Summer Reading

Hello all!

I am here today to talk about the topic of summer reading books, you know, the books your school requires you to read during the summer to varying levels of severity. I know some schools will assign a specific book and have an essay or a test on the first day/week, while others forgo it completely. For starters, as a book lover, the summer reading assignment has and probably will never be one that I dread. At my current high school, I find myself in a quite lucky situation.

My high school requires that you sign up to read two books from a list submitted by the students. WHAT?! You actually get to pick what you want to read from an amazing selection??? I absolutely love this idea and I think it is a brilliant way to encourage reading right off the bat. The list is compiled by the Student Discussion Leaders, mostly rising seniors and a few juniors. Because of this, the selection is diverse and fun; something there for literally any type of person. As well, it has a few of the classics, but this system gives a unique experience to the students, one that can't be copied from year to year. It is because of this that over 75% of the students actually read the books they pick.

Also, the entire program is based on an honor system. There are no tests, or presentations, or essays that have to be written. Instead, you join in on a discussion led by one of your peers and don't have the pressure of receiving a grade. I think this entire idea promotes reading and breaks the 'uncool' stereotype surrounding summer reading much more than being forced to read the same book as every other student in my grade or the entire school. It is because of this system that I am super excited to read my summer reading books.

In the past years, I have participated in joining in on two different book discussions, but this year, I gained the opportunity to become a student discussion leader myself! Receiving the email confirming this was a dream come true for me. I carefully chose a book I think is intriguing, interesting, and something a large portion of my high school's population would actually read. Over the summer, in addition to reading the book, I am preparing discussion questions and activities to do with my two groups when we meet in the fall. I am pretty much over the moon about the entire thing.

Which leads me to the point of this post, what are all of you reading this summer? Whether it is required by school or something you've chosen on your own, I want to know! And, if any of you would like to read the book I have chosen to lead a discussion about, Velvet Undercover by Teri Brown, I would love that!

Happy reading!