Saint George's School English Grades 6-12 Summer Reading

Saint George’s School English Grades 6-12 Summer Reading

Middle School

Sixth Grade Summer Reading

Students entering 6th grade in the fall of 2018 will read Sharon Creech’s Walk Two Moons (ISBN: 978-0064405171, Kindle Edition available). See pages 6-7 of this packet for a full explanation of the required assignment. It is suggested (but not required) that you read at least two more books over the summer. See Recommended Reading for Grades 6-12 list below for ideas.

Seventh Grade Summer Reading Students entering 7th grade in the fall of 2018 will read Louis Sachar’s Holes (ISBN: 978-0440414803, Kindle Edition available). See pages 8-9 of this packet for a full explanation of the required assignment. It is suggested (but not required) that you read at least two more books over the summer. See Recommended Reading for Grades 6-12 list below for ideas.

Eighth Grade Summer Reading Students entering 8th grade in the fall of 2018 will read Jordan Romero’s No Summit out of Sight: The True Story of the Youngest Person to Climb the Seven Summits (ISBN: 978-1481432764, Kindle Edition available). See 10-11 of this packet for a full explanation of the required assignment. It is suggested (but not required) that you read at least two more books over the summer. See Recommended Reading for Grades 6-12 list below for ideas.

Upper School

Ninth Grade Summer Reading Students entering Ninth Grade in the fall of 2018 should arrive having completed News of the World, by Paulette Jiles (ISBN: 978-0062409218, Kindle Edition available). Incoming ninth graders are also welcome to read any of the novels on the list below (Grade 8+) for extra credit.

Tenth Grade Summer Reading Students entering Tenth Grade in the fall of 2018 should arrive having carefully read Prometheus Bound (Aeschylus, tr. Joel Agee, New York Review Book Classics, ISBN 978-1590178607). Students should expect a quiz and writing assignment on the work immediately upon their return in September. I offer the following questions only to help you read the play carefully and critically. I encourage you to take notes, but this is not a writing assignment:

1. Prometheus Bound, traditionally attributed to Aeschylus, was written in Athens during the “Golden Age of Greece” – i.e. the 5th century BC. What do you know about Greece, and specifically Athens, at this time in history? What historical facts from the period might aid our understanding the play? 2. What do you know about Greek theatre? When and where would this play have been performed? What would it have looked like on stage? 3. What sorts of people must Athenians have been to attend, and presumably enjoy, a play like Prometheus Bound? Were they politically minded? Were they religious? What was their general outlook on life? What was their worldview? Etc. 4. To what extent should we read the gods in this play as literal gods? To what extent should we read them as symbols? If they are symbols to any degree, what are they symbols of? 5. Who were the Titans and how and why did they clash with Zeus and the Olympians? 6. In the war between the Titans and the Olympians, Prometheus, a Titan, aided the Olympians. Why? 7. What does Prometheus claim to have done for human beings? Why has he done it? 8. How and why did Prometheus disobey Zeus? How and why does he continue to defy Zeus, even while bound to a rock? 9. Why is Zeus punishing Prometheus? Why is he punishing Prometheus so harshly? 10. Compare and contrast Zeus and Prometheus. What significant similarities and/or differences do you find? 11. What role does the Chorus have in the play? What does it add? 12. Who are Hephaestus, Hermes, Oceanus, and Ios? What do these other characters add to the meaning of the play? 13. The play is composed largely of several binary dialogues (Prometheus/Hephaestus, Prometheus/Oceanus, Prometheus/Ios, etc.). What are the topics of these dialogues? 14. What is significant about Prometheus’ ability to see the future? What is significant about what he sees? 15. Looking at the play as a contest of wills between Zeus and Prometheus, can we call one the winner?

Want more reading? See also “Extra-Credit Upper School Summer Reading” below. 2

Ninth and Tenth Grade Pre-IB English Summer Reading Students entering Pre-IB English in the fall of 2018 should arrive having read the following article: “Storytelling, Narration, and the ‘Who I Am’ Story” by Catherine Ramsdell http://writingspaces.org/sites/default/files/ramsdell--storytelling-narration.pdf. You will not be able to earn credit for doing any of the other readings from the “Recommended Reading for Grades 6-12,” though I wouldn’t discourage you from reading any of the selections you’d like. Type up a word document in MLA format (page layout guidelines can be found here: https://owl.english.purdue.edu/owl/resource/747/01/) and do the following: - Title your document as follows: Reading about Storytelling. When naming the file, name it like this: Lastname_Reading about Storytelling

- Before you read, write a couple sentences talking about what you expect the article to talk about, what you already know about storytelling and narrative, and whether you like to tell or write stories. Put this information under a bold sub-header titled: Before I Read (no more than 150 words)

