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Engaging Summer Reading Selections for Every Grade Band
Christy Walters
May 7, 2025
Whether it's a recommended book list from next year's teacher or an interactive program at the local library, providing students with book recommendations and encouraging them to participate in summer reading can help them practice literacy skills, expand their background knowledge, and discover new stories that captivate their curiosity and imagination.
Elementary school novel studies for summer reading
Invite elementary school students to find their next favorite read this summer by pairing their summer reading selections with novel and book studies like:
Invite students to participate in the Summer Independent Reading Challenge
Encourage students to participate in our student-led, summer independent reading challenge. They can read across different engaging ELA, social studies, and social-emotional topics of their choice to complete activities and earn tokens and badges. Invite your students to take the challenge together and discuss the articles they read with their friends over the summer. This summer’s topics include:
May Independent Reading Challenge
During May, students can explore a variety of holiday and heritage month content on topics like:
ELA:
AI and a changing world
Graduation
Asian American Pacific Islander (AAPI) fiction and poetry.
Social studies:
AAPI leaders and trailblazers
Jewish American Heritage Month
National Military Appreciation Month
SEL:
Magic of movies
Behind the screens: Social media
All-Star stories
June 1 to July 15 Independent Reading Challenge
During the first part of summer vacation, students can explore a variety of seasonal-themed content on topics like:
ELA:
LGBTQ stories and storytelling
Sensational soccer stories
Summer camp and camping
Social studies:
Summer fun
Great outdoors
Great buildings of the world
SEL:
Hooked on hobbies
Mental health matters
Fun in the sun
July 15 to August 31 Independent Reading Challenge
During the second part of summer vacation, students can explore the past, present, and future with topics like:
ELA:
Roblox in the real world
American stories
Beach activism
Social studies:
Cowboys, cowgirls, and vaqueros
The 1960s
Countries in continents: Asia
SEL:
Career exploration
Back to school
Secrets to success
Go beyond reading with Newsela's summer learning resources
Summer reading isn't the only type of summer learning you can encourage to help students prevent skill decline and stay sharp during the break. Aside from our novel studies and independent reading challenges, with Newsela's free summer learning resource packet, educators and caregivers also have access to:
Summer science challenges.
Virtual vacations and field trips.
Writing practice through prompt challenges and other cross-curricular activities.
Monthly curated content calendars full of ready-to-go resources to fill your summer learning gaps.
… and much more!
Access your free resources packet and get started creating your impactful summer learning program today!
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