Summer Reading

“To introduce children to literature is to install them in a very rich and glorious kingdom, to bring a continual holiday to their doors, to lay before them a feast exquisitely served. But they must learn to know literature by being familiar with it from the very first. A child’s learning must always be with good books, the best that we can find” ~ Charlotte Mason

We hope that you will be spending this summer enjoying the outdoors with your children and also reading to them. Below is a list of possible books to put on your list!

A New Coat for Anna by Harriet Ziefert
Annie and the Wild Animals by Jan Brett
Big Red Barn by Margaret Wise Brown
Bread and Jam for Frances by Russell Hoban
Dandelion by Don Freeman
The Story of Ferdinand by Munro Leaf
Good Night, Moon by Margaret Wise Brown
Harold and the Purple Crayon by Crockett Johnson
Harry the Dirty Dog by Gene Zion
Hattie and the Fox by Mem Fox
How to Get a Gorilla out of Your Bathtub by John Hall
If You Give a Mouse a Cookie by Laura Joffe Numeroff
Jesse Bear, What Will You Wear? by Nancy White Carlstrom
Katie and the Sunflowers by James Mayhew
Katy No-Pocket by Emmy Payne
Leo the Late Bloomer by Robert Kraus
Little Bear by Else Holmelund Minarik
Little Fur Family by Margaret Wise Brown
Make Way for Ducklings by Robert McCloskey
Miss Rumphius by Barbara Cooney
Moon: A Peek-Through Picture Book by Britta Teckentrup
Nighty-Night, Cooper by Laura Numeroff
Norman the Doorman by Don Freeman
One Fish, Two Fish, Red Fish, Blue Fish by Dr. Seuss
Over and Under the Pond by Kate Messner
Owl Babies by Martin Waddell
Roly Poly by Mem Fox
Sheep in a Jeep by Nancy E. Shaw
The Snowy Day by Ezra Jack Keats
Stone Soup by Marcia Brown
Swimmy by Leo Lionni
The Carrot Seed by Robert Kraus
The Cock, the Mouse, and the Little Red Hen by Lorinda Bryan Cauley
The Little Engine That Could by Watty Piper
The Poky Little Puppy by Janette Sebring Lowrey
The Runaway Bunny by Margaret Wise Brown
The Story about Ping by Marjorie Flack
The Tale of Peter Rabbit by Beatrix Potter
Time for Bed  by Mem Fox
Tops and Bottoms by Janet Stevens
Where Does the Butterfly Go When It Rains? by May Garelick
Winnie-the-Pooh by A. A. Milne

Reading is a foundational skill for education. During a child’s first grade year at The Geneva School, he/she will be exposed to many genres of quality literature. Throughout the summer leading up to this year, we recommend that parents spend time reading aloud to their child. We would like to offer the following recommendations to assist you in developing the love of reading in your child.

A Chair for My Mother by Vera B. Williams
A New Coat for Anna by Harriet Ziefert
Harry the Dirty Dog by Gene Zion
If You Give a Mouse a Cookie (and others in the series) by Laura Joffe Numeroff
James Herriot’s Treasury for Children by James Herriot
Lilly’s Purple Plastic Purse by Kevin Henkes
The Emperor’s New Clothes by Hans Christian Andersen
The Little Engine That Could by Watty Piper
The Magic Fish by Freya Littledale
The Original Mother Goose by Blanche Fisher Wright (illustrator)
The Story of Ping by Marjorie Flack/Kurt Weise
Frogs by Gail Gibbons
Butterflies by Nic Bishop
Any books by Eric Carle, Jan Brett, and Leo Lionni
Corduroy series by Don Freeman
Curious George series by H. A. Rey
Henry and Mudge series by Cynthia Rylant
Little Bear series by Else Holmelund Minarik
Mr. Putter and Tabby series by Cynthia Rylant

We hope you encourage your children to immerse themselves in good books over the summer! We present this list to you as a guide, but please feel free to offer your children other books appropriate to their reading level. Children entering second grade are at different reading levels, and you may find the books on the rising first grade list to be suitable for your children. The books marked with an asterisk (*) are of an easier reading level.

