Summer Reading
DYMS Summer Reading 2026:
Book Conversations
Pick a book you love, read it over the summer, and get ready to share it with your peers this fall.
No tracking minutes, no boring book reports.
Need Help Choosing? Try These!
If you aren't sure what to read, don't panic. Avoid the "Wimpy Kid" exceptions by trying these great alternatives:
American Library Association (ALSC) Summer Reading
This nationally curated list is created by children’s librarians and highlights high-quality, recent middle-grade books. It includes a wide range of
Greenwich Library Summer Reading Lists (Teens / Gr
These librarian-created lists are organized by grade level and feature a strong mix of popular fiction, graphic novels, mysteries, fantasy, and nonfic
Literacious – Middle Grade Summer Reading Guide
This librarian-created guide highlights recent and high-quality middle-grade books chosen for their strong storytelling, diverse characters, and stude
Goodreads – Middle Grade Books List
This user-curated collection features hundreds of middle-grade titles displayed with book covers, ratings, and short descriptions. It allows students
Frequently Asked Questions
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Not at all! This program is all about student choice. Your child can read any age-appropriate chapter book or non-fiction book they want that is NEW TO THEM. They can use a book they already own, borrow one from a friend, or get a digital copy for free using the school’s Sora app or the local CLAMS public library network.
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Don't panic! Since they don't have to fill out a reading log or take a quiz, they don't NEED to bring the physical book back to school in September, but it is nice to have so they can show it to others. As long as they finish reading it by the end of the summer, they are good to go. This website will also stay live all summer long if you ever need to double-check the rules.
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No. This is a simple 1-point Completion Grade (Pass/Fail) in PowerSchool for term 1 ELA. The grade is based entirely on participating and sharing their book with their small group. In working on accountability for students, we are grading the effort and the conversation, not public speaking skills or slide design.
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Yes, absolutely. We want this to be a positive, low-stress experience. First, remember that this will be a small group… probably not more than ten kids. During our in-school prep weeks in September, students who experience high anxiety can work with their advisory teacher to provide an another option for talking about their book.
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Students who come completely unprepared in September will spend the event period reading silently in the library or auditorium so the group environments remain focused. To earn their first term ELA credit, they will just need to schedule a brief, private 1-on-1 book talk with the librarian or an administrator at a later date.
Your Summer, Your Choice, Your Voice!
Have a wonderful summer break!
Please note: School libraries and staff email accounts are unmonitored during the summer months.
If you need assistance finding a book, please visit your local public library town branch—the librarians there are ready to help you jump into a great story!