Ah, summertime. I know I've been cranky lately, but I will sincerely miss you all over the summer. I hope you have great one.
You might have noticed that I slipped the summer reading list into your report cards -- sneaky, I know. So, you've seen by now that you have even more choice than last year! And less writing! Below, in case you missed it, is the letter in its entirety:
RIVER OAKS SCHOOL: SUMMER READING
Dear Parents/Students:
The English Department at River Oaks would like to welcome you to our summer reading program. This summer, students will have more choice than ever before, and the requirements have changed, as well.
Because we want to encourage, rather than discourage, students to read during the summer, we’ve decided to allow a greater flexibility of choice in the selection of summer reading books.
HONORS students will read three books.
NON-Honors students will read two books.
FIRST, each student will have ONE required text:
Freshmen ~ Introduction to Writing and Literature
The Alchemist, by Paulo Coehlo
Sophomores ~ American Literature
The Bridge of San Luis Rey, by Thornton Wilder
Juniors ~ British Literature
Life of Pi, by Yann Martel
Seniors ~ College-Prep English
Nickel and Dimed*, by Barbara Ehrenreich OR
Bayou Farewell, by Mike Tidwell
IN ADDITION to the required reading, each student will read ONE (non-honors) or TWO (honors) books of his/her own choosing. The only requirement is that the student has not already read the book. Instead of writing a report, students will type out a reading guide for each additional book. The format for the reading guide is attached (or will be soon).
Each student is different, as are parental expectations. For that reason, we hope the selection process is a collaborative effort. Parents and students should choose high quality, grade-appropriate books that stimulate students’ interests.
The books on the following lists are suggestions only; due to the mature content of some contemporary literature, you are advised to preview the books before making your selection.
General Reading Lists
UC Berkeley ~ http://reading.berkeley.edu/index.html
The Michael L. Printz Award ~ http://www.ala.org/yalsa/printz
You might have noticed that I slipped the summer reading list into your report cards -- sneaky, I know. So, you've seen by now that you have even more choice than last year! And less writing! Below, in case you missed it, is the letter in its entirety:
RIVER OAKS SCHOOL: SUMMER READING
Dear Parents/Students:
The English Department at River Oaks would like to welcome you to our summer reading program. This summer, students will have more choice than ever before, and the requirements have changed, as well.
Because we want to encourage, rather than discourage, students to read during the summer, we’ve decided to allow a greater flexibility of choice in the selection of summer reading books.
HONORS students will read three books.
NON-Honors students will read two books.
FIRST, each student will have ONE required text:
Freshmen ~ Introduction to Writing and Literature
The Alchemist, by Paulo Coehlo
Sophomores ~ American Literature
The Bridge of San Luis Rey, by Thornton Wilder
Juniors ~ British Literature
Life of Pi, by Yann Martel
Seniors ~ College-Prep English
Nickel and Dimed*, by Barbara Ehrenreich OR
Bayou Farewell, by Mike Tidwell
*Nickel and Dimed is the River Reads book for Ouachita Parish Public Library; as a result, the library is hosting a summer-long program on the book and related topics. You can pick up a copy of the schedule at any of the branches.Instead of the traditional exam upon returning to school, students will write an in-class ESSAY on the required book. Students will be able to use their books, so they should highlight important passages, write in the margins, and keep a reading journal. Students will also be allowed to use a one-page outline developed in class.
IN ADDITION to the required reading, each student will read ONE (non-honors) or TWO (honors) books of his/her own choosing. The only requirement is that the student has not already read the book. Instead of writing a report, students will type out a reading guide for each additional book. The format for the reading guide is attached (or will be soon).
Each student is different, as are parental expectations. For that reason, we hope the selection process is a collaborative effort. Parents and students should choose high quality, grade-appropriate books that stimulate students’ interests.
The books on the following lists are suggestions only; due to the mature content of some contemporary literature, you are advised to preview the books before making your selection.
General Reading Lists
UC Berkeley ~ http://reading.berkeley.edu/index.html
Themed reading lists, including “War & Peace” and “Now That’s Funny.” The 2006 theme is “Books For Future Presidents.” Titles include short summaries.YALSA: Outstanding Books for the College Bound ~ http://www.ala.org/yalsa/booklists/obcb
These lists, prepared by the Young Adult Library Services Association, target a variety of readers – from “Reluctant Readers” to “College Bound.” Most titles include one-two sentence summaries.Award-Winning Contemporary Books
The Michael L. Printz Award ~ http://www.ala.org/yalsa/printz
Annual award for “a book that exemplifies literary excellence in young adult literature.”The Pulitzer Prizes ~ http://www.pulitzer.org/
Annual awards from Columbia University for “distinguished” works of American fiction, history, biography, poetry and dramaNational Book Awards ~ http://www.nationalbook.org/
“Through The National Book Awards -- the nation's preeminent literary prize -- the National Book Foundation recognizes books of exceptional merit written by Americans.” Categories include fiction, nonfiction, poetry and young adult literature.National Book Critics Circle Award ~ http://www.bookcritics.org/
Annual awards for books published in English, including fiction, general nonfiction, biography, autobiography and poetryThe Man Booker Prize ~ http://www.themanbookerprize.com/
“Now in its thirty-ninth year, the prize aims to reward the best novel of the year written by a citizen of the [British] Commonwealth or the Republic of Ireland.”Of course, you can always go to a local bookseller, like Windows a bookshop, and let the folks there recommend something based on your interests.