Birthday for Frances (or others in series) by Lillian Hoban *
Owl Moon by Jane Yolen *
Roxaboxen by Alice McLerran and illustrated by Barbara Cooney *
The Biggest Bear by Lynd Kendall Ward *
Blaze and the Lost Quarry (or others in series) by C. W. Anderson *
A Chair for My Mother by Vera B. Williams *
Doctor De Soto by William Steig *
Thunder Cake by Patricia Polacco *
When We Were Very Young by A. A. Milne
Now We Are Six by A. A. Milne
Child’s Garden of Verses by Robert Louis Stevenson
The Ugly Duckling by Hans Christian Andersen
My Father’s Dragon by Ruth Stiles Gannet
Will You Sign Here, John Hancock? by Jean Fritz
The Selfish Giant by Oscar Wilde
Paddington Bear Treasury by Michael Bond
One Morning in Maine Robert McCloskey
Henry and Mudge by Cynthia Rylant *
Haggis and Tank by Jessica Young *
George and Martha series by James Marshall *
The Mouse and the Motorcycle and other books by Beverly Cleary
The Boxcar Children series by Gertrude Chandler Warner
The Cam Jansen Mystery series by David A. Adler
A–Z Mysteries series by Rob Roy
Nate the Great series by Marjorie Sharmat
Betsy-Tacy series by Maud Lovelace
Cobble Street Cousins series by Cynthia Rylant
Mary Pope Osborne series
Usborne Time Traveler series
Dorling Kindersley Eyewitness Readers Levels 2 and 3
Encyclopedia Brown series by Donald J Sobol
Dead Sea Squirrel series by Mike Nawrocki
Animal Ark series by Lucy Daniels
The Secret of the Hidden Scroll series by MJ Thomas
Owl Diaries series by Rebecca Elliott

Please encourage your children to immerse themselves in good books over the summer. We present this list to you as a guide, but please feel free to offer your children other books appropriate to their reading level. We realize that children entering third grade are at different reading levels. For this reason, some of the books on the rising second grade list might also be appropriate to offer your children. Those books marked here with an asterisk (*) are of an easier reading level.

The Adventures of Laura and Jack by Laura Ingalls Wilder *
The Schoolmouse; Charlie Muffin’s Miracle Mouse; Funny Frank all by Dick King-Smith *
Hannah; Silver; The Indian School; Next Spring an Oriole all by Gloria Whelan *
Punished! by David Lubar *
Friska, My Friend by Patricia St. John *
The Other Kitten by Patricia St. John *
Fantastic Mr. Fox by Roald Dahl *
Shoeshine Girl by Clyde Robert Bulla *
The BFG by Roald Dahl
Danny, the Champion of the World by Roald Dahl
Stuart Little by E. B. White
The Trumpet of the Swan by E. B. White
The Magician’s Nephew by C. S. Lewis
Misty of Chincoteague by Marguerite Henry
Sea Star—Orphan of Chincoteague by Marguerite Henry
Homer Price by Robert McCloskey
The Moffats by Eleanor Estes
Ralph S. Mouse by Beverly Cleary
Henry Huggins by Beverly Cleary
Just So Stories by Rudyard Kipling
Mandie and the Secret Tunnel by Lois Gladys Leppard
The Wonder Clock by Howard Pyle
The King of the Golden River by John Ruskin
DK Eyewitness Books: Ancient Greece by Anne Pearson
DK Eyewitness Books: Ancient Rome by Simon James
Jigsaw Jones series by James Preller *
Katie Kazoo, Switcheroo series by Nancy Krulik *
The Little House series by Laura Ingalls Wilder

The following titles are age-appropriate books from a variety of genres that are considered to be excellent literature. These stories are recommended by our teachers to feed children’s imaginations, fuel their excitement in learning, and nourish their souls during summer vacation. The reading is not required but highly encouraged for young and old alike.

