Directions for Required Summer Reading

GRADES 10 and 11

DIRECTIONS FOR REQUIRED SUMMER READING

The primary purpose of the Immaculate Heart Academy Summer Reading Program is to encourage students to read. It also provides students with a carefully selected list of books in several subject areas. These books are interesting, informative, and challenging. Students are free to select books from the list and to respond in a creative way to the books they have read. The IHA faculty has planned this program in the hope that students will have a rewarding and enjoyable experience and that they will grow in their love and appreciation of reading.

A note to students: You have many reading options in this program. The faculty encourages you to plan your time wisely– don't leave all your reading until the last few days of August. Begin early. You might choose to read a book in a subject area in which you are interested; on the other hand, reading a book in an area in which you are weak might be a good decision. Either way, the choice is yours. Enjoy your summer reading!

Please remember that SUMMER READING IS REQUIRED.

Directions:

1. From the attached list, choose two (2) books to read. Each book must be from a different subject area. If you wish, you may read up to five books for credit.

2. Complete one activity for each book. When choosing an activity, try to choose one that is appropriate for the book you have read.

3. These projects (activities) will be submitted for grading on September 9, 2011.

4. Please do not submit a project that requires special equipment, such as mini tapes that require cameras for viewing.

5. Projects will be graded in the following manner: a. Students will receive credit for their projects in the subject area in which they have read. For example, if a student reads a book from the English selections, she will receive credit in her English class. b. One or two extra points will be added to the first quarter average for each satisfactory project. The number of points will be determined by the teacher who grades the project. No points will be added for an unsatisfactory project. The number of points added will be based on the quality of the project. c. Major considerations in grading will be: Does this project provide evidence that the student has read and understood the book?

[1] Does the project meet all the criteria established in the description of the project?

Is the project carefully presented, neat and well organized?

Does it demonstrate creativity, thoughtfulness, depth of insight, and quality of writing?

6. Students who do not read the required two books and complete a satisfactory project for each will be required to do this reading during the first marking period. They will not receive extra credit and will not receive their first report card until the work is completed.

7. Not all projects are appropriate for all books. Be careful in choosing your project. For example, do not choose #8 unless you know that the author's life is somehow reflected in the book. You will not be able to successfully complete the project. Choose intelligently.

8. Integrity and honesty are important values encouraged in every aspect of the IHA experience. While completing your project be careful to avoid plagiarism. Plagiarism is using another's words or ideas as one's own. More than three words copied without quotation marks from a book, Internet site or other source constitutes plagiarism. To avoid plagiarism, use quotation marks if you copy a line directly, and give credit to a writer if you use his or her ideas, even if you have changed the wording.

[2] SUMMER READING ACTIVITIES

1. Write a well-developed three page book report detailing your reaction to the book you read. Did you enjoy the book? Why? What was your favorite part of the book? Why?

2. If there is a movie version of the book, watch the movie. Then compare and contrast the two media. If the film was different, why do you think the director made the changes he did? Which did you enjoy more? Why?

3. Sometimes authors create a minor character who, if given a chance to speak, could share an insight that would affect the outcome of the plot, or provide an interesting or humorous perspective on an event that took place during the course of the story. For example, what if the story of Cinderella were told from the point of view of the prince’s servant? How did he feel traipsing around the kingdom trying that shoe on every lady in every house? Was he worried about dropping the slipper and having it smash into smithereens? Think about a minor character ( or even one only referred to in the novel you read) whose point of view is different from the narrator’s. Relate a significant event or passage as it would be told by that character. Make sure the “retelling” is “true” to the character’s personality and position in the story, and that your insight and understanding of the novel is evident in the retelling.

4. Write a different ending to your book. Explain clearly why you chose this ending. Your writing should include setting, characterization, narration, and dialogue.

5. If you chose a non-fiction book, explain why you chose it and discuss what information it provided for you. How will this information be helpful to you?

6. Make a creative video or slide show in response to your book. If you are computer- literate, try using MovieMaker, PowerPoint or similar presentation program. Be ready to present it to the teacher or to the class in September. You must be prepared to explain in detail the connection between your project and your book.

7. Write detailed character sketches of at least three characters from your book. Emphasize how the character changed through the course of the book.

8. Study the life of the author of your book. Then write an explanation of some of the biographical aspects of the book. What events in the life of the author had significance in the writing of this book? Is the book autobiographical in any way? Explain.

[3] 9. Write a diary that might have been written by a minor character in the book. The diary must be detailed and have at least twenty entries and take the story from beginning to end. Do not record the events of the day. Instead, get in the character’s head—what is he/she thinking? What is he/she worried about? What questions does this character have?

10. Plan a discussion of the book with one or two (no more) other students who also have read the book. Videotape or audiotape the discussion. (10-15 minutes max). Make sure each person participates equally. The questions must be challenging and the conversation scripted. A hard copy of the script should be submitted with the tape.

11. Retell the plot of any novel in poetry. The plot must be accurate and complete. The poetry must be carefully planned with the meter and rhyme scheme maintained throughout. Poetic imagery must be used.

12. Create a three column log and use it while you read. In the first column record quotes that you believe are significant. In the second column explain what they mean and in the third column explain why you believe them to be significant to the story and/or to life. Consider the following: characterization, plot development, writing style of the author, social and/or moral aspects of the story, setting, imagery.

