10 Free Online Reading Programs for Middle School Students
If you’re a middle school student, knowing how to read different types of material is much more important than you think!
As a middle schooler, you will constantly be required to parse through material across different subjects, and synthesize your analysis in the form of essays, poems, and even research reports! Reading skills also go a long way while planning your high school trajectory - a lot of what you’ll be doing as a high schooler hinges on how well you can read and reflect.
If you’re a middle school student looking to improve your reading skills in an accessible format alongside your school schedule, an online reading program can be an ideal choice!
These programs offer structured reading activities, access to diverse books, and opportunities to discuss and analyze literature with peers. Here are 10 free online reading programs designed specifically for middle school students:
Cost: Free
Registration Deadline: Rolling
Program Dates: April 26 - September 3, 2024
Eligibility: Open to students in grades K-8
The Scholastic Summer Reading Program encourages students to read over the summer by offering a platform where they can log their reading minutes. Participants earn virtual rewards, unlock book excerpts, and author interviews as they progress. The program also includes weekly challenges and themed activities to keep reading fun and engaging - this is a solid way for you to pick up on a daily reading habit, and engage with various writing styles daily.
Cost: Free
Registration Deadline: Not required
Program Dates: Ongoing
Eligibility: Open to all ages, but with content suitable for middle school students
PBS KIDS Read-Along features well-known authors and celebrities reading popular children’s books. Middle school students can follow along with the text on screen and enjoy interactive activities related to each story. The program is designed to promote a love of reading and improve literacy skills.
3. Epic!
Cost: Free with access code (usually provided by teachers or librarians)
Registration Deadline: Rolling
Program Dates: Ongoing
Eligibility: Open to students ages 12 and under, including middle school students
Epic! offers a digital library with thousands of high-quality books for kids. Middle school students can enjoy an extensive range of genres including fiction, non-fiction, graphic novels, and educational videos. The program provides personalized recommendations based on reading preferences and includes features like read-to-me audio and quizzes to enhance comprehension. Epic! is designed to foster a love of reading in a fun and interactive way.
Cost: Free
Registration Deadline: Not required
Program Dates: Ongoing
Eligibility: Open to all ages, but with content suitable for middle school students
Storyline Online features videos of celebrated actors reading children’s books aloud. Each story is accompanied by animations that enhance the storytelling experience. Middle school students can access a wide range of books and follow along with the text, improving their reading fluency and comprehension.
Cost: Free
Registration Deadline: Rolling
Program Dates: Ongoing
Eligibility: Open to students ages 9-18
LitPick invites middle school students to read and review pre-publication books provided by publishers and authors. Participants receive free e-books and are encouraged to write honest reviews, which are published on the LitPick website. This program not only promotes reading but also hones critical thinking and writing skills.
Cost: Free
Registration Deadline: Not required
Program Dates: Ongoing
Eligibility: Open to all ages, with resources for middle school students
Reading Rockets offers a wealth of resources to encourage reading among middle school students. The program includes booklists, author interviews, and reading strategies. Students can explore different genres, discover new authors, and engage in activities designed to improve their reading skills.
Cost: Free
Registration Deadline: Not required
Program Dates: Ongoing
Eligibility: Open to all ages, with a selection of books suitable for middle school students
ICDL provides access to a vast collection of digital books from around the world. Middle school students can explore a diverse range of literature, including folk tales, classic stories, and contemporary books. The program aims to promote global understanding and literacy by making high-quality literature accessible to all.
8. Open eBooks
Cost: Free (requires access code from a teacher or librarian)
Registration Deadline: Rolling
Program Dates: Ongoing
Eligibility: Open to students from low-income families, with books suitable for middle school students
Open eBooks offers free access to thousands of e-books for middle school students from low-income families. The app features a curated collection of popular and award-winning books across various genres. Students can read at their own pace and explore a wide range of topics and authors.
9. CommonLit
Cost: Free
Registration Deadline: Not required
Program Dates: Ongoing
Eligibility: Open to all students, with resources tailored for middle school
CommonLit provides a comprehensive library of free reading passages for middle school students. Each passage comes with assessment questions, discussion topics, and related media. The program is designed to improve reading comprehension and critical thinking skills through high-quality, diverse texts.
10. ReadingIQ
Cost: Free (with registration)
Registration Deadline: Rolling
Program Dates: Ongoing
Eligibility: Open to students aged 2-12
ReadingIQ offers a comprehensive digital library tailored for middle school students. With thousands of titles ranging from classic literature to contemporary fiction, the platform provides an age-appropriate and engaging reading experience. You can track your reading progress, earn rewards, and participate in interactive quizzes and activities. ReadingIQ helps middle schoolers enhance their reading skills and discover new genres and authors.
One more option - The Lumiere Junior Explorer Program
The Lumiere Junior Explorer Program is a program for middle school students to work one-on-one with a mentor to explore their academic interests and build a project they are passionate about. Our mentors are scholars from top research universities such as Harvard, MIT, Stanford, Yale, Duke, and LSE.
The program was founded by a Harvard & Oxford PhD who met as undergraduates at Harvard. The program is rigorous and fully virtual. We offer need-based financial aid for students who qualify. You can find the application in the brochure!
To learn more, you can reach out to our Head of Partnerships, Maya, at maya.novak-herzog@lumiere.education or go to our website.
Multiple rolling deadlines for JEP cohorts across the year, you can apply using this application link! If you'd like to take a look at the cohorts + deadlines for 2024, you can refer to this page!
Stephen is one of the founders of Lumiere and a Harvard College graduate. He founded Lumiere as a Ph.D. student at Harvard Business School. Lumiere is a selective research program where students work 1-1 with a research mentor to develop an independent research paper.