* Advanced Reading Level
+ Pertain to topics that will be studied in history during the upcoming year

Suggested Fiction and Historical Fiction

Beorn the Proud by Madeline Pollard +
The Magician’s Nephew by C. S. Lewis
Huguenot Garden by Douglas M. Jones III +
Mrs. Frisby and the Rats of NIMH by Robert C. O’Brien
The Trumpet of the Swan by E. B. White
My Father’s Dragon by Ruth Stiles Gannett
The Borrowers by Mary Norton
Bridge to Terabithia by Katherine Paterson
Ella Enchanted by Gail Carson Levine
Aladdin and Other Tales from the Arabian Nights by N. J. Dawood
Esperanza Rising by Pam Munoz Ryan
Shiloh by Phyllis Reynolds Naylor
The Beggar’s Bible (John Wycliffe) by Louise A. Vernon +
The Bible Smuggler (William Tyndale) by Louise A. Vernon +
The Man Who Laid the Egg (Erasmus) by Louise A. Vernon +
Ink on His Fingers (Gutenberg) by Louise A. Vernon +
Son of Charlemagne by Barbara Willard and Emil Weiss +
The Jungle Book by Rudyard Kipling *
The Shakespeare Stealer series by Gary Blackwood

Suggested Biographies

Augustine the Farmer’s Boy of Tagaste by P. De Zeeuw +
The River of Grace (John Calvin) by Joyce McPherson +
Saint Patrick: Pioneer Missionary to Ireland by Michael J. McHugh
Some Writer!: The Story of E. B. White by Melissa Sweet
Who Was Marco Polo? by Joan Holub +
Along Came Galileo by Jeanne Bendick
A Piece of the Mountain (Pascal) by Joyce McPherson *

The following titles are age-appropriate books from a variety of genres that are considered to be excellent literature. These stories are recommended by our teachers to feed children’s imaginations, fuel their excitement in learning, and nourish their souls during summer vacation. The reading is not required but highly encouraged for young and old alike.

* Advanced reading level
+ Pertain to topics that will be studied in history during the upcoming year

Suggested Fiction and Historical Fiction

Summer of the Monkeys by Wilson Rawls
Island of the Blue Dolphins by Scott O’Dell
Where the Mountain Meets the Moon by Grace Lin
Gone-Away Lake by Elizabeth Enright
The One and Only Ivan by Katherine Applegate
A Little Princess by Frances Hodgson Burnett
The Secret Garden by Frances Hodgson Burnett
Early Thunder by Jean Fritz
Caddie Woodlawn by Carol Ryrie Brink
Guns for General Washington: A Story of the American Revolution by Seymour Reit +
Mr. Revere and I by Robert Lawson +
Ben and Me: An Astonishing Life of Benjamin Franklin by His Good Mouse Amos by Robert Lawson +
The Book of Three by Lloyd Alexander
The Phantom Tollbooth by Norton Juster
City of Ember by Jeanne Duprau
Ella Enchanted by Gail Carson Levine
The Children’s Homer: The Adventures of Odysseus and the Fall of Troy by Padraic Colum
The Swiss Family Robinson by Johann David Wyss *
The Wind in the Willows by Kenneth Grahame *
Pinocchio by Carlo Collodi *
At the Back of the North Wind by George MacDonald

Suggested Biographies

Ben Franklin of Old Philadelphia by Margaret Cousins +
The Great Little Madison by Jean Fritz
Pocahontas and the Strangers by Robert Clyde Bulla
John Paul Jones by Sperry Armstrong
Why Not, Lafayette? by Jean Fritz +
Traitor: the Case of Benedict Arnold by Jean Fritz +
Around the World in a Hundred Years by Jean Fritz +
Pocahontas by Ingri and Edgar Parin d’Aulaire
Columbus by Ingri and Edgar Parin d’Aulaire +
Leif the Lucky by Ingri and Edgar Parin d’Aulaire
Benjamin Franklin by Ingri and Edgar Parin d’Aulaire +
Daniel Boone: His Own Story by Daniel Boone +
Magellan: Ferdinand Magellan and the First Trip around the World (Exploring the World) by Michael Burgan +
John Wesley: The World His Parish by Geoff and Janet Benge +

The following titles are age-appropriate books from a variety of genres that are considered to be excellent literature. These stories are recommended by our teachers to feed children’s imaginations, fuel their excitement in learning, and nourish their souls during summer vacation. The reading is not required but highly encouraged for young and old alike.

