School librarians, acutely aware of how much reading skill is lost by students who don't read during the summer, find creative ways to encourage children to continue reading even after school closes.
"Studies show that students who read during the summer perform better when they return to school in the fall, which helps avoid the 'summer slide,'" said Ellen Rubin, a retired librarian and member of the Wallkill Teachers Association.
Most librarians put together summer reading lists to motivate students to read on a regular basis, providing rewards, reading charts and incentives for books read.
Some school librarians visit neighborhoods during the summer to bring students books; at least one brings books to students at the local beach.
Here is a compilation of books recommended for students by some of NYSUT's school librarians:
Grades K-2
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Baby Brains by Simon James
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Grandma's Gift by Eric Velasquez
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How Rocket Learned to Read by Tad Hills
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We Are in a Book! by Mo Willems
Grades 3-5
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Danger and Diamonds (A Mystery at Sea) by Elizabeth Levy
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Keeper by Kathi Appelt
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Out of My Mind by Sharon Draper
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The Strange Case of Origami Yoda by Tom Angleberger
Grades 6-8
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Chains by Laurie Halse Anderson
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Kiki Strike: Inside the Shadow City by Kirsten Miller
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Sleeping Freshmen Never Lie by David Lubar
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So Hard to Say by Alex Sanchez
Grades 9-12
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The Hunger Games by Suzanne Collins
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Leviathan by Scott Westerfeld
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Ship Breaker by Paolo Bacigalupi
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Unseen Academicals by Terry Pratchett
List compiled by Ellen Rubin, retired school librarian, Wallkill TA and New York State Library Association.