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Dear Families and Students,
Summer is a great time to rest, relax, and read!
In an effort to create a culture of readers and thinkers in our school, we are asking that all students participate in summer reading. Students are expected to read two of the four books assigned for their upcoming grade level over the summer (see book lists below). AP Literature and AP Language and Composition students have separate summer reading assignments, which are posted below.
Aside from the two required books, we are inviting students to participate in an (optional) Summer Reading Challenge, where they can stretch themselves as readers, explore new authors and genres, and broaden their reading horizons. Scroll down for more information.
When students return to school in September, ELA teachers will assign a reflection on reading done over the summer. For most classes. no written work is required over the summer, but students are welcome to take notes if they like.
We believe that summer reading is an essential part of our students' education and personal development. We encourage all students to take advantage of this opportunity to explore new worlds, ideas, and perspectives through reading.
Thank you for your support in making summer reading a priority. We look forward to seeing the positive impact it will have on our students' academic and personal growth.
Sincerely,
Ms. Verteramo, Ms. Rathgeb and your ELA Teachers!
How to get copies of the books:
Ebooks and audiobooks are available to borrow at no cost. Here are the instructions for accessing free ebooks and audiobooks in the Citywide Digital Library in the Sora Reading App. Links to ebooks and audiobooks are included in the book lists.
Public libraries have print copies of many of the books.
All books are available for purchase at bookstores and online book vendors. Bookstores can order books for you if they are not in stock.
Check the HSTAT library book catalog to see what is available at school.
Reading Assignments by Grade
Rising 9th grade
Choose two of these books to read this summer: Furia, The Fox Maidens, They Both Die at the End, or Unwind. Click on the images below to learn about each book. Sign in to read ebooks on the Sora Reading App using your nycstudents.net email address. There will be a written assignment to complete when you return to school. Happy reading!
Rising 10th grade
Choose two of these books to read this summer: The Book Thief, The Life of Pi, The Worst Ronin, or Patron Saints of Nothing. Click on the images below to learn about each book. Sign in to read ebooks on the Sora Reading App using your nycstudents.net email address. There will be a written assignment to complete when you return to school. Happy reading!
Rising 11th grade
Choose two of these books to read this summer: Pride, A Very Large Expanse of Sea, Solito, or They Called Us Enemy. Click on the images below to learn about each book. Sign in to read on the Sora Reading App using your nycstudents.net email address. There will be a written assignment to complete when you return to school. Happy reading!
Rising 12th grade
Choose two of these books to read this summer: The Man Who Could Move Clouds, The Anxious Generation, Hey, Kiddo, or The 57 Bus. Click on the images below to learn about each book. Sign in to read ebooks Sora using your nycstudents.net email address. There will be a written assignment to complete when you return to school. Happy reading!
The Anxious Generation by Jonathan Haidt
(nonfiction)
Advanced Placement Reading Assignments
AP Language and Composition students ***only*** (rising 11th grade)
AP Literature students ***only*** (rising 12th grade)
Extra: Summer Reading Challenge (optional)
Challenge yourself to expand your reading horizons this summer by reading more than the two required summer books. You might discover a new genre, author, or area of interest! Scroll down for book recommendtions, but feel free to read any books that you like. For more book ideas, read reviews of books on Epic Reads, Kirkus Reviews, or YALSA.
9th and 10th grade recommended books
(click on title for link to ebook in Sora Reading App)
Fiction
A Monster Calls by Patrick Ness (fantasy/magical realism)
A haunting and darkly funny fantasy novel of mischief, loss, and monsters both real and imagined.
As Long as the Lemon Trees Grow by Zoulfa Katouh (historical fiction)
A love letter to Syria and its people, As Long as the Lemon Trees Grow is a historical/speculative novel set amid the Syrian Revolution.
Blackout by Dhonielle Clayon et al. (romance/realistic fiction)
Joyful, interlinked stories of Black teens in New York City during a summer power outage.
Brownstone by Samuel Teer (realistic/graphic novel)
A sweet coming-of-age graphic novel centered on family and identity.
Bull by David Elliot (humor/novel in verse)
A rough, rowdy, and darkly comedic young adult retelling in verse, Bull will have readers reevaluating one of mythology's most infamous monsters.
Buried Beneath the Baobab Tree by Adaobie Tricia Nwaubani (historical fiction)
The story of a girl kidnapped by Boko Haram from her home in Nigeria and her fight for survival, based on interviews with girls who experienced this abduction in real life.
Fake Skating by Lynn Painter (romance)
A sweet romance about two childhood best friends who had a falling out but are forced back together to reconnect and fake date.
Girl from the Sea by Lee Knox Ostertag (fantasy/graphic novel)
From the author of The Witch Boy trilogy comes a graphic novel about family, romance, and first love.
The Giver by Lois Lowry (dystopian)
This classic novel explores a futuristic society that has eliminated both pain and choice.
