Ella T. Grasso

Summer Reading 2025

Welcome!

At Ella. T. Grasso, we believe that reading is an integral part of your ongoing education. Reading increases your literacy, develops your vocabulary, and helps you succeed as a life-long learner, both academically and in your technical education.

Incoming Ninth Grade (Freshmen)

Choose a Book

Choose and read (one) of the approved book titles below. A hard copy of each book is available to check out in Grasso's Library Media Center.

The Benefits of Being an Octopus

by Ann Braden

Octopuses have three hearts, and all of mine have broken. This story is told from the perspective of a girl, Zoey, whose life revolves around taking care of three other younger kids at home and trying to make things less difficult for her overworked mom while she neglects her school work and her needs.

The Call of the Wild

by Jack London

The family dog, Buck, is kidnapped and transported to the Yukon in Canada to be a sled dog during the Klondike Gold Rush. At first Buck tries to fight back, but he's soon beaten into submission. As he passes through a succession of owners, he finds that ancient instincts from his wolf ancestors are awakening within him, helping him survive the brutal wilderness of the North. Buck becomes a leader and a formidable hunter who's attuned to his senses and the wilderness around him.

Calling My Name

by Liara Tamani

This unforgettable novel tells a universal coming-of-age story about Taja Brown, a young African American girl growing up in Houston, Texas, and beautifully explores the universal struggles of growing up, battling family expectations, discovering a sense of self, and finding a unique voice and purpose.

Romiette and Julio

by Sharon Draper

Romiette and Julio tells the story of two Cincinnati High School students whose interracial relationships (as 16-year-old-Romiette "Romi" Cappelle is Bloack and 16-year-old Julio Montague is Hispanic) fall in love at first site and meet each other secretly. Unfortunately, their relationship raises the anger and rage of the gang that rules their school and they both end up in a life or death situation.

House of the Scorpion

by Nancy Farmer

In this dystopian novel, Matt is a clone of El Patron, one of the most powerful drug cartel leaders in Opium, the land that lies between America and Mexico. Matt struggles with his identity, finding acceptance , and knowing who he can trust. Opium is populated with corrupt politicians, drug lords, border guards, and eejits- zombified crop laborers with chips implanted in their heads. Matt develops a tender relationship with Tam Lim, one of El Patron's bodyguards. Through their friendship, Matt is challenged to defy others' expectations and create his own identity.

Fish in a Tree

by Lynda Mullaly Hunt

Fish in a tree is about a girl named Ally Nickerson who has dyslexia and faces the struggles any student can relate to. Ally experiences the school hardships of being alone, bullying, and not wanting to work.

The House on Mango Street

by Sandra Cisneros

This wonderful story depicts a young gil named Esperanza that moves to Chicago around the age of 12 and is faced with many difficult challenges such as puberty, sexual assault, and the death of family members. But through all these tragic experiences she grows from a girl into a woman.

Sophomores, Juniors, and Seniors

Choose and read one book that is grade appropriate from the following sources:

SORA (online book catalog found on Class Link)

ESL-bits (free online book catalog)

your local Library

After you read your book of choice, complete one of the following assignments: Important Quotes or Movie Poster.

Students who complete one (1) of the summer reading assignments may receive credit toward their English grade during the first quarter, if submitted by the deadline.

IMPORTANT QUOTES

Select 5 important quotations from the text that may draw an emotional or personal connection to your own life.
Explain the significance of each quote in 2-3 sentences.

MOVIE POSTER

Pretend that the book you have read is being made into a movie. Make a movie poster online, which will make others want to see the movie. (Use MS Word or another program that you prefer.)

Include a picture of the main character(s) in an important scene from the book.
Select a phrase (3-5 sentences) which best describes the book and which will catch people's interest.
Include the title, cast (actors) list, and the author.
Take a look at movie posters/ads online for inspiration.

Save and send your electronic file to your school Librarian, Mr. D'Agostino, (via Google Classroom ) during the 2nd week of school. Your English teacher will give you a code.

Happy Reading!

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