I have really mixed feelings about summer readings. You're not going to agree with some of them. That's fine. These are just my own personal opinions from my own experiences. Yours may differ.
First, I don't think regular students should be required to do summer reading. If you're trying to turn these kids onto reading, this is not how to do it. Students who sign up for accelerated/honors classes are making a commitment and are going to be moving at a much faster pace. It makes sense for them to get some reading done so they can jump right into analysis at the beginning of the year.
Second, I think more than two books for accelerated/honors summer reading is too much.
Third, I don't think summer reading requirements should begin for accelerated/honors students before 8th or 9th grade.
Fourth, I don't think requiring ridiculous amounts of work to go along with books is necessary. Small activities that help students understand what you want them to is better. No big projects please. We do want students to have time to actually enjoy their summer. Other honors/accelerated classes may also require summer work, and your students will probably be in additional honors/accelerated classes, so be kind and reasonable.
Fifth, I like the idea of testing students on reading comprehension the first week of school. It holds them accountable more than any project they may do.
Sixth, I think summer reading books should be short if possible, very readable, and interesting. (Not interesting to you, teacher. Interesting to the students.) If books are long, boring, or too difficult, students are just going to read online summaries or watch movies. REAL TALK.
Finally, I think teachers should actually teach units on the summer reading books. Otherwise, students tend to perceive it as a waste of time. And rightly so, IMHO. I've known teachers to assign incredibly difficult books for summer reading and never mention them once school starts and summer assignments are turned it. WTH???
So with all that controversial stuff said (lol), here is a list of summer reading suggestions I have had good success with.
ACCELERATED HONORS BOOKS
The Old Man and the Sea by Ernest Hemingway
Of Mice and Men by John Steinbeck
The Hobbit by JRR Tolkien
Ender's Game by Orson Scott Card
The House on Mango Street by Sandra Cisneros
The Absolutely True Diary of a Part-Time Indian by Sherman Alexie
The Secret Life of Bees by Sue Monk Kid
My Dog Skip by Willie Morris
Heroes, Gods, and Monsters of the Greek Myths by Bernard Evslin
Tuesdays With Morrie by Mitch Albom
The Road by Cormac McCarthy
The Bluest Eye by Toni Morrison
Cat's Cradle by Kurt Vonnegut
1984 by George Orwell
The Great Gatsby by F. Scott Fitzgerald
The Adventures of Tom Sawyer by Mark Twain
The Princess Bride by William Goldman
The Alchemist Paulo Coelho
The Call of the Wild by Jack London
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