I Must Betray You by Ruta Sepetys (historical fiction)
A gut-wrenching, startling historical thriller about a young man in communist Romania who dared to resist the spy network.
The Iliad by Gareth Hinds (graphic novel)
A modern, visual adaptation of Homer's classic epic poem, retelling the story of the Trojan War through dynamic illustrations.
The Inheritance Games by Jennifer Lynn Barnes (mystery)
Filled with riddles, puzzles and high-stakes twists all leading to a thrilling conclusion, this one will leave you reeling long after you've finished.
The Knife of Never Letting Go by Patrick Ness (dystopian/science fiction)
A thrilling science fiction novel in which a boy on the cusp of manhood must unlearn everything he knows in order to figure out who he truly is.
The Life and Crimes of Hoodie Rosen by Isaac Blum (realistic fiction/humor)
The novel follows an Orthodox Jewish teenager whose community faces resistance and antisemitism.
Fellowship of the Ring by J.R.R Tolkien (fantasy)
The opening novel in The Lord of the Rings series, widely regarded as the greatest fantasy epic of all time.
Monday’s Not Coming by Tiffany D. Jackson (mystery)
A gripping novel about the mystery of one teenage girl's disappearance and the traumatic effects of the truth.
The Opposite of Always by Jason Reynolds (romance/humor/science fiction)
A hilarious and heartfelt novel about the choices we make, the people we choose, and the moments that make a life worth reliving.
Prisoner B-3087 by Alan Gratz (historical fiction)
Based on a true story. Yanek is a Jewish boy in 1930s Poland when the Nazis invade. Can he survive the terror without losing his hope, his will, and his identity?
Red Queen by Victoria Aveyard (fantasy)
A novel of conspiracy, passion, and coldhearted ambition, this is the story of a proud and determined woman who believes that she alone is destined.
Refugee by Alan Gratz (Historical Fiction)
In this novel, three very different young narrators compellingly depict the desperation and strength that unites those struggling for a place to call home.
Summer of the Mariposas by Guadalupe Garcia McCall (fantasy)
In this retelling of The Odyssey, five sisters journey to Mexico to return a dead man to his family and encounter magical creatures along the way.
We are Not Free by Tracy Chee (historical fiction)
Told through the voices of fourteen Nisei friends, this novel is a compelling narrative of the Japanese American experience during World War II.
Nonfiction:
Can't Stop, Won't Stop by Jeff Chang
A richly told history of the hip hop generation.
Daughters of Latin America Anthology by Sandra Guzman
Full of heart and wisdom, this book sheds a brilliant light on Latina and Caribbean women writers across time, space, languages, and genre.
Every Falling Star by Sungju Lee and Susan Elizabeth McClelland
This intense memoir explores the harsh realities of life on the streets in contemporary North Korea
Everything is Tuberculosis by John Green
This is the story of one young boy's fight against a curable condition and the powerful biotech companies standing in the way of its eradication.
Fashion 101: A Crash Course in Clothing by Erika Stalder
The history of fashion and how it has evolved over time, with a focus on the stories behind different clothing styles and the influence of celebrities.
Letters to a Young Athlete by Chris Bosh
A legendary NBA player and beloved teammate shares his hard-earned wisdom about finding your true purpose and mastering your inner game.
Messi Mania by Luis Migues Echegaray
Discover the seismic effect Leo has had on MLS and global football, woven through with fascinating insights into his family background.
Messi vs, Ronaldo: One Rivalry, Two Goats, and the Era That Remade the World's Game by J. Robinson & J, Clegg
Two of the greatest soccer players of all time whose rivalry has grown from a personal competition to a multi-billion-dollar industry.
Messy Roots by Laura Gao (Graphic Novel)
A laugh-out-loud, heartfelt, and deeply engaging story of Laura's journey to find themself.
Music is History by Questlove
A history of recent music and a deep conversation with one of music’s most influential and original voices, this book explores contemporary America.
The history of the Green Book, which was a travel guide for Black motorists used for decades when traveling through segregated America.
Tasting the Sky by Ibtisam Barakat
This memoir set in Ramallah during the aftermath of the 1967 Six-Day War captures what it is like to be a child whose world is shattered by war.
Undefeated: Jim Thorpe and the Carlisle Indians Football Team by Steve Sheinkin
The true story of an underdog football team, the overwhelming obstacles they faced on and off the field, and their absolute refusal to accept defeat.
Why We Love Baseball by Joe Posnanski
50 memorable baseball moments, from legendary catches to historic breakthroughs.
11th and 12th grade recommended books
(click on title for link to ebook in Sora Reading App)
Fiction:
A Land of Permanent Goodbyes by Atia Abawi (realistic fiction)
A powerful novel of refugees escaping from war-torn Syria, masterfully told by a journalist who witnessed the crisis firsthand.
