Beth Tfiloh Dahan Community High School
Reading List 2015
*represent new entries
All entries are listed alphabetically by title. Names in parenthesis represent those students/faculty who
have recommended the book and have written the synopsis.
Adventures in Darkness
Tom Sullivan
(Lindsay Dermer ’10)
As an 11 year-old blind boy, Sullivan tries to live a “normal” life like sighted kids. This is an entertaining
story of a boy with disabilities struggling to “fit in” with other neighborhood children.
The Agent: My 40-Year Career Leigh Steinberg
Making Deals and Changing the Game
(Zack Steinmetz '14)
Leigh Steinberg, once aspiring to become a public defender as a law student, became a sports agent when
Steve Bartkowski, a star quarterback who became the first overall pick in the NFL draft, asked his RA to
represent him. Steinberg went on to become the greatest sports agent in history, until he lost it all to
alcoholism. Throughout his story, Steinberg details his experiences signing and negotiating contracts for
some of the best NFL, NBA, MLB, and NHL players.
The Alchemist
Paulo Coelho
(Devin Krol ’11)
This novel follows an Andalusia shepherd boy named Santiago as he travels from Spain to Egypt in search of
treasure buried in the Pyramids. On this journey, Santiago meets a gypsy woman, a king, and an alchemist
who direct Santiago on his quest.
All Other Nights
Dara Horn
(Mrs. Schorr, Mr. Bruner)
A Civil War spy page-turner meets an exploration of race and religion in 19th-century America. Jacob
Rappaport, the 19 year-old scion of a wealthy Jewish import-export family, flees home and enlists in the
Union army to avoid an arranged marriage. When his superiors discover his unique connections, he is sent
on espionage missions that reveal an American Jewish population divided by the Mason-Dixon Line, but
united by business, religious and family ties. This novel is fraught with the potential for peril, betrayal,
tragedy and redemption.
All the King’s Men
Robert Penn Warren
(Paul Rosen ’13)
Loosely based on the life of Louisiana politician Huey Long, this novel chronicles Willie Stark’s epic rise and
fall from power and Jack Burden’s tumultuous quest for self-discovery. Through these dual stories, this
tragic novel examines the role of history in man’s quest for knowledge.
*All The Light We Cannot See Anthony Doerr
(Mr. Bruner)
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A blind French girl and a German boy meet in occupied France as they both try to survive the devastation of
World War II. Winner of the Pulitzer Prize
American Gods
Neil Gaiman
(Jesse Halpern ’11)
Gods exist because people believe in them. As people’s values change, new gods arise to challenge the old
ones. In the United States, technology, drugs, and popular culture threaten to weaken organized religion.
Can Shadow, an ex-convict, help diffuse the tension between conflicting ideals, or will the divine world
dissolve to chaos?
Angela’s Ashes
Frank McCourt
(Marcie King ‘09)
This memoir recounts the author’s life in Ireland and in America as he endures countless obstacles including
poverty. Ultimately, overcoming these hardships leads to the healing power of forgiveness.
Apollo 13
Jim Lovell/Jeffrey Kluger
(Elyse Shumsky ’13)
This story portrays the failed Apollo 13 mission to the moon. The authors describe the team work that
occurred to return the astronauts safely to Earth.
The Art of Racing in the Rain
Garth Stein
(Ellie Blanco ’10, Ethan Cuttler ‘15)
Enzo, on the eve of his death, narrates all that he and his family have experienced. Although the narrator is
a dog, this unique point of view presents many life experiences. I loved this book.
As a Driven Leaf
Milton Steinberg
(Mrs. Schorr)
A classic work in the genre of historical fiction, this book tells the story of Elisha Ben Abuye, a Talmudic sage
who is tormented by a crisis of faith. The story is set in Second Temple times, with a backdrop of Greek and
Roman culture which lends texture to the setting. Although there are no easy answers offered, the
questions posed are deep, thought-provoking, and relevant.
Atonement
Ian McEwan
(Rachel Miller ’11, Micaela Gelman ’13)
After 13 year-old Briony Tallis falsely accuses her sister’s lover of a serious crime, she struggles to find the
right words to atone for her transgression. Widely considered a modern classic, McEwan constructs a world
where the line that separates truth from imagination is blurred until the very end of the novel.
From Beirut to Jerusalem
Thomas Friedman
(Aaron Karacuschansky’13)
Through his personal journey, Friedman interprets the composite of the Middle East. The book captures the
psychological mannerisms of the people of Lebanon and Israel and draws parallels between the two
disparate societies of Arabs and Israelis by focusing on each one’s long search for identity.
