Lakeside School

Members of the Lakeside community are invited to participate in Lakeside Summer Reads 2026! Upper School students, faculty, and staff have recommended a wide range of books to help inspire reading choices over the summer break. Find the ninth annual list here, as well as Summer Reads lists from prior years. 

Studies have shown that students who read for pleasure average higher grades in core subjects, including math, science, history, and English. Self-directed reading also provides crucial opportunities for students to practice independent and sustained engagement with text, a more critical skill than ever for students to master on their own in order to protect against the cognitive offloading that can result from the use of generative AI tools. 

“In addition to providing cognitive benefits, reading for pleasure encourages social and cultural engagement, improves emotional and psychological well-being, and can help students develop and understand their personal identities,” says librarian Lianne Pang.

“Allowing students to choose their own reading materials is strongly correlated with better reading skills, comprehension, and vocabulary. Students who have autonomy over their reading choices also read more, and are more likely to develop positive, lifelong reading habits,” adds librarian Carly Pansulla.

The research is clear that all types of reading contribute to these benefits. This includes non-traditional formats such as graphic novels, manga, and comics, as well as popular genre fiction like mystery, sci-fi, and fantasy novels. The librarians encourage all students to choose reading material based on their genuine interests and curiosities, and the library hosts a book browsing event in the final days of the school year to help students find books they are excited about for their summer break. 

To celebrate independent reading, the library will be running a summer reading raffle for students who choose to read over the break. Upper School students can enter the raffle by submitting short (3-to-5 sentence) reviews of any books they read over the summer — either off the Summer Reads list or any other books they choose. For each book they read or listen to, they can enter a new review (and a new raffle entry). Students can submit reviews using this form, which opens June 8, throughout the summer; the deadline for submissions is September 18. Raffle prizes include bookstore gift cards and Super Secret Surprise Mystery Totes filled with book-themed goodies.

Make sure to check out your local library, but financial aid will apply to book purchases for summer reading. Please contact Tearon Joseph, Director of Enrollment Management, for financial aid details (info@lakesideschool.site, 206-440-2773).