13. Keep a journal. After reading several chapters of the book, record the date in a notebook, and then write a personal response to what you have read. You may react to the characters, events, language, or message of the book. Respond deeply, write honestly, admit confusion, ask questions, describe the effect that the book is having on you. Continue this process until you have finished the book.

14. Choose one of the messages about life communicated in the novel you read and collect ten (10) current events articles or editorials that connect to that message (theme). Write an explanation of how each connects and attach the articles.

15. Arrange with a favorite teacher to meet and discuss your book. Be prepared for the discussion with some written questions. This discussion must be arranged for the first cycle of school.

16. Write a newspaper article AND an editorial based on what you consider to be the high point of the story. Be sure you understand what constitutes a good newspaper article and editorial.

17. If there is a project that you would like to do that is not on this list, meet with your teacher who will discuss your idea with you and who can give approval for an individualized project based on your talents and interests. You must get teacher approval before you do your project. Please see the teacher before summer vacation begins.

[4] SOME SUGGESTIONS ABOUT PROJECTS...

Choose a different project for each book. Do not do the same project more than once. By varying your projects, you will have the opportunity to try different methods of expression. It's also more interesting and more fun.

Don't do more than two projects unless you really have the time and the interest. Remember that "Challenge Books" are more difficult and will require more time and effort on your part. It is better to do two projects well than to do five unsatisfactorily.

All ’media projects” should be clearly labeled CD/DVD – as to what program it is in, PowerPoint, audio…etc. And projects should not require “special equipment” for viewing.

Students involved in group projects should make enough copies of the project for distribution to each teacher involved.

ABOUT THE BOOKS ON THE LIST...

Many of the books on this list are available at the local public library. They are also available at local book stores. We have notified Barnes and Noble, Route 17S, Paramus, NJ, of our list and the books will be available at this store. You can also order books online at www.barnesandnoble.com or at www.amazon.com. Both offer good discounts. Remember get your books early; don't wait until the last minute when supplies may be sold out.

[5] Art

A Whole New Mind: Why Right Brainers Will Rule the Future by Daniel H. Pink (Riverhead, 2005) The future belongs to a different kind of person with a different kind of mind: artists, inventors, storytellers—creative and holistic "right-brain" thinkers whose abilities mark the fault line between who gets ahead and who does not.

The Lost Painting: The Quest for a Caravaggio Masterpiece by Jonathon Harr. (Random House, 2005) Jonathan Harr embarks on a spellbinding journey to discover the long-lost painting known as “The Taking of Christ”–its mysterious fate and the circumstances of its disappearance have captivated Caravaggio devotees for years. From the book jacket: “After Francesca Cappelletti stumbles across a clue in that dusty archive, she tracks the painting across a continent and hundreds of years of history. But it is not until she meets Sergio Benedetti, an art restorer working in Ireland, hat she finally manages to assemble all the pieces of the puzzle.”

Girl in Hyacinth Blue by Susan Vreeland. (Penguin, 2000) This luminous story begins in the present day, when a professor invites a colleague to his home to see a painting that he has kept secret for decades. The professor swears it is a Vermeer--but why has he hidden this important work for so long? The reasons unfold in a series of events that trace the ownership of the painting back to World War II and Amsterdam, and still further back to the moment of the work's inspiration. As the painting moves through each owner's hands, what was long hidden quietly surfaces, illuminating poignant moments in multiple lives.

The Shadow Catcher by Marianne Wiggins, (Simon & Schuster, 2007) Real people and facts provide fictional threads which are used to draw parallels between the lives of photographer Edward Curtis (1868-1952) and the writer's own father, John Wiggins (1920-1970

My Name is Asher Lev by Chaim Potok. (Anchor, 2003) Asher Lev grows up in a cloistered Hasidic community in postwar Brooklyn, a world suffused by ritual and revolving around a charismatic Rebbe. But in time his artistic gift threatens to estrange him from that world and the parents he adores. As it follows his struggle, My Name Is Asher Lev becomes a luminous portrait of the artist.

The Gift of Asher Lev by Chaim Potok. (Fawcett Books, 1991) When Asher Lev, an internationally famous painter, returns from exile in France to his native Brooklyn to attend his uncle's funeral, he begins a struggle with his own destiny. His son and daughter learn to know their grandparents, and his wife develops a loving relationship with his mother. But Asher knows he cannot remain in America, for his devotion to his family and his religious beliefs are pitted against his artistic survival.

[6] Art continued

The Madonnas of Leningrad by Debra Dean. (Harper Collins, 2006) During the 1941 siege of Leningrad, Marina, a docent at the Hermitage Museum helps remove paintings for safekeeping. Decades later as she prepares for her granddaughter’s wedding, Marina, now suffering from Alzheimer’s vividly recalls the details of the paintings.

False Impression by Jeffery Archer. (St. Martin’s Press; March, 2006) When an aristocratic old lady is brutally murdered in her English country home on the night before September 11, 2001, it will take all the resources of the FBI and Interpol to work out the connection between her death and a priceless Van Gogh, which is stolen that night.

The Luncheon of the Boating Party by Susan Vreeland, (Viking Penguin, 2008) This novel tracks Pierre Auguste Renoir as he conceives plans and paints the 1880 masterpiece The Luncheon of the Boating Party. Renoir dreams of doing a breakout work. The daughter of a resort innkeeper close to Paris suggests that Auguste paint from the restaurant's terrace. The party of 13 subjects Renoir puts together (with difficulty) eventually spends several Sundays under the spell of the painter's brush.

