Rising 11th Graders

Grade 11: CP & Honors

Of Mice and Men by John Steinbeck (1937). School Library Journal describes Steinbeck’s novel as one that “offers readers a colorful rendering of a bleak period in U.S. history, when migrant laborers struggled to survive. The book also presents a story of love and tragedy realistic to any era.”

Grade 11: AP Language: (Required)

The Autobiography of Malcolm X by Alex Haley and Malcolm X (1965). Kirkus Review describes Malcolm X’s life story as a transformative journey: “he was called Malcolm Little at birth; he was buried as El-Hajj Malik El-Shabazz; but he lived most of his life as Malcolm X.” Goodreads calls this a “riveting account” in which Malcolm X “tells of his journey from a prison cell to Mecca” and reveals “how his conversion to true Islam helped him confront his rage and recognize the brotherhood of all mankind. Still extraordinary, still important, this electrifying story has transformed Malcolm X's life into his legacy. The strength of his words, and the power of his ideas continue to resonate more than a generation after they first appeared.”

Grade 11: CP & Honors

All My Rage by Sabaa Tahir (2022). School Library Journal defines Tahir’s novel as a “deep dive into the complex ferocity of emotions within families” and as “a love letter to Pakistani culture and revelations from the past that test the boundaries of survival,” telling readers to “put this book at the top of your list.”

Grade 11: AP Language (Required)

There’s Always This Year: On Basketball and Ascension by Hanif Abdurraqib (2024). Library Journal describes Abdurraqib’s text as “written like a basketball game with quarters instead of chapters” and one that “offers reflections on his own adulthood and community while following [LeBron] James’s career. He melodically combines topics—becoming unhoused, protesting police shootings of Black boys and men, and more—with James’s first and winning appearances in the NBA finals as a Cleveland Cavalier.”

Summer Reading: 11th 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.

11th Grade CP and Honors: Of Mice and Men by John Steinbeck (1937) and All My Rage by Sabaa Tahir (2022).

11th Grade AP English Language & Composition (must read both texts): The Autobiography of Malcolm X by Alex Haley and Malcolm X (1965) and There’s Always This Year: On Basketball and Ascension by Hanif Abdurraqib (2024).

Expectations & Assessments: Students taking 11th grade CP or Honors 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. Students enrolled in AP Language must read both books.

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.

11th Grade Suggestions for Further Reading

The Fire Next Time, James Baldwin
Where You Go Is Not Who You Will Be, Frank Bruni
Gather, Kenneth Cadow
Better: A Surgeon's Note on Performance, Atul Gawande
Outliers, Tipping Point, or Blink, Malcolm Gladwell
The Anxious Generation, Jonathan Haidt
The Woman Warrior: Memoirs of a Childhood Among Ghosts, Maxine Hong Kingston
Shoe Dog: A Memoir by the Creator of Nike, Phil Knight (Young Readers Available)
Star Splitter, Matthew Kirby
We Were Liars, E Lockhart
Garlic & Sapphires: The Secret Life of a Critic in Disguise, Ruth Reichl
The Omnivore's Dilemma, Michael Pollan (Young Readers Edition)
Lincoln's Greatest Speech: The Second Inaugural, Ronald C. White, Jr
In the Wild Light, Jeff Zentner

⬇️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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