- Summarize the information from the article in a paragraph or two (no more than 200 words). Put this information under a bold sub-header titled: After I Read

- In a new paragraph under a bold sub-header titled: Analysis, explain what you learned and what you are still confused about (no more than 200 words)

This assignment is due the first day of school by email. You will be graded on whether you did each part of the assignment as instructed, whether it seems like you actually read the article, and whether you seem to have thought deeply about your answers. If you work seems like it was done last minute or if you don’t have it done on the first day of school, your grade will suffer. The assignment is out of 25 points, which is a substantial portion of your first quarter grade, so make sure to give yourself time to read. The article is not short. To turn in your work or to ask questions, email me at [email protected]. Thank you and happy reading!

IB English A: Literature Year 1 Summer Reading Students entering IB English A in the fall of 2018 should arrive having completed Herman Melville’s Benito Cereno. They can easily find an edition of this at Barnes and Noble. There are also a number of free online versions floating around. Students should arrive having completed the novel, prepared to discuss and write about it at length on the first day of school.

Want more reading? See also “Extra-Credit Upper School Summer Reading” below.

IB English A: Literature Year 2 Summer Reading Students entering IB English A: Literature Year 1 in the fall of 2018 should arrive having read chapters 1-14 of Sound and Sense: An Introduction to Poetry, Eighth Edition, by Laurence Perrine and Thomas R. Arp. You can find the book readily online new or used. In each chapter, choose 3 poems to study 3

carefully, having read over all the poems more quickly. You are not required to answer any of the study questions or complete any of the exercises, but consider using these sometimes to guide your thinking on the poems. You will not need to turn in any writing from this summer reading, but be ready for a quiz on the following terms (don’t panic at the length of the list; you already know many of the terms). Please note that definitions of literary terms vary. I will expect you to know the terms as Perrine defines them.

speaker Alliteration euphony occasion assonance cacophony denotation consonance continuous form connotation allusion stanzaic form imagery (visual, auditory, gustatory, olfactory, rhyme (or spelled rime) stanza tactile, organic, kinesthetic) internal rhyme fixed form figure of speech/figurative language approximate rhyme (aka slant rhyme, half Italian, aka Petrarchan, sonnet (include octave, metaphor (include extended metaphor) rhyme, near rhyme) sestet) simile (include extended simile) end rime English, aka Shakespearean, sonnet (include personification refrain quatrain, couplet) apostrophe rhythm terza rima synecdoche meter tercet metonymy verse tone symbol prose mood allegory foot dramatic monologue paradox iamb overstatement (aka hyperbole) trimiter, tetrameter, pentameter understatement caesura (grammatical only) irony (verbal, dramatic, situational) run-on line satire end-stopped line

Extra Credit: Throughout the first quarter, you can gain extra credit for memorizing up to 5 of the following poems by Robert Frost: “Stopping by Woods on a Snowy Evening,” “The Aim Was Song,” “The Road Not Taken,” “Acquainted with the Night,” “The Most of It,” “Design,” “Range-Finding,” “Never Again Would Birds’ Song Be the Same,” “Reluctance,” “Mowing.” Each poem will be worth 3 points. Summer is a good time to start, if you’re interested in extra credit. There will be no other extra credit for summer work.

IB English B Level 1 & 2 (ELL) Summer Reading Students entering IB English B in the fall of 2018 should arrive having read the following article: “How to Read Like a Writer” by Mike Bunn http://writingspaces.org/sites/default/files/bunn--how-to-read.pdf. You will not be able to earn credit for doing any of the other readings from the 4

“Recommended Reading for Grades 6-12,” though I wouldn’t discourage you from reading any of the selections you’d like. Type up a word document in MLA format (page layout guidelines can be found here: https://owl.english.purdue.edu/owl/resource/747/01/) and do the following:

- Title your document as follows: Reading about How to Read. When naming the file, name it like this: Lastname_Reading about How to Read - Before you read, write a couple sentences talking about what you expect the article to talk about, what you already know about reading strategies, and whether you like to read, tell, or write stories. Put this information under a bold sub-header titled: Before I Read (no more than 200 words) - Summarize the information from the article in a paragraph or two (no more than 300 words). Put this information under a bold sub-header titled: After I Read - In a new paragraph under a bold sub-header titled: Analysis, explain what you learned and what you are still confused about (no more than 300 words)

This assignment is due the first day of school by email. You will be graded on whether you did each part of the assignment as instructed, whether it seems like you actually read the article, and whether you seem to have thought deeply about your answers. If your work seems like it was done last minute or if you don’t have it done on the first day of school, your grade will suffer. The assignment is out of 25 points, which is a substantial portion of your first quarter grade, so make sure to give yourself time to read. The article is not short. To turn in your work or to ask questions, email me at [email protected]. Thank you and happy reading!