Students may also choose to read Art related periodicals and specific articles in Art News or Modern Painter and write a detailed reflection paper focusing on how these artists may influence their independent work in Advanced Portfolio, Design or Advanced Painting and Drawing classes. Students must follow the MLA format for this assignment.

[7] Music

What to Listen For in Music by Aaron Copland. (Signet Classics, 2002) The definitive work on true Music Appreciation, this book has been a classic since 1957. Copland, the only great composer to have written on the subject, covers all aspects of music from “how to listen” to the elements of music themselves — all in layman’s terms. Readers should seek out recordings that are used in the book to enhance their understanding of the concepts presented.

The Joy of Music by Leonard Bernstein. (Amadeus Press, 2004) This book, a collection of some of the writings of the late great Leonard Bernstein (composer of West Side Story and former conductor of the New York Philharmonic), explores music’s role in society. Bernstein was known for bringing ‘Classical’ music to the ‘common person’ and this work, originally published in 1959, is the first of four major compilations of his musical philosophy. Readers should seek out recordings that are used in the book to enhance their understanding of the points presented.

The Inner Game of Music by Barry Green. (Pan McMillan, 2003) An adaptation of The Inner Game of Tennis by W. Timothy Gallwey, this book by the former principal bassist of the Cincinnati Symphony explored the psychological factors affecting all levels of musical performance. The reader should be aware that she is gaining knowledge that goes far beyond the mastery of a musical instrument.

A Soprano on Her Head by Eloise Ristad. (Real People Press, 1981) A must-read for those whose time spent practicing is less than fulfilling. Ristad writes from the heart and keeps the reader aware of the ‘big picture’ that exists beyond the practice room. Told in an inspirational manner, these are lessons that go far beyond the field of music.

[8] Business

Newspapers New York Times, The Record, others;

At least three times a week, read the Business section of one newspaper. You will find some current business issues that are repeatedly reported upon by the journalists. These may be the commentaries on the economy, issues relating to foreign trade issues, or emerging companies. Special Project for this choice: Choose one of these current business issues, and clip all the articles about these. Compile a journal of these and at the end of the summer, write a two page report, which will provide a summary of the issue, the pro and con opinions if any are stated, and your opinion.

Books Students can do projects 1, 5 or 10 or 13 for these books:

Inside the Magic Kingdom: Seven Keys to Disney's Success by Tom Connellan. (Bard Press, 1997) This small book presents some key principles of business in a story format. By following the activities and observations of the characters, you will learn why Disney is respected throughout the business world for its overwhelming customer loyalty and satisfaction. If you've ever visited one of the Disney theme parks, this book will make you aware of all the critical business planning Disney puts into each of its ventures. You will also learn about the extensive training required of the "cast members."

Barbarians at the Gate: The Fall of RJR Nabisco by Bryan Burrough, John Helyar. (HarperBusiness, 2003) Barbarians at the Gate has been called one of the most influential business books of all time - the definitive account of the largest takeover in Wall Street history. Bryan Burrough and John Helyar's account of the frenzy that overtook Wall Street in October and November of 1988 is the story of deal makers and publicity flaks, of strategy meetings and society dinners, of boardrooms and bedrooms - giving us not only a detailed look at how financial operations at the highest levels are conducted but also a richly textured social history of wealth at the twilight of the Reagan era.

[9] Economics Challenge Books

Students can do projects 1, 5 or 10 or 13 for these books

Maestro: Greenspan's Fed and the American Boom by Bob Woodward. (Simon & Schuster, 2001) Woodward's account of the Greenspan years is a remarkable portrait of a man who has become the symbol of American economic preeminence. Maestro traces a fascinating intellectual journey as Greenspan, an old-school anti-inflation hawk of the traditional economy, is among the first to realize the potential in the modern, high-productivity new economy -- the foundation of the current American boom. Woodward's account of the Greenspan years is a remarkable portrait of a man who has become the symbol of American economic preeminence.

Free to Choose : A Personal Statement by Milton Friedman, Rose D. Friedman. (Harcourt, 1990) Even written 20 years ago, this book provides a clear explanation on free market economics, the workings of the Federal Reserve, the real cause of the Great Depression and 20% inflation in 1979

[10] Computer

Students can do projects 1, 5 or 10 or 13 for these books:

Find it Fast: How to Uncover Expert Information on Any Subject Online or in Print by Robert I. Berkman. (HarperResource, 2000) From the publisher: "Whatever information you want, this book will till you, step by step. It includes hundreds of new web addresses and reveals how to evaluate Internet sources for reliability."

Caution! Music and Video Downloading: Your Guide to Legal, Safe and Trouble-Free Downloads by Russell Shaw and Dave Mercer. (Wiley, 2004) From the publisher: "This book shows you exactly how to safeguard your PC while enjoying music and videos from safe sources."

History of the Internet and the World Wide Web by Art Wolinsky. (Enslow, 1999) From the publisher: "The history of the Internet is traced back to its routs and brought into the present day."

The Innovators: The Discoveries, Inventions and Breakthroughs of Our Time by John Diebold. (Plume, 1991) This book takes the reader through the discoveries of the most astonishing technological breakthroughs of modern times such as transistors, the laser, electronic banking and others.

