Archbishop Walsh Academy Summer Reading Lists 2012
Summer Reading Programs Help Students Maintain Skills
http://www.griver.org/library-news/summer-reading-programs-help-kids-maintain-skills
As much as we want students to relax and enjoy the summer break, we don’t want
them to stop reading. Studies show* that students who don’t read over the summer are
more likely to lose achieved reading skills. Studies also show* that the best way to
ensure that students continue to read through the summer is for them to take part in a
structured summer reading program.
In order to help our students at Archbishop Walsh enhance their reading and writing
skills, we have developed a summer reading requirement for grade levels 6-12. These
lists include two “must-reads” for each grade level. Students are required to also read
one book from a “student’s choice” list. There is also a project requirement to
accompany each book read. All projects must be submitted by the first day of school in
September, or to the school office during summer.
* http://www.nysl.nysed.gov/libdev/summer/research.htm
Archbishop Walsh Academy - 6th Grade Summer Reading List
2 Required Books: These books are required reading for summer project submissions and class
discussions at the start of school in September 2012. All incoming 6th graders are expected to be
prepared to participate in class projects and in- class discussions based on these readings . See
project choices and submission deadlines below.
Required Reading #1. Zlata’s Diary by Filopovic
Required Reading #2. Bud, Not Buddy by Curtis
Independent Reading Choice : Choose 1 book from the list below for the Independent project. See
project guidelines below.
I Am the Cheese by Cormier
Bridge to Terabithia by Paterson
The Westing Game by Raskin
Devil’s Arithmetic by Yolen
The House on Mango Street by Cisneros
Stargirl by Spinelli
Gathering Blue by Lowry
Get on Out of Here Philip Hall by Greene
Good Night Mr. Tom by Magorian
A Solitary Blue by Voight
The Lion, Witch and the Wardrobe by C.S, Lewis
The Great Interactive Dream Machine by Peck
The Grey King by Cooper
Homesick, My Own Story by Fritz
A Year Down Yonder by Peck
Dead End in Norvelt by Gantos
Inside Out and Back Again by Loi
Archbishop Walsh Academy - 7th Grade Summer Reading List
2 Required Books: These books are required reading for summer project submissions and class
discussions at the start of school in September 2012. All incoming 7th graders are expected to be
prepared to participate in class projects and in- class discussions based on these readings . See
project choices and submission deadlines below.
Required Reading # 1. Fever, 1793 by Laurie Halse Anderson
Required Reading #2 The River Between Us by Peck
Independent Reading Choice: Choose 1 book from the list below for the Independent project. See project
guidelines below.
White Fang by Jack London
Tuesdays With Morrie by Mitch Albom
Dark Water Rising by Hale
The Silver Donkey by Hartnett
Surviving Hitler by Warren
Tangerine by Bloor
Red Kayak by Cummings
Rescuing Seneca Crane by
Chains by Anderson
The Red Umbrella by Gonzalez
Uprising by Haddox
Gifted Hands:The Story of Ben Carson by Carson
Hoot by Hiaasen
For Freedom:The Story of a French Spy by Bradley
Swimming to Antarctica by Cox
A Night to Remember by Lord
Triumph:The Untold Story of Jesse Owens and Hitler’s Olympics by Schaap
The Hobbit by Tolkien
Kirra-Kirra by Kadohata
A Single Shard by Park
Archbishop Walsh Academy - 8th Grade Summer Reading List
2 Required Books: These books are required reading for summer project submissions and class
discussions at the start of school in September 2012. All incoming 8th graders are expected to be
prepared to participate in class projects and in- class discussions based on these readings . See
project choices and submission deadlines below.
Required Reading # 1: Chasing Lincoln’s Killer by Swanson
Required Reading #2 : When Zachary Beaver Came to Town by Holt
Independent Reading Choice: Choose 1 book from the list below for the Independent project. See project
guidelines below.
White Fang by Jack London
Tuesdays With Morrie by Mitch Albom
Dark Water Rising by Hale
The Silver Donkey by Hartnett
Surviving Hitler by Warren
Tangerine by Bloor
Red Kayak by Cummings
Rescuing Seneca Crane by
Chains by Anderson
The Red Umbrella by Gonzalez
Uprising by Haddox
Gifted Hands:The Story of Ben Carson by Carson
Hoot by Hiaasen
For Freedom:The Story of a French Spy by Bradley
Swimming to Antarctica by Cox
A Night to Remember by Lord
Triumph:The Untold Story of Jesse Owens and Hitler’s Olympics by Schaap
The Hobbit by Tolkien
Kirra-Kirra by Kadohata
A Single Shard by Park
Archbishop Walsh Academy - 9th Grade Summer Reading List
2 Required Books: These books are required reading for summer project submissions and class
discussions at the start of school in September 2012. All incoming 9th graders are expected to be
prepared to participate in class projects and in- class discussions based on these readings . See
project choices and submission deadlines below.
