Middle School Suggested Summer Reading

Greetings Parent(s)/Guardian(s):

Reading is very important to your students’ futures. The higher their level of literacy, the greater the opportunities they will have in education. We encourage you to keep your child reading this summer by checking out the summer reading clubs at your local public library and by using the attached suggested summer reading lists. We are hosting a shopping session at Children’s Book World in Haverford on Monday, June 12 from 4:00-7:00 PM. We invite you to stop by to select books and support the LMSD middle school libraries. If you are unable to join us that evening, please consider ordering online from the store; you can pick up your books at the store or have them shipped to you (a link is forthcoming).

As librarians, we feel the most important part of our job is matching the right book with the right reader. Since we won’t be able to personally provide this assistance over the summer, we are doing the next best thing. We are providing you with a list of books that have been nominated for the 2023-2024 Pennsylvania Young Readers Choice Award (PYRCA)!

This award program is sponsored by the Pennsylvania School Librarian Association with the goal of providing students with high quality books and engaging reading experiences. We are inviting our students to read at least one book from the list of award nominees this summer. Students are invited to continue reading throughout the school year and may look forward to some fun optional book activities. Students who read three or more of the nominated books will be invited to vote for the award winners around the beginning of March.

Here are some links that will help your reader participate in this special reading program:

• Grades 3-6: Pennsylvania Young Readers Choice Award Nominees 2023-2024
• Grades 6-8: Pennsylvania Young Readers Choice Award Nominees 2023-2024
• Young Adult: Pennsylvania Young Readers Choice Award Nominees 2023-2024
• Reading Journal that can be shared with your librarian in September

Please remember that we have not personally read each nominated book. Although these books have been recommended for middle school and young adult readers by the Pennsylvania School Library Association, the books represent a wide range of reading levels as well as levels of sophistication. Therefore, it is very important that you screen the books personally for content that you feel might not be appropriate for your child. Have a wonderful and relaxing summer.

Happy Reading!

Ms. McDermott, Bala Cynwyd Middle School Librarian
Dr. Nichols, Black Rock Middle School Librarian
Welsh Valley Middle School Librarian