Brewster Academy Summer Reading List New and Returning Students:
Greetings from Brewster Academy’s English Department.
Each summer, Brewster Academy encourages you to read during the school break. This year,
Brewster faculty have created a summer reading list, and we are asking you to select one or
more of the books from the list to read over the summer. While the summer reading list contains
many suggestions, we do realize that you might want to read a different book that is more
appealing to you. If you would like to read a different book, or if you have any other questions
about the summer reading program, please contact Matt Butcher at
[email protected].
We hope you will select books that are interesting to you, and we also hope you will read
thoroughly and thoughtfully. When you return to campus and begin the school year, we will ask
you to complete a writing assignment (to be determined by your teacher). We also will ask you to
give a “book talk”: you will stand before your class and explain why you would or would not
recommend your book to other students. To help prepare for the “book talk” and writing
assignment, you may want to read actively by annotating, taking notes, and perhaps journaling.
Please note that if you are enrolled in AP courses, you have a specific summer reading list (see
the final page of this document), but we encourage you to read other books from the summer
reading list as well.
We appreciate your effort to develop your reading and thinking skills over the summer.
Sincerely,
Matt Butcher, English Department Chair
FACULTY RECOMMENDATIONS FOR SUMMER READING
Bret Barnett recommends:
• The Housekeeper and the Professor by Yoko Ogawa: a mathematician who can only produce 80
minutes worth of memories shares the beauty of numbers, equations, and life with his
housekeeper and her son, Root.
•
Matt Butcher recommends:
• Dandelion Wine by Ray Bradbury: one of the great books of summer, full of poetry, magic,
and nostalgia; in the novel, the twelve-year old Douglas Spaulding explores, discovers, and
imagines his way through the summer of 1928 in a small American town.
•
Black Swan Green by David Mitchell: set in England, the novel traces a tumultuous year in
the teenage life of Jason Taylor. Some critics have called for Black Swan Green to replace a
Catcher in the Rye in English curriculums. Read the book and ask yourself the question: are
the critics right—is this the new Catcher in the Rye?
•
The Company by Robert Littell: if you like espionage, political intrigue, double agents, and
long novels, read this book. It helps if you have some understanding of the Cold War, the
CIA, and the KGB.
•
The Talent Code by Daniel Coyle: a non-fiction exploration of talented individuals and the
circumstances and requirements that allowed them to become great. If you want to be great
at something, this book may help you to understand what it will take.
Laura Cooper recommends:
• Burning Marguerite by Elizabeth Inness Brown: the story opens when James Jack Wright
finds his 94-year-old adoptive grandmother dead in the woods. The novel encourages us to
broaden our understanding of maternity, loyalty, commitment, love, and death.
•
Openly Straight by Bill Konigsberg: Tackling issues of acceptance, sexual identity and
stereotyping, Openly Straight details the struggles of a male public school student from
Colorado who makes the transition to a New England boarding school. Openly Straight
blends laugh out loud humor with poignant honesty about the genuine pressures and
difficulties of adolescence.
The Sunday Tertulia by Lori Marie Carlson: from Google Books: "Claire is a young, struggling
New Yorker whose understanding of life is enriched after a group of older and wiser Latina
women bring her into a close-knit circle: their Upper West Side tertulia. Once a month, they
come together for a Sunday afternoon of revelry, at which delicious food and strong
opinions are served up in equal measure. Humorous and bittersweet, The Sunday Tertulia
brings to life cherished Latin traditions and celebrates women's wisdom and spirituality."
Dr. Michael Cooper recommends:
• Shoeless Joe by W.P. Kinsella: a baseball story about having dreams and how they can make
you come alive.
•
Reflections from the North Country by Sigurd Olson: a collection of essays reflecting the
philosophy and thinking of a man who spent his life in the Quetico-Superior wilderness
observing nature and its rhythms, using them to bring understanding of "man's long
relationship with nature, all living things, and the universe itself."
Michelle Dodge recommends:
• A Match to the Heart by Gretel Ehrlich: the incredible story of one woman's survival after
being struck by lightning. She writes about her relationship with the land and the emotional
journey she embarks upon to better understand herself and the experience she endured.
•
A Story Like the Wind by Laurens Van Der Post: set near the Kalahari Desert, this novel tracks
the physical and spiritual journey of Francois, a 13-year-old boy whose friendship with a
Bushman changes his life.
•
Jane Eyre by Charlotte Bronte: one of my all-time favorite novels! Set in 19th century
England, this Gothic novel explores the life story of Jane, who becomes a governess at
Thornfield Hall.
Jen Dumont recommends:
• To Kill a Mockingbird by Harper Lee: an American classic that tells a story of racism,
prejudice, childhood and the loss of innocence. Still incredibly moving and even shocking at
times, the story is told through the eyes of 10 year old Scout, a free-spirited tomboy whose
father is an attorney trying an important case in a small Southern town. Lawyer Atticus
Finch remains one of the most honest and admirable characters in American fiction.
•
The Eyes of the Dragon by Stephen King: deviating from his usual genre of horror fiction,
King spins a tale of fantasy and betrayal.