The following Titles from the “For Dummies” series - various authors

Internet Windows Microsoft Word Microsoft Excel Microsoft PowerPoint

Despite the rather belittling titles, this series presents an easy to read, humorous introduction to various aspects of the computer field. While they are most beneficial when used in conjunction with hands-on experience, they provide a good introduction to the terms and concepts that we will be covering in class.

[11] English

Grade 10

A Vision of Light by Judith Merkle Riley (Crown Publishing, 2006). In 14th century England, why should a woman learn to read and write? In A Vision of Light, Margaret of Ashbury needs to learn if she is to tell her life story. Married to two merchants, a survivor of the Black Death that swept through England, accused of heresy and witchcraft in an age of superstition, herbalist, midwife, and mystic, Margaret lived an extraordinary life in tumultuous times. This is a captivating novel that illuminates its era.

The Eyre Affair by Jasper Fforde (Penguin, 2001) If you enjoy science fiction, you will love following the exploits of female detective and Special Ops Agent Thursday Next as she tries to foil the plot to kidnap Jane Eyre. Since in her world the boundaries between fiction and reality are flexible, Thursday is able to enter the novel to conspire with Rochester to save Jane… and change the end of their story.

Brave New World by Aldous Huxley (Harper Perennial Modern Classics, 1998) Huxley’s classic science fiction novel remains as relevant today as when it was written in 1931. In the utopian world that Huxley creates, "Community, Identity, Stability" is the motto that drives a society ruled by efficient scientific and psychological engineering. You inevitably will re- examine today’s technologically driven society as you experience what can happen when social conformity overtakes individual identity and free will.

Their Eyes Were Watching God by Zora Neale Hurston (HarperCollins Publishers 2006) This is the story of Janie Crawford—fair-skinned, long-haired, dreamy woman—who comes of age expecting better treatment than what she gets from her three husbands and community. Then she meets Tea Cake, a younger man who captivates her heart and spirit, and offers her the chance to relish life without being one man's mule or another man's adornment. In depicting one of the first strong black women of 20th-century literature, Hurston's story of Janie Crawford pulls the reader into a timeless world of love, struggle, and self-exploration.

Pygmalion by Bernard Shaw (Multiple editions) Based on classical myth, Bernard Shaw’s Pygmalion plays on the complex business of human relationships in a social world. Phonetics Professor Henry Higgins tutors the very Cockney Eliza Doolittle, not only in the refinement of speech, but also in the refinement of her manner. When the end result produces a very ladylike Miss Doolittle, the lessons learned become much more far reaching. The successful musical My Fair Lady was based on this Bernard Shaw classic.

[12] English Grade 11

Death Comes for the Archbishop by Willa Cather. (Random House, 1990) This is the story of a bishop and a priest who struggle to form the Roman Catholic Diocese of Santa Fe when this territory was newly settled. Willa Cather captures the flavor of a land both harsh and beautiful, and of the people of Native American, Spanish, French and Mexican heritage who populated it. This is an excellent novel to prepare you for your study of American Literature. If you like description and realistic fiction, this is the book for you.

The Awakening by Kate Chopin (various editions available) A story of one woman’s struggle against the conventions of late 19th century life and of the world’s limited expectations for women, The Awakening is a novel of self-discovery that shocked readers in its time but emerged as a classic of feminist literature. You may submit a project for this book for either history or English class.

The Grapes of Wrath by John Steinbeck (Penguin, 1976) It's a timeless theme-man's inhumanity to man. Journey with the Joad family and experience the migrant workers' search for social justice during the Depression. The characters struggle for survival against poverty, deprivation, prejudice, and hysteria--and emerge ennobled. Steinbeck’s masterpiece endures as an examination of conscience in America’s capitalist society.

On the Occasion of My Last Afternoon by Kaye Gibbons. (Putnam Publishing Group, 1998) Living in the mid-nineteenth century on a wealthy plantation, Emma Garnet Tate becomes aware that the family's fortune is linked to slavery. She breaks free from her oppressive father to marry Quincy Lowell, a doctor from a prominent Boston family. When the Civil War begins, Emma and Quincy treat and comfort the wounded soldiers. Through the good times and the bad, Emma stays true to her values.

Beloved by Toni Morrison (Knopf Doubleday Publishing Group, 2004) When slavery has torn apart one's heritage, when the past is more real than the present, when the rage of a dead baby can literally rock a house, then the traditional novel is no longer an adequate instrument. And so Pulitzer Prize-winner Beloved is written in bits and images, smashed like a mirror on the floor and left for the reader to put together. In a novel that is hypnotic, beautiful, and elusive, Toni Morrison portrays the lives of Sethe, an escaped slave and mother, and those around her... Because of the extraordinary, experimental style as well as the intensity of the subject matter, what we learn from them touches at a level deeper than understanding. - Review by Erica Bauermeister, 500 Great Books by Women.

[13] World Language - French

Grade 10

Chasing Cezanne by Peter Mayle. (Vintage Books, 1997) Another Mayle masterpiece that combines glamour, fine art, haut cuisine and this time mystery in the south of France and in Paris. This is different from Mayle’s earlier books, because it is fast-paced fiction set in the haunts that Mayle loves so much.

