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Summer Reading 2019 “We shouldn’t teach great books: we should teach a love of reading.” B.F. Skinner Explanation The faculty and administration of the Beth Tfiloh Dahan Community High School believe that summer reading represents a logical extension of the school year. Studies have demonstrated that recreational reading correlates with increased language proficiency, enhanced vocabulary development, as well as improved reading comprehension and critical/creative writing skills that may lead to stronger standardized test scores. Teachers and students have suggested the books on this list as examples of pleasurable reading experiences. Since the list encompasses a wide range of books representing different genres and topics, parents may want to review the list to help in the selection of appropriate titles. We are promoting the expansion of literary knowledge; therefore, students should choose books that they have not read previously. We encourage students to read as many books as they desire. All students must complete the following requirements: Grade 9 All Quiet on the Western Front By Erich Maria Remarque +One selection from the list Grade 10 The Help By Kathryn Stockett +One selection from the list Grade 11 Honors All The Light We Cannot See By Anthony Doerr +One selection from the list Grade 11 College Prep The Strange Case of Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde By Robert Louis Stevenson +One selection from the list Grade 11 AP English The Nightingale By Kristin Hannah +One selection from the list Grade 12 College Writing Educated Tara Westover +One selection from the list Creative Writing Old School Tobias Wolff +One selection from the list After students read their selections, they must complete the reading log that accompanies this assignment. In September, English teachers will collect the reading logs. Students should read the required selections near the end of August, so they can participate positively in class discussions as well in assessments given during the first week of school. Summer Reading Log 2019 Student’s name ______________________ Grade _____ Name of book Author Date completed ________________________ ________________________ Student’s Signature Parent’s/Guardian’s Signature 1 Beth Tfiloh Dahan Community High School Reading List 2019 All entries are listed alphabetically by title. Names in parenthesis represent those students, faculty, and parents who have recommended the book and have written the synopsis. Adventures in Darkness Tom Sullivan (Lindsay Dermer ’10) As an 11 year-old blind boy, Sullivan tries to live a “normal” life like sighted kids. This is an entertaining story of a boy with disabilities struggling to “fit in” with other neighborhood children. The Agent: My 40-Year Career Leigh Steinberg (Zack Steinmetz '14) Making Deals and Changing the Game Leigh Steinberg, once aspiring to become a public defender as a law student, became a sports agent when Steve Bartkowski, a star quarterback who became the first overall pick in the NFL draft, asked his RA to represent him. Steinberg went on to become the greatest sports agent in history, until he lost it all to alcoholism. Throughout his story, Steinberg details his experiences signing and negotiating contracts for some of the best NFL, NBA, MLB, and NHL players. Airman Eoin Colfer (Josh Miller ’16) A boy framed for a crime navigates prison and dangerous gangs to create a miraculous flying machine to free his native island from the treacherous murderer who rules it. The Alchemist Paulo Coelho (Devin Krol ’11) This novel follows an Andalusia shepherd boy named Santiago as he travels from Spain to Egypt in search of treasure buried in the pyramids. On this journey, Santiago meets a gypsy woman, a king, and an alchemist who direct Santiago on his quest. All Other Nights Dara Horn (Dr. Schorr, Mr. Bruner) A Civil War spy page-turner meets an exploration of race and religion in 19th-century America. Jacob Rappaport, the 19 year-old scion of a wealthy Jewish import-export family, flees home and enlists in the Union army to avoid an arranged marriage. When his superiors discover his unique connections, he is sent on espionage missions that reveal an American Jewish population divided by the Mason-Dixon Line, but united by business, religious and family ties. This novel is fraught with the potential for peril, betrayal, tragedy and redemption. 