With summer vacation underway, now is the time for Baldwin students to get a head start on their summer reading assignments. Whether students choose a nonfiction title or a classic novel, starting early can help them complete the required reading before the school year begins in September. Summer reading is required for Baldwin students in kindergarten through 12th grade, with reading lists varying by grade and course level.
Before opening the first chapter, here are three things families should know. For grade-specific reading lists and additional information, visit the Baldwin Union Free School District website at baldwinschools.org.
Summer reading assignments are organized by the grade students will enter in the fall, with some middle and high school English courses requiring different titles. Families should confirm they are using the correct reading list before checking out or purchasing books. According to the district website, continuing to read over the summer is one of the best ways to strengthen reading skills and support overall academic success. Teachers also encourage students to read books of their choice in addition to any required titles and look forward to discussing the selections when classes resume in September.
Students and parents with questions about elementary school assignments should contact their building principal, while questions about middle and high school reading should be directed to the school’s English department.
While the Baldwin Public Library keeps multiple copies of many school-assigned titles in its Teen Room, librarians recommend checking them out as early in the summer as possible to improve the chances of finding them in stock. If a title is unavailable, the library can request a copy from another library in the Nassau library system, which typically arrives within a few days.
Students who prefer digital formats also have several options. The district’s Sora app provides access to e-books through students’ Baldwin school accounts, while the free Libby app allows Baldwin Public Library cardholders to borrow e-books and audiobooks from the Nassau Digital Doorway collection. Students without a Baldwin Public Library card can apply in person or online through the library’s website.
Families who prefer to own their books can purchase them wherever books are sold, including major retailers such as Barnes & Noble or support a local business by shopping at Baldwin’s independent bookstore, Book Nook.
The Baldwin Public Library’s Summer Reading Club gives students another reason to keep turning pages throughout the summer. The program is separate from the school district’s required reading assignments, but students may count their assigned books toward the club if they choose. Participants can also read books of their own choosing, including e-books and audiobooks, and earn prizes for the titles they report. The library offers Summer Reading Clubs for children, teens and adults, with books able to be logged online or in person.
Summer can also be a good time to start a book club with friends or classmates to discuss required reading and favorite new titles. After completing their school assignments, students may also want to continue exploring books by authors they discovered through their summer reading lists, helping turn a required assignment into a lifelong reading habit.
