Rising 10th Graders

Parable of the Sower by Octavia Butler (1993) School Library Journal describes Octavia Butler’s wildly inventive dystopian novel as a text that “centers collectivism as a practice over individualism, with a person of color as the protagonist who displays ‘hyperempathy’ rather than greed and a desire to be the victor or the last man standing.” It presents a glimpse into a future both terrible and beautiful.

Where You See Yourself by Claire Forrest (2023) From School Library Journal: “High school senior Effie wishes the college application process could be as easy for her as it is for her friends and classmates without visible disabilities. Effie... has cerebral palsy and is the only person at her school who uses a wheelchair. When apathetic school administrators create an arbitrary policy that keeps her from being physically able to join her friends for off-campus lunch, Effie realizes she must start advocating for herself if she’s going to be ready for college in the fall.” In addition, “Effie’s dry humor, determination, and strong sense of self, drive the plot forward.”

Summer Reading: 10th Grade

Statement on Summer Reading: Summer reading sets the foundation for the rest of the year in English class. In September, discussions about these books will help English classes build community and develop a shared language about literature. Families and caregivers should review the titles listed at each grade level with their students and collaboratively select books that are the best choice for their student and family. We strongly encourage families and caregivers to read alongside their students and discuss these books with them!

This year, English teachers have selected paired classic and contemporary texts for each grade level that are thematically linked to the course curriculum. 10th grade texts are Parable of the Sower by Octavia Butler (1993) and Where You See Yourself by Claire Forest (2023).

Expectations & Assessments: Students are strongly encouraged to read both texts as this will create a richer reading experience, but will be formally assessed on one. This assessment will take place through writing and discussion during their English classes in September.

Take Notes: All students must take notes or annotate while they read. Students are encouraged to use this note taking guide: Summer Reading Note Taking Guide.

Keep Reading!: If you enjoyed these summer reading selections, or would like to explore new books, below are other stories to explore this summer to deepen and enrich your reading experience.

How can I get the print/ebook/audiobook? Book titles above are active links to our school Sora account. On Sora, you may also find an audiobook version. In addition, the Melrose Public Library as well as the Boston Public Library have all summer reading titles.

Coming Soon: Poetry Out Loud! Each fall, all MHS students 9-12 participate in Poetry Out Loud and present a poem for their peers in English class. Learn more about Poetry Out Loud here.

10th Grade Suggestions for Further Reading

Warrior Girl Unearthed, Angeline Boulley
Mountains Beyond Mountains, Tracy Kidder
The Other Wes Moore, Wes Moore
Do Androids Dream of Electric Sheep, Philip K Dick
Everything Sad is Untrue, Daniel Nayeri
The Immortal Life of Henrietta Lacks, Rebecca Skloot
Fast Food Nation: The Dark Side of The All-American Meal, Eric Schlosser
Just Mercy, Bryan Stevenson (Young Reader Edition available)

⬇️How can I get the print/ebook/audiobook? ⬇️

Book titles above are active links to our school Sora account. On Sora, you may also find an audiobook version. In addition, the Melrose Public Library as well as the Boston Public Library have all summer reading titles.

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