Just a friendly reminder that Thursday, September 2nd is the the first day of school for Natick Public School kids. Those summer reading books aren’t going turn their own pages, so it’s time for students to get down to it. Natick’s teachers and librarians have put long thought into what makes a riveting summer read, the type that will encourage students to cozy up and enjoy the pleasures of a good book. So whether your readers are at home, on summer vacation, or at camp, supply them with a pile of reading material, then stand back and let them do their thing.

Grades K – 4

There are no formal summer reading requirements or assignments for grades K – 4. It’s recommended that kids get in 30 minutes of reading per day, whether that’s by independent reading, someone reading to them, or including audiobooks into the mix. But don’t let that stop kids from enjoying all the good books they can get their hands on. The Morse Institute or Bacon Free Library staff members can recommend books based on kids’ ages and interests.

Kennedy and Wilson Middle Schools

Grades 5 – 7: students must select one of the following texts, and each book has prompts that students should review before reading the book.

Grade 8: students have one required text.

In addition to the required text for each grade level, all middle school students should read at least two other books.

Incoming grade 5, read one of the following:

In addition to the required text for each grade level, all incoming 5th grade students should read at least two other books.

24 Hours in Nowhere, Dusti Bowling
Summary: Welcome to Nowhere, Arizona, the least livable town in the United States. For Gus, a bright 13-year-old with dreams of getting out and going to college, life there is made even worse by Bo Taylor, Nowhere’s biggest, baddest bully. When Bo tries to force Gus to eat a dangerously spiny cactus, Rossi Scott, one of the best racers in Nowhere, comes to his rescue—but in return she has to give Bo her prized dirt bike. Determined to buy it back, Gus agrees to go searching for gold in Dead Frenchman Mine, joined by his old friend Jessie, Rossi, and even Bo’s sidekick, Matthew. As they race against the clock hunting for treasure, narrowly surviving everything from cave-ins to mountain lions, they bond over shared stories of how hard life in Nowhere is—and they realize this adventure just may be their way out.

The Barren Grounds, David Robertson
Summary: Morgan and Eli, two Indigenous children forced away from their families and communities, are brought together in a foster home in Winnipeg, Manitoba. They each feel disconnected, from their culture and each other, and struggle to fit in at school and at their new home—until they find a secret place, walled off in an unfinished attic bedroom. A portal opens to another reality, Askí, bringing them onto frozen, barren grounds, where they meet Ochek (Fisher). The only hunter supporting his starving community, Misewa, Ochek welcomes the human children, teaching them traditional ways to survive. But as the need for food becomes desperate, they embark on a dangerous mission. Accompanied by Arik, a sassy Squirrel they catch stealing from the trapline, they try to save Misewa before the icy grip of winter freezes everything—including them.

Take Back the Block, Chrystal D. Giles
Summary: Wes Henderson has the best style in sixth grade. That—and hanging out with his crew (his best friends since little-kid days) and playing video games—is what he wants to be thinking about at the start of the school year, not the protests his parents are always dragging him to.

But when a real estate developer makes an offer to buy Kensington Oaks, the neighborhood Wes has lived his whole life, everything changes. The grownups are supposed to have all the answers, but all they’re doing is arguing. Even Wes’s best friends are fighting. And some of them may be moving. Wes isn’t about to give up the only home he’s ever known. Wes has always been good at puzzles, and he knows there has to be a missing piece that will solve this puzzle and save the Oaks. But can he find it . . . before it’s too late?

Exploring community, gentrification, justice, and friendship, Take Back the Block introduces an irresistible 6th grader and asks what it means to belong–to a place and a movement–and to fight for what you believe in.

Incoming grade 6, read one of the following:

In addition to the required text, all incoming 6th grade students should read at least two other books.

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