Requirements
Students may select any two books that interest them. The books must be ones the student has not read before and must not have been made into a movie.
You may read from any genre that interests you, and there is no requirement to read one fiction and one nonfiction book. As long as it is a book, it counts! Do you want to read two books about World War II? Great! Do you want to read a graphic novel? Awesome! Do you want to sit by the pool this summer and read about zombies? Go for it!
Recommended Reading
While you may choose to read whatever you would like, we thought some of you might like to see a list of recommended books. The list for each grade level/class has been compiled from awards lists, teacher recommendations, and even student recommendations!
Teacher Recommendations
Student Recommendations
Challenge List*
*Please note: The Challenge List includes classic titles that deal with issues/themes which have historically been of great interest to high school freshmen. Many of these titles, however, were originally intended for adult audiences and include more mature themes. They were included here because they will help prepare/challenge students who are interested in taking honors-level and AP courses later in high school. None of these texts are required, and students should select summer reading that best fits their interests and goals.
Students may select any two books that interest them. The books must be ones the student has not read before and must not have been made into a movie.
You may read from any genre that interests you, and there is no requirement to read one fiction and one nonfiction book. As long as it is a book, it counts! Do you want to read two books about World War II? Great! Do you want to read a graphic novel? Awesome! Do you want to sit by the pool this summer and read about zombies? Go for it!
Recommended Reading
While you may choose to read whatever you would like, we thought some of you might like to see a list of recommended books. The list for each grade level/class has been compiled from awards lists, teacher recommendations, and even student recommendations!
Teacher Recommendations
- Between Shades of Gray by Ruta Sepetys
- The Book Thief by Markus Zusak
- The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-Time by Mark Haddon
- The Graveyard Book by Neil Gaiman
- I am Malala by Christina Lamb and Malala Yousafzai
- The Seven Habits of Highly Effective Teens by Sean Covey
Student Recommendations
- The 5th Wave by Rick Yancy
- Aristotle and Dante Discover the Secrets of the Universe by Benjamin Alire Saenz
- Clockwork Angel by Cassandra Clare
- Dash and Lily's Book of Dares by Rachel Cohn and David Levithan
- Delirium by Lauren Oliver
- The Girl of Fire and Thorns by Rae Carson
- Fallen Angels by Walter Dean Myers
- Fangirl by Rainbow Rowell
- I Am Number Four by Pittacus Lore
- I Am the Weapon by Allen Zadoff
- I'll Give You the Sun by Jandy Nelson
- The Impossible Knife of Memory by Laurie Halse Anderson
- I Will Save You by Matt de la Pena
- Love Letters to the Dead by Ava Dellaria
- Maximum Ride (series) by James Patterson
- Monument 14 by Emmy Laybourne
- Prisoner B-3087 by Alan Gratz
- Red Rising (series) by Pierce Brown
- Red Queen by Victoria Aveyard
- Shiver by Maggie Stiefvater
- Steelheart by Brandon Sanderson
- Throne of Glass by Sarah J. Maas
- Tiger's Curse by Colleen Houck
- Until Friday Night by Abbi Glines
- Winger by Andrew A. Smith
- Wolf by Wolf by Ryan Graudin
Challenge List*
- All the Light We Cannot See by Anthony Doerr
- The Chocolate War by Robert Cormier
- Ender's Game by Orson Scott Card
- Great Expectations by Charles Dickens
- I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings by Maya Angelou
- The Secret Life of Bees by Sue Monk Kidd
- A Separate Peace by John Knowles
*Please note: The Challenge List includes classic titles that deal with issues/themes which have historically been of great interest to high school freshmen. Many of these titles, however, were originally intended for adult audiences and include more mature themes. They were included here because they will help prepare/challenge students who are interested in taking honors-level and AP courses later in high school. None of these texts are required, and students should select summer reading that best fits their interests and goals.