Summer Reading 2024 (Grades K-12th)

GRADES 9-12

Summer Reading 2024

Hello, High School Students!

We are looking forward to a great 2024-2025 school year. The information provided provides everything you need to know about summer reading. First, we would like to explain our why for summer reading. Our English department believes that

• Reading should not be a chore or a bore, especially in the summer.
• All students are able to read and learn at a high level, and that often, choice offers additional freedom and opportunities to enjoy learning and/or to simply enjoy reading.
• It is also of great benefit to read the same title work per course, as it promotes discussion and a common study in the classroom.

Reading Requirements:

• A required read (Links to purchase books are provided below. If you would like to purchase a used copy of the required read, you may do so May 20-22 immediately after exam time in Room 226. You will be charged $5 in FACTS. GCA has a limited number of copies for each required read, so these will be sold on a first-come, first-served basis. )
• A parent-approved choice read from the provided list that the student has never read (or listened to) in class or for pleasure. Redeemed Reader and Common Sense Media are a helpful resource for book selections. (Please note that the choice list for 12th grade Honors and AP Literature and Composition is different and linked below.)

Required Reading by Course

9th

• Regular: Hiroshima by John Hersey and choice read from list
• Honors: The Screwtape Letters by C.S. Lewis and choice read from list

10th

• Regular: The Noticer and choice read from the list
• Honors: The Count of Monte Cristo (no choice read due to length)

11th

• Regular: The Outsiders and choice read from list
• Honors: Peace Like a River and choice read from list

12th

• Regular: Lord of the Flies and choice read from list
• Honors: Lord of the Flies and AP list choice read
• AP Literature and Composition: Pride and Prejudice and AP list choice read

Written Requirements:    Due Monday, August 12 by 11:59 PM in Google Classroom

Your teacher will go over this with you in detail before the end of school in May and at the beginning of the year; at the same time, we want to provide you with the reading response questions now so you can take notes as you read or complete the work in advance if you so choose. 

• Academic Integrity Agreement: By turning in your work, you certify that
  • The information included is YOUR thoughts/opinion, not the internet’s.
  • The choice read is NOT a book you have previously read (or listened to) for class or for pleasure
  • GCA’s AI (artificial intelligence) policy includes but is not limited to ChatGPT and Grammarly. You understand that using AI (artificial intelligence) in any way to construct your responses is a violation of GCA’s academic honesty/integrity policy and that you will turn in all responses via Google Classroom AND turnitin.com, which is a plagiarism and AI detection tool.
• Students must provide a typed response to any 5 questions for the required read and any 3 questions for the choice read. The attached document provides 15 questions from which to choose as you respond to the books you’ve read. Please note that sophomore honors students will complete 8 total questions about The Count of Monte Cristo, and 12th Grade Honors and AP Literature and Composition students will complete 5 questions for the required reading and 5 questions for the choice read.
• Responses should be between 5-7 sentences each. Quality is better than quantity; however, ensure that you answer each question completely.
• Clarify which question you are answering at the beginning of your first sentence for each response by restating the question.
• MLA formatted document. The title of the document will be the title of your book (italicized) and the author’s name.
• Use literarydevices.net as a tool to help define terms such as theme, point of view, mood, etc.
• It is strongly recommended that you purchase a physical copy of your choice read book; you will bring it to school during the first week to work on a creative project.
• Your grade will be based on thoughtfulness and specificity in answering the questions, as well as grammar/usage/mechanics. Evidence of analysis and thinking is required.
• As you write your responses, remember to think less about what happens in your book and think more about why or how events happen. Most importantly, challenge yourself to think through the significance of the various aspects of the book. Remember, this is not a plot summary or book report.

We are looking forward to reading and discussing your responses! Do your best; our goal for the written response portion is for you to grow in your ability to analyze and evaluate what you read. Rest assured that demonstrating a concerted effort far outweighs “getting it right,” especially as many of the questions require you to support your thinking and do not have just one “correct” answer. 

Have a great summer! 

 GCA English Department