Extra-Credit Upper School Summer Reading (applies to all English classes 9-11 except IB English B) Students are also welcome to read any of the works (Grade 8 or higher) on the Recommended Reading for Grades 6-12 list (see below). Students will receive five extra credit points towards their semester grades for any novel that they read and write a brief reflective essay about. A reflective essay should be 1-3 pages long, with a thesis that completes the sentence, “I think this novel is important or interesting because ______.” The essay should be carefully thought-out and show real engagement with the text. You may complete up to two of these assignments for extra credit.

6th Grade Summer Reading Journal 2018

Incoming sixth grade required reading: Walk Two Moons by Sharon Creech

Assignment: Reading and summer break go hand-in-hand for Saint George’s students. This summer, while you read, we would like you to write a summer reading journal. The requirements, which will be graded when you return in September, are as follows:

 6th grade: Five entries from your assigned summer reading book.

This will be really hard if you wait until the last week of summer to complete this journal, so we recommend working on it throughout the summer.

Each journal entry should include the following: - Date, title and author of book, and page numbers read. - Five vocabulary words that you do not fully understand - Definitions for the vocabulary words - A quote from your reading - 1 paragraph (7-10 sentences) about how this quote relates to the story, and why it is important to the story

This assignment is due: the last day of the first full (five-day) week of the 2018-19 school year.

6th Grade Summer Reading Example Journal Entry:

June 15, 2018 Martin the Warrior by Brian Jacques, Pages 137-154

Vocabulary Words:

Tension: mental or emotional strain; intense, suppressed suspense, anxiety, or excitement Writhing: to twist the body about, or squirm, as in pain; violent effort Immersion: to plunge into or place under a liquid; dip; sink Miscreant: a vicious or depraved person; villain Fractionally: comparatively small; inconsiderable or insignificant

Quote: “I won’t consider myself a warrior until the day I take my father’s sword back from Bedrang” (Page 148). 6

Martin the Warrior is leading a small band of animals against the evil army that is led by the Rat, Bedrang. Martin is trying to get his sword back from Bedrang, and the small band of animals is trying to get their home back that was taken over by Bedrang. Martin is a great warrior, but feels like he is not worthy of the title because he lost his father’s sword when he was a young mouse. His quest in life has been to regain the sword that was taken from his family, and then he feels that he will be a true warrior. Martin is already a great warrior even though he does not have his sword. Everyone agrees with this statement but inside, Martin can’t get himself to believe it. I think that one of the true lessons from this quote is that you are who you are on the inside, no matter what you have on the outside.

It is suggested (but not required) that you read at least two more books over the summer. You DO NOT have to write journals for additional books! Please see the “Recommended Reading for Grades 6-12” below. You do not have to choose a book off of this list but they are books that we have enjoyed and think you will as well!

FAQ:

Will my project be graded? Yes. It is worth 25 points for time, effort, following direction, and showing that you carefully read and understood the assignment book. I will not offer extra credit on this assignment. You are free to do more journal entries than what is assigned, but you’ll receive credit for only five.

Do I have to type my journal entries? No. However, please write legibly if you plan on writing your journal entries by hand.

Do I have to complete all five journal entries for credit? You will need to complete all five to get full credit but can get partial credit if you do less.

How many books do I have to read this summer? One. You have one officially assigned book; however, I strongly suggest you read at least two more. This is especially the case if you do not read for pleasure and have trouble with reading. The more you read the better reader you’ll become. You’ll be reading in all of your classes next year -- even math! Besides English reading, there are extensive reading assignments both in and out of class in world cultures, Spanish, and Science. Some of the SGS teachers have put together a list of recommended books. Take a look at that if you’re looking for more books to read. Additionally, feel free to email Brad Kirsch, [email protected] for more recommendations.

I’ve already read the book I’ve been assigned. May I read a different one? No. There is nothing wrong with reading a book a second time. In fact, I always discover something new when I reread books. Additionally, assuming you read this book years ago, you may now better understand parts of it.

My parents don’t want me to read this book. They feel it’s inappropriate. What should I do? Have them contact me immediately—by the end of June. I am flexible, but I need to speak directly to parents on this issue. Waiting until August to contact me is too late!

When is this project due? The last day of the first full (five day) week of the 2018-19 school year.

What happens if I don’t complete this project? Your grade will be what it is at the end of both first and second semester of your 6th grade year unless you have an unusual situation (severe illness, late enrollment, etc. Please contact me at your earliest convenience if this is your situation. [email protected]). 7

7th Grade Summer Reading Journal 2018

Incoming seventh grade required reading: Holes by Louis Sachar

 7th grade: Five entries from your assigned summer reading book.

