As summer approaches, so do beach days, road trips,creamery runs, and… summer reading? While that last option may sound less than thrilling to many students, this year’s #BHSreads2015 program is designed for laid-back summer reading. With a wide selection of books, and genres, this year’s list is sure to please even the most reluctant of readers. Ms. Wismar explained that “the books were selected through a series of votes” in which “students and staff members [submitted] titles for consideration”. The only book on the list that was not student-selected is The Tipping Point by Malcolm Gladwell, which was a faculty choice. Over the summer, students will be responsible for reading at least one book from the list, and take notes if they feel it is necessary. When we return to school in the fall, a #BHSreads2015 event will be held, where students and staff will be able to join student-led discussion groups based on which book they chose to read over the summer. So, not only will students be held responsible for summer reading, but teachers as well. Some students may have questions about how to gain access to the titles included in this year’s list, but Ms. Wismar and the rest of the #BHSreads2015 committee have made all of the books completely accessible. All of Bethel’s local bookstores have been given a list of the books, and the BHS Library Media Center has lent copies of the titles to the Bethel Public Library, so there will be an abundance of copies to borrow throughout the summer. In addition, students can use OverDrive Digital Library, which is accessible through the LMC’s “Books and Ebooks” webpage, and allows users to borrow books through the OverDrive app. To log in to the app, simply use your school username, and no password. Ms. Wismar has curated collections on OverDrive of the book list to allow even easier access to the titles! In conclusion, the goal of this summer reading program is to “promote a community of literacy,” in the words of Mrs. Fernand, “While you and I might pick the same title, we don’t necessarily end up reading the same book–we each bring our own experiences, perspectives, values, and beliefs when we interact with the text… We all have stories to tell.”