RILINK Schools: Rocky Hill Country Day School Library: Middle School Summer Reading

Requirements

Rocky Hill Country Day School

Middle School Summer Reading 2025

Middle school students are required to read three books during summer break: one assigned, which will be assessed in September, and two books of choice. Students may choose to purchase print copies, borrow from their public library, or utilize audiobooks for support, but they will need to bring copies of the assigned texts to class with them in the fall.

Incoming 8^th grade students will read Alebrijes by Donna Barbra Higuera. As we have practiced this year, they should annotate while reading using these focus questions.
Incoming 7^th grade students will read The Labors of Hercules Beal by Gary D. Schmidt and use this graphic organizer to track how Hercules changes over the course of the story.
Incoming 6^th grade students are required to read Holes by Louis Sachar and use this graphic organizer.

For their two books of choice, all students may choose from the 2026 Rhode Island Book Award Nominees. Students should be prepared to discuss their choices during class activities in September.

RIMSBA Nominees

The 2026 Rhode Island Middle School Book Award nominees make great summer reading! There is something for everyone on this list!

All RIMSBA nominees are available on SORA. Check out complete descriptions of the nominees HERE.

Book Lists for Middle Schoolers

Looking for more summer reading suggestions? Check out the following lists!

ALSC 2025 Summer Reading List 6-8
"ALSC reading lists are created by children’s librarians as a resource to share with patrons. These titles may also be available in ebook, audio book, braille, and large print formats. Parents and caregivers are encouraged to explore this list to find resources that may match or spark their child's interest. Connect with your local library to find out what’s happening this summer."
We Are Kid Lit 2025 Middle Grade Summer Reading
"Are you looking for a curated summer reading list that celebrates diversity, inclusivity and intersecting identities? The We Are Kid Lit Collective selects books by and about BIPOC (Black, Indigenous and People of Color), with attention to their intersecting identities. Chosen books are thoroughly selected, discussed, and vetted by two or more members to select stories that are free of biases and microaggressions."

Award Winners

Consider trying an award winner this summer!

Caldecott Winners
"The Caldecott Medal was named in honor of nineteenth-century English illustrator Randolph Caldecott. It is awarded annually by the Association for Library Service to Children, a division of the American Library Association, to the artist of the most distinguished American picture book for children. "
Newbery Award Winners
"The Newbery Medal was named for eighteenth-century British bookseller John Newbery. It is awarded annually by the Association for Library Service to Children, a division of the American Library Association, to the author of the most distinguished contribution to American literature for children."
Coretta Scott King Book Award Winners
"Designed to commemorate the life and works of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. and to honor Mrs. Coretta Scott King for her courage and determination to continue the work for peace, the Coretta Scott King Book Awards annually recognize outstanding books for young adults and children by African American authors and illustrators that reflect the African American experience. Further, the Award encourages the artistic expression of the black experience via literature and the graphic arts in biographical, social, and historical treatments by African American authors and illustrators."
Pura Belpré Award Winners (picture book)
Pura Belpré Award Winners (chapter book)
"The Pura Belpré Award, established in 1996, is presented to a Latino/Latina writer and illustrator whose work best portrays, affirms, and celebrates the Latino cultural experience in an outstanding work of literature for children and youth."
Robert F. Sibert Information Book Winners
"The Sibert Award is presented annually to the author, author/illustrator, co-authors, or author and illustrator named on the title page of the most distinguished informational book for children published in the United States in English during the preceding year."

Rocky Hill Country Day School Library: Middle School Summer Reading

Middle School Summer Reading

Requirements

RIMSBA Nominees

Book Lists for Middle Schoolers

Award Winners

eBooks and Audiobooks