This will be really hard if you wait until the last week of summer to complete this journal, so we recommend working on it throughout the summer.

This assignment is due: the last day of the first full (five day) week of the 2018-19 school year.

7th Grade Summer Reading Example Journal Entry:

June 15, 2018 Martin the Warrior by Brian Jacques, Pages 137-154

Vocabulary Words:

Quote: “I won’t consider myself a warrior until the day I take my father’s sword back from Bedrang” (Page 148).

FAQ:

Will my project be graded? Yes. It is worth 25 points for time, effort, following direction, and showing that you carefully read and understood the assigned book. I will not offer extra credit on this assignment. You are free to do more journal entries than what is assigned, but you’ll receive credit for only five.

Do I have to type my journal entries? No. However, please write legibly if you plan on writing your journal entries by hand.

Do I have to complete all five journal entries for credit? You will need to complete all five to get full credit.

How many books do I have to read this summer? One. You have one officially assigned book; however, I strongly suggest you read at least two more. This is especially the case if you do not read for pleasure and have trouble with reading. The more you read the better reader you’ll become. You’ll be reading in all of your classes next year -- even math! Besides English reading, there are extensive reading assignments both in and out of class in world cultures, Spanish, and Science. Some of the SGS teachers have put together a list of recommended books. Take a look at that if you’re looking for more books to read. Additionally, feel free to email Sarah Berentson, [email protected] for more recommendations.

When is this project due? The last day of the first full (five day) week of the 2018-19 school year.

What happens if I don’t complete this project? Your grade will be what it is at the end of both first and second semester of your 7th grade year unless you have an unusual situation (severe illness, late enrollment, etc. Please contact me at your earliest convenience if this applies, [email protected]). 9

8th Grade Summer Reading Journal 2018

Incoming eighth grade required reading: No Summit out of Sight by Jordan Romero

 8th grade: Five entries from your assigned summer reading book and three achievable goals for yourself over the course of the school year.

This will be really hard if you wait until the last week of summer to complete this journal, so we recommend working on it throughout the summer.

Each journal entry should include the following: - Date, title and author of book, and page numbers read. - A quote from your reading - 1 paragraph (7-10 sentences) about how this quote relates to the story, why it is important to the story, and how it connects to your life or the world around you. Guidelines for Goals: -Be specific --Ex) I want to do well vs. I want to maintain a 3.5 GPA or higher -Try to have well rounded goals. Not everything has to be about academics. Maybe you want to try something new this year? A new club or activity? Maybe you want to perform at the talent show? -Be realistic and pick measureable goals. -- Ex) I want to be nicer vs. I want to do one kind thing a day for someone at school.

This assignment is due: the last day of the first full (five day) week of the 2018-19 school year.

8th Grade Summer Reading Example Journal Entry:

June 15, 2018 Martin the Warrior by Brian Jacques, Pages 137-154

Quote: “I won’t consider myself a warrior until the day I take my father’s sword back from Bedrang” (Page 148).

FAQ:

Do I have to type my journal entries? No. However, please write legibly if you plan on writing your journal entries by hand.

Do I have to complete all five journal entries for credit? You will need to complete all five to get full credit.

How many books do I have to read this summer? One. You have one officially assigned book; however, I strongly suggest you read at least two more. This is especially the case if you do not read for pleasure and have trouble with reading. The more you read the better reader you’ll become. You’ll be reading in all of your classes next year -- even math! Besides English reading, there are extensive reading assignments both in and out of class in world cultures, Spanish, and Science. Some of the SGS teachers have put together a list of recommended books. Take a look at that if you’re looking for more books to read. Additionally, feel free to email Sarah Berentson, [email protected] for more recommendations.

When is this project due? The last day of the first full (five day) week of the 2018-19 school year.

What happens if I don’t complete this project? Your grade will be what it is at the end of both first and second semester of your 8th grade year unless you have an unusual situation (severe illness, late enrollment, etc. Please contact me at your earliest convenience if this applies. [email protected]). 11

