Get pumped to work those reading muscles!
It's the 2024 Middle School Summer Reading List!
Doctors agree that working out – specifically, working up a sweat – is essential for both our mental health and overall wellbeing. When we sweat, we leave our worries behind for a moment. But is there another workout option that benefits our health but doesn't leave us sweaty?
The answer, of course, is reading! When we read the right book, we leave our worries behind and get lost in a story. But what is the right book? Choosing the right book for yourself is a lot like choosing the right workout for yourself. We can't stick with a workout routine (or story, for that matter) if it doesn't suit our level of fitness, or personality. For instance, pickleball might be heaven for one person, and punishment for another. The same might hold true for my favorite book on this list, Olivetti, about an old typewriter that breaks a major rule and begins to communicate with its owners.
Then again, one never knows what kind of workout will click until they give it a try. I learned this recently, when a coach at my gym convinced me that I could indeed do hard things. Not only that, I could pursue activities (weightlifting, running, rowing) that didn't seem very "me." With reading, the same element of surprise holds. It's all about showing up, putting in the time every day, and being patient to see what opportunities arise.
The Middle School Summer Reading List at Chapin serves as your guide to books we consider highlights of the last few years, plus some older and timeless titles that continue to trend with our Middle School's voracious readers. In each genre, you'll find titles organized by grade: recommendations for rising 4s and 5s, and then recommendations for rising 6s and 7s. The grade range suggestions are based on reviews from professional trade publications like School Library Journal and The Horn Book. As always, we encourage you to be mindful of book reviews as you select titles with your child as there might be some books that inspire your child to read "up" or "down" from the suggested grade levels. We recommend reading reviews like those found on Amazon or Common Sense Media to make informed choices about your child's individual readiness for particular titles.
Is there an assignment for Classes 4-7?
Different reading tastes make it vitally important to both notice and write down the names of books that speak to you. You could even say your list-making is part of the workout! While this is not officially "assigned" work, we would love you to take a standard index card (4 inches x 6 inches, please!) and review your favorite book from Chapin's 2024 Summer Reading list.
You should set up the index card as follows: first, number each line of the index card 1-6. Next to those numbers, write the following:
Again, please make sure everything is neatly hand-lettered or printed/pasted to the front of the index card. Do not write on the back of the index card.
How many reviews are required?
The librarians would love one index card review of your favorite book from this list.
When and where are the reviews collected?
We will be creating a Book Review Box for your index card reviews near our library book drop on the 5th floor. Drop them off whenever you first visit the library in September (either for a library class, or on your way to Advisory in the morning!)
Are these books available for free on SORA, or other e-reading platforms?
Many of them are! Be sure to check out your public library's collection (or Chapin's smaller e-book collection) using Sora or Libby.
Where can I find more recommendations?
If you are looking for more great titles to enjoy this summer, check out our list of Old & New Classic Read-Alouds. We also recommend the Newbery Medal winners and honors, which is awarded yearly to the author of “the most distinguished contribution to American literature for children.” You can find more literary awards and honor lists here.
Can I print the whole MS Summer Reading list out?
Yes! If you would like to print out a pdf copy of 2024 Middle School Summer Reading List, click on the link at the bottom of this page.
Have a wonderful, book-filled summer!
Ms. Goldberg, Middle School Librarian
