Natick Summer Reading Books

All grades have options for their required readings. Students need to select one of the following texts to read, but if interested, they can certainly read more than one of the choices. Full info is available on the school's: 2024 Middle School Summer Reading Flyer.

Incoming Grade 5

Incoming Grade 6

Incoming Grade 7

Incoming Grade 8

Goals and Expectations

• Specific grade-level courses will be assigned a list of options related to course content. Texts and activities will enable students to build background knowledge through experiential learning while developing an authentic relationship with the curriculum.
• Note: Honors English courses have additional Summer Reading assignments

1. Choose a book (see below) or experience from the list.

2. Reflect on the essential question: How have hate, prejudice and bias impacted the world throughout history?  How are hate, prejudice and bias impacting our community today?

3. Students will present and reflect on their enrichment experience in their Global Awareness class during September.

1. Choose a book (see below*) or experience from the list.
*Note: you can read any book by Michio Kaku

1. Choose a book (see below) or experience from the list.

2. Pick 1-2 questions from the list of unit essential questions and write a brief reflection including details of your text/experience and how it connects to or answers the question.

3. Students will be asked to present about their summer experience in the fall.

Follow the Guidance Department Senior Year Checklist to prepare for your Fall Guidance Seminar and college /career planning.

• Senior Year Checklist
• Career Planning Website

Students taking Honors Freshman: English 10 - in addition to choosing one of the freshman enrichment choices, students will read Born a Crime by Trevor Noah.

Students taking Honors Sophomore: English 20 - in addition to choosing one of the sophomore enrichment choices, students will read a memoir novel.

Students taking Juniors Honors: English 30 - in addition to choosing one of the junior enrichment choices, students will read A Tree Grows in Brooklyn by Betty Smith.

Students will read:

• They Say / I Say by Gerald Graff and Cathy Birkenstein
• The Immortal Life of Henrietta Lacks by Rebecca Skloot

(See assignment here.)

Students will read:

• The Picture of Dorian Gray by Oscar Wilde
• Interpreter of Maladies by Jhumpa Lahiri
• How to Read Literature Like a Professor by Thomas C. Foster

In addition, students will read a curated collection of poetry.

(See assignment here).