Summertime is the bastion of relaxation and ease in a child’s life. No school, fun in the sun and endless free time. It is not uncommon for a child to put away their books until school starts once again. However, this creates a risk for summertime learning loss and even potential academic setbacks when school is back in session. Encouraging your young one to pick up a book can require a creative approach, especially when reading time competes with social activities and technology. We suggest that you tag team your child’s summer reading list by reading to them or with them. For older children, feel free to read independently and discuss together later. You will find that the opportunities for engaging conversation on intriguing topics are virtually boundless and tech-free bonding is an added bonus! Below you will find summer reading suggestions for children of all ages. All of our selections have television or film adaptations to supplement the reading and are available for hardcopy or audiobook purchase online. Elementary School 1. Tuck Everlasting by Natalie Babbit: A young girl encounters an extraordinary immortal family who teaches her that there is more to life than simply living forever. 2. Diary of a Wimpy Kid by Jeff Kinney: This comedy novel explores the daily life of a self-proclaimed wimpy kid just trying to fit in. 3. The Adventures of Captain Underpants by Dav Pilkey: Two overly imaginative pranksters spend hours in a treehouse creating comic books about their hero, Captain Underpants, and are surprised to discover that he has become real. Middle School 4. Holes by Louis Sachar: An unlucky teenage boy named Stanley Yelnats is sent to Camp Green Lake, a juvenile corrections facility in a desert in Texas, after being falsely accused of theft. 5. Wonder by R.J. Palacio: A boy with Treacher Collins Syndrome, which has left his face disfigured, leaves homeschooling behind to experience a larger world after his parents enroll him into Beecher Middle School for the start of fifth grade. High School 6. Ready Player One by Ernest Cline: Avid gamer Wade Watts searches for an Easter egg in a worldwide virtual reality game, the discovery of which will lead him to inherit the game creator’s fortune. 7. Everything, Everything by Nicola Yoon: Madeline Whittier lives everyday stuck inside her LA home while being treated for severe combined immunodeficiency (SCID) until a new friend motivates her to come outside. 8. The Circle by Dave Eggers: A young woman begins a new job at top technology firm, The Circle, that has consequences for every aspect of her life.
Summer vacation is a magical time for children all across America. No schoolwork, no early mornings and no responsibility. Amid all the fun in the sun, however, summer break can also pose risks to your child’s education. According to The Brookings Institution for research, there are three major drawbacks of summer vacation with regard to a student’s education: “on average, students’ achievement scores declined over summer vacation by one month’s worth of school-year learning, declines were sharper for math than for reading, and the extent of loss was larger at higher grade levels.” Bearing this in mind, what is a parent to do in order to counteract the uglier aspects of this “summer slide” phenomenon? Summer Reading Programs One of the most effective methods for maximizing learning opportunities during the summer is to have your child participate in a summer reading program. Nearly all public libraries in the nation program summer reading into their calendars, and some even offer incentives and prizes for successful completion of the program. Similarly, bookstores like Barnes and Noble organize summer reading programs in tandem with their children’s books departments. Activities like story time sessions and interactive reading games help to bolster excitement around reading for younger children. Summer School There is a slight stigma regarding summer school that those who attend are lagging in their studies. On the contrary, summer school can be an opportunity to get ahead as well. Before the spring term ends, reach out to your child’s school counselors to get additional information regarding curriculum, cost and enrollment. Math Prep In addition to reading, math abilities are at a risk of taking a nosedive during your child’s summer months of recreation. Fortunately, there are many possibilities for practicing math in between trips to the pool, and not all of them need to be costly. Mathnasium offers summertime math programs online for all grade levels. Most local colleges and universities offer math camps and courses for a few weeks out of the summer as well. If you do a bit of digging, you are sure to find a practical math practice regimen that suits your student’s needs. No matter how you decide to tackle the “summer side,” we hope you and your child make the most of the break by boosting their academics. Good luck!