Required Reading #1: To Kill a Mockingbird by Harper Lee
Required Reading #2: I Am Scout by Charles Shields
Independent Reading Choice : Choose 1 book from the list below for the Independent project. See
project guidelines below.
The Skin I’m In by Flake
A Girl from Yam Hill by Cleary
Watership Down by Adams
To Be A Slave by Julius Lester
Inside Out and Back Again by Loi
Good Masters, Sweet Ladies: Voices from a Medieval Village by Schlitz
Dreamland by Sarah Dessen
The Good Earth by Pearl S. Buck
Tuesdays with Morrie by Mitch Albom
A Hotel on the Corner of Bitter and Sweet by Jamie Ford
The Clockwork Tree by M. Kirby
A Separate Peace by John Knowles
The Hobbit by Tolkien
Wintergirls by Laurie Halse Anderson
I Have Lived a Thousand Years: Growing up in the Holocaust by Jackson
Have a Little Faith by Mitch Albom
Archbishop Walsh Academy - 10th Grade Summer Reading List
2 Required Books: These books are required reading for summer project submissions and class
discussions at the start of school in September 2012. All incoming 10th graders are expected to be
prepared to participate in class projects and in- class discussions based on these readings . See
project choices and submission deadlines below.
Required Reading #1: The Book Thief by Mark Zusak
Required Reading #2: Pieces of Georgia by Jen Bryant
Independent Reading Choice : Choose 1 book from the list below for the Independent project. See
project guidelines below.
Winter of Our Discontent by Steinbeck
The Blind Side by Michael Lewis
The Lost City of Z by David Grann
The Zookeeper’s Wife by Ackerman
People of the Book by Gwendolyn Brooks
One Day in the Life of Ivan Danisovich by Solzhenitsyn
As I Lay Dying by William Faulkner
Snow Falling in Spring by Li
The Three Musketeers by Dumas
The Ghost Map by Steve Johnson
Welding with Children by Tim Gantreaux
The Lone Survivor by Marcus Littrell
Revolver by Marcus Sedgewick
Cannery Row by Steinbeck
Things Fall Apart by Chinua Achebe
The Road by Cormick McCarthy
Mountains Beyond Mountains by Tracy Kidder
Girl in Translation by Jean Kwok
Have a Little Faith by Mitch Albom
Into Thin Air: A Personal Account of the Mount Everest Disaster by Krakauer
Archbishop Walsh Academy - 11th Grade Summer Reading List
2 Required Books: These books are required reading for summer project submissions and class
discussions at the start of school in September 2012. All incoming 11th graders are expected to be
prepared to participate in class projects and in- class discussions based on these readings . See
project choices and submission deadlines below.
Required Reading #1: A Long Way Gone by Ishmael Beah
Required Reading #2: The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Nighttime by Mark Hadden
Independent Reading Choice : Choose 1 book from the list below for the Independent project. See
project guidelines below.
Winter of Our Discontent by Steinbeck
The Blind Side by Michael Lewis
The Lost City of Z by David Grann
The Zookeeper’s Wife by Ackerman
People of the Book by Gwendolyn Brooks
One Day in the Life of Ivan Danisovich by Solzhenitsyn
As I Lay Dying by William Faulkner
Snow Falling in Spring by Li
The Three Musketeers by Dumas
The Ghost Map by Steve Johnson
Welding with Children by Tim Gantreaux
The Lone Survivor by Marcus Littrell
Revolver by Marcus Sedgewick
Cannery Row by Steinbeck
Things Fall Apart by Chinua Achebe
The Road by Cormick McCarthy
Mountains Beyond Mountains by Tracy Kidder
Girl in Translation by Jean Kwok
Have a Little Faith by Mitch Albom
Into Thin Air: A Personal Account of the Mount Everest Disaster by Krakauer
Archbishop Walsh Academy - 12th Grade Summer Reading List
2 Required Books: These books are required reading for summer project submissions and class
discussions at the start of school in September 2012. All incoming 12th graders are expected to be
prepared to participate in class projects and in- class discussions based on these readings . See
project choices and submission deadlines below.
