2026-27 Lower
School Summer
Reading Booklet
Both Lower School Bolles Campuses encourage active reading of all types over the summer. Enclosed is a selection of resources to keep your child’s reading energy going all summer long.
Rising Pre-Kindergarten through Rising Grade 2 students:
• We encourage daily or nearly daily reading, whether it’s independent reading, shared reading or parent/caregiver reading aloud.
• Visit your local public library for excellent summer reading incentive programs.
• The Sunshine State jr. list is on page 3 for reading inspiration for our younger readers.
• Find Bingo Boards at the end of this book to play along with your reading!
Rising Grade 3 through rising Grade 5 students:
• We encourage daily or nearly daily reading, whether it’s independent reading, shared reading or parent/caregiver reading aloud.
• Visit your local public library for excellent summer reading incentive programs.
• Find Bingo Boards at the end of this book to play along with your reading!
• For older children, both independent reading and “brain break” reading is encouraged — no book is “too easy.”
• Grades 3-5 see Sunshine State Readers book list on page 5 for inspiration.
• Grades 3-5 have the option to complete the SSYRA Reader’s Challenge, see page 4 for guidelines.
Rising Grade 5 students:
1. Choose one (1) book from the Grades 3-5 Sunshine State List on page 5.
2. Choose one (1) book from the Historical Fiction List on page 7.
Happy Reading this Summer!
With literary love from your school librarians, Mrs. Moore and Mrs. Karvounis
Each year, the Florida Association for Media in Education publishes a list of books selected by teachers and librarians highlighted as great literature for all children.
Sunshine State Young Reader Award Program lists are divided into three categories: SSYRA Jr. PK-2, SSYRA Grades 3-5 and SSYRA Grades 6-8. The titles are selected based on wide interest, a variety of narrative formats and availability in paperback.
During the summer and coming school year, our students in grades 3 through 5 are challenged to read books from the 2026-2027 SSYRA Grades 3-5 list and record their progress. In early sprimg, each campus will honor readers who have completed the challenge.
Please record your reading either with the enclosed form, or use the online link found at:
Ponte Vedra Beach Campus Library Summer Reading Page or the Copeland Library Summer Reading Page depending on your home campus.
• Grade 3 students are challenged to read 6 or more books from the Gr. 3-5 list.
• Grade 4 students are challenged to read 8 or more books from the Gr. 3-5 list.
• Grade 5 students are challenged to read 10 or more books from the Gr. 3-5 list.
All books are available at Duval and St. Johns County public libraries, as well as from your favorite independent bookseller. Copies will also be available during the school year from the school libraries.
Please reach out with questions to:
Whitehurst Campus Librarian
Jennifer Moore moorej@bolles.org or
Ponte Vedra Beach Campus Librarian
Christina Karvounis karvounisc@bolles.org
SSYRA Challenge is optional. Please see the letter on page 4 for more information. Students: record your summer SSYRA challenge reading to submit to MS Forms in August once Library Course in Schoology is live.
TITLE
Favorite scene and why:
Trivia question:
TITLE
Favorite scene and why:
Trivia question:
TITLE
Favorite scene and why:
Trivia question:
If more spaces are needed, just copy this page.
Rising Grade 5 students: 2026-27 Rising Grade 5 Historical Fiction List
• Peacemaker J. Bruchac (Native American Life)
• Ancestor Approved C. Smith (Native American Life)
• Rebecca Rides for Freedom E. Berne (Revolutionary War)
• Freewater A. Luqman-Dawson (19th Century American History)
• Lost in Empire City Avi (19th Century American History)
• The Birchbark House L. Erdrich (19th Century American History)
• Luminous Life of Lucy A. R. Johnson (19th Century American History)
• One Big Open Sky L. Cline-Ransome (Westward Expansion)
• Hidden Treasures J. Burton (WWI England)
• Balto and Togo: Hero Dogs of Alaska H. Moss (1920s)
• The Secret of Honeycake K. Fusco (Great Depression)
• Hattie Mae Begins Again S. Flake (1930s USA)
• The War that Saved My Life K. Bradley (World War II)
• Max in the House of Spies A. Gidwitz (World War II)
• Heroes A. Gratz (World War II)
Summer Reading Bingo! Color in each square as you complete the activity. Can you get 5 across, down or diagonal? BINGO!
Go play outside after you read. Ask a grownup to teach you a new word from your reading.
Read out loud.
Read a fiction story.
Make a blanket fort and read in it.
Draw a picture inspired by the book your reading.
Read a biography. Read about a sport.
Act out a scene in your book.
Read a non-fiction story.
Read to a stuffed animal or a family pet.
Touch your nose while you read.
Draw a character from the book you read.
Write a 3 sentence explanation of the book you read.
Read outside.
Read in bed.
Read a parentselected news story online.
Read a graphic novel.
Read using a flashlight.
Read a poem.
Eat a snack while you read.
Discuss the book you are reading with your parent or a friend.
Read for 30 minutes.
Read when it’s raining outside.
Create Your Own Bingo Board! No box may be repeated.
WHERE DID YOU READ TODAY? DRAW and LABEL A CHARACTER
Date: Date:
Date:
NONFICTION FAVORITES
I CAN CONNECT THIS BOOK TO (self, another text, or world) BECAUSE…
TITLES of BOOKS
Date:
Date:
Date:
Date:
Date: Date: Date: Date: Date: