Research shows that student reading scores drop between the end of one school year and the beginning of the next. This has been dubbed the “Summer Slide.” The idea is not that students magically become less-skilled readers from June to August. Rather, many students do not read during the summer; therefore, they are not practicing their reading skills. To help combat the “Summer Slide,” Leander ISD encourages all students and parents to continue reading all year long. Closing the gap, eliminating summer slide, and promoting a life-long love of reading – one book, one kid at a time!

Summer Reading for All Virtual Book Drive

LISD, in partnership with the Leander Educational Excellence Foundation (LEEF), is launching the Summer Reading for All Virtual Book Drive to help keep all students reading during the summer. This electronic book drive will directly impact students who may not otherwise have access to quality reading material. All levels of e-books will be accepted, and all genres are needed (chapter books, picture books, non-fiction, fiction); however, the greatest need is for books appropriate for students in grades 6-12. 

We will not be collecting physical books, but encourage you to consider contributing to the Summer Reading for All book drive electronically through the following sources:

  • Need an idea of a new book to donate? Check out our Amazon Wishlist.
  • #SR4A is a fundraiser: we can accept checks toward the purchase of high-interest books!
    • To donate monetarily, please make checks out to “Leander ISD” and send them to:
      Leander ISD
      Attn: Monique Rubin (SR4A)
      P.O. Box 218
      Leander, TX 78646

Use hashtag #SR4A on Twitter to help spread the word!

Sora Digital Library Information

Where can students get a book to read for the summer?

  • LISD students and staff can check out books on their mobile devices (iPad, iPhone, Kindle, etc.) via Sora.
    • Go to your mobile device’s App Store and download the Sora App.
    • Search for Leander ISD.
    • Once you download a book, you will have it on your device for two weeks. After two weeks, it will automatically be returned for you.
    • If you have a Cedar Park or Leander Public Library Card, you can download books from them as well via Sora. Just search for those libraries in the search box.
    • Additional Sora support and book recommendations

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Where else can my child get books to read over the summer?

  • Please check the Cedar Park, Leander, and Austin public libraries’ websites for their availability over the summer.
  • And of course, area book stores and online retailers such as Amazon often have great deals on print and digital books.

How can parents help their students self-select books?

Start by asking what types of things does the student like to read about? Do they like to read about animals? Then perhaps they would like books about circuses or fictional books that have animals as the main characters. Librarians will be able to match kids’ interests with several books they may like.

Teach students to do a “book tasting.” Does the cover of the book look intriguing? What about the blurb on the inside cover? Read the first few sentences. Does it hook you in?

Does the student have a favorite author? If so, help them discover other titles by that same author. For example, many people read The Outsiders by S.E. Hinton when they were in middle school. However, many people don’t know that she has several other books that are just as excellent.

Does the student have a favorite book? If so, help them discover books that are similar to their favorite book. Book stores, librarians, and websites often have “If you liked ____, then you will like ______” lists.

Will there be an assignment or grade when the student gets back to school?

The Summer Learning page has information on required assignments.

What should a student do if they think their book is not a good fit or boring?

If you think your book is not a good fit or boring, stop reading. It is perfectly okay to stop and choose a different book.

What if my book is too easy or too hard?

Sometimes people read books that are too easy for them – that’s okay. Sometimes we just want an easy, pleasurable read. Other times, we crave a challenge. But if you decide the book you chose to read during the summer is too easy or too hard, feel free to put it down and try a different book.

What can parents do at home to help their child become a better reader?

Successful readers are often products of homes where parents are readers, too.  Check out these simple ways parents can help their students become better readers.

How are donated books sorted to meet the needs of the various ages of students?

District employees will screen the book donations for content that may not be not a good fit for secondary-aged students. However, what is deemed appropriate is in the eye of the beholder and differs from family to family. We encourage parents to have conversations with students about what is appropriate reading material for their family prior to the student choosing a summer reading book. If a student feels the book they are reading is inappropriate, the student should stop reading and swap that book out with a different one.

What is a Lexile?

A Lexile is a number that corresponds to a person’s reading level or a text’s difficulty. The purpose is to help match readers up with books that are near their independent reading level. Similar to Goldilocks and the Three Bears, a Lexile measure tries to help find books that are not too easy or too hard, but ones that are just right. Most students in LISD take an online Scholastic Reading Inventory test three times a year. This information helps students know their current reading level and helps parents and teachers monitor a student’s growth as a reader. To find the Lexile level of a particular book, visit Lexile.com.

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