Summer Reading 2021
Here's some specific summer reading information in preparation for the 2021-2022 school year at Joseph Case High School. This link will be updated accordingly. .
Dear Case Students and Families,
Reading is an important part of a student’s experience in high school, as in life, and we hope that each student will become a life‐long reader. Summer is a time for recreational reading, for exploring new books, and for reading those books a student never had time for during the busy school year.
Summer reading is also an important sustaining element in all of the Core Values of Joseph Case High School:
Communication
Authentic learning opportunities
Shared responsibility in academic excellence and integrity
Engagement of students as active learners
Higher order thinking skills
Strong 21st century knowledge base
All students are expected to at least two summer reading titles by the time they return to school in the fall, including the required novel The Alchemist by Paulo Coelho.
High school faculty will join students in summer reading as the springboard to our ninth annual fall interdisciplinary day. This year's choice was a selected after careful consideration of the event's of this past year and how it has affected our journey, no matter our age. The Alchemist was one of the most popular summer reading titles in the past decade with its timely message and timeless inspiration.
As well, students have options in each grade for a second title.
Summer reading choices for Grade 9 students:
Legend by Marie Lu
Eleanor and Park by Rainbow Rowell
All students who are choosing to participate in Grade 9 Honors should read Funny in Farsi by Firoozeh Dumas.
Summer reading choices for Grade 10 students:
- Fahrenheit 451 by Ray Bradbury
- The Glass Castle by Jeannette Walls **
All students who are choosing to participate in Grade 10 Honors should read Last Night I Dreamed of Peace by Dang Thuy Tram.
Summer reading choices for Grade 11 students:
In Cold Blood by Truman Capote
On the Come Up by Angie Thomas
All students who selected AP Language and Composition should join the Google Classroom using the code hf4gfqm
Summer reading choices for Grade 12 students:
One of Us is Lying by Karen McManus
Dread Nation by Justina Ireland
All students who selected AP Seminar should join the Google Classroom using the code adbu3qu.
All students who selected AP Research should join the Google Classroom using the code 3tz53dr.
Summer Reading Alternative
Students may have the option to select a book of their own. Generally, novels are between 240 and 300 pages, so students’ selections should be within this range.
Students who choose this option must have their parents sign a permission form granting approval for your selected title. Please return these form to your English teachers in the first week of school.
Strategies
Students are strongly encouraged to annotate the texts while reading to maximize opportunities for success. Students may annotate the text by writing in the margins or using sticky notes. For incoming freshmen, to annotate a text involves writing down questions you may have about the text, taking notes that contains your original analysis of the text and/or marks important points, highlighting/defining words that you do not understand.
As always, plagiarism or cheating are strictly forbidden. Students need to read the original text and demonstrate their original understanding and analysis of it through formal and informal assessments in the fall. This is an opportunity for students to engage with a text and develop their independence as readers.
**Starred selections contain mature content and language. Should students or their families have specific questions regarding the content of reading selections, they should contact the English Department Head at bbotelho@swanseaschools.org.
Please have a safe and enjoyable summer,
The English Department Faculty