Saint George’s School English

Recommended Reading for Grades 6-12

Teacher Title Author Grade Description level Ms. Berentson Extremely Loud and Jonathan 9+ Oskar is trying to make sense of his father’s death on September 11th. Two years later, Incredibly Close Safran Foer nine year old Oskar Schell finds a key left by his father. Join Oskar on his search to find the lock to his key. This novel comes alive under the umbrella of universal tragedy, and takes a deep look into the trauma of unimaginable loss, while finding shreds of beauty in a broken world. This book is packed with just as much hilarity as it is sorrow, and the language and style of the author is captivating. Ms. Berentson The Curious Incident Mark Haddon 8+ Christopher John Francis Boone is a 15-year-old boy in Swindon England with a mild of the Dog in the form of autism. When he discovers his neighbor’s poodle dead in the yard, he takes off Night-Time on an investigation that will ultimately prove to be a much more tangled web than anticipated. Mark Haddon does a brilliant job leading you on an adventure from a perspective you may have never thought of. Ms. Berentson Tuesdays with Morrie Mitch Albom 7+ This is a beautiful and touching memoir exploring the relationship between Morrie, a former professor, and Mitch his former student. Be prepared to wonder about the meaning of life, and make sure you have a tissue box next to your book. Ms. Berentson Hatchet Gary Paulson 6+ Hatchet is a classic story of survival and coming of age. Thirteen year old Brian is forced to survive on his own after his plane crashes in the wilderness. Armed with nothing but a hatchet his mother gave him as a gift, as well as a difficult family secret, Brian must face the elements. This is a heart-warming story that entangles physical survival with emotional survival, and what it means to grow up. Ms. Berentson Things Fall Apart Chinua Achebe 8+ A classic tragedy of family and community, by Nigeria’s most famous author. Not to be missed. Ms. Berentson The Power of One Bryce 8+ Set in South Africa, The Power of One, is narrated by an English speaking South African Courtenay boy named Peekay. With a backdrop of turbulent history, not only in South Africa, but the rest of the world, The Power of One is the ultimate story of perseverance and revenge. Mr. Darnall The Autobiolgraphy As told to Alex 9+ A riveting glimpse into the life of one of the most influential civil rights leaders of all of Malcolm X Haley time. What’s most amazing about the autobiography are not just the shocking and 12

brutal realities of Malcolm’s life, but also his willingness to change his mind and admit his mistakes. Mr. Darnall Bleak House Charles Dickens 11+ Okay, I’ll just come out and say it: I think it’s the best English novel ever. Over a thousand pages in the Penguin edition. Are you tough enough? Mr. Darnall Brideshead Revisited Evelyn Waugh 11+ The story of Charles Ryder’s various involvements with a strange and dysfunctional but intriguing affluent Catholic family. As in other novels Waugh laments the ineluctable decline of aristocratic values in modern England. His attention to “faith,” however, perhaps provides a kind of hope that doesn’t seem to appear in more sardonic works such as A Handful of Dust. Mr. Darnall Emma Jane Austen 9+ This is my favorite Jane Austen novel, and, in my opinion, Jane Austen assembles a better sentence than any other prose writer in the language. Emma is the story of a young woman who attempts to steer the lives of those around her and only ends up making a mess of things and having to surrender to her own fate. Mr. Darnall The Iliad Homer 8+ Well, this is one you really should read, if you haven’t. The Iliad is one of the most alluded-to texts in Western Literature. At its heart, however, is also a very personal and moving story about the vanity of human ambition and pride, especially in war. Mr. Darnall The Long Goodbye Raymond 9+ Mystery novels need not be “guilty pleasures.” Though sometimes disregarded as Chandler merely a “genre” writer, Raymond Chandler can write circles around most so-called “literary” writers. The Long Goodbye is my favorite of his stories. Mr. Darnall This Boy’s Life Tobias Wolff 8+ The subjects of this memoir are serious, including the protagonist’s conflicts with an abusive stepfather, but the candor of the narrator and many comic scenes make This Boy’s Life a quick and enjoyable read. Mr. Darnall Surprised By Joy C. S. Lewis 10+ An Autobiographical account of Lewis’ journey from early belief in the Christian faith through Atheism and back to a more enlightened Christian belief. Mr. Darnall Man’s Search For Victor Frankl 10+ In the first part of the book Frankl, a psychiatrist, describes his experience in a Meaning concentration camp, focusing especially on his observations of the prisoners different psychological reactions to their suffering and the conclusions he drew from those reactions. In the second part of the book, Frankl gives a brief account of the psychological theory (Logotherapy) he developed as a result of his experience. Throughout, the book offers an inspiring account of a human being’s ability to survive and even respond creatively to evil and pain. Mr. Darnall A Distant Mirror Barbara 9+ A long and beautifully written account of the “calamitous 14th century” in Europe. I am Tuchman particularly impressed by the way Tuchman weaves stories of the era together, exploring the century’s most majestic and most depraved features, illuminating the lives of the high and the low alike. 13