Required Reading #1: Brother, I’m Dying by Danticat
Required Reading #2: Persepolis by Marjane Satrayi
Independent Reading Choice : Choose 1 book from the list below for the Independent project. See
project guidelines below.
Winter of Our Discontent by Steinbeck
The Blind Side by Michael Lewis
The Lost City of Z by David Grann
The Zookeeper’s Wife by Ackerman
People of the Book by Gwendolyn Brooks
One Day in the Life of Ivan Danisovich by Solzhenitsyn
As I Lay Dying by William Faulkner
Snow Falling in Spring by Li
The Three Musketeers by Dumas
The Ghost Map by Steve Johnson
Welding with Children by Tim Gantreaux
The Lone Survivor by Marcus Littrell
Revolver by Marcus Sedgewick
Cannery Row by Steinbeck
Things Fall Apart by Chinua Achebe
The Road by Cormick McCarthy
Mountains Beyond Mountains by Tracy Kidder
Girl in Translation by Jean Kwok
Have a Little Faith by Mitch Albom
Into Thin Air: A Personal Account of the Mount Everest Disaster by Krakauer
Archbishop Walsh Academy - IB English 11TH Grade Summer Reading List
3 Required Works: These works are required reading for summer project submissions and
class discussions at the start of school in September 2012. All incoming 11th grade IB English
students are expected to be prepared to participate in class projects and in-class discussions
based on these readings. See project choices and submission deadlines below.
Required Reading #1: The Things They Carried by Tim O’Brien
Required Reading #2: Metamorphosis by Franz Kafka
Required Reading #3: Out Stealing Horses by Per Petterson
PROJECTS: You must complete one project for each of the three books. You may use one of the
projects ideas twice.
1) Assume the voice of the main character of the book that you read. Write a journal as if
you were this character. Your journal should capture events in the character’s life, the
character’s reactions to those events, emotions exhibited by the character, questions,
plans, ideas that may have been present in the character’s mind at various points during
the book. Be sure to include a minimum of ten journal entries of 50 words minimum,
each, details from the book that are relevant to the main character and anything else
you deem to be part of a journal (photographs, drawings, sketches, artifacts the
character may have collected, etc.) Be creative! Please type your work and use proper
conventions of English.
2) Create a PowerPoint in which you name and describe the character traits and character
development of the protagonist and two additional characters in the novel. Use specific
examples and quotes to support your discussion of each character. Include details
regarding each character’s actions, reactions, relationships to other characters,
attitudes, etc. Summarize what happens to each chosen character from the start to the
finish of the novel. The PowerPoint should be a minimum of 15 slides. Be sure to
include in-text citation and works cited page.
ALL projects are due on the first day of school, or may be submitted to the school office during summer.
Teachers will be using projects as discussion topics and for presentations during the first days of school.
Archbishop Walsh Academy - IB English 12th Grade Summer Reading List
Required Works: These works are required reading for summer project submissions and class
discussions at the start of school in September 2012. All incoming 12th grade IB English students are
expected to be prepared to participate in class projects and in-class discussions based on these
readings. See project choices and submission deadlines below.
Required Reading #1: Jonathan Swift essay, “A Modest Proposal.”
Project #1: Write a 400-word essay on the topic of irony in Swift’s essay, “A Modest Proposal.” Explain
the effect of the word “modest” in the title as well as giving four instances of irony found in the essay.
Explain how each example demonstrates irony and discuss why Swift might have used irony instead of
making straight forward statements. Be sure to use specific examples and quotes with in text citation
for each example.
Required Reading #2: Maya Angelou essays found in Letter to My Daughter – “Philanthropy,” “Home,”
and “Keep the Faith.”
Project #2: Choose one of the Maya Angelou essays and write a 350-word essay, in which you identify
the theme and tone of the essay. Include as part of your essay a reflection on the message Angelou has
conveyed.
Required Reading #3: Zora Neal Hurston essay, “How it Feels to be Colored Me.”
Project #3: Write a 350-word essay on the Zora Neal Hurston piece in which you identify the theme and
tone of the essay. Include as part of your essay a reflection on the message Hurston has conveyed.
