2013 Summer Reading

Why Read?    

“Reading maketh a full man; conference a ready man; and writing an exact man.”
–“Of Studies”
Sir Francis Bacon

We subscribe totally to this inspiring aphorism from Bacon’s immortal essay, and our reading/writing program is designed to foster the development of full, ready, and exact students.

To this end we present the 2013 Summer Reading brochure, which indicates three or more books to be read at each grade level.  English and Social Studies classes have required summer reading books. Some Honors and Advanced Placement courses also have additional reading requirements.

INTRODUCTION
All research demonstrates conclusively that reading is the key to academic success. Teachers have always known that reading proficiency is the best indicator of classroom success, but we now know that reading proficiency is also the best predictor of success in college itself. Therefore, we expect our students to continue with meaningful reading through the summer, confident that such reading will significantly enhance their current and future academic well-being.

This lists required reading for English, Social Studies, and advanced Languages. The list represents a cross section of classical, biographical, historical and contemporary selections that include a follow-up of literature by authors studied the previous year, as well as an introduction to literature by authors who will be studied the coming year.

Our summer reading goals are to encourage students to enjoy reading as a pleasurable pastime, to build on what has already been read, to prepare for what is to follow and to become aware of certain aspects of life which are outside the realm of their own experience.

Perhaps some parents will want to choose one or more books for their own reading pleasure. It is our hope that this guide will fulfill the purpose of providing a structured, yet flexible program of student involvement with the life-long reward of reading good books.

GENERAL INFORMATION
Students should consider the required summer reading as an assignment on which they will be tested during the first week of school. The selections have been made with course themes in mind, and study guides have been prepared to help students read more effectively. Study guides for most selections at all grade levels are highlighted in blue in this document, and are accessible for printing by clicking on the links.  We encourage students to read “actively,” that is with pen in hand, marking passages that seem important and making margin notes so that the book becomes a viable tool for use during the school year. For your convenience, we have provided the ISBN for each of the required reading selections.  It is important that students read the specified version of each book required.

Late Enrollment and Summer Reading
A student who enrolls between August 1 and August 15 will be responsible for reading ONE English and ONE Social Studies summer reading selection, and must complete a second selection in each subject area within the first two weeks of school. If a student enrolls after August 15, he or she is responsible for ONE English and ONE Social Studies summer selection within the first week of school and whether a second will be required is at the discretion of the classroom teachers.

BOOKS AND STUDY GUIDES

REQUIRED FOR ENTERING GRADE 6

ENGLISH DEPARTMENT:
Evslin, Barnard	The Aventures of Ulysses	9780590425995	STUDY GUIDE
George, Jean Craighead	The Talking Earth	9780064402125	STUDY GUIDE
SOCIAL STUDIES DEPARTMENT:
Conrad Richter	The Light in the Forest	9781400077885	STUDY GUIDE
REQUIRED FOR ENTERING GRADE 7
ENGLISH DEPARTMENT:
Paulsen, Gary	Canyons	9780385742344	STUDY GUIDE
Weeks, Sarah	So B It	9780064410472	STUDY GUIDE
SOCIAL STUDIES DEPARTMENT:
Rinaldi, Ann	The Fifth of March	9780152050788	STUDY GUIDE
REQUIRED FOR ENTERING GRADE 8
ENGLISH DEPARTMENT:
Christie, Agatha	And Then There Were None	9780062073488	STUDY GUIDE
Crew, Linda	Children of the River	9780440210221	STUDY GUIDE
SOCIAL STUDIES DEPARTMENT:
Frank, Pat	Alas, Babylon	9780060741877	STUDY GUIDE