To Dance With Kings by Rosalind Laker. (Doubleday, 1988) A family saga that spans the reigns of France’s Bourbon kings. It tells the story of four passionate women whose fates are bound to the palace life and politics of Versailles.

Grade 11

Paris To The Moon by Adam Gropnik. (Random House, 2000) The author is a writer for the New Yorker, and in this book he relates his experiences over a five year stay in Paris with his family. He is truly a Francophile and so he captures the French in all their glory: this is a great read for anyone planning to visit Paris.

The Queen’s Confession by Victoria Holt. ( Doubleday, 1968) This is a biography of one of France’s most famous queens, Marie-Antoinette. We see the often misunderstood queen from her youth to her tragic end during the French Revolution. This novel is a good read if you are interested in history as well as a good story.

A Tale Of Two Cities by Charles Dickens. (Signet Classics, 1997) The classic historical novel of Dickens set during the French Revolution and the Reign of Terror. It revolves around the character of Charles Durnay who returns to Paris from London to rescue his faithful French servant from the guillotine.

Suite Francaise by Iréne Nemirovsky and Sandra Smith. (First Vintage International Edition, May 2007) Until its publication in Paris in 2004, this superb panorama of French life in the wake of the catastrophic German victory of 1940 lay buried for 62 years. The two parts of Suite Francaise - each the length of a conventional novel - are the surviving fragments of an unfinished masterpiece. (Andrew Riemer March 23, 2006) ( (Independent Books 2007)

[14] World Language – Spanish

Grade 10

Evenings at the Argentine Club by Julia Amante. (Reed Business Information, a division of Reed Elsevier Inc. 2009)

In Amante's warmhearted debut, the Argentine Club provides a place for Argentinean immigrants living in Southern California to keep their cultural traditions alive.

The Constant Princess by Philippa Gregory. (Touchstone Edition, 2006) FROM THE PUBLISHER: “I am Catalina, Princess of Spain, daughter of the two greatest monarchs the world has ever known…and I will be Queen of England.” Thus, bestselling author Philippa Gregory introduces one of her most unforgettable heroines: Katherine Aragón. Known to history as the Queen who was pushed off her throne by Anne Boleyn, here is Katherine the world has forgotten; the enchanting princess that all England loved.

Grade 11

Like Water for Chocolate: A Novel in Montly Installments with Recipes, Romances, and Home Remedies by Laura Esquivel, Carol Christensen, Thomas Christensen. (Translator), Carol Christensen (Translator) (Knopf Publishing Group, 1995) FROM THE PUBLISHER: Earthy, magical, and utterly charming, this tale of family life in turn-of-the-century Mexico became a best-selling phenomenon with its winning blend of poignant romance and bittersweet wit.

I Am My Father’s Daughter: Living a Life without Secrets by María Elena Salinas, Liz Balmaseda. (Harper Collins Publishers, 2006) FROM THE PUBLISHER: María Elena Salinas has been the Noticiero Univision news anchor for seventeen years. She has won three Emmy Awards, and recently created the María Elena Salinas Scholarship for Excellence in Spanish-Language News Media. As Salinas recounts the story of her successful career, she credits her hard-working parents, straight-laced upbringing, willingness to try new things and largely on-the-job training in news reporting.

[15] Mathematics

If you read a book for your MATH class, the ONLY activities you may choose are the following: 1. Write a well-developed three-page book report detailing your reaction to the book you read. Did you enjoy the book? Why? What was your favorite part of the book? Why? Be sure that it is clear from your report that you read the ENTIRE book! 6. Make a creative video or slide show in response to your book. If you are computer literate, try using MovieMaker, PowerPoint or a similar presentation program. Be ready to present it to your teacher or to the class in September. You must be prepared to explain in detail the connection between your project and your book. 11. Retell the plot of the book in poetry. The plot must be accurate and complete. The poetry must be carefully planned with meter and rhyme scheme maintained throughout. Poetic imagery must be used. 13. Keep a journal. After reading each chapter of the book, record the date in a notebook, and then write a personal response to what you have read. You may react to the characters, events, or message of the book. Respond deeply, write honestly, admit confusion, ask questions, and describe the effect that the book is having on you. Continue this process until you have finished the book.

Grade 10

Innumeracy by John Allen Paulos. Hill and Wang, 2001) A collection of stories detailing the widespread lack of mathematical understanding. Covers topics such as the stock market, sports records and newspaper articles.

Flatland by Edwin A. Abbott. (Signet Classics, 1984) Uses geometric shapes to represent people living in a two dimensional world.

Grade 11

Arithmetic Of Life by George Shaffner. (Ballantine Books, 1999) Each chapter explains a unique facet of life that can only be understood through the magic of numbers. Topics include why crime doesn’t pay, why meetings were invented, and how much it will cost you to smoke for a lifetime.

How To Lie With Statistics by Darrell Huff. (W.W. Norton & Co., 1993) Examples of how statistics presented in newspapers, magazines, on TV and radio are often false or deliberately misleading.

[16] Mathematics continued

Grade 11

Math And Music, Harmonious Connections by Garland & Kahn. (Dale Seymour Publications, 1994) This book explores the connections music has with math, nature, science, history and art.

Mathematical Mystery Tour by A. K. Dewdney. (Wiley, 1999) An enjoyable journey through the history of mathematical discovery in pursuit of the answer to the question: Why is the universe so mathematical?

