Summer Reading: 2026-2027

As part of our commitment to fostering a love for reading and empowering our students with diverse literary experiences, the Leyden English Department holds a summer reading program. 

The summer reading program has ALL students delve into a text from the list below.

Some classes have additional assignments beyond the reading of the selections below. These classes and assignment are listed at the bottom of the page.

How to Participate

• Choose a Book
  Browse the list of titles and select a book that interests you.
• Find your Book
  In addition to local libraries, local stores carry many of these titles. Current Leyden students may be able to check out titles through the catagog.
• Read and Reflect
  Dive into your chosen book and immerse yourself in its world. Reflect on the characters, themes, and messages conveyed by the author.
• Prepare to Discuss
  Come to classes next year with thoughts, questions, and reflections to share with your peers and teachers. 

Why Summer Reading Matters
The English Department expects engagement with literature during the summer break because of its many benefits.

• Cultivating a Love for Reading
  Summer reading allows students to discover genres, authors, and themes that resonate with their interests, fostering a lifelong passion for literature.
• Building Empathy and Understanding
  Through exposure to diverse characters and narratives, students develop empathy, cultural awareness, and a deeper understanding of the world around them.
• Maintaining Academic Skills
  Reading helps students retain and reinforce academic skills gained during the school year, including comprehension and vocabulary development. Consistent practice ensures these skills remain sharp and ready for the upcoming academic year.

Expectations and Assessment
When students return, they will discuss and write about their reading as a diagnostic assessment. Teachers will facilitate discussions, asking students to articulate their thoughts, insights, and connections to their chosen book. This initiative not only aids in assessing students’ reading comprehension and analytical skills but also serves as a valuable tool for educators to gain insight into students’ individual reading preferences, habits, and experiences. By understanding our students as readers, we can better tailor our instructional strategies and cultivate a supportive learning environment that celebrates literacy and fosters academic growth.

*Please note that literature may contain potentially sensitive content, language, or issues that might be considered controversial. Central to our curriculum is encouraging students to question language or ideas in a text and how they contribute to the larger meaning, purpose, or overall effect of the language or idea in context. As a parent, you can seek an alternative text if you find the content or language inappropriate for your child. 

Please contact the English Department Chair at jrossi@leyden212.org with questions or concerns.