Mr. Darnall Nickel and Dimed Barbara 9+ Ehrenreich writes of her time undercover as a member of the “working poor.” You Ehrenreich might have a different perspective on wait staff, retail sales people, housecleaners, and others after you read this book. Mr. Darnall Lord of the Flies William 8+ A classic dystopian novel depicting young boys stranded on an island. It is dark and Golding disturbing, but it should get you thinking about how and why we form societies. Mr. Kirsch Ender’s Game Orson Scott 9+ Andrew "Ender" Wiggin thinks he is playing computer simulated war games; he is, in Card fact, engaged in something far more desperate. The result of genetic experimentation, Ender may be the military genius Earth desperately needs in a war against an alien enemy seeking to destroy all human life. The only way to find out is to throw Ender into ever harsher training, to chip away and find the diamond inside, or destroy him utterly. Ender Wiggin is six years old when it begins. He will grow up fast. Mr. Kirsch The Breadwinner Deborah Ellis 6+ Young Parvana lives with her family in one room of a bombed-out apartment building in Kabul, Afghanistan. Because he has a foreign education, her father is arrested by the Taliban, the religious group that controls the country. Since women cannot appear in public unless covered head to toe, or go to school, or work outside the home, the family becomes increasingly desperate until Parvana conceives a plan. She cuts her hair and disguises herself as a boy to earn money for her family. Parvana's determination to survive is the force that drives this novel set against the backdrop of an intolerable situation brought about by war and religious fanaticism. Mr. Kirsch Red Kayak Priscilla 5+ Brady loves his life on the Chesapeake Bay, crabbing and oyster fishing with friends J.T. Cummings and Digger. But developers and rich summer families are moving into the area, and while Brady befriends some of them, others are bitter about the new construction. Tragedy strikes when a kayak sinks in the bay, and Brady discovers what happened was something other than an accident. A story of loyalty, choices and courage.

Mr. Kirsch Wrinkle in Time Madeleine 5+ A Wrinkle in Time, winner of the Newbery Medal in 1963, is the story of the adventures L'Engle in space and time of Meg, Charles Wallace, and Calvin O'Keefe (athlete, student, and one of the most popular boys in high school). They are in search of Meg's father, a scientist who disappeared while engaged in secret work for the government on the tesseract problem. Mr. Kirsch Tuck Everlasting Natalie Babbitt 6+ Doomed to—or blessed with—eternal life after drinking from a magic spring, the Tuck family wanders about trying to live as inconspicuously and comfortably as they can. When ten-year-old Winnie Foster stumbles on their secret, the Tucks take her home and explain why living forever at one age is less a blessing than it might seem. Complications arise when Winnie is followed by a stranger who wants to market the spring water for a fortune. 14

Mr. Kirsch Where the Red Fern Wilson Rawls 6+ Billy Colman roams the Ozarks of northeastern Oklahoma with his blue tick hound and Grows his precious coonhound pup trying to "tree" the elusive raccoon. In time, the inseparable trio wins the coveted gold cup in the annual coon-hunt contest, captures the wily ghost coon, and bravely fights with a mountain lion. When the victory over the mountain lion turns to tragedy, Billy grieves, but learns the beautiful old Native American legend of the sacred red fern that grows over the graves of his dogs. Mr. Rigsby Americanah Chimamanda 10+ A searing account of Nigerian refugees caught on the dangerous fringes of society in the Ngozi Adichie United States and Britain, this novel has all the trappings of the greatest nineteenth century novel—humor, sadness, adventure, romance—but is also marked by cutting insights into the harsh realities of a post-colonial world.. Mr. Rigsby The Brief Wondrous Junot Diaz 10+ Overweight, lovelorn, and nerdy, Oscar Wao nevertheless dreams of becoming the Life of Oscar Wao “Dominican J.R.R. Tolkien.” Can he achieve these dreams in New York before an ancient curse destroys his family? A stunning glimpse into the brutality and poverty of Trujillo’s Domincan dictatorship and its effects on the whole Western Hemisphere, this novel is sad, terrifying, and hilarious all at once. Mr. Rigsby Crime and Fyodor 9+ Mostly, it’s about an axe-murderer’s crisis of conscience, but Dostoevsky’s masterwork is Punishment Dostoevsky bigger than that, and somehow, mysteriously, the murder isn’t the worst crime in the novel. The greatest works of literature ask the reader to answer the basic question: “Which side are you on?” This novel accomplishes that as well as any other. Mr. Rigsby Cotton Comes to Chester Himes 9+ Coffin Ed Johnson and Gravedigger Jones are the two baddest detectives in Harlem. Harlem When the heist of proceeds from a Back to Africa rally sparks total mayhem in Harlem, Coffin Ed and Gravedigger set out in violent and dangerous pursuit of the hijackers. Mr. Rigsby Fear and Loathing: Hunter S. 10+ Originally written as monthly installments for Rolling Stone, Thompson’s scathing On the Campaign Thompson criticism of Republican and Democratic political machines, and of Richard Nixon in Trail ‘72 particular, strike the same sore nerves as they did in 1972. Hilarious. Cynical. Drug- ridden. Broken-hearted. Mr. Rigsby For Whom the Bell Ernest 9+ The story of American expatriate Robert Jordan’s relationship with guerrillas during the Tolls Hemingway Spanish Civil War. Sent to blow up a bridge, Jordan falls in love with a local woman, Maria, and finds himself increasingly conflicted about whether to complete the mission or escape the war. When I was a sophomore in high school, this was my favorite book. Mr. Rigsby Middlesex Jeffrey 10+ Part family saga, part bildungsroman, this novel tells the story of a hermaphrodite Eugenides coming of age during the Detroit riots and the Vietnam War. Born Calliope, reborn Cal, the protagonist grapples with issues of gender and sexuality in an environment of national turmoil and family secrets. A stunning achievement.