Beneath a Marble Sky
John Shors
(Mrs. Jaffe)
Jahanara, the daughter of the 17th century emperor of Hindustan, narrates the story of the extraordinary
relationship between her parents and their love that inspired the construction of the Taj Mahal. This
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historical novel transports the reader to 17th century India where love, betrayal, and war consume everyday
life.
Bitter is the New Black
Jen Lancaster
(Arielle Steinmetz ’10)
In this hilarious memoir, Jen Lancaster struggles for two years as she attempts to find a job after losing her
high paying VP of marketing position. The once materialistic ex-sorority girl learns the value of money and
what is truly important in life.
The Blessing of a Broken Heart Sherri Mandell
(Adiva Berkowitz ’12)
Koby Mandell and his friend Yosef Ishran were stoned to death in a cave located in the desert. Koby’s
mother wrote this book to share her challenges to find meaning in her life and to honor her son.
Bust
Adam A. Resnick
(Seth Schulder ’10)
This true story chronicles Resnick’s gambling addiction that led to the downfall of Universal Federal Savings
and Loan and his conviction of bank fraud.
Cancer Schmancer
Fran Drescher
(Elana Sandler '14)
Fran Drescher, the star of "The Nanny," tells her story of battling cancer. Throughout her journey she learns
a lot about the importance of family, friends, love, and happiness and the importance of knowing one's own
body. *Recommended for 11th and 12th grade
The Cardturner
Louis Sachar
(Eli Tettelbach’13)
Pressured by his parents to impress his “favorite uncle” Lester, Alton Richards finds a new direction for his
bewildering life when he spends his summer turning cards for his uncle at his bridge club. Alton learns not
only about bridge but also about interpersonal relationships, trust, and love.
Carlisle vs. Army
Lars Anderson
(Daniel Hefter ’10)
This book recounts the monumental football game that pitted America’s finest athlete, Jim Thorpe, against
Dwight D. Eisenhower, a future war hero and president.
The Chaperone
Laura Moriarty
(Mrs. Steinberg)
In 1922 Cora Carlisle leaves her husband and home in Wichita to chaperone fifteen-year-old Louisa Brooks
on a month-long trip to New York, only a few years before Brooks would become a famous actress an icon
for her generation. Cora has her own reasons to venture to New York, hoping to discover the answers
about her past that go to the core of her identity. The radical social changes of the time period will have
lasting effects on both Louisa and Cora. (Recommended for 11th and 12th grade students)
Cheap
Ellen Ruppel Shell
(Rabbi Frank)
“…This non-fiction book argues that the American drive toward bargain-hunting and low-price goods has a
hidden cost in lower wages for workers and a reduced quality of goods for the consumer.”
-Publishers Weekly
Chronicles: Volume I
Bob Dylan
(Mr. Pedroni)
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This stunning memoir captures the authentic voice of one of America’s most compelling poet-songwriters.
Read this book if you want to learn about the enigmatic life of Dylan as well as the creative ferment of the
folk-rock 1960s. This is a must read for all Bob Dylan fans.
Clapton
Eric Clapton
(Matt Somerville ’09, Joshua Pertman ‘12)
Recognized as one of the most influential guitarists in the history of rock and blues music, Clapton’s memoir
relates the hectic tale of his life from his social problems in youth to his drug addiction. Anyone interested
in the life of a renowned musician free of self-promotion and gimmicks will enjoy this novel. Because of its
realistic portrayal of Clapton’s life, this book is appropriate reading for juniors or seniors.
In Cold Blood
Truman Capote
(Sam Supnick ’09, Rebecca Abbott ‘12)
This novel is a shocking true-life murder mystery, masterfully written. The riveting plot unfolds like a
present-day horror movie, all the more horrific because it is firmly rooted in true events.
The Color of Water
James McBride
(Mrs. Zigelman)
This magnificent, true survival story details the life of a bi-racial young man raised by a black father and a
white mother who grew up in an orthodox Jewish family. Despite experiencing overt anti-Semitism and
racism, the author and his numerous siblings achieve remarkable success due to their mother’s love and
devotion.
The Count of Monte Cristo
Alexandre Dumas
(David Howarth ’11)
Bursting with adventure, excitement, and endless twists, The Count of Monte Cristo recounts how Edmund
Dantes seeks revenge on those who had ruined his life.
The Covenant
Naomi Ragen
(Erika Reif ‘09)
During the Holocaust, four women made a covenant to guard each other’s lives forever. Decades later, one
of the women’s families is kidnapped in Israel by terrorists during the Intifada. The four women use the
strength of their covenant to battle the forces of evil once again.
