Summer Reading for Finley & Huntington High School Students
June 10, 2026
A steady diet of summer reading is essential for Huntington High School and J. Taylor Finley Middle School students, who should never be without a book. Whether to get a little bit ahead in their studies or just for pure fun and general enjoyment, summer reading is a must for all of the teenagers.
Huntington UFSD has reached out to parents for their support, asking them to encourage their child to pick up a book and read this summer. The district has always looked to parents as essential partners in education and the summer months are no different.
“Summer provides an important opportunity for students to enjoy reading, exploring new interests, and continue building the literacy skills that support success in every subject area,” wrote Assistant Superintendent Brenden P. Cusack in a letter to parents. “This year our summer reading program is connected to the national celebration of America’s 250th Anniversary. Through this theme, students are invited to discover stories about the people, places, ideas, conflicts, documents, music, innovations, and local histories that have shaped our nation.”
Finley Middle School – Huntington High School Summer Reading Link:
“Whether your child is entering seventh grade or preparing for their senior year, students will have access to a wide range of reading choices through the summer reading site,” Mr. Cusack said. “The site includes short summaries of recommended fiction and nonfiction titles connected to America’s 250th Anniversary and related themes, including freedom, opportunity, culture, music, family, immigration, community service, Long Island history, and the American Revolution. Additionally, to provide a streamlined experience for students taking Advanced Placement (AP) courses, a dedicated site will be shared soon for all summer work related to AP courses in all subject areas.”
The recommended titles are meant to serve as a starting point, not a required reading list, according to Mr. Cusack. Students may choose from the suggested books, or they may select any book, article, audiobook, graphic novel, biography, memoir, or nonfiction text that sparks their interest and inspires them to read. The most important goal is for students to read more this summer and to find reading materials they genuinely enjoy.
“Many recommended titles can be found through your child’s school library platform or through the Huntington Public Library’s collections,” Mr. Cusack said. “Students will need a library card to access books and digital resources through the public library. Library cards are available at the Huntington Public Library’s Main Street and Station Branch locations.”
Students may also use Newsela to read articles connected to their interests. Newsela is accessible through Clever on the Chromebook, and students can search for articles by topic, grade level, and reading level.
Students completing the summer reading are invited to respond in writing, and this summer work will enable them to receive two points added to both their first quarter English grade and their first quarter Social Studies grade. The reading log can be found on the Finley Middle School and Huntington High School Reading Site.
Students can elect to complete the reading log for credit, or their reading can be for pure enjoyment with no written requirement.
“As we celebrate America’s 250th Anniversary, we hope students will use summer reading as a way to explore our nation’s history, discover local connections, think about the future, and continue developing their own interests and voices as readers,” Mr. Cusack said.
If you have questions, reach out to District Director of ELA and Reading Dr. Gretchen Rodney by email at grodney@hufsd.edu.