•
Misery by Stephen King: a thriller about a writer who has been kidnapped by his "number
one fan" and is forced to write a sequel in which he resurrects her favorite character, who he
only just killed off. King supposedly intended this novel to be a metaphor for his own
imprisonment as a writer who is known only for writing horror.
•
Me Talk Pretty One Day by David Sedaris: a series of autobiographical essays by the author
who experienced an extremely awkward childhood and adolescence growing up in North
Carolina with two quirky parents from back east, a gaggle of sisters, and one extremely
macho brother. Later, David escapes to New York City and a series of pointless jobs and
apparently meaningless experiences.
•
The Hotel New Hampshire, Cider House Rules or The World According to Garp by John Irving:
these novels weave epic tales of tragic New England families. You'll recognize the setting of
a boarding school and the all-too-human behaviors of the kids and teachers that live and
work there.
Marcia Eldredge recommends:
• The Sandcastle Girls by Chris Bohjalian: moving between present day New York and 1915
Syria during the Armenian Genocide, this historical-fiction novel is both a love story and a
thick chapter of history most of us undoubtedly know little about. Unfortunately there are
many similarities to this early 20th century genocide to the events that have unfolded in
Syria over the past few years.
Joe Fernald recommends:
• Teammates: A Portrait of Friendship by David Halberstam: one of the better books about sports
I've read—much more about friendship than the hall-of-fame players he writes about. I was
hooked after the first line, "Ted was dying, and the idea for the final trip, driving down to
Florida to see him one last time, was Dominic's."
•
Matterhorn: A Novel of the Vietnam War by Karl Marlantes: a brutal page-turner about the
Vietnam War. I couldn't put it down, but not for the weak of heart.
•
All The Little Live Things by Wallace Stegner: a sophisticated read. A book the resonated
with me as much as anything I've read in a long time. From The New York Times Book Review:
“Award-winning and bestselling author Wallace Stegner takes on the hippy generation in a
novel of "crackling vividness."
Maria Found recommends:
• A Tree Grows in Brooklyn by Betty Smith: about an Irish-Amercan girl's coming of age in the
early 20th century, it's overflowing with amazing characters and story lines that are so alive.
Every page is delightful and deeply moving. A compelling classic!
•
Case Histories by Kate Atkinson: a literary crime novel, the first book in a series.
•
Atonement by Ian McEwan: if you enjoy watching "Downton Abbey", this book is for you.
Jonathan Fouser recommends:
• The Game by Ken Dryden: if you love hockey, read this book! It is perhaps one of the
greatest books about hockey ever written.
•
Little Princes by Conor Grennan: a first-person account of a man’s journey to reunite the lost
children of Nepal with their parents.
•
One Mountain Thousand Summits by Freddie Wilkinson: a New Hampshire author and
professional climber, Wilkinson provides a captivating look at life and death on K2, the
second highest mountain in the world. In a two-day period in August 2008, eleven climbers
lost their lives after standing of the summit. What happened?
•
The Book of Jamaica by Russell Banks: an intriguing and realistic look at the complexities of
political and racial conflict in Jamaica. The narrator, a 35-year-old college professor from
New Hampshire, moves to Jamaica to write a novel, but soon becomes mired in racial and
political tensions.
•
Rule of The Bone by Russell Banks: The Philadelphia Weekly claims, “It’s been too long since
this country had a convincing coming-of-age novel… Rule of The Bone, a working-class
Catcher in the Rye for the post P.C., is a tome for the times. It should be required reading in
our city’s high schools.”
•
Shop Class as Soulcraft: An Inquiry Into the Value of Work by Matthew B. Crawford: this
insightful and meaningful book ponders the value of work and manual labor. The book
challenges some basic assumptions about “white collar” work and suggests an alternative
path to finding fulfillment in life.
•
The Absolutely True Diary of a Part-Time Indian by Sherman Alexie: the novel follows the
journey of a teenager living on the Spokane Indian Reservation who decides to leave the
reservation to attend an all-white school. The novel explores issues such as race, poverty,
and tradition. [NOTE: AP Language and Composition students will read this book during
the school year and should not read it for summer reading.]
•
Looking for Alaska by John Green: an engaging read about teenage life in a Birmingham,
Alabama prep school.
•
Gym Candy by Carl Deuker: a high-school football player decides to take steroids and must
deal with the success and consequences of his decision.
•
Where Men Go To Win Glory by Jon Krakauer: From The New York Times: “The story of Pat
Tillman, the professional football player killed in Afghanistan in 2004, was simultaneously
appalling and inspiring — which helped explain, perhaps, the mesmerizing grip it had on
the United States. It showed America at its best and worst, at a time when the country was
engaged in a deeply polarizing war” (Filkins).
•
Michael Jacobs recommends:
• The Golden Spruce: A True Story of Myth, Madness, and Greed by John Vaillant: from Booklist:
“This powerful and vexing man-versus-nature tale is set in an extraordinary place, Canada's
Queen Charlotte Islands, and features two legendary individuals: a uniquely golden 300year-old Sitka spruce and Grant Hadwin, a logger turned champion of old-growth forests
who ultimately destroys what he loves.”
