Citizen, Scholar, Steward
Back to School
Summer Reading (Middle School)
As a new or returning middle school student, you have summer reading. Teachers have tried to choose books that will sharpen your reading skills and set up themes for the coming year. One book is assigned below. The other should be taken from the appropriate 2022 Summer Reading list for your grade level.
If you have questions, email your English teacher for the upcoming school year.
10-Book Summer Reading Challenge: see the sidebar to learn how to sign up for this optional summer reading challenge.
2022–23 book assignments
Rising fifth graders: Read The Year of the Dog by Grace Lin.
Rising sixth graders: Read Insignificant Events in the Life of a Cactus by Dusti Bowling.
Rising seventh graders: Read Same Sun Here by Neela Vaswani and Silas House.
Rising eighth graders: Read The Book Thief by Markus Zusak
We are always looking for more great books to enjoy. If you are interested in reading a book of comparable difficulty that is not on the list, please ask your future English teacher for permission. You are encouraged to take notes so that you are prepared to discuss the books and to write about them in August. Happy reading!
- Choose one other book from the summer reading list that you have not read previously. This book should be appropriate for your reading and grade levels.
Rising sixth graders: Read Insignificant Events in the Life of a Cactus by Dusti Bowling.
- Choose one other book from the summer reading list that you have not read previously. This book should be appropriate for your reading and grade levels. Do not choose Into Thin Air because it will be covered in seventh grade.
Rising seventh graders: Read Same Sun Here by Neela Vaswani and Silas House.
- Choose two more books from the summer reading list that you have not read previously. These books should be appropriate for your reading and grade levels, but I always encourage you to PUSH YOURSELF to read at a high level! Choose titles that INTEREST and CHALLENGE you!
Rising eighth graders: Read The Book Thief by Markus Zusak
- In addition, choose one more book from the summer reading list that you have not read previously. These books should be appropriate for your reading and grade levels. *Because of the length of The Book Thief, I am requiring only one additional book, but if you love to read, feel free to choose more than one!
- You may check out library books, but you will need to have a physical copy of your books with you for the first few weeks of school.
We are always looking for more great books to enjoy. If you are interested in reading a book of comparable difficulty that is not on the list, please ask your future English teacher for permission. You are encouraged to take notes so that you are prepared to discuss the books and to write about them in August. Happy reading!
Ready for a Summer of Reading?
All KCD Middle School students are eligible for and encouraged to participate in our annual 10-Book Summer Reading Challenge! This program, sponsored by our English department, encourages and rewards voracious summer reading. All participants will receive recognition during the fall of our 2022-23 school year and be invited to our special summer-reading party, where we will celebrate our readers with prizes!
Contact Clark Pollitt (clark.pollitt@kcd.org) with any questions.
KCD Connect
find us around the web
4100 Springdale Road • Louisville, KY 40241 • (502) 423-0440 • Fax (502) 423-0445
Kentucky Country Day School is a private JK–12, coeducational school located on a spacious 80+ acre campus in Louisville, KY. KCD combines a rigorous academic program with a wide variety of athletic and extracurricular programs. Our outstanding faculty creates an intimate learning environment that is both challenging and supportive.