* Advanced reading level
+ Pertain to topics that will be studied in history during the upcoming year

Suggested Fiction and Historical Fiction

The Yearling by Marjorie Kinnan Rawlings *
The Cay by Theodore Taylor
Number the Stars by Lois Lowry +
The Boy in the Alamo by Margaret Cousins
Roll of Thunder, Hear My Cry by Mildred D. Taylor
Pollyanna by Eleanor H. Porter
Sounder by William H. Armstrong
Hitty, Her First Hundred Years by Rachel Field
Anne of Green Gables by L. M. Montgomery
Hatchet by Gary Paulsen
The Fellowship of the Ring by J. R. R. Tolkien *
The Dragon King Trilogy (In the Hall of the Dragon King; The Warlords of Nin; The Sword and the Flame) by Stephen R. Lawhead *
From the Earth to the Moon by Jules Verne
Snow Treasure by Marie McSwigan +
Wonder by R. J. Palacio
Maniac Magee by Jerry Spinelli
Kensuke’s Kingdom by Michael Morpurgo
Watership Down by Richard Adams
Treasure Island by Robert Louis Stevenson
Mary Poppins by P. L. Travers
Call It Courage by Armstrong Sperry
On the Edge of the Dark Sea of Darkness by Andrew Peterson
Outlaws of Time by N. D. Wilson
The Watson’s Go to Birmingham—1963 by Christopher Paul Curtis +
A Long Way from Chicago by Richard Peck
Tintin books by Hergé

Suggested Biographies

Abe Lincoln: Log Cabin to White House by Sterling North +
Basher Five-Two (US Pilot in Bosnia) by Captain Scott O’Grady
Bruchko (Missionary to South American Indians) by Bruce Olson
Carry a Big Stick: The Uncommon Heroism of Theodore Roosevelt by George Grant *+
Children of the Storm (Christian family in the former Soviet Union) by Natasha Vins
The Diary of a Young Girl by Anne Frank *+
If I Perish (Christian in Japan during WWII) by Esther Ahn Kim +
Raoul Wallenberg: The Man Who Stopped Death by Sharon Linnea *
The Wright Brothers by Quentin Reynolds +
George Washington Carver: From Slave to Scientist by Geoff and Janet Benge +
Stonewall by Jean Fritz +
Rosa Parks: My Story by Rosa Parks +
The Story of Thomas Alva Edison by Margaret Cousins

The seventh grade class is about to embark on a great adventure through ancient literature. These required readings will equip them well for the challenges and glories ahead!

Required Books

Tales of the Greek Heroes by Roger Lancelyn Green. Tales of the Greek Heroes is an incredible retelling of the marvelous myths of ancient Greece. Students should purchase their own copy and read the book in its entirety over the summer, knowing that they will discuss the tales thoroughly in class throughout the first quarter (Tales of the Greek Heroes—978-0141325286, Puffin Classics).

D’Aulaires’ Book of Greek Myths by Ingri and Edgar D’Aulaire. This book is one of the best introductions to the Greek world. Its beautiful illustrations and narrative stories paint a picture of the origin of the Western tradition in which we now live. Knowing these stories will help students embark on their journey into Greek mythology and appreciate the culture we have inherited. Students should read pages 1–69, 72–75, and 162–173.

In addition to familiarizing themselves with the stories of the Olympian gods and goddesses, students should be able to summarize the stories of Prometheus and Hercules, which are recorded in these texts.

Additional Suggested Reading

These suggested titles are inspirational tales of missionaries and others led by God to overcome incredible obstacles.

The Slave Dancer by Paula Fox. This Newbery Award book is a fascinating tale of a young boy who finds himself caught up in the slave trade. This book reveals the depravity of man and the need for Christ as our Savior.

Amy Carmichael: Let the Little Children Come by Lois Hoadley Dick. The tale of a missionary in India who rescued children from an awful “marriage to the gods.”

George Muller: Man of Faith and Miracles by Basil Miller. The story of a man who was a vagabond and thief brought to faith in Christ. He started an orphanage ministry and proved that despite poverty, God could provide for the thousands of orphans in his care.