Mathematical Scandals by Theoni Pappas. (Wide World Publishing, 1997) Reveals the real people behind the famous mathematicians of history.

Story Of Numbers by John McLeish. (Ballantine Books, 1994) Explores the history of mathematics by tracing the rise of various number systems in cultures from Mesopotamia to the modern Computer Era.

World’s Most Famous Math Problem by Marilyn vos Savant. (St. Martin’s Press, 1993) A discussion of Fermat’s Last Theorem, its history and proof, as well as other great math problems.

[17] Religious Studies

Grade 10

The Bible: Women of the Hebrew Scriptures; Books of Ruth, Judith, and Esther The fascinating stories of these women, told in the Hebrew Scriptures, are filled with love, courage, treachery, and fidelity. Become acquainted with the stories that have been passed down among Jews and Christians for centuries. See in them patterns for your own growth as women of faith. (The project you submit for credit must reflect your understanding of all three “books.”

Blood Brothers by Elias Chacour. (Chosen Books, 2003) According to Amazon.com: “As a child, Elias Chacour lived in a small Palestinian village in Galilee. The townspeople were proud of their ancient Christian heritage and lived at peace with their Jewish neighbors. But early in 1947, their idyllic lifestyle was swept away as tens of thousands of Palestinians were killed and nearly one million forced into refugee camps. An exile in his native land, Elias began a years-long struggle with his love for the Jewish people and the world's misunderstanding of his own people, the Palestinians. How was he to respond? He found his answer in the simple, haunting words of the Man of Galilee: ‘Blessed are the peacemakers.’”

Not Even My Name: A True Story by Thea Halo, (Picador publishing, 2001) “In telling her mother’s epic story of survival and ultimate triumph in America, Thea Halo has writeen an important book about a largely unknown history: the genocide of the Pontic Greeks at the hands of the Turkish government in the years following world War I. Halo’s deeply moving portrait of her mother’s reverberates with large moral issues that affect us all.” Peter Balakian, author of Black Dog of Fate.

My Life with the Saints by James Martin, SJ. (Loyola Press, 2006) In a review of this book, Avery Cardinal Dulles, SJ, Fordham University wrote, “The saints are given to us as patrons and companions. James Martin tells us how they have been resources for him in every time of need. In delightful prose he recounts incidents, both perilous and funny, that prompted him to turn to the saints, and in doing so, shows us a new way of living out a devotion that is as old and universal as the Church.”

[18] Religious Studies Grade 11

Amazing Grace by Jonathan Kozol. (Harper/Collins, 1996) A compelling and powerful portrait of the tragic harm so many children suffer in urban America. As always, Jonathan Kozol’s work is taut, memorable and haunting. The portrait that Kozol draws of the children of Mott Haven is notable for its calm power, its sensitivity and its almost painful clarity. (Most appropriate for the Social Justice course.)

Nickel & Dimed: On (Not) Getting By in America by Barbara Ehrenreich. (Holt Paperback, 2002) With some 12 million women being pushed into the labor market by welfare reform, Barbara Ehrenrieich ….worked 3 different jobs at wages of the unskilled—at $6 to $7 an hour, only half of what is considered a living wage…looked for a job and a place to live, worked that job, and tried to make ends meet. As a waitress in Florida, ….In Maine, where she ends up working as both a cleaning woman and a nursing home assistant, ….In Minnesota, she works at Wal-Mart,….with all the advantages of education, health, a car, and money for the first month’s rent, she has to work two jobs, seven days a week, and still almost winds up in a shelter….With her characteristic wry wit and her unabashedly liberal bent, Ehrenreich brings the invisible poor out of hiding…. [adapted from ..Lesley Reed, Amazon.com]

The Last Lecture by Randy Pausch. (Hyperion Books, 2008. Goes beyond the now- famous lecture to inspire us all to live each day of our lvies with purpose and joy.

“We cannot change the cards we are dealt, just how we play the hand.”

A lot of professors give talks titled "The Last Lecture." Professors are asked to consider their demise and to ruminate on what matters most to them. And while they speak, audiences can't help but mull the same question: What wisdom would we impart to the world if we knew it was our last chance? If we had to vanish tomorrow, what would we want as our legacy?

When Randy Pausch, a computer science professor at Carnegie Mellon, was asked to give such a lecture, he didn't have to imagine it as his last, since he had recently been diagnosed with terminal cancer. But the lecture he gave--"Really Achieving Your Childhood Dreams"--wasn't about dying. It was about the importance of overcoming obstacles, of enabling the dreams of others, of seizing every moment (because "time is all you have...and you may find one day that you have less than you think"). It was a summation of everything Randy had come to believe. It was about living.

In this book, Randy Pausch has combined the humor, inspiration and intelligence that made his lecture such a phenomenon and given it an indelible form. It is a book that will be shared for generations to come. From Amazon.com review.

[19] Religious Studies continued

Led by Faith: Rising from the Ashes of the Rwandan Genocide by Immaculee Ilibagiza with Steve Erwin. (Hay House, 2008). (Harper/Collins, 1996) “Out of the ruins of the 1994 Rwandan genocide have come the most astounding and moving stories of faith, hope, forgiveness, reconciliation, and miracles that I’ve ever heard. If you’ve had a hard time letting go of a deep hurt, or difficulty in releasing your offender so your you can get on with the rest of your life, Immaculee’s story can lead you to the place of healing, restoration and peace.” –Rick warren, the best-selling suthor of The Purpose driven Life.

