South Colonie Central School District

Summer Reading

Dear South Colonie Families,

As we head into the summer months, we encourage all of our students to keep reading! Summer is a wonderful time to relax, explore new interests, and most importantly, continue building strong literacy skills in a way that feels joyful and engaging.

Research reveals that when students stay connected to reading over the summer, they are more likely to maintain, and even grow, their reading skills, helping them transition back to school in September with confidence. Without regular reading, students can experience what is often called “summer slide,” or a loss of reading progress. However, keeping reading light, fun, and meaningful can make all the difference.

When it comes to summer reading, motivation and enjoyment matter most. Reading should not feel like a chore. Instead, we want students to discover the joy of stories, information, and ideas in ways that excite them.

Please feel free to use the resources below to support your child’s reading this summer. Thank you for your continued partnership in supporting your child’s learning.

Wishing you a happy, relaxing, and book-filled summer!

Sincerely,
Melissa Judge, K-12 Humanities Supervisor

A person dressed as the Cat in the Hat reads to a group of children in a classroom.

A young girl browses a bookshelf filled with colorful books in a library.

A person sits in a library, looking at a book spine near bookshelves.

Two young boys look at books in a library setting.

A young girl with blonde hair stands in a store, holding a package.

Children gather around looking at a book while outside

Simple Ways to Support Reading

Offer Choice and Explore Widely (Students K–8)

Let students choose what they read: books, magazines, graphic novels, informational texts, joke books, novels, biographies, memoirs, or articles
Explore a variety of genres: fiction, nonfiction, poetry, biographies, comics, historical fiction, science writing, fantasy, current events, and more—all reading counts!

Try Different Formats (Students K–8)

Audiobooks, e-books, and read-alouds are wonderful ways to build comprehension and enjoyment
Different formats increase access, especially during travel or busy summer schedules

Read and Talk Together (Students K–4)

Share reading experiences to deepen understanding and create meaningful conversations
Ask questions, share reactions, and encourage thinking about what was read

Promote Thinking and Discussion (Students 5–8)

Ask students about what they're reading, what they find interesting, surprising, or challenging
Encourage connections and sharing of opinions

Connect Reading to Real Life (Students 5–8)

Watch a related documentary, research a topic of interest, or discuss themes to deepen understanding and engagement

Keep it Flexible (Students K–8)

Start small with short, enjoyable reading moments to build lasting habits
Even short, consistent reading opportunities help maintain skills and build positive habits

Reading Resources

William K. Sanford Town Library
629 Albany Shaker Road Loudonville, NY 12211
American Library Association
The 2026 Summer Reading Lists are available now.
CCHS Library
Resources at our own Colonie Central High School Library.
Caldecott Medal Books
A list of every Caldecott Medal Book to date. Awarded annually to the most distinguished American picture book for children.
Coretta Scott King Book Awards
A list of every Coretta Scott King Book to date that recognizes outstanding books by African American authors and illustrators.
Newbery Medal Award Books
A list of every Newbery Medal Award book to date. Awarded to the author of the most distinguished contribution to American literature for children.
Epic
A secure reading app designed for kids.
Libby
Free audiobooks, ebooks, and magazines that you can borrow through your own library.
Sora
Search for South Colonie Central School District to use this reading app for K‑12 students.

Keeping Kids Engaged with Summer Reading

“A key takeaway from this Harvard Graduate School of Education article is that student choice and engagement are essential. At this age, fostering autonomy and relevance is especially important in developing lifelong reading habits.”

Melissa Judge, K-12 Humanities Supervisor