The dreaded summer reading lists. For decades, teachers have been handing out assigned reading, mostly comprised of old “classics,” which can lack appeal and relevance for today’s young readers.

In this first-ever poll by School Library Journal (SLJ) and NCTE (National Council of Teachers of English), educators can weigh in on reading lists currently in distribution. Here you’ll have the chance to choose the titles you’d like culled from required reading and those books you would urge students to read instead.

Your responses will inform an important conversation toward promoting high-quality, high-interest titles to engage students and propose new, crowdsourced summer reading suggestions.

“We see time and again the value of adding new titles, new stories, and new approaches to all aspects of literacy education,” says NCTE executive director Emily Kirkpatrick. “NCTE and School Library Journal are eager to hear what you think about summer reading lists overall and how we can work together to improve summer reading: from lists and particular titles as well as new approaches altogether.”

Survey results will appear in SLJ’s April 2022 issue and NCTE and SLJ will host a related community forum in Spring 2022.

“SLJ is thrilled to partner with NCTE on this effort, leveraging the wisdom of our audience of teachers and librarians to improve reading recommendations and enhance joyful reading among students,” says Kathy Ishizuka, SLJ editor in chief. “We look forward to hearing your ideas.”

Ready to take the survey? (You might want to have a current reading list handy.) Here’s the link.