• Students, please find your grade level for the 25-26 school year. Choose one of the books assigned for your course and complete the reflection assignment before the start of the school year. Titles are available from bookstores, the public library, the PAM @ Loften HS media center, and from sources online. Students who complete summer reading will receive extra credit in their English class and participate in a summer reading celebration. Happy reading!

     

    Grade 9

    • Animal Farm by George Orwell

    Synopsis: Step into a world where animals rise up against their human oppressors! In this gripping allegory, witness how power can corrupt even the noblest of ideals. As the pigs take charge, the farm transforms from a place of freedom into one of tyranny. Can the animals reclaim their rights? Join us to explore this timeless tale of rebellion and the complexities of leadership!

    • Unbroken by Laura Hillenbrand

    Synopsis: Prepare to be inspired! Follow the incredible true story of Louis Zamperini, an Olympic athlete who becomes a World War II hero. After surviving a plane crash and enduring the horrors of a POW camp, his spirit remains unbroken. This riveting narrative of courage, resilience, and redemption will leave you in awe—discover what it truly means to overcome the odds!

    • Lord of the Flies by William Golding

    Synopsis: What happens when civilization crumbles? A group of boys stranded on a deserted island must navigate the thin line between order and chaos. As friendships shatter and savagery takes over, this haunting tale reveals the darkness lurking within us all. Join the discussion on the primal instincts that emerge when society falls apart—can humanity survive without rules?

    Assignment: 

    Students will choose a summer reading book and complete a reflection assignment to demonstrate their understanding. Students will present their work in book clubs and discuss their insights with peers.

     

    *ALL assignments must be submitted in order to participate in the Summer Reading Celebration. Google Classroom invites will be sent out in June. 

     

    Grade 10

    • Frankenstein by Mary Shelley

    Synopsis: Enter the realm of science and morality with Mary Shelley’s legendary classic! Victor Frankenstein’s quest to conquer death leads him to create a living being, but when his creation is rejected by society, chaos ensues. This thrilling exploration of ambition, identity, and the consequences of playing God will challenge your understanding of what it means to be human. Are you ready to confront the monster within?

    • Wild by Cheryl Strayed

    Synopsis: Embark on a transformative journey with Cheryl Strayed as she tackles the Pacific Crest Trail solo! After a series of personal losses, she sets out to heal her broken spirit through the challenges of nature. This powerful memoir of self-discovery and resilience invites you to reflect on your own path. Will you take the plunge into the wild to find yourself?

    • Fahrenheit 451 by Ray Bradbury

    Synopsis: Imagine a future where books are banned, and critical thinking is a crime! Guy Montag, a fireman tasked with burning literature, begins to question his society's oppressive rules. As he seeks knowledge and freedom, he becomes a beacon of hope in a world consumed by conformity. This provocative tale about censorship and the importance of ideas is a must-read for anyone ready to ignite their mind!

     

    Assignment: 

    Students will choose a summer reading book and complete a reflection assignment to demonstrate their understanding. Students will present their work in book clubs and discuss their insights with peers.

     

    *ALL assignments must be submitted in order to participate in the Summer Reading Celebration. Google Classroom invites will be sent out in June.

     

    Grade 11th & 12th

    • Their Eyes Were Watching God by Zora Neale Hurston –  A journey of love, loss, and self-discovery

    Synopsis: Follow Janie Crawford as she tells the story of her life through three marriages and a search for independence in the American South. Rich with poetic language and emotion, this novel celebrates finding your voice and the courage it takes to use it.

    • The Great Gatsby by F. Scott Fitzgerald – Glamour, mystery, and shattered dreams

    Synopsis: Step into the roaring 1920s with Jay Gatsby—a millionaire with a dark past and a dream that refuses to die. A glittering tale of love, wealth, and the American Dream, this novel reveals the darkness behind the sparkle.

    • Jane Eyre by Charlotte Brontë –  A fierce heart in a world that tries to tame her

    Synopsis: Orphaned, mistreated, and underestimated, Jane Eyre refuses to be broken. Her journey—from a cruel childhood to a mysterious mansion with dark secrets—shows the strength of a woman determined to live with passion, independence, and integrity. A Gothic romance that’s as bold and defiant as its unforgettable heroine.

    • A Thousand Splendid Suns by Khaled Hosseini –  Two women. One war-torn country. A powerful friendship

    Synopsis: In Afghanistan, Mariam and Laila are brought together by tragedy and bound by hope. Through heartbreak and resilience, they fight for freedom and love in a world that often denies them both. A powerful and unforgettable story.

    • Patron Saints of Nothing by Randy Ribay –  What does it mean to do the right thing?

    Synopsis: When Jay’s cousin is killed in the Philippines’ war on drugs, Jay leaves the U.S. to uncover the truth. In his search for answers, he must confront family secrets, justice, and his own identity in this gripping contemporary novel.

    • All the Light We Cannot See by Anthony Doerr – Two lives. One war. Invisible threads.

    Synopsis: In World War II, a blind French girl and a German boy meet under extraordinary circumstances. As their paths collide in occupied France, their stories illuminate the resilience of the human spirit and the power of unseen connections.

     

    Assignment: 

    Students will choose a summer reading book and complete a reflection assignment to demonstrate their understanding. Students will present their work in book clubs and discuss their insights with peers.

     

    *ALL assignments must be submitted in order to participate in the Summer Reading Celebration. Google Classroom invites will be sent out in June.