Mr. Rigsby Moby-Dick Herman 10+ My second favorite book of all time—after Don Quixote—and my personal pick for the Melville Greatest American Novel. Whose story is it, though? Is it the story of Ahab’s wild and fiery pursuit of an immortal white whale, or is it Ishmael’s story—the attempt of a traumatized man to unravel what he’s witnessed? Don’t skip the chapters on whaling, either. They’re all part of it. Mr. Rigsby Monster Walter Dean 8+ A sixteen year-old stands accused of robbery-murder, and makes sense of his experience Myers in jail by writing it as a screenplay. Did Steve Harmon murder the drugstore owner? Is he really, as the prosecuting attorney asserts, a “Monster”? This is a page-turner, for sure, but it asks some big questions. Mr. Rigsby Snow Crash Neal 9+ Easily one of the greatest science fiction novels of all time, Snow Crash features a Stephenson samurai sword-wielding pizza delivery guy as its protagonist and an Inuit terrorist as its villain. Need I say more? Mr. Rigsby The Hate U Give Angie Thomas 9+ After watching a police officer kill her best friend, Starr Carter grapples with the risks of telling the world what she’s seen. This novel strikes deep themes at the intersection of gang violence, police brutality, community, and family—the language and content are not for the faint-hearted. The novel is by turns funny and heartbreaking. An instant classic. Mr. Rigsby A Prayer for Owen John Irving 9+ The story of two boys growing up in New Hampshire—one is orphaned when he loses his Meany mother in a tragic accident, the other contends he’s the Son of God. Often hilarious and tragic at the same time, A Prayer for Owen Meany is truly unforgettable. I wish I could read this novel for the first time all over again. Mr. Rigsby Lonesome Dove Larry 9+ The hands-down greatest Western of all time, one of the greatest page-turners, and my McMurtry favorite novel when I was a junior and senior in high school. It’s violent, it’s funny, it’s sad. Read it now. I’m not kidding. We don’t rent pigs. Mr. Rigsby The Romance of the Luo 11+ The epic story of the breakup of the Han dynasty, Three Kingdoms is Chinese literature’s Three Kingdoms Guangzhong equivalent of The Iliad in the West. Monumental, difficult, and worth the effort, if you have the nerve to step into the ring, then the Three Kingdoms will knock you out. Mr. Rigsby White Teeth Zadie Smith 10+ The first novel from the dazzlingly talented Smith; she wrote it when she was twenty- three years old. In it, she tells the story of trans-racial families in Britain, and explores the consequences of old-time colonialism for present-day society. The novel is sad, funny, and wonderfully constructed. Sara Smith Flowers for Algernon Daniel Keyes 10+ Explores changing intellect in a mentally disabled man whose intellectual abilities are enhanced through surgery, but are not permanent. A deeply moving story about what makes us human.

