How to Implement a High School Summer Reading Program (Katie Gillies and Beverly Zbinden)

In this episode, we speak with Niles North High School Summer Reading Program leads ELA teacher Katie Gillies and librarian Beverly Zbinden.

While summer reading may help reduce the potential student summer learning slide, Gillies and Zbinden discuss their true purpose in creating this ambitious project at North Niles High School - a large and diverse high school outside of Chicago:

- help students see themselves reflected in the literature they read

- expand student choice in the type of literature to which students are exposed

- create strong school and community around literature

- foster joy in reading and self-discovery.

In a time of increasing attacks on diversity and free speech, this program ensures that everyone in the school community is valued.

We also discuss the processes involved in implementing such a project - from text selection to program launch and after - as well as the partnership that is required between classroom teachers and librarians in the school and, with Skokie Public Library.

Katie Gillies LinkedIn Page

OurLitLab

Niles North Summer Reading Lit Guide

Summer Reading 2025 Incoming Freshman Page

Music by Aylex