Required Reading #4: 16 Poems by Langston Hughes: “Dream Variations”, “Easy Boogie”, “Harlem
(Dream Deferred)”, “Mother to Son”, “Negro Speaks of Rivers”, “The Weary Blues”, “Theme for English
B”, “Po’ Boy Blues”, “The Dream Keeper,” “The Ballad of the Landlord”, “Trumpet Player”, “Madam and
Her Madam”, “Love Song for Lucinda”, “Lincoln Monument: Washington”, “Lonesome Place”, “Life is
Fine”. These can be found online here: http://www.poemhunter.com/langston-hughes/poems/
Project #4: After reading the sixteen poems by Hughes, research the biography of the author and the
time period during which he lived and wrote. Then choose four of the poems and create a PowerPoint
in which you discuss how each of the poems chosen conveys the socio-historical context in which they
were written, and how the author’s personal background contributed to each. Be sure to discuss the
author’s use of literary devices in each poem that contribute to its effectiveness. The PowerPoint
should be a minimum of 20 slides and should include specific lines from each poem and details from the
biographical research. Be sure to include in-text citation and a works cited page.
ALL projects are due on the first day of school, or may be submitted to the school office during summer.
Teachers will be using projects as discussion topics and for presentations during the first days of school.
PROJECT CHOICES FOR 6TH, 7TH AND 8TH GRADE
Directions: Students may choose to do one of the following projects for each of the three books read.
Choices may be repeated. Be sure to complete each project according to its directions. Be sure to
follow ALL directions and do your best work.
1) Make a large poster board collage to depict important scenes, characteristics and events from
your book. Cut up magazines, newspapers or use your own drawing/painting talents. On the
back of your collage write at least four hundred words that explain/describe what you have
chosen to put on the collage and why these scenes are significant. Do not assume this is the
easy way out. These collages are expected to be works of art. In your collage, include the title
and author of your book in a creative manner.
2) Assume the voice of the main character of the book that you read. Write a journal as if you
were this character. Your journal should capture events in the character’s life, the character’s
reactions to those events, emotions exhibited by the character, questions, plans, ideas that may
have been present in the character’s mind at various points during the book. Be sure to include
a minimum of ten journal entries of 50 words minimum, each, details from the book that are
relevant to the main character and anything else you deem to be part of a journal (photographs,
drawings, sketches, artifacts the character may have collected, etc.) Be creative! Please type
your work and use proper conventions of English.
3) Type a two to three page letter of 500 words minimum to either the author of the book you
have read or to a character found in your book, expressing your satisfaction with the book. In
your letter, be sure to include:
a. Proper letter format
b. The title of the book you have read
c. Multiple paragraphs explaining multiple aspects of the book (plot, events, character
development, setting, theme, etc.)
d. Many, many details from the book that pertain to your thoughts and ideas
e. Any questions you may have for the author or the character
f. A thoughtful ending to your letter
g. Proper conventions of English (pretend you are actually sending this letter to the
publisher)
ALL projects are due on the first day of school, or may be submitted to the school office during summer.
Teachers will be using projects as discussion topics and for presentations during the first days of school.
PROJECT CHOICES FOR 9TH, 10TH, 11th AND 12TH GRADE
Directions: Students may choose to do one of the following projects for each of the three books read.
Choices may be repeated. Be sure to complete each project according to its directions. Be sure to
follow ALL directions and do your best work.
1) Make a large poster board collage to depict important scenes, characteristics and events from
your book. Cut up magazines, newspapers or use your own drawing/painting talents. On the
back of your collage write at least four hundred words that explain/describe what you have
chosen to put on the collage and why these scenes are significant. Do not assume this is the
easy way out. These collages are expected to be works of art. In your collage, include the title
and author of your book in a creative manner.
2) Assume the voice of the main character of the book that you read. Write a journal as if you
were this character. Your journal should capture events in the character’s life, the character’s
reactions to those events, emotions exhibited by the character, questions, plans, ideas that may
have been present in the character’s mind at various points during the book. Be sure to include
a minimum of ten journal entries of 50 words minimum, each, details from the book that are
relevant to the main character and anything else you deem to be part of a journal (photographs,
drawings, sketches, artifacts the character may have collected, etc.) Be creative! Please type
your work and use proper conventions of English.
3) Write a newspaper article, minimum 500 words, complete with headline that centers on the
main conflict in the book you have read. Grab your reader’s attention with a catchy headline,
use details from the book to best explain the events that transpired in the book, and do your
best to paint the main character as a hero/heroine that your readers will sympathize with. Be
creative! Use your imagination to create a newspaper style final product. Type your work and
be sure to use proper conventions of English. (Pretend you are actually sending this letter to a
newspaper editor.)
ALL projects are due on the first day of school, or may be submitted to the school office during summer.
Teachers will be using projects as discussion topics and for presentations during the first days of school.