•
Catch-22 by Joseph Heller: a darkly comic novel about Yossarian, a WWII bombardier who
doesn't want to die flying more missions. Determined to convince a military doctor that he
is crazy so he won't have to fly, he soon realizes he is caught in a “Catch-22.”
•
Republic, Lost: How Money Corrupts Congress--and a Plan to Stop It by Lawrence Lessig: this is
probably the most important book I have ever read. Lessig diagnoses why it is virtually
impossible for anything to get done in congress. Over time, we have institutionalized
corruption that is perfectly legal. I think all Americans should read this book.
Emily James recommends:
• Gulp: Adventures along the Alimentary Canal by Mary Roach: a book about the digestive
system--well written and a fun read, lots of stuff I didn't know.
Peter Mann recommends:
• The Count of Monte Cristo, by Alexandre Dumas: a big novel that will captivate you with
fight scenes, intrigue, love, and satire.
Robert O’Blenis recommends:
• Speaker for the Dead by Orson Scott Card: the sequel to the riveting Ender's Game. It is a
philosophical take on science-fiction, Ender travels the galaxy as a Speaker, trying to bring
the truth about all those who die and pass on to the next life. This book made me think
about life and how people are treated. If you have read Ender's Game, then this is a must
read on your list.
•
Melissa Lawlor recommends:
Fall of Rome by Martha Southgate: a story about the challenges of race, class, tradition,
friendship, and equality set in a fictional all-boys elite boarding school in Connecticut.
The Whiskey Rebels by David Liss: set in post-revolutionary America this historical-fiction
novel follows Ethan Saunders, a former Patriot spy who is branded as a traitor, and Joan
Maycott, a frontier wife looking to live a new way of life alongside her husband, as their
worlds collide during a tenuous time in United States history.
Kyle Reynolds recommends:
• Extremely Loud and Incredibly Close by Jonathan Safran Foer: follow the poignant journey of a
curious boy trying to make sense of his father’s death on 9/11.
•
The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-Time by Mark Haddon: an autistic teenage boy
tries to solve the case of a murdered dog but finds a darker mystery about himself.
•
In the Heart of the Sea by Nathaniel Philbrick: the story of the whaleship Essex, the inspiration
for Herman Melville’s Moby Dick.
•
Ready Player One by Ernest Cline: an action/thriller that depicts life in 2044. The world has
collapsed and the only refuge is a virtual reality video game where everyone plays, works,
and lives. If you like video games, dystopian visions of the future, and lots of references to
pop culture, you'll like this book.
•
The River Why by David James Duncan: a novel about fly-fishing and life.
•
Peace Like a River by Leif Enger: a family deals with the murder of two intruders.
•
Moneyball by Michael Lewis: this book focuses on the economics, science, and leadership of
baseball.
Al Simoes recommends:
• The Historian by Elizabeth Kostova: this novel makes Twilight read like a comic book because
it is more exciting, intellectual, and terrifying.
•
Close to Shore: A True Story of Terror in the Age of Innocence by Michael Capuzzo: the actual
story upon which Jaws was based, it’s also a great look at the naïve innocence of the first
generation of beachgoers.
•
Blink by Malcolm Gladwell: a book about how people make important decisions quickly,
based more on instinct and first impressions than on rational thought.
Marilyn Shea recommends:
• The Dogs of March by Ernest Hebert: a young reporter from rural New Hampshire finds
himself increasingly at odds with his father and the world in which he grew up.
•
Winesburg, Ohio by Sherwood Anderson: this collection of short stories exploring small town
life follows the life of George Willard from childhood through early adulthood and his
rejection of his hometown. Character sketches are beautifully crafted and leave a deep
impression.
Jen Smith recommends:
• I am Nujood, Aged 10 and Divorced by Nujood Ali: the true story of a young girl sold into
marriage by her father who decided she wouldn't tolerate the abuse anymore and became
the first and youngest female to get a divorce in Yemen.
Tom Sullivan recommends:
• The Power of One by Bryce Courtenay: the story of a young boy growing up in South Africa
in the early 20th century who was sent away from home at an early age and forges his own
path through the culturally charged environments that surround him.
Shamar Whyte recommends:
• A Long Way Gone by Ismael Beah: in this memoir, a child soldier searches for his family in
war-torn Sierra Leone. Also recommended by Jen Smith.
MANDATORY ADVANCED PLACEMENT TEXTS FOR SUMMER READING
Students taking AP Language and Composition
• East of Eden by John Steinbeck
•
Ceremony by Leslie Marmon Silko
Students taking AP Literature and Composition (taught by Kyle Reynolds)
• How to Read Literature like a Professor by Thomas C. Foster
•
Wuthering Heights by Emily Brontë
ESL STUDENTS
To prepare for the coming school year, please choose some material to read in English. For
example, you could read an English-language newspaper or magazine. In addition to
reading, try to watch English-speaking movies and TV shows. Over the summer, immerse
yourself as much as possible in English. We look forward to meeting you in September!"