Beverly High School 

Summer Reading Directions for 2009

 

Every student is required to pick one book from the list below to read this summer. You will have class time (for incoming ninth graders) or a special homeroom (for students already at BHS for the 2008-2009 school year) to fill in a selection sheet.  If you haven’t filled out a selection sheet, please email your name, grade and selection to:

 

beverlysummerreading@gmail.com

 

Books will be available at a discount at The Bookstore of the Farms in Beverly.  They should be widely available at other bookstores or at amazon.com.  The public library has some copies, but they will be in the regular circulating collection – be aware that you will not be able to keep library copies out for the entire summer.  Please plan accordingly.

 

In September there will be a school-wide event where students will discuss their books with a small group.  To help you remember your impressions of the book you read you will be required to do a reading response activity.  You have four choices based on your particular interest.  You don’t have to choose your response until you have read the book.  Use whichever format you choose.  Rubrics are included below, after the booklist.  If you know you are not comfortable in a discussion setting, use the higher standards of the rubric and your participation will be validated by the response piece alone.  (You will still attend a discussion group, but you will not be forced to speak.)

 

§         DEEPER DISCUSSION – Does reading a good book make you ask questions?  For this response list detailed questions about your summer reading book that could be used to stimulate group discussion.

 

§         MEDIA CONNECTIONS – When you read a book, does it always seem to remind you of another book or a movie or a song?  For this response sheet list books, movies or songs that you associate with your summer reading book and describe why you see the connection between them.

 

§         ARTISTIC INTREPRETATION – How do you respond artistically to a book you like?  Create a drawing, painting, film, poem, photograph or story that is inspired by your summer reading book.

 

§         FACT CHECKER – Do you like separating fact from fiction?  Research some of the factual information behind the story of your summer reading book, or look at the author's life and how it relates to the book.

 

You may read as many of the books as you like, but you only need to respond to and discuss one.  Please choose a book you have not read before.  If your book is part of a series, feel free to read more in the series.

 

You can read more about the summer reading books at www.booksplat.blogspot.com.

If you have any questions you can e-mail the librarian, Mrs. Fecteau at beverlysummerreading@gmail.com.

 

BHS SUMMER READING BOOKLIST FOR 2009


The Absolutely True Story of a Part Time Indian by Sherman Alexie
Arnold “Junior” Spirit leaves the reservation where he has been raised to attend a rich, white school in a neighboring town.

Airhead by Meg Cabot
When Em finds her sarcastic gamer-girl brain has been transplanted into the body of shallow super-model Nikki she is forced to live a funny, exciting lie.

Before the Legend by Christopher Farley
Bob Marley’s early life and his impact on the rise of Reggae music from the streets of Kingstown, Jamaica is the subject of this fascinating biography.

Big Papi: My Story of Big Dreams and Big Hits by David Ortiz
Boston baseball in general and stories from the life of Sox hitter Ortiz alternate chapters in this entertaining biography.

The Book Thief by Markus Zusak
In Germany of the 1940s, death has his hands full keeping order. He relaxes by telling the story of Liesel, who steals books, in this brilliant, haunting novel.

Dreamhunter by Elizabeth Knox
Laura is an up-and-coming Dreamhunter, the procurer, director and star of her world’s most glamorous entertainment. When she begins to see the dark side of what her talents can do – she becomes dangerous.

The Fortunes of Indigo Skye by Deb Calletti
When Indigo receives a million dollar tip waiting tables she is determined not to let it change her.  

Harmless by Dana Reinhart
Three young girls invent a crime to cover up their own misbehavior. But as the truth begins to come out, they find themselves being pulled apart.

Hero by Perry Moore
Thom is not sure which is worse, having to tell his hero-hating father that he has super powers or that he is gay.

Hypochondriac’s Guide To Horrible Diseases You Probably Already Have by Dennis DiClaudio
Hilarious descriptions and repulsive drawings make this humorous little guide to really gross diseases a fun – if somewhat icky – summer read.

A Long Way Gone by Ismael Beah
This memoir of a child soldier in Sierra Leone shows the evolution of Ismael from boy band wanna-be to stone cold killer to human rights activist all before the age of 18.

Memoirs of a Teenage Amnesiac by Gabrielle Zevin
When Naomi loses her memory after a head injury, she is given a chance to undo past mistakes and the opportunity to make new ones.

My Hands Came Away Red by Lisa McKay
A group of teen missionaries is caught up in violence in Indonesia in this gripping novel.

Plato and a Platypus Walk in to a Bar by Thomas Cathcart
Different philosophies are made completely understandable by deconstructing jokes in this hilarious overview of great thought.

Right Behind You by Gail Giles
At age 11, Kip set a neighbor boy on fire and is sent to a facility for violent juvenile offenders.  When he is released, he tries to come to terms with the tragedy and atone for it.

Runaways: Pride and Joy by Brian K Vaughn
A diverse group of teens discover that their parents are super-villains in this action-packed Marvel graphic novel series.

