Looking for a great summer read? Hoping to expand your knowledge of college access or financial education? If so, then this is the list for you! This month’s 5 on the 5th will bring you inspiration and some great books for those lazy days of summer.

1. Twisdoms About Paying for College  by Mark Kantrowitz

This book was recommended by Jessica Whittier, College Access Counselor, who said, “Mark Kantrowitz is a nationally-recognized expert on student financial aid, scholarships and student loans. In this short book, Mark has compiled a number of quick statements, perfect for social media posts, which highlight wisdoms around financial aid, scholarships and student loans. I think this would be a useful tool for college access professionals when trying to highlight a topic through email, school announcements or social media.”

2. Hold Fast to Dreams: A College Guidance Counselor, His Students, and the Vision of a Life Beyond Poverty
by Beth Zasloff and Joshua Steckel

Recommended by Mila Tappan, Manager of College Access, Hold Fast to Dreams follows the experiences of 10 low-income high school students as they attempt to navigate the challenges and struggles associated with the college admissions and financial aid process. "This book was often heart-breaking and frustrating (the process shouldn’t be so difficult), but also inspiring," says Mila. "School counselors and other adults can play such a critical role in the life of students, and this book shows that our time and energy are well-spent and necessary.”

3. Loaded--Money, Psychology, and How to Get Ahead Without Leaving Your Values Behind  by Sarah Newcomb

“ Loaded is a real eye-opener for anyone who is interested in understanding the psychology and emotions behind the everyday financial decisions that we make," says Mary Dyer, Financial Education Officer. "Sarah’s own personal stories help readers begin to understand the complex emotions that drive our money mindset and help us understand how our upbringing and personal experience impact our financial success. As a behavioral economist, Sarah’s book is the culmination of many years of research and public speaking and is a must-read for anyone interested in the topic.”

4. The Alchemist  by Paulo Coelho

Education Programs Officer Jennifer Lanphear recommends this fictional book, explaining that “On the surface, this story is about an Andalusian shepherd boy named Santiago who travels from his homeland in Spain to the Egyptian desert in search of a treasure buried in the Pyramids. On a deeper level, this uplifting story is about finding your destiny -- we’re never too old or young for that.”

5. All Hands on Deck: Tools for Connecting Educators, Parents, and Communities  by Brad Currie

Nikki Vachon, College Access Counselor, gives All Hands on Deck top marks, noting that one of the struggles schools face is how to get parents and the community involved. Nikki says, “This is a quick read with some practical ideas on how to use technology to reach families and students in an increasingly busy world. More importantly, I think it’s so necessary to be able to showcase the incredible work that’s being done in our schools, and technology is an effective tool to accomplish that."