For the second consecutive year, students played a key role in determining the summer reading book selections at the Upper School level.
“A group of students and faculty helped choose the summer reading books from a list of books that was submitted by students and faculty,” said Melinda Holmes, director of library services. “The committee looked at a long list of books comprised of many different subjects and themes. This year, for the first time, they determined that the mission for Darlington’s summer reading should be for students to have a positive reading experience with a good book rather than to study a theme-based selection or a curriculum-boosting plot.”
This year’s book selections vary greatly and represent three different genres: “The Last Child” by John Hart (thriller), “Outliers” by Malcolm Gladwell (nonfiction) and “The Help” by Kathryn Stockett (historical fiction).
“We decided that giving the students a choice would help make the experience more pleasurable,” Holmes said. “‘The Help’ was a favorite from the beginning. ‘The Outliers’ was an easy choice as well; in fact, all of Malcolm Gladwell’s books were recommended and discussed early in the process. Finally, ‘The Last Child’ was selected because it’s just a fun thriller. Plus, it has not been made into a movie yet and it recently won the Edgar Award.”
All students entering the Upper School are required to read one of the three selections and complete an assessment. Summer reading projects are due on Aug. 17 for all students enrolled by July 15. Late enrollees must turn in the project by Aug. 23.
For more information on the selections or the assessment, click here. You may also contact Beth Wilson, chairperson of the English department, with questions.
