kicking myself for not buying that book on talking to angels, because then I could explain that I was only reading the grimoire for school! So I guess the biggest lesson I learned was that not only should you not judge a book by its cover but also you should not judge a gas-station bookstore by its truck nutz.

I would recommend this book to . . .

This book ruined my summer, my life, and I guess I can’t go to Heaven anymore, so I wouldn’t really recommend this book, but, if you wanna see illustrations of some old ladies with big boobies, you can’t miss it.

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Lake Castle Madisonville Private School

"excellence in education", pre-kindergarten through 8th grade, barry m. butera, principal,        summer reading list 2024.

Lower Elementary Rea ding List

      Book Report Forms

                 K indergarten

                 1st-2nd Grades

                3rd Grade

                Parent Verification Forms

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      4th Grade

      5th Grade

      6th Grade

      7th Grade 

      8th Grade

*Required reading study guide on Sycamore, if applicable.

Teachers’ Favorite Reads This Summer

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Teachers push their students to read over the summer, and for good reason. Regularly reading in summer months when school’s not in session has been tied to all sorts of positive results , from preventing a loss of literacy skills to improving reading proficiency to building a lifelong affinity for pleasure reading.

But summer reading isn’t just for students.

Without the daily demands of the classroom and the work that so many teachers take home to do in the evenings and weekends throughout the school year, summer presents perhaps the best opportunity to squeeze in reading—other than poring over curricula objectives and student essays, that is.

So, what’s on teachers’ reading list this summer?

Education Week posed the question to teachers in an unscientific online poll earlier this month. The robust level of responses assured us that teachers do, in fact, practice what they preach—at least with regards to summer reading.

Based on our sample, it appears that teachers choose to read a bit of everything: fantasy, historical accounts, educational pedagogy, science fiction, classics, how-to, inspirational, escapist, and pretty much every other genre out there.

The following selection of books, culled from teachers’ summer reading lists, provides a window into the active, curious minds of educators. Responses were edited for length and clarity.

Selections that show some teachers’ minds never stray far from their job

I’m reading a lot of the books in my classroom library in order to place them on a new rubric our district just introduced. i’ve read kira salak’s “the cruelest journey: 600 miles to timbuktu,” caroline van hemert’s “the sun is a compass: 6,000 miles into the alaskan wilds,” natalie babbitt’s “tuck everlasting,” and victoria aveyard’s “red queen.”, i’m still working on erin morgenstern’s “the night circus,” stephen king’s “insomnia,” amy tan’s “saving fish from drowning,” and a few other titles that i need to become more familiar with for student benefit..

— Tonya C .

I’m reading topics involving differentiating in the modern classroom as well as effective literacy instruction, to name a few.

— Indiana R.

“Unreasonable Hospitality” by Will Guidara, “The Anxious Generation” by Jonathan Haidt, and “Bad Therapy” by Abigail Shrier.

— Jennifer B.

Book lists that suggest a voracious appetite for learning

Service manual for daddy’s last car, étude study and intonation practice intervals for double bass, stephen hawkings’ ”universe” and arthur c. clarke’s “3001: the final odyssey.”.

— Joseph T .

Just finished “Co-Intelligence: Living and Working with AI” by Ethan Mollick; finally read “Atomic Habits: Tiny Changes, Remarkable Results” by James Clear; and, just for fun: “The Paris Novel,” by Ruth Reichl, which was delightful!

The cesar chavez autobiography, “it” by stephen king, “the radical and the republican: frederick douglass, abraham lincoln, and the triumph of antislavery politics” by james oakes, “raising critical thinkers” by julie bogart, “say nothing: a true story of murder and memory in northern ireland” by patrick radden keefe..

— Christopher V.

“The Power of Moments: Why Certain Experiences Have Extraordinary Impact” by Chip Heath and Dan Heath.

— Pamela L.

Without reading too much into it, this respondent’s last selection leaves us pondering his intentions:

“This Side of Paradise,” by F. Scott Fitzgerald, and “How to Retire Earlier,” by Robert Charlton.

— Christopher L.

Read all the responses to the original LinkedIn post here . And check out Education Week’s own recommendations for additional summer reads and podcasts:

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Simmering over summer books

Brittany Luse

Jessica Placzek

Corey Antonio Rose

We're at the peak of summer, which means sunny days on the grass with a good book! Bestselling authors Tia Williams and Jean Chen Ho join host Brittany Luse to give their recommendations for great summer reads. They also offer some armchair theories on why we love a gossipy summer novel. Books mentioned in this episode: The Guest by Emma Klein Meet Me Tonight in Atlantic City by Jane Wong Hip-Hop Is History by Questlove with Ben Greenman Devil is Fine by John Vercher Good Material by Dolly Alderton Piranesi by Susanna Clarke Fiona and Jane by Jean Chen Ho A Love Song for Ricki Wilde by Tia Williams Want to be featured on IBAM? Record a voice memo responding to Brittany's question at the end of the episode and send it to [email protected].

This episode was produced by Corey Antonio Rose. It was edited by Jessica Placzek. Engineering support came from Tiffany Vera Castro. Our executive producer is Veralyn Williams. Our VP of programming is Yolanda Sangweni.

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4 Tips to Make Reading Your Child's Go-To Summer Activity

Enjoy hours of family quiet time by helping your child get captivated by a good read..

As you look ahead to the long days of summer break, keep in mind that reading is the best activity for your child to stay connected to learning! Reading will not only help your growing reader get lost in stories about new worlds, but it'll also give them something to look forward to during hours of peaceful quiet time. 

Most kids are well aware that summer reading provides enjoyment and benefits their literacy far beyond the summer months, according to the Scholastic Kids & Family Reading Report . In fact, 61 percent of kids enjoy summer reading, and most want picture books, chapter books, and graphic novels. In addition, 52 percent of kids also say they enjoy going to community events that involve reading.

Here are four tips and strategies Scholastic senior library manager Deimosa Webber-Bey recommends to help your kids read all summer. 

1.  Pack Up the Home 'Classroom'

If your child has been practicing their skills or doing their homework in a specific area, you may have recreated the school environment at home by designating a certain spot for homework (perhaps with items like pencil sharpeners and notepads). But for summer reading, you don’t need all of those supplies. Instead, emphasize just how enjoyable reading for fun can be. 

“Maybe now you want to symbolically turn that 'classroom' space into a cozy reading corner or a book fort,” says Webber-Bey. Partner up with your child to create a summer reading space that feels relaxed, cheerful, and perfectly cozy — even if it’s one small corner of the kitchen or a window sill they love sitting at. 

2. Connect With Other Readers (Even If It’s Virtually)

Team up with other parents to build a strong, supportive summer reading network, says Webber-Bey. You might discover a fun and creative way to keep your kids reading during this time, whether it’s through a virtual book club, a book pen pal (your child can write letters or emails about what they’re reading), or something as simple as a video call with a classmate to discuss a book they’re both devouring.

This opens doors for children to connect over their shared love of reading, which will make diving into new books all the more exciting for them. 

3. Share Your Love of Reading Together 

It's also a great idea to join in on the summer reading alongside your child, says Webber-Bey. Whether you’re reading the same books or grown-up titles tailored to your own interests, reading alongside your child will underscore the value of reading.

“Show your child that reading can be a relaxing way to reset,” says Webber-Bey. 

Sharing your love of reading is a great way to bond with your child and create wonderful new summer memories and traditions.

4. Celebrate the Positive

One of the most important things you can do this summer and beyond is to compliment and celebrate all of your child’s reading achievements. “When you catch your kid in a positive reading moment, compliment them and affirm what they’re doing,” says Webber-Bey. “That’s reinforcing good behavior.”

Keep your child reading over the summer with expert tips and book recommendations with our  summer reading guide  — plus, discover  how to help kids read constantly . And don't forget to check out our summer reading challenge , which is a great way to motivate kids to keep reading throughout the break.

