Rising Freshman
Summer Reading
Duluth High School 2010
The language arts department of Duluth High School recognizes the importance of
summer reading in the educational development of our students. The benefits range from
improved vocabulary (hence better SAT/ACT scores) to a better understanding of the
world and its inhabitants. Realizing that incentive is a key to motivation, the language
arts teachers will be giving extra credit points at the end of the first semester based on the
students’ responses to the books (maximum total of 3 books).
To receive extra credit, students should submit the following ‘story form’ information to
their language arts teacher during the first week of school.
I.
II.
III.
IV.
Title
Author
Vocabulary—5 new words which student has learned from reading the
book. Give the author’s sentence and explain the word’s meaning in that
context.
One of the following:
A. Character analysis
(At least 1 typed page)
B. Theme Discussion
C. Critical Review
Following is a list of books from which you may choose. No credit will be given for any
book already read in middle school or as part of a former language arts course or in any
other academic course such as a history class. Because the following may contain
mature subject matter and language, we recommend that parents serve an active
role in deciding on the appropriateness of the books chosen. All students should
consult amazon.com for reviews. Lists are available in the main office at Duluth High
School and on the DHS web page.
The Secret Life of Bees by Sue Monk Kidd
The Battle of Jericho by Sharon Draper:
The Hunger Games or Catching Fire by Suzanne Collins
Looking for Alaska by John Green
Romiette and Julio by Sharon Draper
We Are the Ship: The Story of Negro League Baseball by Kadir Nelson
Chinese Cinderella—The true story of an unwanted daughter by Adeline Yen Mah
Barrio Boy by Ernesto Galarza
Brutal by Michael Harmon
the first part last by Angela Johnson
the orange houses by Paul Griffin