The smell of a book can bring about an nostalgic feeling, but it is not a smell many high school students wish to be inhaling during their summer vacation. Throughout the summer many AP and honors classes require select students to read a variety of books relevant to the teachings that will take place during the year. With such breezy summer days the temptation to avoid this duty is a great one.

Here is a thought: summer is a time to relax and unwind, but it has also been observed that students who read over the summer do better in school than students who do not. Summer reading is the perfect way for any student to pursue his or her individual interests and at the same time maintain and strengthen important reading skills.

“I think it is important to continue reading through the summer just to keep your mind active and to keep you fresh with your vocabulary. [It helps to] enrich yourself. I wish they would require it for all grades regardless of the fact if you are in AP or honors. Everybody should be assigned at least one or two books,” Mrs. Karen Bowman, Guidance, said.

If a student is enrolled in an honors or AP class, reading is essential to those who put in the time to do the work over the summer.
“[In an honors or AP class,] if [students] aren’t willing to put in the time in reading and extra work that is required, it is generally not recommended to take the course. These classes cover more material and they want to ensure that students are capable of getting through the more difficult readings,” Mrs. Bowman said.