Shop popular titles for summer reading below now! You can find all books and activities at The Scholastic Store . Deimosa Webber-Bey, MSLIS, MSEd, is the Senior Librarian, Manager at Scholastic Inc., where she leads a team of librarians that are responsible for the corporate archive and that answer reference and readers’ advisory questions for employees.

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Lake Castle Private School New Orleans

Summer reading program.

Current summer reading list is now available.  We have added several new novels for the enjoyment of students to read this summer!

Required Summer Reading Lists for all grades

All students must read at least three (3) books designated by grade levels.  There is one mandatory book to be read by all students and two optional books.  A written book report must be completed for all three books and should be submitted upon returning to school in August.    Grade-appropriate book report forms are available on the entering grade link below.

Novels Read During the Year  for all grades

2nd – 5th Grade Book Report

6th – 8th Grade Book Report

Privacy Overview

Living on Life's Labyrinth

Spirituality in the wisdom years, book report: summer reading in the garden.

June 13, 2024

Summer reading deserves lovely summer settings, and on perfect summer days, this is where I like to read–our own patio and garden. Now I hasten to add, I have done nothing to make this space so perfect. All credit goes to my husband the genius and hardworking gardener. We have lived in this house for ten years, and he has created a private paradise.

My self-proclaimed job in the garden is to read so I can recommend books to you. Here’s three to put on your TBR list.

• Long Island by Colm Toibin (2024), 294 pages. If you have read Brooklyn (2009), you will already be familiar with the main character, Eilis Lacey, an Irish immigrant. The plot of this book begins when a stranger shows up on her doorstep to inform her that his wife is pregnant by Eilis’s Italian-American husband Tony, and the minute that baby is born, he plans to leave it on her doorstep. She wants nothing to do with this baby, but doesn’t confront Tony with his infidelity. Her mother-in-law, who, trust me, is a piece of work, has a plan. Eilis comes up with her own plan: go to Ireland to visit her mother who is turning 80–and, again, trust me, she is another piece of work. Eilis reconnects with a man from her younger years who has never married, but he’s secretly engaged to Nancy. These are complicated characters, each one of them, richly drawn, even if they are at times frustrating. The ending makes me wonder if this book will be #2 of a trilogy. An excellent summer read.
• The Cemetery of Untold Stories by Julia Alvarez (2024), 237 pages. This book did not disappoint. Alma Cruz is a writer, a successful writer, born in the Dominican Republic and one of several sisters, who frankly, I couldn’t keep straight. It doesn’t matter. When their father dies, Alma inherits a piece of land in the Dominican Republic, and she decides that is where she wants to bury her untold/unfinished stories. She commissions an artist to make the monuments and hires a groundskeeper, Filomena. Of course, the stories are not content to be buried, and the characters in the stories talk to each other and to Filomena and to us, the readers. In many ways the stories and characters are connected and related and that is part of the fun, the intrigue, and the richness in this book by a masterful storyteller. I love that Alvarez quotes this piece of scripture from the Gospel of Thomas, “If you bring forth what is inside you, what is inside you will save you. If you do not bring forth what is inside you, what is inside you will destroy you.”
• Family Family by Laurie Frankel (2024), 380 pages . India is pregnant the last year of high school and decides to have the baby placed for adoption. She always insists on the word “place,” rather than “give up.” She goes on to attend a prestigious acting school, her dream, and has great success. But guess what? She gets pregnant again in her senior year and places that baby up for adoption. She becomes a famous actress on Broadway, but also in Hollywood where the work is more regular and allows her to maintain a more stable life with her two children –not the two children who were adopted as babies. After she makes a movie with adoption as a theme, she expresses what turns out to be controversial ideas about adoption–that it isn’t always a trauma for the birth mother or the children or the adoptive parents–and she becomes a social media target. The result? I’m not telling. I especially appreciated the author’s skill with dialogue. Each character has his/her own voice. My daughter listened to this book and thoroughly enjoyed it too. One favorite quote:

What I’m Reading Now

I am almost done with Lucky by Jane Smiley and like it very much. Stay tuned for a review. This book is the last of the books I had on my library hold list, and I’m forcing myself not to reserve others. Instead, I plan to read books on my personal hold list, including the newest (and last) Maisie Dobbs book by Jacqueline Winspear, The Comfort of Ghosts; Forgotten on Sunday by Valerie Perrin ; The Hazelbourne Ladies Motorcycle and Flying Club by Helen Simonson; and two more books in the Lane Winslow mystery series by Iona Whishaw .