The Little Woman by Gladys Aylward. The story of a woman who fulfilled her calling as a missionary during China’s turbulent Sino-Japanese war in the 1930s. She had to overcome many obstacles to work in China; one of her many contributions was overseeing the safety of over 100 orphans. This is a wonderful testimony to the power of prayer.

Eric Liddell: Something Greater than Gold by Janet Benge and Geoff Benge OR Eric Liddell by Catherine Swift. Eric Liddell was the hero of the film Chariots of Fire, and he risked becoming a national disgrace at the 1924 Paris Olympics when he refused to run on Sunday. This story of “God’s Athlete” makes inspiring reading.

Bulfinch’s Greek and Roman Mythology: The Age of Fable by Thomas Bulfinch. The Age of Fable is a classic collection of ancient Greek and Roman mythology, plays, and epic poems. Chapters 1 and 2 introduce Greek myths and the creation of the world, providing a comprehensive understanding of the Greek world. If you are interested in adding a beautiful copy to your library, consider this leather-bound book that includes all three of Bulfinch’s original titles: The Age of Fable, The Age of Chivalry, and The Legends of Charlemagne (ISBN: 978-1626861695). However, to complete this summer’s reading, this paperback is more than sufficient (ISBN: 978-0486411071, Dover Thrift Edition).

This fall, the eighth grade class will continue reading epic poetry and Tolkien’s masterful adventures in Middle-earth. These recommended readings will equip them well for the challenges and glories ahead!

Required Books:

Mythology by Edith Hamilton. Please read the following:

• Part Four: The Heroes of the Trojan War

Students began Hamilton’s Mythology in seventh grade and will continue reading it to prepare for a main focus of eighth grade: the Trojan War. Using classical poets as her sources, Hamilton narrates the collective beliefs and values of the Greeks. The adventurous student can continue reading Parts 6 and 7 for additional myths, including the Norse deities.

The Two Towers (Part 1) by J. R. R. Tolkien
Students will continue the journey though Middle-earth that they started in 7th grade by reading The Two Towers (Part 1). Please purchase this edition of the book. Frodo and the Fellowship proceed on an epic journey to destroy the Ring and overcome evil. Students should enter the fall prepared to discuss part 1 in class and confident to continue reading part 2 during the school year.

N.B. The Lord of the Rings is composed of six “books,” aside from an introduction, a prologue, and six appendices. However, the novel was originally published as three separate volumes, due to post–World War II paper shortages and size and price considerations. The Two Towers covers books three and four.

The Two Towers Study Guide: Please refer to this study guide for a graded assignment required on Friday, August 24

Additional Suggested Reading

Tales of the Greek Heroes by Roger Lancelyn Green. This is an incredible retelling of the marvelous myths of ancient Greece. This book serves as a great review and supplement to what was studied in seventh grade.

The Voyage of the Dawn Treader by C. S. Lewis. In the fifth book in The Chronicles of Narnia series, the story follows King Caspian’s journey through the Eastern Seas to find the seven missing lords of Narnia and seek out Aslan’s country. Like the other Narnia chronicles, The Voyage of the Dawn Treader combines Christian symbolism with elements of fantasy stories, but this particular book also introduces motifs from great travel literature and adventure stories.

Peace Child by Don Richardson. This is an adventure bristling with cannibals, jungles, and heart-chilling events. It is a true story of missionaries sent to minister among cannibals in New Guinea who venerate treachery. How can the truth of the gospel penetrate such hardened hearts? Read how God provides Don Richardson with an incredible opportunity to speak to the souls of these savages, and how the “peace child” is used to bring salvation to a large number of people.

Joni: An Unforgettable Story by Joni Eareckson Tada and Billy Graham. The amazing story of how one young woman overcame her disability through courage and faith.

Amazing Grace: William Wilberforce and the Heroic Campaign to End Slavery by Eric Metaxas. This story displays how one man fundamentally changed humanity’s attitude towards human suffering.

Through Gates of Splendor by Elisabeth Elliot OR Jim Elliot: One Great Purpose by Janet and Geoff Benge. These books tell the true story of five missionaries who were killed when bringing the gospel to Auca Indians, and their wives who follow in their footsteps as messengers of hope.