The Soloist by Steve Lopez. (Harper/Collins, 2008) When Steve Lopez saw Nathaniel Ayers playing his heart out on a two-string violin on Los Angeles’ skid row, he found it impossible to walk away. More than thirty years earlier, Ayers had been a promising classical bass student at Julliard−ambitious, charming, and also one of the few African-Americans−until he gradually lost his ability to function, overcome by schizophrenia. When Lopez finds him Ayers is homeless, paranoid, and desperately troubled, but glimmers of that brilliance are still there. In the process of trying to save Ayers, Lopez finds that his own life is changing, and his sense of what one man can accomplish in the lives of others begins to expand in new ways. (Book description: Education for Justice.)

[20] Science

Grade 10

Vector by Robin Cook. (G.P.Putnam, 1999) Prior to September 11, 2001, Robin Cook’s novel of bioterrorism in the New York metro area would have been a riveting, suspenseful tale, but a merely fictional one. Now, however, it becomes a much more plausible, chilling reminder of how fragile our public safety can be. In Vector, the action is frantic, as forensic scientists use every asset at their disposal to uncover a madman’s well-crafted plot to spread anthrax in New York City. As the clock ticks, the action pulses . . . will they be in time?

My Sister’s Keeper by Jodi Picoult. (Atria Publishers, 2004) At the age of two, Kate Fitzgerald developed a rare form of leukemia. A year later, her sister Anna was conceived, specifically as a genetic bone marrow match for Kate. For 13 years, Anna has dutifully and willingly provided the marrow and platelets in numerous medical procedures to keep her sister alive. But, as a kidney transplant is planned, Anna decides to take responsibility for her own body and her own life. Her decision to sue her parents for the right to make her own decisions is one that catapults the reader into a moving, thought-provoking journey with a family in turmoil. Successive chapters are told from the points of view of different members of the family, and we, along with them, confront the medical, ethical, and moral decisions that must be made.

The Meadowlands: Wilderness Adventures at the Edge of a City, by Robert Sullivan. (paperback, Knopf Publishing Group, 1999) Yes, our very own Meadowlands, home to sports teams, toxic waste, and maybe even Jimmy Hoffa, is the subject of this personalized account. The author has hiked, boated, and driven through nearly all parts of the Meadowlands. He marvels at its rich history and that of the people who continue to explore it, fish in it, and care for it. Pig farms, real estate developers, and pirates are all part the story of this New Jersey resource, whose future even today is uncertain. Before Xanadu again alters the landscape, read about the author’s adventures in the hidden wilderness so close to the bustling metropolis of North Jersey.

[21] Science Grade 11

Flu: The Story of the Great Influenza Pandemic of 1918 and the Search for the Virus that Caused It, by Gina Kolata. (paperback, Simon and Schuster, 2001) Our awareness of flu was certainly sharpened this year, with the emergence of the new strain of H1N1, the swine flu that originated in Mexico. But few people alive today can really appreciate the magnitude of the epidemic of 1918 that killed an estimated 40,000,000 people worldwide in a matter of weeks. New Jersey resident Gina Kolata, a science reporter for the New York Times, tells the human stories of those who fell victim and those who raced to find a cure. Both groups faced challenges not only from the disease but from the fear and ignorance of friends and neighbors as well. What have we learned since 1918? Read Flu and see what you think.

Airframe by Michael Crichton. (Ballantine, 1997) What caused a Norton Airlines flight to “porpoise” repeatedly while enroute from Hong Kong to Denver? Although the plane lands safely, several deaths and many injuries resulted from the steep dives and climbs. Casey Singleton, vice president in charge of quality assurance, is asked to find the cause of the out of control behavior. It’s not an easy task, and the pressures facing Casey and her team are enormous – the design team, the mechanics, the flight crew, the company executives are all waiting to see who or what was responsible for the disaster. Crichton heightens the drama in every page, and throws in corporate intrigue, unhappy workers, and personal greed as complicating factors to hamper Casey’s investigation. The only way to really know what happened in the air is to read Airframe!

Silent Spring, by Rachel Carson. (Houghton Mifflin, 1994) Unless we learn from the past, we are doomed to relive it. Never has this been more relevant than as it applies to our treatment of our earth. As you read the observations and warnings of the renowned biologist and conservationist Rachel Carson, you’ll wonder whether we’ve learned our lessons on how to protect our fragile planet. Although Miss Carson first raised her warnings in the 1960’s, her words ring true even today. (Earlier editins of this book are also available in paperback.

