SUMMER READING
SHS ENGLISH DEPARTMENT SUMMER READING
SUMMER READING 2024!
As an English Department, one of our primary goals is to develop students’ “academic reading habits” that will cultivate critical, analytical, and creative thinking skills that make us stronger and more confident readers in all disciplines. During the school year, students read various texts from a broad range of authors, time periods, genres, and perspectives, and they discuss and respond to them as a whole class or in groups to create a shared experience of reading together.
Another, no less important, goal we have is to develop life-long, independent reading habits that recognize the value and power books can have for us as individuals when we are able to choose the stories we read and the topics we learn more about. The goal of promoting student choice when it comes to reading is that it will lead to “habitual readers with conscious reading identities” (NCTE). Students are encouraged and, when time permits, given the opportunity to pursue independent reading interests during the school year, but we recognize that this can often be a challenge when there are so many academic, extracurricular, and personal needs occupying our time.
The summer is a perfect time of year to nurture our independent reading habits by choosing works that on the one hand are interesting and enjoyable, and on the other hand challenge us to grow as readers, thinkers, and people. In short, summer is a chance to shape our own personal “reading identities.”
For your “Summer Reading Assignment” we are asking you, students, to choose at least one work (hopefully several!) to read this summer that will become a part of your reading identity. The choices you make will be meaningful to you if you make them thoughtfully and purposefully. Your English teachers will bring you to the library in the coming weeks and support you in making your own personalized summer reading selections. They will review with you the many places and resources, inside and outside of school, where you can find great recommendations for books to suit your interests and readiness, including the library and the SHS Library Book Recommendations hub where you can search for ideas, or watch this video from Ms. Shue and Ms. Zarabi for more information.
When you return to school in the fall, all English classes will take the time to “celebrate” summer reading through activities such as book-talks, reviews, and other assignments. It will be a chance for you to share your “reading journey” and for your teachers and classmates to get to know a little about you based on what you’ve chosen to read and share. Please have a copy of at least one book you read this summer in your possession (either your own copy or one from the library) when we return to school in September.
When you begin the process of making your summer reading selections, your teachers will be able to answer questions you might have. However, in general, we would suggest following these guidelines:
Choose something you are genuinely interested in. If you start a book and it turns out not to be a good fit for you, put it down and look for something else.
Choose something that you will be excited to tell others about. The book you choose doesn’t have to be your favorite book, but as you read, note the elements of the book that keep you engaged and make you think or feel something.
Choose something that challenges you and “takes you somewhere new.” This could mean selecting a book that introduces you to new ideas, voices, places, experiences, stories, etc., or it could mean choosing a book that challenges your reading ability in new ways.
We hope you have a wonderful summer and find many great books to feed your interest and imagination!
IMPORTANT: Rising Juniors who are scheduled to take AP Language and Composition, and rising Seniors who are scheduled to take English 4 Honors or AP Literature and Composition, make sure you read carefully below.
In-coming JUNIORS who will be taking AP English Language next year:
AP Language and Composition is a course that focuses on the way writers use language through rhetoric to persuade or move a reader or audience. Although we will read a number of works of fiction throughout the year, a significant amount of the reading (and the entire AP Language exam) is non-fiction. Therefore, in addition to the work you choose as an independent read, CHOOSE A WORK OF NONFICTION. This could include a biography, autobiography, memoir, or work of journalistic reportage about history, science, culture, sports, art, or any other topic you find interesting. The work you choose should be different from any you may be assigned or read in a different course/subject. AP Language is considered a "College Level" course, so please choose a work that reflects your abilities as well as your interests as a reader. Please have a copy of the independent read and the nonfiction book you read this summer in your possession (either your own copy or one from the library) when we return to school in September.
In-coming SENIORS who will be taking AP English Literature next year:
AP Literature and Composition is a course that focuses on the study and analysis of literary prose, poetry, and drama. The works we will read as class, and those that will be referenced on the AP Literature exam, are widely considered “works of literary merit.” This is a fairly subjective term, and the “merits” of any work of literature (or work of art) can be endlessly debated.
For our purposes, a “work of literary merit” is one rich in the complex and sophisticated use of literary elements such as theme, symbolism, characterization, form, style, figurative language and other qualities that contribute to the “art of literature." When you make your summer reading choice, select a work of FICTION you believe you could make a case for being a “work of literary merit” appropriate for a college-level study of literature. For a list of sample titles that College Board has included on past AP exams, click this LINK. If you don’t pick a book from this list, please choose something comparable. You may recognize books you’ve read in English class already; please choose something you have not read yet on your own or in another class. Avoid graphic novels, short story collections, non-fiction, and works widely considered “Young Adult Fiction” for the independent choice you bring to class. If you still have questions when selecting your work during the summer, you can email Mr. Walsh at cwalsh@summit.k12.nj.us.
In addition to the work you choose as an independent read, please read News of the World, by Paulette Jiles. Along with sharing your summer reading choice books, News of the World will be the focus of the first weeks of school for discussion, assessments, and writing assignments. Please have a copy of a self-selected book you read this summer and News of the World in your possession (either your own copy or one from the library) when we return to school in September.
In-coming SENIORS who will be taking English 4 Honors next year:
A central theme for English 4 Honors is the journey life takes us on as we learn about ourselves, about others, and about the world. For the self-selected book you choose, think about how you would characterize the journey taken by the protagonist or other characters. It might be a literal journey over distance, or a figurative journey to self-knowledge through a transformative experience. Think about where the characters “begin” and where they travel (physically, emotionally, psychologically, spiritually, socially, and/or intellectually).
In addition to the book(s) you choose to read, please read Life of Pi, by Yann Martel. Along with sharing your summer reading choice books, Life of Pi will be the focus of the first weeks of school for discussion and writing assignments. Please have a copy of the self-selected book you read this summer and Life of Pi in your possession (either your own copy or one from the library) when we return to school in September.