D’Aulaires’ Book of Greek Myths by Ingri and Edgar D’Aulaire. This book is one of the best introductions to the Greek world. Its beautiful illustrations and narrative stories paint a picture of the origin of the Western tradition in which we now live. Knowing these stories will help students embark on their journey into the Greek and Roman world of mythology and appreciate the culture we have inherited.

Bulfinch’s Greek and Roman Mythology: The Age of Fable by Thomas Bulfinch. The Age of Fable is a classic collection of ancient Greek and Roman mythology, plays, and epic poems. Chapters 1 and 2 introduces the Greek myths and the creation of the world, providing a comprehensive understanding of the Greek world. Chapters 27 and 28 narrate the Trojan War, which will be read in more detail during the school year. If you are interested in adding a beautiful copy to your library, consider this leather-bound book that includes all three of Bulfinch’s original titles: The Age of Fable, The Age of Chivalry, and The Legends of Charlemagne (ISBN: 978-1626861695). However, to complete this summer’s reading, this paperback is more than sufficient (ISBN: 978-0486411071, Dover Thrift Edition).

Required Book

The Lantern Bearers by Rosemary Sutcliff. This is the third book in Sutcliff’s trilogy about Roman Britain. While students are welcome to read the first two novels in the trilogy, The Eagle of the Ninth and The Silver Branch, each novel can stand on its own because the trilogy spans different generations in the same region over the course of a few hundred years. The Lantern Bearers is set in the middle of the fifth century as the last Roman legions leave Britain after four hundred years of rule. The novel follows the journey of Aquila, a Roman soldier assigned to the British Isles, who must learn to find hope again after devastating loss.

Please Note: Students need to purchase a clean copy of this novel for annotation (ISBN: 978-0192755063). Students should annotate as they read, and we will do further work on annotating through the course of the year.

For help on annotating a work, download this document.

The following is a list of recommended additional reading:

On the Shoulders of Hobbits: The Road to Virtue with Tolkien and Lewis by Louis Markos. This is a readable, inspiring introduction to the larger project of “re-mythologizing” Western literature that both Professor Tolkien and C. S. Lewis were engaged in. Markos invites us to be inspired by the characters of Narnia and Middle-earth to live lives of virtue.

Odd and the Frost Giants by Neil Gaiman. A whimsical and well-written story set squarely in the cold, northern world of the Norse gods and giants, this short, illustrated tale will give students a taste of the chilly climes and fantastic adventures that await in medieval literature.

Crispin: The Cross of Lead by Avi OR The Seeing Stone by Kevin Crossley-Holland. Either of these two un-put-down-able (it’s okay—English teachers are allowed to make up words) will thrust readers right into the midst of everyday life in the Middle Ages.

King Arthur and His Knights of the Round Table by Roger Lancelyn Green. Brush up on your knowledge of Arthurian legend in this accessible retelling of Thomas Malory’s Le Morte d’Arthur.

Required Books for English

Frankenstein by Mary Shelley (1818 edition). The tale of the creation and subsequent “life” of a hideous monster, Shelley’s novel has literary, historical, and moral significance. Containing elements of the gothic novel, it is considered one of the earliest examples of science fiction. The book is also important because it reflects many of the themes of the Romantic age, a movement in the first half of the 19th century that was a reaction against the Enlightenment. More importantly, the novel examines the tendency of man to act beyond the natural order through scientific overreaching with devastating results. In this sense, Frankenstein provides rich discussion points on such theological ideas as the nature of man and human depravity.

NB: Please purchase the Penguin Classics; Clothbound Classics edition of the book: ISBN-13: 978-0141393391

Instructions and encouragement from Mrs. Ryden.

For help on annotating a work, download this document.

