Summer Reading to Get Teens Thinking

There is a tendency for teachers to give students a handout with a list of must-read books and ask them to get going. While this is a necessary practice during the school year, summer reading should be more flexible; giving students a chance to explore new genres. 

One way to encourage your pupils to broaden their reading experiences is by having them create their own book lists before the end of the school year. You should emphasize the importance of diversifying by encouraging them to design a list that includes biographies, scientific explorations, and first-hand accounts.

Before asking kids to create their lists, give them examples of the types of books they should read. I suggest bringing a variety of books to class and read a passage from each. I love the book In the Garden of Beasts: Love, Terror, and an American Family in Hitler’s Berlin by Erik Larson. It provides a riveting account of Hitler’s rise to power as told through the eyes of the Ambassador to the United States, William E. Dodd. You read, horrified, as the situation in Germany intensifies, and the restrictions on Jewish people become more and more severe. This is a terrific book to use as an example of how interesting and informative a non-fiction book can be.

Where to Find Book Lists

You don’t have to look far to find book lists for young people. Here are some of the sites you might have your students use when they create their lists.

• James Patterson’s Read Kiddo Read
• Good Reads
• The New York Times Young Adult Book List
• Amazon

Each of these sites has lists of books categorized by age, genre, etc.

Make it Real

Many young people avoid books in the realistic fiction or non-fiction genre because they think they will be boring. You can dispel this notion. These types of books can be just as exciting as fantasy or romance novels. If the writing is good, these books can transport their readers to a different time or place, and teach them something at the same time. Here is a list of books in the realistic fiction and non-fiction genre that are bound to make anyone think.

• The Book Thief by Markus Zusak

This is an eye-opening book about people living in Germany under Hitler. The main characters show incredible strength of character by helping the Jewish people they encounter.

• The Dogs of Winter by Bobbie Pyron

A young Russian boy ends up alone, and on the streets during the winter. A pack of dogs take him in and become his family. What is most amazing about this book, is the fact that it is based on a true story.

• North of Beautiful by Justine Chen Headly

This book is a terrific way to have young people explore the meaning of beauty. The main character has a physical flaw that affects her life.

• Esperanza Rising by Pam Munoz Ryan

Esperanza grows up on a ranch in Mexico with servants, a big house, and riches. Suddenly, this all changes and she ends up living in a camp of farmworkers in California.

• The Mighty Mars Rovers: The Incredible Adventures of Spirit and Opportunity by Elizabeth Rusch

The exploration of Mars using a rover is told through the words of the lead scientist, Steven Squyres. Readers will be fascinated as they learn about space exploration and Mars.

• Shipwreck at the Bottom of the World: The Extraordinary True Story of Shackleton and the Endurance by Jennifer Armstrong

Read the gripping story of Ernest Shackleton and a group of 27 men who tried to cross from one side of Antartica to the other. Their ship got stuck in the ice, and a harrowing experience ensued.

• Hitler Youth: Growing Up in Hitler’s Shadow by Susan Campbell Bartoletti

In an exploration of the Hitler Youth, the author tells the story of how this group became so popular and powerful. It includes interviews with former members of the Hitler Youth organization.