The Foundation for a Meaningful Life
Kindergarten - Grade 9 in Southborough, MA
Kindergarten - Grade 9 in Southborough, MA
Families
Resources
Summer Reading 2026
Summer Reading
Independent reading is such an important part of any student’s or adult’s intellectual and emotional growth. Fay School is a community of readers, illustrated not only across our curriculum but also in shared reading experiences like “One School One Book,” faculty and staff book groups, our themed library collections and displays, and our choice libraries curated by teachers in all divisions. Our parents and students love to gather and share their collective and independent reading.
What better time to find meaning through reading than the summer?
What better time to find meaning through reading than the summer?
Primary School Summer Reading
Calling all students entering Kindergarten through grade 2! This summer, we are tuning in to the magic of reading. Below is our specially curated Summer Reading List, all designed around the wonderful world of music.
We hope these stories inspire you to dance, sing, and explore all the vibrant ways music adds color to our lives. If your local library is out of these exact titles, don't worry! Just show this list to a children's librarian and ask for help finding similar musical tales to love.
We hope these stories inspire you to dance, sing, and explore all the vibrant ways music adds color to our lives. If your local library is out of these exact titles, don't worry! Just show this list to a children's librarian and ask for help finding similar musical tales to love.
Primary School Summer Reading
-
Primary School Summer Reading
Lower School Summer Reading
Students entering grade 3 or 4 should select at least TWO books from their grade level list.
Students entering grade 5 or 6 will read one required novel AND one additional book from their grade level list.
Required Reading for Grades Five and Six
Students entering grade five: Save Me a Seat by Sarah Weeks and Gita Varadarajan
Students entering grade six: A Work in Progress by Jarrett Lerner
Also listed are titles from previous years' One School One Book (OSOB) selections. Please enjoy reading any titles from this list. The Lower School OSOB program provides an opportunity for students, teachers, and parents to take time to read the same book and reflect on its themes and messages.
Please be ready to share which book was your favorite (and why) in reading class in September!
Students entering grade 5 or 6 will read one required novel AND one additional book from their grade level list.
Required Reading for Grades Five and Six
Students entering grade five: Save Me a Seat by Sarah Weeks and Gita Varadarajan
Students entering grade six: A Work in Progress by Jarrett Lerner
Also listed are titles from previous years' One School One Book (OSOB) selections. Please enjoy reading any titles from this list. The Lower School OSOB program provides an opportunity for students, teachers, and parents to take time to read the same book and reflect on its themes and messages.
Please be ready to share which book was your favorite (and why) in reading class in September!
Lower School Reading Lists
Upper School Summer Reading
Upper School students are asked to complete the following summer reading:
Upper School students are required to read the ONE book listed below for their grade, AND are asked to choose one additional book from the Upper School Choice Reading Lists linked below.
The first list represents a cross-section of contemporary titles from our choice libraries and represents very different disciplines, genres, and voices. The second list is equally diverse in its cultural and geographical representation, but it consists of more “established” titles, books currently taught around the world in grades 7-12.
Upper School students are required to read the ONE book listed below for their grade, AND are asked to choose one additional book from the Upper School Choice Reading Lists linked below.
The first list represents a cross-section of contemporary titles from our choice libraries and represents very different disciplines, genres, and voices. The second list is equally diverse in its cultural and geographical representation, but it consists of more “established” titles, books currently taught around the world in grades 7-12.
By sampling both lists, our students will be able to broaden their experiences, see themselves represented on the page, and prepare themselves for the rigors of future literature courses. Most of all, we hope that our community of readers finds meaning in the texts they choose.
In the fall, English teachers will assign classwork and homework related to the required text for each grade. Each book is selected to connect with the first unit of the school year. Students are expected to annotate each book, so books should be purchased and brought to school in the fall.
REQUIRED READING FOR ENGLISH 9: Animal Farm by George Orwell, AND one book from either list below.
REQUIRED READING FOR ENGLISH LANGUAGE CLASSES: New Kid by Jerry Craft.
In the fall, English teachers will assign classwork and homework related to the required text for each grade. Each book is selected to connect with the first unit of the school year. Students are expected to annotate each book, so books should be purchased and brought to school in the fall.
2026 Summer Reading
REQUIRED READING FOR ENGLISH 7: New Kid by Jerry Craft AND one book from either list below.
REQUIRED READING FOR ENGLISH 8: The Boy Who Harnessed the Wind by William Kamkwamba and Bryan Mealer AND one book from either list below.
REQUIRED READING FOR ENGLISH 9: Animal Farm by George Orwell, AND one book from either list below.
REQUIRED READING FOR ENGLISH LANGUAGE CLASSES: New Kid by Jerry Craft.
Optional Reading for Grade 9 Topics in Modern American History (TMA): Bomb: The Race to Build - and Steal - the World's Most Dangerous Weapon by Steve Sheinkin.
Upper School Reading Lists
48 MAIN STREET
SOUTHBOROUGH, MA 01772
main number 508-490-8250
admission 508-490-8201
SOUTHBOROUGH, MA 01772
main number 508-490-8250
admission 508-490-8201
