Summer reading assignments for 2020-21

These are still unusual times for all of us. Many libraries are still closed, activities are limited and guidance is still being provided to safely reopen the State of Ohio. However, education continues for all of us. Reading remains a vital activity to keep students actively engaged in learning.

Since students may have limited access to books, rather than assigning specific novels for each grade level, VASJ is encouraging students to find novels within their interest for their summer reading activity. A list of recommended novels is listed below, and some books overlap for grade levels. However, students are not limited to the choices on that list. Please read ALL of the following regarding summer reading.
 
For all grades, students may read any book of their choice as long as it MEETS OR EXCEEDS the following criteria:

• Student has NOT read the book before.

• Student is NOT reading the book for any other course.
• Student has NOT read the book already for a course. 
• The book is BOTH age and reading level appropriate.

• A parent or guardian must approve the book.


The length of the novel indicates text length, not including graphics and pictures.

Freshmen CP and Honors classes must choose a novel that is 200 pages or more in length. 

Sophomores, Juniors, and Seniors must choose a novel that is 250 pages or more in length, although the English teachers challenge you to not judge a book by its short length but rather by its interesting or enlightening content!
 
There are two different lists: One has novels suggested for just that grade level, and the second is a list of novels from which all students may wish to choose. The novels listed by each grade level are ONLY for that grade level. The main list is for any grade level. 
 
We strongly suggest that you go to Amazon or another website to read summaries of a novel before you choose. These lists have fiction, non-fiction, historical literature, mysteries, biographies, science fiction...a little bit of everything. Again, you do not have to choose from this list. However, your book choice must be both school appropriate and age/reading level appropriate. If you see a book on here by an author you like, you may choose an alternate title by that same author. 
 
If a student is unsure of his/her book choice, you may email Mrs. Patricia Marxen for clarification or with any questions at pmarxen@vasj.com. 

Summer reading recommendations
    •    A Thousand Splendid Suns by Khaled Hosseini (Cultural, Middle Eastern)

    •    Any and all Dan Brown books (Historical Fiction/Thrillers)

    •    The Dead Key by D.M. Pulley  (Thriller based in Cleveland)

    •    Girl With The Dragon Tattoo by Steig Larsson (Thriller)

    •    I am Malala by Malala Yousafzai (Cultural, Middle Eastern)

    •    The New Jim Crow by Michelle Alexander (Mass Incarceration, Civil Rights)

    •    Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes by Suzanne Collins

    •    Lord of the Flies by William Golding

    •    Homegoing by Yaa Gyasi

    •    Contagious: Why Things Catch On by Jonah Berger

    •    Salvage the Bones by Jesmyn Ward

    •    Solar by Ian McEwen

    •    The Lovely Bones by Alice Sebold

    •    The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-Time, by Mark Haddon

    •    Do Androids Dream of Electric Sheep? By Philip K. Dick

    •    The Hitchhiker’s Guide to the Galaxy by Douglas Adams

    •    Eating Animals by Jonathan Safran Foer

    •    Left to Tell by Immaculée Ilibagiza

    •    The Color of Water by James McBride

    •    Friday Night Lights by H.G. Bissinger

    •    Anything by Michael Crichton

    •    Contagious: Why Things Catch On by Jonah Berger

    •    The Girl Who Fell From the Sky by Heidi W. Durrow

    •    Lost in Learning: The Art of Discovery by Eva Timothy 

    •    A Hope in the Unseen by Ron Suskind

    •    Quiet: The Power of Introverts in a World That Can’t Stop Talking by Susan Cain

    •    Something Wicked This Way Comes by Ray Bradbury


You may choose one of the above listed books or one listed below for your grade level.

Seniors
    •    A Farewell to Arms by Ernest Hemingway

    •    Kite Runner by Khaled Hosseini (Cultural, Middle Eastern)

    •    Tattoos on the Heart by Father Gregory Boyle (Gang Rehabilitation/Christianity)

    •    The Alchemist by Paulo Coelho

    •    A Little Life by Hanya Yanagihara

    •    The Poisonwood Bible by Barbara Kingsolver

    •    Gone Girl by Gillian Flynn (Thriller)


Juniors
    •    Fahrenheit 451 by Ray Bradbury

    •    Of Mice and Men by John Steinbeck

    •    Life of Pi by Yann Martel

    •    Raisin in the Sun by Lorraine Hansbury

    •    Kite Runner by Khaled Hosseini 

    •    A Little Life by Hanya Yanagihara

    •    A Farewell to Arms by Ernest Hemingway

    •    The Poisonwood Bible by Barbara Kingsolver

    •    Gone Girl by Gillian Flynn (Thriller)


Sophomores
    •    Their Eyes Are Watching God by Zora Neale Hurston

    •    The Book Thief by Markus Zusak

    •    Fahrenheit 451 by Ray Bradbury

    •    Monster by Walter Dean Myers 

    •    The Hunger Games by Suzanne Collins


Freshmen
    •    Keesha’s House by Helen Frost

    •    Tuesdays With Morrie by Mitch Albom

    •    House on Mango Street by Sandra Cisteros

    •    Unbroken by Laura Hillenbrand

    •    Monster by Walter Dean Myers 

    •    The Hunger Games by Suzanne Collins