Summer Reading 24-25
Students are EXPECTED to read AT LEAST (1) one book during their summer break that is at least 150- pages. The book students read will depend on the student’s English class and grade level his/her schedule has listed. During the second week of school, students will be formatively assessed based on their journal entries and level and quality of participation during a Socratic Seminar over his/her chosen novel. Students will also be assessed on their comprehension and writing skills.
Directions: As you read your minimum 150-page book, answer each journal entry (5 in total) on your own paper. Students will use their written responses during the formative assessments over their book.
Fiction Prompts
- From whose point of view is the novel written? (1st person narrator [from whose eyes and mind], 3rd person omniscient, or 3rd person limited?) Explain why this point of view is effective or not, for this novel.
- What is the central conflict or challenge in the novel for the protagonist (main character)? Provide at least one example from the text to support the central conflict.
- Name two literary devices from the following list that the author used to help make this novel meaningful and effective and explain how and where they are used in the novel and SPECIFICALLY WHY this literary device enhances the meaning of the novel. Cite two specific examples from the novel where each of these literary devices is used. (include page numbers) Literary devices include: symbolism, foreshadowing, flashbacks, irony, figurative language, creative/realistic imagery, and satire.
- What do you think is the book’s THEME (or author’s message)? Why? Cite specific textual evidence to support your opinion.
- End of the Book: Briefly provide an engaging summarization of the text in 3-4 sentences. Who would you recommend read this book and why? What is one thing you wish the author would have done to enhance the plot of the story?
Non-Fiction Prompts
- How did the point of view impact your understanding of the information presented in this nonfiction text? Provide textual evidence to support your opinion. You may need to read the author’s short bio to get you started.
- What did the author do to stir interest in the topic of this nonfiction book? Provide three things that the author did. Give textual evidence to support your opinion.
- What questions/ideas/issues/topics did this book raise for you? Explain. Use specific examples from the text to support your answer.
- What do you think was the author’s purpose for writing this book? Specifically, what do you think the writer wants his/her readers to think and/or do after reading this piece? Provide textual evidence to support your opinion.
- End of the Book: Provide an engaging summarization of the text in 3-4 sentences. Who would you recommend read this book and why? What is one thing you wish the author would have done differently? Explain your answers.
Course Name
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Book Title | Author
AP Language and Composition
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The Body: A Guide for Occupants | Bill Bryson
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Kitchen Confidential: Adventures in the Culinary Underbelly | Anthony Bourdain
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Quiet: The Power of Introverts in a World that Can’t Stop Talking | Susan Cain
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Boys in the Boat: Nine Americans and Their Epic Quest | Daniel James Brown
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His Truth is Marching On: John Lewis and the Power of Hope | Jon Meacham
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American Prometheus: The Triumph and Tragedy of J. Robert Oppenheimer | by Kai Bird and Martin J. Sherwin
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Chasing Me to My Grave: An Artist’s Memoir of the Jim Crow South | by Winfred Rembert
- Dreamland: The True Tale of America’s Opiate Epidemic | by Sam Quinones
- The Education of an Idealist: A Memoir | by Samantha Power
- Born a Crime | by Trevor Noah
- Into Thin Air | by Jon Krakauer
- The Liar’s Club | by Mary Karr
- Once I was You | by Maria Hinojosa
- A Bookshop in Berlin | by Francoise Frenkel
Dual Credit English
(Required Reading)
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ISBN-13: 978-0679745587
English 1, 2, 3, & 4
To the right is a list of popular title SUGGESTIONS your SCHS peers say are READ WORTHY! Ultimately, you can choose to read whatever you want.
FICTION TITLES
Fantasy:
- A Court of Thorns and Roses by Sarah J. Maas
- Six of Crows by Leigh Bardugo
- Powerless by Lauren Roberts
- Once Upon a Broken Heart by Stephanie Garber
- Divine Rivals by Rebecca Ross*
Reality:
- Turtles All the Way Down by John Green (going to be a movie released on May 2!)
- Heroine by Mindy McGiniss
- Girl in Pieces by Kathleen Glasgow
- Imogen, Obviously by Becky Albertalli*
- Allegedly by Tiffany D. Jackson
- Ain’t Burned All the Bright by Jason Reynolds
- Concrete Rose by Angie Thomas
- They Both Die at the End by Adam Silvera
- Gather by Kenneth M. Cadow*
Romance:
Mystery:
- The Reappearance of Rachel Price by Holly Jackson
- Truly Devious by Maureen Johnson
- Sadie by Courtney Summers
- A Good Girl’s Guide to Murder by Holly Jackson*
- Five Survive by Holly Jackson*
Sci-Fi:
- Renegades by Melissa Meyer
- Skyward by Brandon Sanderson
- Warcross by Marie Lu
- Shatter Me by Tahereh Mafi
- Aurora Rising by Amie Kaufman and Jay Kristoff
- Cut Off by Adrianne Finlay*
Horror:
*These books are available on MackinVIA as eBooks and/or audiobooks via https://scotthigh.scott.kyschools.us/quick-links. When you get there, click on “Library Website” and “Click here for ebooks/audiobooks.”
Summer Reading Mission Statement
Scott County High School’s English department believes that reading over the summer is vital to keeping students’ skills sharp for the upcoming year. These skills will carry over into all of the students’ classes, not just English.
- Reading is rewarding.
- Reading builds a mature vocabulary.
- Reading makes you a better writer.
- Reading is hard, and “hard” is necessary.
- Reading makes you smarter.
- Reading prepares you for the world of work.
- Reading well is financially rewarding.
- Reading opens the door to college and beyond.
- Reading arms you against oppression.
The department also hopes that summer reading selections foster a desire to read and allow students access to works that will help them develop intellectually and emotionally by opening their eyes to a larger world. To that end, our 9-12 grades’ summer reading list includes a variety of accessible texts that will allow for skill-building, intellectual growth, and natural reading enjoyment based on the recommendation of the Kentucky Bluegrass Award (KBA) committee comprised of volunteers and librarians, public librarians, and classroom teachers from across the state of Kentucky.
The lists include fiction and non-fiction, classics and contemporary novels, male and female authors, and various topics.
Throughout the school year, students will have multiple opportunities to read other books from this and the KBA lists. They will also have a chance to give feedback on the KBA books they read and express their thoughts and opinions with other students around Kentucky. Students will vote alongside the larger reading community to name the 2024-2025 KBA Winner.
NOTE: All books are available at local area bookstores, public libraries, and/or online. Students can also save money by getting copies at used bookstores in the area. Books with an asterisk (*) are available on MackinVIA as eBooks and/or audiobooks via https://scotthigh.scott.kyschools.us/quick-links. When you get there, click on “Library Website” and “Click here for ebooks/audiobooks.” You will use your CLEVER to sign in.