The Shape of Mercy by Susan Meissner
The parallel stories of Mercy, a victim of the Salem witch hysteria, and Laura, the modern day college student hired to transcribe her diary are told in this romantic and moving novel.

Sunrise Over Fallujah by Walter Dean Myers
This novel opens in 2003 as Rob joins the service and describes both the conflict and the hope he sees as he takes part in Operation Iraqi Freedom.

Twelve Mighty Orphans by Jim Dent
This is the true story of the Masonic Orphans’ Home Mighty Mites who dominated high school football in Texas during the great depression, bringing hope to people in the grip of economic despair.

What My Girlfriend Doesn’t Know by Sondra Sones  
When Robin gets a girlfriend who he knows is “way out of his league” he begins to see himself differently in this story told in poetry.

What Was Lost by Catherine O'Flynn
A solitary little girl goes missing while investigating shady goings on at a local shopping center.  Her unsolved disappearance comes to light again, 20 years later, when she seems to appear on the mall’s security camera tapes.

White Darkness by Geraldine McCaughrean
Sym has always felt powerless and useless, but when she is kidnapped and taken to the bottom of the world, she will need to use her knowledge of the Antarctic and untried reserves of strength to save herself and others.  

The World Without Us by Alan Weisman
If humanity were to disappear, just what would happen to the earth we leave behind?  Find out in this science-based projection of Earth’s recovery.

 



DEEPER DISCUSSION – Does reading a good book make you ask questions?  For this response list detailed questions about your summer reading book that could be used to stimulate group discussion.

 

Passing for student who does not take part in discussion

Passing for student who takes active part in discussion

Not passing

Student must develop questions about the summer reading book to stimulate discussion.

8 or more questions

4-8 questions

Fewer than 4 questions

Students must give specific details (of plot, character setting or theme) from the book.

Each question must contain 2 specific details from the summer reading book.

Each question must contain 1 specific detail from the summer reading book.

No specific details are given.

Mechanics

Response sheet must be typewritten or legible and have student’s name, grade and the book’s title at the top.

Response sheet must be typewritten or legible and have student’s name, grade and the book’s title at the top.

No name on the paper and/or illegible writing.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 


MEDIA CONNECTIONS – When you read a book, does it always seem to remind you of another book or a movie or a song?  For this response sheet list books, movies or songs that you relate to your summer reading book and describe why you see the connection between them.

 

Passing for student who does not take part in discussion

Passing for student who takes active part in discussion

Not passing

Student must list books, movies or songs that relate to their summer reading title.

8 or more related titles

4-8 related titles

Fewer than 4 related titles

Student must describe the relationship between related titles and summer reading book.

Each description must give 2 specific examples from the summer reading book that are related to the other book, song or movie.

Each description must give 1 specific example from the summer reading book that are related to the other book, song or movie.

No specific examples are given.

Mechanics

Response sheet must be typewritten or legible and have student’s name, grade and the book’s title at the top.

Response sheet must be typewritten or legible and have student’s name, grade and the book’s title at the top.

No name or title on the paper and/or illegible writing.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 


ARTISTIC INTREPRETATION – How do you respond artistically to a book you like?  Create a drawing, painting, poem, photograph or story that is inspired by your summer reading book.

 

Passing for student who does not take part in discussion

Passing for student who takes active part in discussion

Not passing

Student must create a work of art [painting, drawing, poem, short story, photograph or sculpture] that is inspired by the summer reading book.

Student must complete work of art.

Student must have work of art in progress.

No work of art is turned in.

Description of relationship between art and summer reading book.

Student must write a thought piece containing at least 5 aspects of the book [key events, characters or settings] that inspired their art.

Student must write a thought piece containing at least 3 aspects of the book [key events, characters or settings] that inspired their art.

No thought piece is written.

Mechanics

Response sheet must be typewritten or legible and have student’s name, grade and the book’s title at the top.

Response sheet must be typewritten or legible and have student’s name, grade and the book’s title at the top.

No name, grade, title on the paper and/or illegible writing.

 

 

 

 

 






 


 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 


FACT CHECKER – Do you like separating fact from fiction?  Research some of the factual information behind the story of your summer reading book, or look at the author's life and how it relates to the book.

 

Passing for student who does not take part in discussion

Passing for student who takes active part in discussion

Not passing

Students must list factual information [historical events, real people, locations, scientific facts, etc…] that relate to their summer reading title.

8 or more related facts

4-8 related facts

Fewer than 4 related facts

Description of relationship between facts and summer reading book.

Each description must give one or more specific ways in which the fact is related to the summer reading book.

Each description must give at least one specific way in which the fact is related to the summer reading book.

No specific examples are given.

Mechanics

Response sheet must be typewritten or legible and have student’s name, grade and the book’s title at the top.

Response sheet must be typewritten or legible and have student’s name, grade and the book’s title at the top.

No name or title on the paper and/or illegible writing.