You made it!  All tests have been taken and projects completed.  The class parties are over.  You’ve emptied the backpacks and packed the last lunch of the 2013-14 school year.  Congratulations!  We wish you a very happy summer filled with lots of rest and family fun.

Hopefully, you will soon get a chance to put your feet up in a comfy chair, or sit by the pool, or sun yourself on the on the beach.  Our staff offers their top picks for summer reads during those relaxing moments:

Barbara Nail 1^st Grade teacher:  Chicken Soup for the Soul: Parenthood has light entertaining stories that make you laugh; they make you think about and enjoy your time as a parent.

Patricia Burnett, 2^nd Grade Assistant:  The Universe Next Door: A Basic Worldview Catalog by James W. Shire is an extremely helpful tool that outlines major worldviews in an easy to understand format.  An interesting read and an essential for your collection!

Glenn Pleasant, Head of Lower School: Sycamore Row by John Grisham is a great novel that is both suspenseful and humorous—a great combination.

Bill Jackson, Upper School Reading Teacher:  I suggest The Call of The Wild by Jack London, especially for boys and dads.  This is a classic novel about a dog who becomes the leader of a wolf pack.

Sandra Godsey, 4th Grade Teacher – my suggestion is the Gods and Kings series by Lynn Austin.  It  offers a good overview of the books of Kings and Chronicles in the Old Testament and also helps you see how God works in the lives of His people.

Chris Jensen, Upper School Teacher – The Hiding Place by Corrie Ten Boom.  Compelling story, great theology.  If you have not read this one yet, make time. MGCS students read it in 7^th grade.

Dawn Friend, Student Support Team – America the Beautiful by Dr. Ben Carson.  Dr. Carson shows how to live out a biblical worldview in a secular culture.

Kim Furtado, 5^th Grade Assistant – A book I love and one that I read to my own children is Roll of Thunder Hear My Cry.  Wonderful life lessons, suspense, and great definitions of what it means to truly love.  As a parent, it is a great reminder of the importance of setting the right kind of example, especially during difficult times.

Paula Starling, Kindergarten Teacher –I would suggest Same Kind of Different as Me by Ron Hall and Denver Moore because it is a wonderful story of true friendship.  It’s a quick read, packed with such richness.

Lora Padula, Preschool Assistant – A great family read is anything from the Little House series.  These stories are well suited for so many ages.  Other classics for families are Shell Siverstein and Dr. Seuss books…timeless.

Allison Kyff, Development Director:  One of my all-time favorites is To Kill A Mocking Bird by Harper Lee.  It is uplifting and full of great moments where the characters make simple but powerful gestures.  Embarrassingly enough, I cry every time I read it.

Chris Butler, Administrative Assistant: Some of my favorite summer reading is home decorating magazines!  Summer is the best time for me to concentrate on my house, and I love learning new ways to focus on my home.  For a book, I would choose Killing Lincoln by James Swanson.  As a lover of history and all things Lincoln, I couldn’t get enough of it.