This doesn’t mean I haven’t been adding to my TBR list, however. Here are a few of those titles:

• The Ministry of Time by Kaliane Bradley
• Housemates by Emma Copley Eisenberg
• Real Americans by Rachel Khong
• Sandwich by Catherine Newman
• You Are Here by David Nichols
• This Strange Eventful History by Claire Messud
• Sipsworth by Simon Van Booy
• All the Colors of the Dark by Chris Whittaker
• How to Read a Book by Monica Wood
• Safekeep by Yale var der Wouden
• This Is Where I Leave You by Jonathan Tropper

And even some nonfiction:

• Life After Doom, Wisdom and Courage for a World Falling Apart by Brian McLaren
• Shopkeeping: Stories, Advice and Observations by Peter Miller
• Any Person is the Only Self (essays) by Elisa Gabbert
• The Editor: How Publishing Legend Judith Jones Shaped Culture in America by Sara B. Franklin.

An Invitation

Where do you most enjoy reading in the summer? I would love to know.

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7 thoughts on “ book report: summer reading in the garden ”.

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Nancy, I have just given Long Island as “my turn” recommendation to my Book Club. I enjoyed reading your comments. I made sure that everyone in my club had to read Brooklyn or at least see the Netflix movie, or this sequel would not have the depth that it does. Joan

I’ll be eager to hear your book group’s reaction. I’m still thinking about the book.

Your summer TBR list looks splendid. So many good titles to savor now … and look forward to in the days ahead.

So far, so good. Very good, in fact!

Thanks for the suggestions! I’m partway through Same As It Ever Was by Claire Lombardo and really liking it. It’s a long book…about 512 pages.

I am so eager to read that book.

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‘Summer slide’: Why it’s important kids keep reading when school is out

Research has shown for decades that children lose reading skills during the summer. research also shows there's ways to try and combat that..

News News | Jul 20, 2024

Kit Geary   

[email protected]

In 1996, a team of researchers, professors and graduate students out of the University of Missouri-Columbia conducted a study that changed the nation’s views on summer reading.

The team’s study proved that children lose reading skills over summer break. It showed that while the students are able to build the skills up during the school year, the cycle remains each summer, ultimately stunting reading comprehension skills to where they could or should be. 

The phenomenon was later coined as the “summer slide,” and researchers have kept a tab on the trend ever since. A 2020 study showed children in 3rd to 5th grades lost around 20% of the reading skills they gained the previous school year. Experts say that students in 3rd to 8th grade are more vulnerable to falling into the summer slide. 

Summit County library director Stephanie Ralph said research on the importance of summer reading is ample, and parents leading by example can make a difference. 

“For kids who live in homes where there are books available … being around parents who they see reading rather than just on their phones and devices, that’s very impactful,” Ralph said. 

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Assistant director Sarah Hulsey said more and more experts are encouraging parents to get started on building their children’s reading comprehension skills as soon as possible, pointing to the 1000 Books Before Kindergarten initiative, which is a program the library encourages young families to participate in. 

According to the organization’s website, the premise of 1000 Books Before Kindergarten is that parents are children’s first education providers during the critical years of 0-5, and reading to them can help establish literacy skills early on. 

Ralph said the Summit County libraries didn’t want to stop at that initiative and added its own, encouraging students to read 100 books, outside of school, before high school graduation.

“What we see is that those kids get so focused on schoolwork that they forget about the enriching aspects of reading as well,” Ralph said.  

Summit County libraries participate in the state’s summer reading program each year in which the Colorado State Library chooses a theme and libraries across the state compile a series of books for various ages that match the theme.

Ralph said the Summit Libraries don’t just stop at compiling lists of books, they seek to make the program as enriching as possible.

