Summer reads

Hurray! We are excited to announce our inaugural summer reads for Gardner Academy Middle School. There are two— and there’s no pressure. Just curl up with a lemonade on a hot day in a hammock and enjoy. Both are available through NCWL, links below, or could be ordered through Trails End or online.

Bridge to Terebithia, by Katherine Paterson, a true classic. There will be a lot to talk about in this, a story of beauty and friendship, and also loss.

A Sand County Almanac, by Aldo Leopold. As we will be doing nature journaling this fall, getting a peek into a memoir, a bit of non-fiction, will prepare us for building out our own journals with images and observations in our first quest!

Parents might enjoy reading along with their heroes, and asking questions about what you come across. Remember that Socratic conversations allow the hero to uncover his or her own truths. Start a sentence with “I wonder….” “It’s so interesting that…. what do you think that means?” And see what comes up!

Finally, every hero should take advantage of the library’s summer reading program— surely these two books will help in the work— and we’ll have prizes for those who bring their completed card to an August celebration!

And finally— the best way at this age you can influence your child’s reading is to read yourself, let them see you reading and talk about what you’re reading while you cook, at the table, and more. Some homes might also suggest that screen time is earned by reading— in our home it doesn’t exceed 1:1, reading to screen time. Establishing a family reading culture is one of the best gifts you can give your kids.