As students leave school, seeking a well-deserved break from homework and deadlines, they may also find their backpacks heavier than expected. With the freedom of summer vacation comes the familiar reading list, a set of books meant to keep minds engaged and prepared during the long break. While schools argue it is a necessary practice, students remain divided on the subject.
For junior Ann Rosengren, summer reading falls firmly in the category of unnecessary. “It’s just busywork. I don’t think it really helps anyone. It just feels like another assignment we’re forced to do on break,” she said. Many students who agree with Ann argue that students who ignore summer reading, or forget are further rushed to catch up and start the school year off stressed. They argue that summer reading fails to achieve its goal; instead of sparking interest, summer reading frequently feels like another dreaded assignment. When paired with long annotations and no choice in what to read, summer reading can lead to disinterest in reading and a disdain for English in general.
Others, however, see a different side. Supporters of summer reading point to one major concern: the summer slide. The phenomenon refers to research supporting that students can lose up to two months of academic progress over the summer if they are not regularly practicing key skills, and unsurprisingly, reading is one of them. By reading, students keep their brains active and remain better suited to return in the fall and write essays, analyze texts, and participate in class. “It actually challenges your brain, even if you don’t want to do it; it keeps you thinking, so when school starts, it’s not such a shock,” said junior Noah Halpern. For students like Noah, the benefit of the book lies in challenging their brains and ensuring that everyone is ready for the school year. Many others echo Noah’s perspective, “I think that summer reading is really important. It gets you back into the rhythm of assignments before you’re thrown into tests and quizzes,” said sophomore Emma Timberlake. Summer reading also often introduces students to new perspectives and challenging ideas, giving them a head start on themes they will encounter throughout the year.
Ultimately, summer reading has the potential to be beneficial, but its effectiveness depends on how it is approached. When schools prioritize choice, variety, and genuine engagement, reading can enrich students’ summers. But if it continues to feel like just another task or piece of homework, it risks becoming the busy work so many dread.
