June 12, 2019

Dear students, parents and guardians,

We are excited to share the 2019 PVRHSD Summer Reading program details with you!

We have responded to the survey data from last year’s program, which indicated that students and families valued choice in their summer reading selections, by creating a program that allows for curated choice at each grade level/course in keeping with a thematic focus related to each course’s curricula. The details of each course and its corresponding title choices and thematic focus are all delineated on the document below. Students will choose ONE of the titles listed under their given English course as their mandatory summer read.

We have provided direct links to Amazon/Common Sense Media summaries of each title on the list so that students and parents can make fully informed decisions as to which book they will choose to read. Please note that the books vary in terms of maturity of content, use of ‘adult’ language and type of subject matter. The English team worked diligently to ensure that a variety of reading experiences would be available to students so as to engage as many students as possible with this program. We expect that students and families will use the summaries and reviews, and also the free preview of sample chapters/pages available on sites such as Amazon, to make reading decisions that best fit their needs, interests and abilities. Students should feel free to access an audio version of their chosen book if it is available in audio format.

The English teachers will all be administering a graded oral assessment on the books upon students’ return to school, possibly in Socratic Seminar form or one-on-one conference with the teacher. Teachers may elect to then use the summer reading books in more depth as anchor texts throughout the year or in their opening units. There is no summer assignment that accompanies the summer reading other than reading the book in its entirety.

This information will be posted on the district English site for your reference.

Feel free to reach out to me with any questions or concerns.

Sincerely,

Valerie Mattessich

Supervisor of English, Art & Libraries