The following is a list of recommended additional reading:

Silas Marner by George Eliot
Pride and Prejudice by Jane Austen
Heart of Darkness by Joseph Conrad
Animal Farm by George Orwell
The Odyssey Homer, translated by Emily Wilson (worthy of a second read—it is captivating)
The Road by Cormac McCarthy
Between Heaven and Hell by Peter Kreeft

Required Reading for Honors & AP Students

How to Read Literature Like a Professor: A Lively and Entertaining Guide to Reading Between the Lines, Revised Edition by Thomas C. Foster. Foster’s book introduces many of the major themes and narrative devices that students will need to master over the course of the year. While students are welcome to read the book in its entirety, the following chapters are required:

Introduction: How’d He Do That?
Chapter 1: Every Trip Is a Quest (Except When It’s Not)
Chapter 2: Nice to Eat with You: Acts of Communion
Chapter 4: Now, Where Have I Seen Her Before?
Chapter 5: When in Doubt, It’s from Shakespeare…
Chapter 6: … Or the Bible
Chapter 8: It’s Greek to Me
Chapter 9: It’s More Than Just Rain or Snow
Chapter 10: Never Stand Next to the Hero
Chapter 12: Is That a Symbol?
Chapter 14: Yes, She’s a Christ Figure, Too
Chapter 19: Geography Matters…
Chapter 20: … So Does Season
Chapter 21: Marked for Greatness
Chapter 22: He’s Blind for a Reason, You Know
Chapter 24: Don’t Read with Your Eyes
Chapter 27: A Test Case

Foster Assignment: Students have questions to answer about this reading that are due the first day of school. Click here to download the Foster assignment.

Additional Required Reading for Honors Students

• To Kill a Mockingbird by Harper Lee

Assignment: Honors students should purchase a paperback copy of To Kill a Mockingbird and annotate as they read. Mrs. Turnbull will collect annotations on the first day of school. Annotations should be thorough to demonstrate interaction with the work, but they need not be overly extensive. For help on annotating a work, download this document.

Additional Required Reading for AP Students

AP students are asked to read one of the following novels of their choice. Not all of these works are written by American authors, but all are frequently cited on the AP Literature exam.

• Jane Eyre by Charlotte Bronte
• The Road by Cormac McCarthy
• Moby Dick by Herman Melville
• The Poisonwood Bible by Barbara Kingsolver

Assignment: Students should purchase a paperback copy of the novels they choose and annotate as they read. Mrs. Turnbull will collect annotations the first week of school. Annotations should be thorough to demonstrate interaction with the work, but they need not be overly extensive. For help on annotating a work, download this document.

Required Books

Students will need to purchase their own copies of the books below and are expected to read closely and annotate. Any edition of these oft-reprinted books will do and can be readily found on Amazon or in any new- or used-book bookstore.

Till We Have Faces: A Myth Retold by C. S. Lewis. Lewis’s last novel is a recasting of the myth of Cupid and Psyche as a fascinating tale of love, loss, skepticism, and faith, a thoughtful inquiry into the human soul. Taste and see!

Mythology: Timeless Tales of Gods and Heroes, by Edith Hamilton. By way of review (or introduction), students should read at least the following:

• Part 1, sections I, II, and III (pp. 21–94)
• Part 2, sections I & II: Pyramus & Thisbe, Orpheus & Eurydice, Pygmalion & Galatea (pp. 135–142, 145–150)
• Part 5, section II: The Royal House of Thebes (pp. 372–391)

This classic collection reviews the stories, personalities, gods, and heroes of ancient Greece (and Rome) that animate not only those ancient cultures, but all of Western civilization.

All AP and honors students must also select and read at least one of the following that they have not previously read:
Pride and Prejudice by Jane Austen
Crime and Punishment by Fyodor Dostoevsky
The Aeneid trans. by Robert Fagles (If you read this in 8th grade at Geneva, you may still read it now. It can seem quite different the second time around!)
Moby Dick by Herman Melville
The Faerie Queene, Book I, ed. Carol V Kaske (ISBN-13: 978-0872208070. Please buy and read this particular edition, as the poem is often ‘translated’ or retold in other versions. This is the actual poem, helpfully edited.)

For help on annotating a work, download this document.

There will be assignments given in the first quarter drawing on the reading of these books, so come prepared to discuss, analyze, compare, and further your insight into what you’ve read.

Thesis Topic Book

Students should have already selected the specific book (in conjunction with a faculty member and approved by the rhetoric class teachers) that they are reading over the summer. Students will be asked to complete a writing assignment on their chosen book at the beginning of the school year. If students have questions about their selection or want to change books during the summer, they should contact Mr. Raley ([email protected]).