Summer Reading Suggestions
Intro Copy
School vacation is here, and it’s time to crack open that first great book of the summer (or the digital equivalent of cracking open a book). There is no shortage of book recommendations for students of all ages, and these summer reading lists vary wildly. Almost every state or school district has its own summer reading program, complete with suggestions for each grade level. While many summer reading programs are targeted toward very young readers, there are plenty of lists available for the young adult reader as well. For example, the Louisville Free Public Library offers the Teens-Only Hot Reads list for 6th through 12th graders. It also provides a Teen Blog for young adult readers. The Young Adult Library Services Association (YALSA) provides a 2018 Teens' Top Ten list, and the International Literacy Association offers its own Young Adults' Choices 2018 Reading List. The Library of Congress encourages young adults to read via its Teens Read page, which offers a Classics Books Online section where kids can read great classic books for free. Targeting kids in grades 6-8, the American Library Association (ALA) publishes its own Summer Reading List. Brightly, an award-winning resource started by parents and educators, launched in partnership with Penguin Random House, provides The Ultimate YA Summer Reading List - 2018 Edition. One YA book that keeps showing up on the various lists is Children of Blood and Bone by Nigerian-American author Tomi Adeyemi. It is the debut novel in her West African-inspired fantasy trilogy about a girl who wants to restore magic to her land. Some kids love to read. Be it a hardcover or digital download, those students are rarely found without a book handy. But there are just as many kids, or more, who almost never read. If anyone knows, ELA teachers and librarians know how difficult it can be to get certain students to read during the school year, let alone during the summer months. Studies have identified what is called the “Summer Slide,” which is a drastic loss in reading skills during the summer months when kids do not have access to books. In Kentucky, Lt. Governor Jenean Hampton has teamed with public libraries to form the Bluegrass Book Buddies program to promote reading for children and citizens of every age. The program revolves around picking a buddy, picking a book, then posting a blurb on Twitter about your book. Before, or even during, your summer break, make sure to access the many literature-related resources available in eLibrary that will help you choose and enjoy that perfect summertime read. Here are just a few of the Research Topics pages and eLibrary articles available regarding literature in general and 2018 summer reading suggestions: Research Topics Articles American Literature Classic Suggestions for Kids' Summer Reading Reading Literature Have Some Fun Relaxing in the Sun The Novel Jump-Start Summer Graphic Novels Summer Reading Preview Comic Books Teen Thrillers on the Rise Young Adult Literature Let Children Choose What They Want to Read