Harker Summer Reading Program: Welcome!

The Harker community understands the scientifically documented benefits of reading. In addition to building vocabulary, writing, and communication skills, readers are more civically engaged, better able to mitigate stress, and live longer (Sullivan and Brown, 2013). 

Research also tells us that the positive results of reading are increased when readers can self-select titles and engage in reading for pleasure. “The research based on student-selected reading is robust and conclusive. Students read more, understand more, and are more likely to continue reading when they have the opportunity to choose what they read.” (Allington and Gabriel, 2012). Further, Guthrie and Humenick’s 2004 study concludes “self-selected reading is twice as powerful as teacher-selected reading in developing motivation and comprehension.” 

Research has also made evident that comprehension from reading text and listening to audio is equivalent and that audiobooks strengthen comprehension in young readers and auditory learners. (Rogowski, Calhoun and Talall, 2016).

Harker librarians have designed summer reading programs that build on this scholarship regarding reading and learning. To become lifelong readers, students must have the opportunity to exercise choice in their reading selections. The increased availability of fiction and nonfiction titles in audio, eBook, and print formats exponentially increases our students’ access to books. Our summer reading programs are committed to reinforcing students’ positive reading experiences by incorporating choice and permitting a variety of media.

Read on!

Mrs. Clark, Mrs. Atterholt, Mr. Morrissey, Ms. Pelman, Mrs. Cranston, Mr. Murray and Ms. Poulsen-Hollin

Harker’s Summer Reading has two parts: 

1. Reading for Language Arts or English classes

2. Pleasure reading programs designed by your librarians 

At Harker, the love of reading is woven into the fabric of who we are. From the first pages we turn as children to the volumes we devour long after graduation, our journey with books never ends. Together, we celebrate stories—discussing them in class, swapping favorites in passing, and always finding new ways to share the magic of words.

Harker Libraries aim to spark and sustain a lifelong love of reading. Through engaging programs and a rich, ever-growing collection of captivating books, our librarians are here to connect young readers with stories that inspire. We invite you to join us on this journey—explore new titles, revisit old favorites, and don’t hesitate to share your own book discoveries with us along the way."

“Any book that helps a child to form a habit of reading, to make reading one of his deep and continuing needs, is good for him.” ~Maya Angelou

To find information appropriate for each grade level, click on the corresponding tab above.

Connie Poulsen-Hollin
Library Director
The Harker School

ReCreate Reading is Harker Upper School's Summer Pleasure Reading Program for grades 10 - 12. Check out what teachers and students are reading on the ReCreate Reading website.

New to Sora, Harker's collection of eBooks and audio books? Click here for step-by-step instructions.

Sora uses Google Single Sign On (SSO) and redirects to a Google login page. To access titles, attach the suffix <@students.harker.org> to your Harker username. (For example Harker username 33SamD becomes Sora username 33SamD@students.harker.org.) Your Harker password and Sora password are identical.

Students rising to grades TK-3 and all new students will receive an email on June 15th including their Harker username and password.

Having trouble logging in? Please contact SummerReading@harker.org.

Accessing eBooks and audiobooks from Sora is not a requirement of the summer reading program.

Harker librarians also recommend investigating remote access to eBooks and audio books through your local public library.