FWCD Summer Reading 

A summer reading program in all divisions has long been a tradition at Fort Worth Country Day. Keeping students reading over the summer and fostering a love of reading are important goals. The School works toward these goals by choosing books with literary value that are also popular with the readers. View the Summer Reading Libguide. Learn more about the program for each division at Summer Reading.

Library Hours: The Moncrief Library will be closed for minor renovations this summer. Middle School students will take Accelerated Reader (AR) quizzes and be able to check out books from the Middle School Computer Lab located in the fifth and sixth grade hallway. Middle School students should contact Middle School Librarian Kim Gardner with any questions. Summer library (including the Lower School Library) hours are 10 a.m.-1 p.m. on Wednesdays, beginning May 29 through August 16. The library is closed on July 5. Upper School students should contact Upper School Librarian Sarah Blan for access to any library resources this summer while the library is being renovated.

K-4 students in the Lower School enjoy Blackout Bingo, which is designed to encourage students to read a variety of books over the summer break. The grade-level specific bingo cards include categories of books to encourage all students — even the newest of readers — to use the library catalog or browse the shelves to find books of interest and to promote reading in different genres. Summer reading commences for Lower School students on Thursday, May 25. All cards must be submitted to classroom teachers by Wednesday, August 23. Students who complete the card are granted a highly coveted Out-of-Uniform Day on Friday, September 1.

Middle School students are responsible for reading three books. Each grade level has one required book and two “choice” books. All grade levels have lists of books from which to choose for their choice books. The required books are:

Fifth Grade: Number the Stars by Lois Lowry

Sixth Grade: One for the Murphys by Lynda Mullaly Hunt

Seventh Grade: The Outsiders by S.E. Hinton

Eighth Grade: Unbroken (the Young Adult Adaptation) by Laura Hillenbrand

Accelerated Reader (AR) tests can be taken on each book read over the summer in the Middle School Computer Lab on Wednesdays from 10 a.m.-1 p.m. All AR quizzes are due Wednesday, August 23. 

Upper School students are required to read three books: a universal book, a student choice book and a grade-level required reading for English class. The Upper School is incorporating an assignment this year (as opposed to an assessment) for students to complete as they read the universal book. Students will also participate in discussions during the school year related to both the universal and student choice books. When school resumes, students will complete an English assignment on the grade-level required reading. This year’s universal book is Station Eleven by Emily St. John Mandel.

Summer reading isn’t just for the students! FWCD faculty and staff will enjoy a good book as well! They are choosing from 16 books that cover a variety of genres. Faculty and staff connect to discuss their selected books during in-service time in August. 

For a complete listing of books for all grades, as well as the Lower School Blackout Bingo cards, visit the 2023 Summer Reading website or contact Tammy Wolford.