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Shepaug Summer Reading 2024
What You Need to Know!
Overview
The topics and books selected below offer a range of viewpoints. Shepaug Valley School does not condone any particular viewpoint. Shepaug aims to provide students with information that allows them to think critically and arrive at defendable conclusions.
Our Summer Reading centers on our Learner Outcome of Answering a Call to Citizenship. 2024 is an election year, and as a school community, we have a wonderful opportunity to become more aware of issues currently facing voters. Summer Reading asks students to choose novels that connect to a variety of voting topics. Texts can be fiction or non-fiction, and can take on any format (graphic novel, novel in verse, audiobook, etc.). As long as the chosen texts can connect to one of the topics listed below, they count! Continue reading for more specifics!
The voting topics that you see listed below were chosen with our 6-12 students in mind. Part of the selection process included locating age-appropriate texts that connect to each topic. Some topics were not included because of the challenge in locating appropriate texts for our student body.
Students will read TWO BOOKS that connect to one or more of the following Voting Topics:
- Censorship & Technology
- Economy & Entrepreneurship
- Environment
- Health Care & Mental Health
- Immigration
- Labor Rights
- LGBTQIA+ Rights
- Racial Equality
- Women's Rights
This year's summer reading will leave students with a lot of choice! Curated book selections for our 6-12 students are linked below. These are not exhaustive lists. As long as the books chosen connect to any topic(s) above, they will count! Please feel free to find books that you are interested in reading!
Guidance for determining if a chosen book is a good fit is provided toward the end of this newsletter.
Don't be afraid to explore different genres and formats for summer reading! Audiobooks count as summer reading!
When we return in the Fall, SVS students will participate in a variety of activities connected to their summer reading. There will be daily polls, speaker events, and more!
Happy reading!
If you feel that a category or topic is missing, or if you have any questions, please email: lamothea@region-12.org
Registering to Vote!
How do I know if I'm eligible?
If you are at least 17, and will turn 18 on or before Election Day, November 5th, 2024
AND
are a United States citizen living in Connecticut.
Visit Connecticut's Election Website for more information on voting, as well as the forms to complete to register to vote.
Voting Topics & Book Suggestions
The title suggestions below were curated using professional library applications. The books were selected using a variety of qualifiers, such as: suggested reading ages, professional reviews, literary merit, awards & recognitions, and student interest. Books that dealt with more mature content, or were recommended for an adult audience, were not suggested.
The titles are merely suggestions. Please find books that you and your student feel match your needs.
The book covers below are clickable, and will take you to a brief description or review of the book.
YA = Books that are recommended for grades 9-12.
GN = Graphic Novel
NF = Non Fiction
How Do I Get The Books?
Sora
Sora is our Audiobook and E-Book provider. You can download the app, or use it on your Chromebook. Sign in with your school Google account! If you don't find the book you want, email Miss Lamothe.
Local Libraries
Don't forget to check out your local libraries for access to some of these books and fun summer programs!
AudioFile
AudioFile offers a fantastic selection of FREE audiobooks that span kids, teens, and Young Adult. There a quite a few titles that will work for our Summer Reading!
Seasons of SYNC (more YA focused)
Finding the Right Book
Feel free to use the tools below to help you determine if a book is the right fit for you/your student!
- Common Sense Media
- The Horn Book: Reviews
- Kirkus Reviews
- You can also check the author's/publisher's website for further information!