2 All the King’s Men Robert Penn Warren (Paul Rosen ’13) Loosely based on the life of Louisiana politician Huey Long, this novel chronicles Willie Stark’s epic rise and fall from power and Jack Burden’s tumultuous quest for self-discovery. Through these dual stories, this tragic novel examines the role of history in man’s quest for knowledge. All the Light We Cannot See Anthony Doerr (Mr. Bruner, Emma Silverman ‘16) A blind French girl and a German boy meet in occupied France as they both try to survive the devastation of World War II. Winner of the Pulitzer Prize American Gods Neil Gaiman (Jesse Halpern ’11) Gods exist because people believe in them. As people’s values change, new gods arise to challenge the old ones. In the United States, technology, drugs, and popular culture threaten to weaken organized religion. Can Shadow, an ex-convict, help diffuse the tension between conflicting ideals, or will the divine world dissolve to chaos? Angela’s Ashes Frank McCourt (Marcie King ‘09) This memoir recounts the author’s life in Ireland and in America as he endures countless obstacles including poverty. Ultimately, overcoming these hardships leads to the healing power of forgiveness. And the Mountain Echoed Khaled Hosseini (Daniel Goldman ’16) The plot follows Abdullah and Pari, syblings separated early in their lives, as they cope with love, sacrifice, and betrayal. If you like Hosseini’s other novels, you will love this one. Apollo 13 Jim Lovell/Jeffrey Kluger (Elyse Shumsky ’13) This story portrays the failed Apollo 13 mission to the moon. The authors describe the team work that occurred to return the astronauts safely to Earth. The Art of Racing in the Rain Garth Stein (Ellie Blanco ’10, Ethan Cuttler ‘15) Enzo, on the eve of his death, narrates all that he and his family have experienced. Although the narrator is a dog, this unique point of view presents many life experiences. I loved this book. As a Driven Leaf Milton Steinberg (Dr. Schorr) A classic work in the genre of historical fiction, this book tells the story of Elisha Ben Abuye, a Talmudic sage who is tormented by a crisis of faith. The story is set in Second Temple times, with a backdrop of Greek and Roman culture which lends texture to the setting. Although there are no easy answers offered, the questions posed are deep, thought-provoking, and relevant. Atonement Ian McEwan (Rachel Miller ’11, Micaela Gelman ’13) After 13 year-old Briony Tallis falsely accuses her sister’s lover of a serious crime, she struggles to find the right words to atone for her transgression. Widely considered a modern classic, McEwan constructs a world where the line that separates truth from imagination is blurred until the very end of the novel. 3 From Beirut to Jerusalem Thomas Friedman (Aaron Karacuschansky’13) Through his personal journey, Friedman interprets the composite of the Middle East. The book captures the psychological mannerisms of the people of Lebanon and Israel and draws parallels between the two disparate societies of Arabs and Israelis by focusing on each one’s long search for identity. Beneath a Marble Sky John Shors (Mrs. Jaffe) Jahanara, the daughter of the 17th century emperor of Hindustan, narrates the story of the extraordinary relationship between her parents and their love that inspired the construction of the Taj Mahal. This historical novel transports the reader to 17th century India where love, betrayal, and war consume everyday life. Between the World and Me Ta-Nehisi Coates (Jeremy Goldstein ’19) In this book, Coates provides a glimpse into wat it is like to be Black in the United States. Coates draws from his experiences growing up in Baltimore to illustrate the institutional racism that people f color must face in their daily lives. Bitter is the New Black Jen Lancaster (Arielle Steinmetz ’10) In this hilarious memoir, Jen Lancaster struggles for two years as she attempts to find a job after losing her high paying VP of marketing position. The once materialistic ex-sorority girl learns not only the value of money but also what is truly important in life. The Blessing of a Broken Heart Sherri Mandell (Adiva Berkowitz ’12) Koby Mandell and his friend Yosef Ishran were stoned to death in a cave located in the desert. Koby’s mother wrote this book to share her challenges to find meaning in her life and to honor her son. Boys in the Boat Daniel James Brown (Ben Glazer ’19) The novel is about eight college boys who rowed in the 1936 Berlin Olympics and narrowly won gold. The story follows the boys’ journey through school while also highlighting Hitler's brutal regime and his efforts to hide evidence of inhumane treatment towards Jews to win the 1936 Olympic Games bid. Bust Adam A. Resnick (Seth Schulder ’10) This true story chronicles Resnick’s gambling addiction that led to the downfall of Universal Federal Savings and Loan and his conviction of bank fraud. Cancer Schmancer Fran Drescher (Elana Sandler '14) Fran Drescher, the star of "The Nanny," tells her story of battling cancer. Throughout her journey she learns a lot about the importance of family, friends, love, and happiness and the importance of knowing one's own body. Recommended for 11th and 12th grade students. The Cardturner Louis Sachar (Eli Tettelbach’13) Pressured by his parents to impress his “favorite uncle” Lester, Alton Richards finds a new direction for his bewildering life when he spends his summer turning cards for his uncle at his bridge club.

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