This summer, the Nayatt School library is hosting a summer reading challenge, “Nayatt Reads.” 

Each student can read a book or two from the Nayatt Reads Summer Challenge List, a list of books curated by the Nayatt library team. At the beginning of the school year readers can write their names to the Nayatt Reads banner to share their love for reading. 

“Reading over the summer is important to prevent the summer slide, maintain cognitive skills, and foster a lifelong love for learning,” said Cherylann Bertoncini, the Nayatt librarian and founder of “Nayatt Reads.” 

Each year, the Barrington elementary librarians create a list of recommended books for summer reading that they send out to students' families. There are selections from varying genres, including fiction, nonfiction, classics, and new books. 

“Promoting books that students want to read is key,” Bertoncini said. “Summer reading needs to be fun, positive and enjoyable.”

Along with Nayatt Reads, students are encouraged to participate in the reading program at Barrington Public Library. Within the library’s reading program, children can log books and earn tickets to enter a raffle to win prizes. The children’s prizes include a popcorn maker, telescope and glow in the dark Solar System model, and a weighted plush dragon. 

Jessica Chaffee, a former kindergarten and first grade teacher, has students participating in “Nayatt Reads” this summer. 

“The suggested summer reading lists both from the town library as well as Mrs. Bertoncini gives us all a direction to navigate how to get 10 to 20 minutes of reading in a day (most days...) throughout the summer. There's a little bit of something for every reader throughout the suggested reading,” Chaffee said.