Summer Reading 2023

We hope summer reading will help sharpen the reading skills of your child(ren), as well as foster lifelong reading habits. Children who grow up in an environment where books are valued tend to become good readers. Please partner with us to help your child love reading…and learning!

Fall 2023 Visiting Authors

Summer Reading Resources


Want to find out more about a specific book? We recommend using Common Sense Media.


Preschool & Lower School

We encourage all Preschool and Lower School students to read every day in the summer. Suggestions for their books can be found on the grade level HAILSN lists, Texas 2×2 list (grades 1-2) or Bluebonnet list (grades 3-4), the Triple Crown Award lists, and the visiting author books. Links to all lists are on this page. Students in grades 3-4 have required reading over the summer. Click below to read details about the summer reading for each grade level and access the summer reading log. Reading logs should be completed, signed by a parent, and brought to School on the first day.

Required Summer Reading

Incoming Grades 1 & 2 Suggested Reading
  • No requirement for incoming 1st & 2nd graders
  • Try to read at least 10 books. We suggest using:
    • the HAISLN lists
    • the Texas 2×2 list
    • the Triple Crown Books (Gallery Award)
    • at least 1 book by Barney Saltzberg, our fall visiting author
Incoming Grades 3 & 4 Required Reading
  • Read at least 10 books of choice.
  • We suggest using:
    • the HAISLN lists
    • the Texas Bluebonnet list
    • the Triple Crown Books (Gallery, Crown Awards)
    • at least 1 book by Stuart Gibbs, our fall visiting author

Middle School

Middle School students should read at least FOUR books this summer. For students in grades 6-8, one of the books will be a required novel for their English classes. The students will complete an assignment based on one of their choice novels. Suggestions for their book(s) of choice can be found on the Triple Crown, the Bluebonnet list (grades 5-6) and the Lonestar list (grades 6-8), or the HAILSN lists at the bottom of this page. These lists are suggestions only and not required.

Click below to read details about the required summer reading for each grade level and access the summer reading logs. Reading logs should be completed, signed by a parent, and brought to School on the first day.

Required Summer Reading

Incoming Grade 5 Required Reading
  • Goals will be set in English class with a minimum of 4 books this summer:
    • At least 1 book from Stuart Gibbs
    • At least 3 chapter books using lists such as the HAISLN list, Triple Crown Books, or Bluebonnet List for guidance (scroll down for links)
    • Complete one of the five assignment options in response to one of your choice books. These will be submitted to Ms. Toombs when you return from summer break.

WATCH THIS VIDEO for more information on Fifth Grade Summer Reading!

Incoming Grade 6 Required Reading
  • Goals will be set in English class with a minimum of 4 books this summer:
    • One required novel that ROBS will provide: Hatchet by Gary Paulsen
    • At least 2 chapter books using lists such as the HAISLN list, Triple Crown Books, Bluebonnet List or Lonestar List for guidance (scroll down for links)
    • Complete one of the five assignment options in response to one of your choice books. These will be submitted to Mrs. Larzelere when you return from summer break.
Incoming Grade 7 Required Reading
  • Goals will be set in English class with a minimum of 4 books this summer:
    • One required novel that ROBS will provide: Restart by Gordan Korman
    • At least 2 chapter books using lists such as the HAISLN list, Triple Crown Books, or Lonestar List for guidance (scroll down for links)
    • Complete one of the five assignment options in response to one of your choice books. These will be submitted to Ms. Reinhart when you return from summer break.

Incoming Grade 8 Required Reading
  • Goals will be set in English class with a minimum of 4 books this summer:
    • At least 1 book from Stuart Gibbs
    • Level English: choose one of the following:
      • The Running Dream by Wendelin Van Draanen OR
      • Notes From a Midnight Driver by Jordan Sonnenblick
        • (If you have already read one title, please choose the other.)
    • Honors English: read The Fountains of Silence by Ruta Sepetys
    • At least 2 chapter books using lists such as the HAISLN list, Triple Crown Books, or Lonestar List for guidance (scroll down for links)
    • Complete one of the five assignment options in response to one of your choice books. These will be submitted to Ms. Reynolds when you return from summer break.


Additional Reading Lists

Summer 2023 HAISLN Books

Texas Book Lists 2023

Triple Crown Awards (Encouraging elementary and junior high students to read wholesome and uplifting books)