Libraries
Upper School Reading Page
Independent reading is an integral part of the upper school curriculum. The more we read, the more we exercise skills that improve our critical thinking, comprehension, vocabulary, and even our writing. Throughout the school year, we expect students to find some time for independent reading, and during the summer we ask all upper school students to read at least four books, including any books required for classes. All English classes have required reading, as do some classes in other subjects. Information about required texts, reading guidelines, and summer reading recommendations may be found by following the links listed here.
Required Summer Reading for English Classes
All students are required to read a book that will be the focus of discussions and classwork during the opening weeks of their English class. Go to this link for details about these required texts. Juniors and seniors, go to this link once you receive your schedules (in late July) and know which English elective you will be taking.
Required Summer Reading for History, Religion, and Other Subjects
Some upper school history and religion courses require students to read a book that will be the focus of discussions and classwork during the opening weeks of their history class.
Only the electives listed below have assigned summer reading; if your course is not listed, then you don't have a summer reading assignment. If your course is listed, however, please be sure to have your reading complete by the first day of the new school year in September.
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Ancient Greek Thought I
Theogony/Works and Days, Hesiod
ISBN: 978-0801879845 (or any other English translation)
Western Ethics I
Lord of the Flies, William Golding,
ISBN-13: 9780399537424
AP European History
A World Lit Only by Fire, William Manchester
Little Brown and Company, 1993, SBN-13: 9780316545563
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Recommended Summer Reading
This annotated list of books, grouped by genre, includes recommendations from Upper School English teachers and students. It is intended to help you choose summer reading beyond the books required for your courses. While you are not required to choose books from this list, we recommend them as good reading and as works that will often provide interesting connections with books you will encounter in your coursework.
The Reading Page
The Reading Page on the US English site provides further information about our commitment to reading as a life skill, including Active Reading Guidelines and Creative Reading Questions for the required summer texts.