Summer Reading

Goal of the Summer Reading Program

The goal of our summer reading program is to foster a love of reading by providing students with an opportunity to read for enjoyment. Recent research on the benefits of reading for pleasure are discussed in this article: The Benefits of Reading for Fun. Studies have shown that there is a link between reading for enjoyment and the development of stronger language skills. Reading transports readers to new places and exposes them to new cultures. Readers are able to experience a situation from the perspective of a character in the book and gain valuable insight into the lives of others. We hope that our summer reading program will guide our students to become lifelong readers.

Student Choice

Our program allows the students to choose a book from our list of suggestions. This list is diverse and extensive, which should allow each student to find a book of interest. Students may select a book in print or digital (ebook or audiobook) format. The list of books is available on our website and can be viewed here: Summer Reading Suggestions for 2023.

Expectations for All Incoming Students

Students should select one book from the list of suggestions and read it during the summer months, although we hope that students will choose to read more than one book. In September, students will be expected to do two things: First, students will be asked to complete a quick survey on our summer reading program. Second, students will be expected to participate in a book discussion/class activity. (Students are encouraged to jot down a few notes for their own use in the fall.) As an incentive, for each book that they read over the summer, students will earn a raffle ticket. A raffle will take place in the fall and the lucky winners will receive a prize. 

Book Access

Students can:

  • Purchase books
  • Borrow books from their local public library
  • Borrow digital ebooks and audiobooks from the Blue Hills Digital Library
  • Borrow digital ebooks and audiobooks from Boston Public Library
Using Sora

Blue Hills is a member of the MLS Commonwealth eBook Collection. As a member of the Blue Hills community, students can download the Sora app and use their BHR email credentials to borrow from the digital collection for free anytime, anywhere.

Most of the books included in the Sora collection are limited to a single loan per book, which means if another student is currently borrowing a book students will be placed on a waitlist. However, there are a number of books on Sora’s ”Sweet Reads” list that are available to all students (no holds, no waiting) through August 28, 2023.

To learn how to get started with Sora click here.

Using Hoopla

Anyone who lives in Massachusetts is eligible for a Boston Public Library (digital) eCard.  Residents can register for a BPL eCard here.

Once an eCard has been issued, readers have access to the hoopla platform which is packed with digital resources including ebooks, audiobooks, digital magazines, movies and more.  Readers can access hoopla on their computer or they can download the app to their smartphone or tablet.  Sign into the hoopla platform here.

Students who sign up for a Boston Public Library eCard and use the hoopla platform will have access to more ebooks and audiobooks and will be able to borrow more than one ebook or audiobook at the same time.  Additionally, popular ebooks and audiobooks that have a long waitlist on Sora could be available sooner in hoopla.