“For us, it’s an opportunity to bring in performers and get the community together,” Ralph said. 

She said the libraries look to provide incentives to reading and donations from the community. Hulsey said Theater SilCo offers their summer camp as a prize and the Art Stop Makerspace in Silverthorne donates activities among others. 

Ralph said this year the libraries even expanded what they do to encourage adults to read during the summer. 

The Summit County Libraries use a platform called Beanstack where anyone can keep tabs on their summer reading progress, not just kids. To learn more about Beanstack, visit SummitCountyLibraries.beanstack.org . To learn more about what’s on the libraries’ summer reading lists, visit Tinyurl.com/56d7zhr2.

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Skillsoft Labs

Readable Solutions Highlights for July 2024

“one benefit of summer was that each day we had more light to read by.”     , happy july.

Summer is in full swing, and with it comes the opportunity to slow down, relax, and enjoy the longer days and warmer weather. For many of us, summer is the perfect time to catch up on some much-needed reading. Whether you're lounging by the pool, soaking up the sun on the beach, or simply enjoying a lazy weekend at home, there's nothing quite like getting lost in a good book.

But why should reading be limited to just leisure time? As a busy professional, summer reading can be a valuable tool for personal and professional development. Here are just a few reasons why summer reading should be on your to-do list:

• It expands your knowledge: Reading is one of the best ways to learn new things and gain new perspectives. Whether you're reading about a new industry or brushing up on a skill, there's always something new to discover in the pages of a book.
• It improves your focus: With so many distractions in our daily lives, it can be difficult to focus on a single task for an extended period of time. Reading requires concentration and focus, which can help improve your ability to stay on task and be productive.
• It enhances your creativity: Reading can inspire creativity and spark new ideas. By exposing yourself to different writing styles and genres, you can expand your own creative thinking and approach to problem-solving.
• It reduces stress: Reading is a great way to unwind and escape the stress of daily life. It can help you relax and recharge, so you're ready to tackle whatever challenges come your way.

No matter what you choose to read this summer, make sure to find time for it in your busy schedule. Whether it's during your morning commute, on your lunch break, or before bed, setting aside time for reading can make a big difference in your personal and professional life. So grab a book, find a shady spot, and start reading your way to success! This newsletter features new releases and a roadmap for the next three months. It includes information about our monthly book club selections and bookshelves, occasional publisher updates, and other book-related news. As you browse through this month's new releases, I invite you to keep finding new ways to incorporate our Readable Solutions into your learning path.

WHAT’S NEW?

We add new content daily and remain committed to offering best-in-class content from our valued publisher partners. Check out some of these recently released books, MIT SMR articles, audiobooks, book summaries, and audio summaries, and add them to your reading list today!

OFF THE SHELF book club

In today's fast-paced business environment, curiosity and lifelong learning are crucial for staying ahead of the competition. This month, OFF THE SHELF is featuring a bookshelf to encourage lifelong learning and skill development to improve your job performance, boost your career prospects, and increase your overall job satisfaction.  

Positive thinking is a powerful tool that can help individuals and organizations achieve success. It involves focusing on the possibilities and opportunities rather than dwelling on problems and limitations. This month, OFF THE SHELF is featuring a bookshelf to help shift your mindset to a positive one.

The AI Dilemma: 7 Principles for Responsible Technology by Juliette Powell and Art Kleiner | Berrett-Koehler Publishers, © 2023

AI holds incredible promise to improve virtually every aspect of our lives, but we can't ignore its risks, mishaps and misuses. Juliette Powell and Art Kleiner offer seven principles for ensuring that machine learning supports human flourishing. They draw on Powell's research at Columbia University and use a wealth of real-world examples. Incorporating the perspectives of engineers, businesspeople, government officials, and social activists, The AI Dilemma will help us realize the unprecedented benefits and opportunities AI systems can provide.

The AI Dilemma is available on Percipio as a digital book, an audiobook, and a book summary.

Check back next month to see more news about Skillsoft's Readable Solutions

Happy reading.