A Woman is No Man by Etaf Rum (contemporary fiction)
Palestinian-American bestselling author Etaf Rum brings us a story of culture and honor, secrets and betrayals, love and violence in a tale about family that explores how silence and shame destroy trust.
Allegedly by Tiffany D. Jackson (psychological thriller)
A gritty, twisty, and haunting story about a girl convicted of murder seeking the truth while surviving life in a group home.
Between Two Moons by Aisha Abdal Gawal (contemporary fiction)
Set in the Arab enclave of Bay Ridge, Brooklyn, this moving story follows three teen siblings coming of age over the course of one Ramadan.
Code of Honor by Alan Gratz (realistic fiction)
In this thrilling novel, West Point-bound Kamran is a football star, dates the most popular girl in school, and seems to have it all, until his world implodes.
Demon Copperhead by Barbara Kingsolver (contemporary fiction)
"Equal parts hilarious and heartbreaking, this is the story of an irrepressible boy nobody wants, but readers will love.” (The Washington Post)
Gold Mountain by Betty Yee (historical fiction)
Exciting adventure tale of a girl in disguise working on the Transcontinental Railroad.
The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy by Douglas Adams
This pop-culture classic is a hilarious tale that questions everything including time and space, physics, and potted plants, while providing the secrets of the universe, maybe.
The House in the Cerulean Sea by TJ Klune (fantasy)
Heartwarming fantasy novel about love, magic, and finding your people.
Huda F Are U? by Huda Fahmy (graphic novel)
Huda is trying to figure out who she is and how to express herself in this hilarious graphic novel.
If Beale Street Could Talk by James Baldwin (realistic fiction)
A classic story of teens in love experiencing all the feelings while facing adult choices and hard injustices.
Klara and the Sun by Kazuo Ishiguro (dystopian/science fiction)
A story of love and loneliness, narrated by an "artificial friend" who is an AI robot.
Lobizona by Romina Garber (fantasy)
Adventure, magic, and werewolves!
The Map of Salt and Stars by Zeyn Joukhadar (historical fiction)
An intriguing story of two Syrian girls living 800 years apart .
Pachinko by Min Jin Lee (historical fiction)
A sweeping saga of a family in exile whose members are bound together by deep roots as they face enduring questions of faith, family, and identity.
Tomorrow, and Tomorrow, and Tomorrow by Gabrielle Zevin (contemporary fiction)
Creative partners in an intricately imagined world of video game design whose success brings them fame, joy, tragedy, and a kind of immortality.
Nonfiction:
Accountable: The True Story of a Racist Social Media Account and the Teenagers Whose Lives It Changed by Dashka Slater
What does it mean to be held accountable for harm that takes place behind a screen?
The Autobiography of Malcolm X (as told to Alex Hailey)
The extraordinary autobiography of the legendary civil rights leader. Essential reading for anyone wanting to understand the history of the U.S.
The Chaos Machine: The Inside Story of How Social Media Rewired Our Minds and Our World by Max Fisher
This book captures the havoc unleashed by the tech industry, telling the inside story of how social networks have fundamentally transformed the world.
Death in the Jungle: Murder, Betrayal, and the Lost Dream of Jonestown by Candace Fleming
From a master of narrative nonfiction comes a chilling chronicle of one of the most notorious cults in American history.
An eye-opening account of arguably the most fateful tech arms race in history, reshaping the planet in real time.
Future Tense: How We Made Artificial Intelligence and How It Will Change Everything by Martha Brockenbrough
Essential reading for anyone who wants to understand how AI got here, how to make use of it, and how we can expect it to alter our lives.
Home Has No Borders by Samira Ahmed and Sona Charaipota
This uplifting contemporary teen anthology celebrates South Asian stories and writers.
In Order to Live by Yeonmi Park
Yeonmi Park: "I am most grateful for two things: that I was born in North Korea, and that I escaped North Korea."
Invisible Women: Data Bias in a World Designed for Men by Caroline Criado Perez
The book describes the adverse effects on women caused by gender bias in big data collection.
This bestselling book is an essential resource on the reign of terror against the Osage people--one of history's most ruthless and shocking crimes.
Power Born of Dreams by Mohammad Sabaaneh
"An artistic triumph that will stand as an enduring testament to the spirit of the Palestinian people." (Joe Sacco)
Unbroken: An Olympian's Journey from Airman to Castaway to Captive by Lauren Hillebrand
A richly illustrated version of the story of an airman who crashed behind enemy lines. One of the most incredible survival stories ever told.
Unmasking AI: My Mission to Protect What is Human in a World of Machines by Joy Buolamwini
Joy Buolamwini: "The rising frontier of civil rights will require algorithmic justice. AI should be for the people, by the people, not just the privileged few."
You Don't Know What War Is by Yeva Skalietska
An inspiring memoir of resilience by a young survivor of the war in Ukraine as told through her diary entries; a harrowing yet ultimately uplifting story.
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