It’s time for a well-deserved summer break, and summer provides an excellent opportunity for students and families to enjoy great books together! Rising 7th and 8th grade students are tasked with reading TWO books of their choice for summer reading.
The goal of the summer reading program is to foster a love of reading, so students are encouraged to choose books that truly interest them and suit their independent reading ability. If your child is struggling with a book, please have them try another text that more comfortably fits their reading level. The Rhode Island Teen Book Award Nominees List offers engaging and diverse choices, and your local library will also have some excellent recommendations.
All the books on the suggested reading list are Young Adult (YA) fiction, which is generally recognized as fiction written for readers aged 13-18. Often written in the first person, common themes in YA literature are: friendship, first loves, family, relationships, and identity. At times, these books address difficult or controversial topics that are of particular interest to teens. Though classified as YA, many adults enjoy this genre as well; as such, I encourage you to read and discuss the books your child chooses to explore this summer. Common Sense Media is an excellent website that offers tools, such as parent guides and discussion questions, to help you talk about these books with your child.
Although it is not required, I recommend that students use strategies to help them to engage in the text as they read. Some strategies include keeping a reading journal or annotating the book with questions, ideas, or personal responses. Students may also benefit from reading the same title as a friend or family member and engaging in ongoing discussions about the book. These are just some helpful approaches for remembering main ideas upon our return in September. If you have any questions, I will periodically check my email throughout the summer.
Best wishes for an enjoyable summer!
Courtney Huth
chuth@smcds.org
There is an atmosphere at St. Michael’s of high expectation – teachers who speak passionately about their role in educating the next generation of student leadership in the community and in the world; trustees who view St. Michael’s as the finest school in Newport and who aspire to build the finest school in the country; parents who make sacrifices and commitments to help create a dynamic, inspiring community for their children; students who sense the importance of these years in determining their character and future success.
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