Sara Smith Why We Broke Up Daniel Handler 9+ Min Green and Ed Slaterton are breaking up, so Min is writing Ed a letter and giving him a box. Inside the box is why they broke up. Two bottle caps, a movie ticket, a folded note, a box of matches, a protractor, books, a toy truck, a pair of ugly earrings, a comb from a motel room, and every other item collected over the course of a giddy, intimate, heartbreaking relationship. Item after item is illustrated and accounted for, and then the box, like a girlfriend, will be dumped. Sara Smith Feed M.T. Anderson 8+ Identity crises, consumerism, and star-crossed teenage love in a futuristic society where people connect to the Internet via feeds implanted in their brains. Sara Smith Fahrenheit 451 Ray Bradbury 8+ “Stuff your eyes with wonder, he said, live as if you'd drop dead in ten seconds. See the world. It's more fantastic than any dream made or paid for in factories.” - Ray Bradbury. I can't say it any better than that. This book will haunt you, make you think, and wake you up years later remember it. Societal observation at its best and most extreme. Sara Smith Your Own, Sylvia Stephanie 9+ On a bleak February day in 1963 a young American poet died by her own hand, and Hemphill passed into a myth that has since imprinted itself on the hearts and minds of millions. She was and is Sylvia Plath and Your Own, Sylvia is a portrait of her life, told in poems. With photos and an extensive list of facts and sources to round out the reading experience, Your Own, Sylvia is a great curriculum companion to Plath's The Bell Jar and Ariel, a welcoming introduction for newcomers, and an unflinching valentine for the devoted. Sara Smith Wild Boy: The Real Mary Losure 6+ One day in 1798, woodsmen in southern France returned from the forest having Life of the Savage of captured a naked boy. He had been running wild, digging for food, and was covered Aveyron with scars. In the village square, people gathered around, gaping and jabbering in words the boy didn’t understand. And so began the curious public life of the boy known as the Savage of Aveyron, whose journey took him all the way to Paris. Sara Smith The Blue Sword Robin McKinley 5+ High fantasy set on an imagined desert world, with a brilliantly ordinary young woman as its heroine. Magic and reality combine in a beautifully realized mythical kingdom. Robin McKinley will delight readers with this fast paced adventure. Mr. Werkman Divergent Veronica Roth 9+ A Hunger Games-esque story about a young girl who finds herself at the crossroads of a future society when she has to choose between two factions and chooses daring over selflessness. Mr. Werkman The Outsiders S. E. Hinton 8+ A suspenseful story about the dangerous divisions between rival gangs in a small town. Mr. Werkman Eragon Christopher 7+ Written by a 16 year old from Montana, Eragon tells the story of 15-year-old Eragon, Paolini who finds a stone that changes his life when it turns out to be a dragon egg. Before this

novel was published, Chris Paolini sold his book by travelling around the northwest and reading from his manuscript. One of the places he read was SGS! Mr. Werkman The Best of Isaac Isaac Asimov 6+ Isaac Asimov is a master storyteller in the sci-fi genre. These short stories are just one Asimov example of his craftsmanship. He wrote numerous other stories and novels. Mr. Werkman The Best Short Arthur C Clarke 6+ Like Asimov, Arthur C Clarke was prolific and talented. In his writing, he explored other Stories of Arthur C. worlds – both space and undersea – doing his best to capture the scientific realities of Clarke sci-fi. His short stories are wonderful! If you like the ocean, read Dolphin Island. Mr. Werkman Dune Frank Herbert 9+ My favorite book of all time. Epic in scope. Enthralling in its imagination. A character drama masquerading as science fiction. Mr. Werkman The White John 6+ The first dystopian novel I ever read. I loved the characters and the world it imagined. Mountains Christopher See my review above. Mr. Werkman The Golden Compass Phillip Pullman 6+ An evolution of the cyber-punk genre ignited by William Gibson, this fantasy about a young girl on an alternate Earth is exciting and imaginative. Mr. Werkman The Seven Habits of Stephen R. 9+ A classic business book with lots of carry over to students. If you want something similar Highly Effective Covey but less business focused, try The Seven Habits of Highly Effective Teenagers People Mr. Werkman The Boys in the Boat Daniel James 9+ The true story of the 1936 UW crew that won the Olympics. A great story made even Brown more exciting because we know the area! Mr. Werkman Quiet: The Power of Susan Cain 5+ A non-fiction exploration of the importance of the people who prefer to listen rather Introverts in a World than speak. This book turned my head about what class participation means. that Can’t Stop Talking Mr. Werkman The Great Brain John D. 5+ Set in Utah in 1896, the young narrator tells the story of his older brother who “cons” Fitzgerald every kid in town out of their pocket money and toys. I love this series and still reread it when I need a lift. Mr. Werkman Robinson Crusoe Daniel Defoe 7+ If you liked “Castaway”, read this book. Once the shipwreck happens, the story seems remarkably contemporary. It is hard to believe it was first published in 1719. Mr. Werkman The Count of Monte Alexandre 8+ When I reread this book, I was stunned to find the skeleton of every revenge movie I Cristo Dumas have ever seen. One might even see its fingerprints in “The Shawshank Redemption”. This is a long book with numerous characters and plots, but worth every page! This would be a good book to read aloud as a family. Mr. Werkman The Fault in our Stars Paul Green 9+ Emotional blackmail of the best sort! It explores tough topics with grace and dignity…and a little romance! Some more mature subject matter.