[22] Science Continued Grade 11

Influenza 1918 (The American Experience) by Lynette Iezzoni.(paperback, 2000) This is the powerful historical account of the worst season of death n American history. Just as American troops were claiming victory in Europe during World War I, a silent killer spread across America and the world. Unable to fight it, the white-coated priests of modern medicine watched helplessly as the plague they called “Spanish influenza” exploded across the world. In America alone some 25 million people fell ill, and an estimated 675,000 died, all within a few tragic months. Influenza 1918 recounts the story of this crisis in our history officials who denied the danger, heroes who acted with forceful dedication, neighbors who closed their doors against neighbors, and countless volunteers who somehow kept the nation running. (remarks taken from the back cover of the book)

[23] Social Studies Grade 10

The Hunger Games by Suzanne Collins (Scholastic, 2010) This is the first in a trilogy of novels (Catching Fire and Mockingjay complete the story) set in a future when North America is divided into sixteen districts ruled with an iron- hand by unseen leaders from “the Capitol.” To distract the population and keep them under control, annual “Hunger Games” are organized which pit a boy and a girl from each district who fight to the death in a televised contest for all to watch. Sixteen-year- old Katness Everdeen volunteers to replace her beloved little sister in the arena. “Brilliantly plotted and perfectly paced [Katness is] a memorably complex and fascinating heroine” (the New York Times).

In My Hands: Memories of a Holocaust Rescuer by Irene Gut Opdyke (Random House, 2004) This remarkable memoir tells the story of Irene Gut, who was just 17 years old when the Nazis invaded her country. In the space of six years, she served as a nurse to a Polish military unit, fled to the forest with Polish resistance fighters, was captured by invading Russian soldiers, escaped and finally confronted the evils of the Holocaust. At first her actions, while dangerous, were small: she smuggled food to hungry Jews. In the end, she assumed extraordinary risks to hide a group of twelve Jews from the Nazis. “Powerful and life-affirming, this is the kind of exciting memoir that marks a reader forever” (The Plain Dealer).

The Scarlet Pimpernel by Emma Orczy (Barnes and Noble Classic Series, 2005) "They seek him here; they seek him there," but who is the Scarlet Pimpernel? He is the brilliant but mysterious stranger who rescues French aristocrats from the blade of the guillotine. This is a mystery, an adventure story, and a love story set during the bloodiest phase of the French Revolution, the "Reign of Terror." [Note to readers: each year students say that once they get through the novel’s slow first chapter, the story grabs them and they cannot put it down. Stick with it.]

Social Studies Grade 11

Juniors in U.S. History Advanced Honors must complete a summer reading project on Founding Brothers: The Revolutionary Generation by Joseph J. Ellis (Vintage Publishers 2002) This highly acclaimed book depicts how a group of gifted but flawed individuals— Hamilton, Burr, Jefferson, Franklin, Washington, Adams, and Madison –determined the

[24] course of the nation by the way they confronted its challenges during the 1790s. The book focuses on pivotal moments and events that would define the nation’s future. A written assignment will be posted to the WEB on Ms. Kim’s website. Bring this assignment with you on the first day of class.

The Secret of the White Rose by Stefanie Pintoff (Minotaur, 2011) New York City is gripped by anarchist riots and bombings in the fall of 1906. One bombing goes horribly awry, a child is killed, and the arrested young suspect endures the wrath of the city. On the eve of his trial, the presiding judge is murdered in his home, with a Bible under his hand and a white rose next to his corpse. “Pintoff delivers a rousing and admirably fair account of the anarchist movement and of the unionists who vent their anger at the deplorable working conditions of the period — and makes a stronger case for their cause than they’re normally allowed in historical mysteries” the New York Times)

The Awakening by Kate Chopin (various editions available) A story of one woman’s struggle against the conventions of late 19th century life and of the world’s limited expectations for women, The Awakening is a novel of self-discovery that shocked readers in its time but emerged as a classic of feminist literature. This is also a choice for English summer reading: you may submit a project for this book for either history or English class.

Ten Days That Unexpectedly Changed America by Steven M. Gillon (Crown Publishing, 2006) This collection of ten events from America’s past avoids the usual list of key events to focus on lesser-know moments that had a transformational effect on American society. The stories work together to illustrate key themes in the story of America’s journey toward a “more perfect union.”

For Juniors Taking INTRODUCTION TO AMERICAN LAW:

Bloodsworth by Tim Junkin (Algonquin Books, 1998). This book is the story of the first death row inmate exonerated by DNA evidence. Charged with the rape and murder of a nine-year-old girl, Kirk Bloodsworth was tried, convicted and sentenced to death. Bloodsworth, staunchly maintaining his innocence, spends hours in the prison library researching then-innovative DNA testing in an attempt to exonerate himself. This book is a fascinating tale of individual determination which successfully infuses the science of DNA with the inner workings of the criminal justice system.

The Majesty of the Law: Reflections of a Supreme Court Justice by Sandra Day O'Connor (Random House, 2003). In this book, Justice O'Connor explores her life as a Justice and how the Court has evolved and continues to function, grow and change as an American institution. She discusses notable cases that have shaped American democracy.

[25] Our Guys by Bernard Lefkowitz (Vintage Books, 1998). In March 1988 a group of teenage boys lured a mentally challenged girl into a basement in Glen Ridge, New Jersey and gang raped her. What made those boys capable of brutalizing a girl they had known for years? Why did so many in the community deny the rape and support the boys? What was the outcome of the criminal trial?

Saving Beauty from the Beast by Vicki Crompton and Ellen Zelda Kessner (Little, Brown, 2003). In 1985, 14-year-old, Jennifer Crompton began dating 18-year-old Mark Smith. At first the relationship was "perfect," but within six months Mark demonstrated abusive behavior. Four weeks after Jennifer finally broke off the relationship, she was dead, stabbed sixty times. This book tells girls how to protect themselves from an unhealthy relationship and how to identify an unhealthy relationship before becoming trapped in one.