BISHOPLOUGHLIN SUMMERREADING Classof2020
Assignment: All incoming ninth graders in the class of 2020 are required to read two (2)
books over the course of the summer. For each of the books a specific essay is to be
completed. The essay is due to your English teacher on the first day of class in
September. These essays must be typed using Times New Roman, 12 font, doublespacing.
I. MANDATORY READING
The Boy in the Striped Pajamas by John Boyne is required to be read by
all students. Upon completion of the book, write a well developed essay in which you
discuss three differences in attitude among Bruno, Gretel, and their parents in how they
perceive what is going on in the world around them during the war.
II. SECOND MANDATORY ASSIGNMENT ~ CHOOSE EITHER:
Slam by Walter Dean Myers. Upon completion of the book, write a welldeveloped essay in which you address the idea that “Life is a Journey.” Identify and
explain three (3) lessons about life that “Slam” learns in the course of this novel.
OR
That was Then, This is Now by S.E. Hinton. Upon completion of the
novel, write a well-developed essay in which you consider the relationship between
Bryon and Mark. In the beginning of the novel the boys share a long friendship that has
brought them as close as brothers. Over the course of the novel, their relationship
changes. In your essay, describe three situations that cause them to grow apart.
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The following books are recommended. You may receive extra credit for reading any of
these and completing a book report for each one you read. This report must include the
title and author, a one-two paragraph summary of the plot, and a detailed description
(one-two paragraphs) of one specific event you found interesting.
Big Mouth and Ugly Girl (J.C. Oates)
The Book Thief (M. Zusak)
The Fault in our Stars (J. Green)
The Lovely Bones (A. Sebold)
In the Country of Men (H. Matar)
I Will Save You (M. de la Pena)
Ball Don’t Lie (M. de la Pena)
Rucker Park Setup (P. Volponi)
The Astonishing Adventure of
Fanboy and Goth Girl (B. Lyga)
Game (W.D. Myers)
A Scary Scene in a Scary Movie
(M. Blackstone)
Girls Like Us (Gail Giles)
Audacity (Melanie Crowder)
Almost a Woman (E. Santiago)
The Giver (L. Lowry)
The Hunger Games (S. Collins)
any of the Harry Potter series (J.K.
Rowlings)
The Absolutely True Diary of a Part
Time Indian (S. Alexie)