Yes, every year. I personally think it’s a good idea, although my kid likes to read on her own, and would, otherwise… This summer, she has to read THE STRANGER by Albert Camus, for her AP Literature class next year, and write a 3 page paper based on one of three topics.
Yikes, @Nerdyparent - Yeah, BROTHERS KARAMAZOV is different! That’s not an easy book for anyone, much less a high school student.
@BeeDAre aye- pretty much ruined my summer!
And that wasn’t counting the other books I had to read for my AP classes!
Private middle school and private HS both had summer readings lists whether or not you were in AP. D would gripe but always ended up loving at least one or two of the books. In college, it was not reading but she did have to learn a lot of her repertoire and her teachers would usually assign at least one entire score “for fun”.
Since this thread is about summer reading lists I thought I’d share a link to a story titled “A unique summer reading list — from college admissions deans and counselors”. Some of the titles are intriguing.
I never had summer reading in school, which is a good thing because I went to 4 high schools in 3 states (Marine dad) and twice moved over summer, so it would have been tough. Didn’t have any required reading for college either. My kids’ school used to have required reading for high school and recommended lists for younger. Now for high school it’s just read a book appropriate to your reading level.
Our city has a “One City, One Book” program for all citizens who choose to participate. There are opportunities to engage in multiple formats over the book. The current book is by a resident of our city, Lori Lansens: “The Mountain Story.”
Similarly, UCLA adopts a book each fall term and has opportunities to engage for the students and also for families during Family Weekend in October.
‘Honors English’ at our local public school requires 2 books going into 9th grade, and an assignment to be turned in the first week of class. I think other grades also have summer reading.