Studies show that reading for pleasure is beneficial for kids in multiple ways, including maintaining and advancing their reading skills and helping them succeed in school.
The keys to getting students hooked on summer reading are:
- Inspiring them to connect to books to which they can relate
- Equipping them to self-select reading materials
- Providing them with the opportunity to engage in conversations about what they read
Beanstack Summer Reader Program
Alexandria Library offers ACPS students access to Beanstack, a free online, personalized service that is designed to help families discover books and apps based on a child’s age and interests. Beanstack enables children to find favorite books, record the books they read, earn incentives and offers other tools for building literacy. All of the books recommended on Beanstack are available at Alexandria libraries.
Once signed up, users will receive weekly emails with recommended books, easy-to-use learning tips and activities for each book selected. Users can link directly to the book in the Alexandria Library online catalog and place books on hold for pick up at their nearest branch. Students can log the books they read and turn in the logs when they return to school, before September 9.
Alexandria Libraries also offer additional summer programs for all age groups, from Reptiles Alive to Discover Germany to ESL classes! See the full list of programs in the Alexandria Library evnts calendar.
Booklists for K through 8
The American Library Association offers a book list that recommended books by specific age groups:
- Birth through Preschool
- Kindergarten through Second Grade
- Grades Three through Five
- Grades Six through Eight
The lists have been updated for summer 2017.
Mandatory Reading Program for Middle School Students
Rising students in grades 6 through 8 must complete a mandatory summer reading project, which involves reading at least two books this summer and creating a reading response. Get details, including a planning sheet in the project document in English or Español.