Cradle to Cradle
William McDonough
(Rabbi Frank)
This non-fiction book represents “a manifesto calling for a new industrial revolution, one that would render
both traditional manufacturing and traditional environmentalism obsolete.” -Amazon.com Review
The 188th Crybaby Brigade:
Joel Chasnoff
A Skinny Jewish Kid from Chicago Fights Hezbollah
(Eric Trattner ’13)
A skinny Jewish kid from Chicago finds himself joining the Israeli Defense Forces after college. As he was a
former Solomon Schechter student, the Jewish culture and the Hebrew language is nothing new to him.
However, once he was assigned to the 188th Armored Brigade, the Jewish nation he thought he knew was
replaced by a far more absurd and shocking one.
Crunchy Cons
Rod Dreher
(Rabbi Frank)
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At a time when the Republican party, and conservative movement in general, is bitterly divided over what it
means to be conservative, Dreher introduces us to a people who are pioneering a way back to the future by
reclaiming what’s best in conservatism…” -from Amazon.com
Darkness at Noon
Arthur Koestler
(Harley Katz ‘09)
In this thrilling, suspenseful novel set during Stalin’s purge trials of the 1930s, the protagonist imprisoned
for his beliefs, ultimately must decide between saving his life or condoning the excesses of of the regime he
helped to establish.
Day after Night
Anita Diament
(Mr. Schneider)
Based on historical events at the end of World War II, this novel tells the story of four young women, all
Holocaust survivors from different parts of Europe, who meet near Haifa in the British-run Atlit
international camp for “illegal” immigrants. Through shared experiences and the challenges of forging new
identities in a new country, the four protagonists “find salvation in the bonds of friendship.”
Deadline
Chris Crutcher
(Harrison Hoffman ’12)
Deadline tells the story of a high school student named Ben Wolf who has one year to live. How would you
spend your time if you knew what Ben knew?
Defying Hitler
Sebastian Haffner
(Mrs. Frank)
This memoir describes the life of an ordinary German citizen during the end of the Weimar Republic and the
rise of Nazism. Haffner, a non-Jew, illustrates what it was like to oppose Nazism in an increasingly more
totalitarian society, and depicts ways in which ordinary Germans were swept up in Nazi fervor, forgetting
what Nazi ideology meant.
Delivering Happiness
Tony Hsieh
(Zach Silverman’13)
In 1999, at the age of twenty-four, Tony Hsieh sold LinkExchange, the company he co-founded, to Microsoft
for 265 million dollars. He then joined Zappos as an advisor and investor and eventually became its CEO.
He helped Zappos grow to a 1 billion dollar annual gross merchandise sales company.
Down and Out in Paris and London
George Orwell
(Brandon Gelfen ’14)
George Orwell disguises himself as a nomadic, homeless man in Paris and London to learn about the
struggles that the poor experience in France and England.
Dry
Augusten Burroughs
(Emily Koslow ’10)
In this memoir, Burroughs portrays his life as a drinking and sober alcoholic. Through dark humor and
haunting observations, he chronicles the ultimately overwhelming desire to live.
Ellen Foster
Kaye Gibbons
(Mr. Schneider)
A young white girl in the rural South faces domestic violence and homelessness as she struggles to make a
place for herself in the world. Taking advantage of her good heart and quick mind, Ellen eventually finds
comfort in the loving embrace of a black family.
Ender’s Game
Orson Scott Card
(Ari Benjamin ‘09, Brian Dudley ‘09)
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After aliens have attacked the earth twice and almost destroyed the planet, the world government decides
to breed military geniuses to combat the aliens and save the world.
Europa, Europa
Solomon Perel
(Joseph Troy ’12)
Europa, Europa depicts a Jewish boy who poses as a German orphan during WWII to hide his true identity.
Every Last One: A Novel
Anna Quindlen
(Rabbi Frank)
“Mary Beth Latham is a happily married woman entirely devoted to her three teenaged children. When her
talented daughter Ruby casually announces she's breaking up with her boyfriend Kirenan, a former
neighbor who is like family, Mary Beth is slightly alarmed, but soon distracted by her son Max, who is
feeling overshadowed by his extroverted, athletic twin brother Alex. Quindlen's novel moves briskly,
propelled by the small dramas of summer camp, proms, soccer games and neighbors, until the rejected
Kirenan blindsides the Lathams, and the reader, with an incredible act of violence. Left with almost nothing,
Mary Beth struggles to cope with loss and guilt, protect what she has left, and regain a sense of meaning.
“Copyright © Reed Business Information, a division of Reed Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.
Everything is Illuminated
Jonathan Safran Foer
(Henry Sholk ’11)
A young man sets out to find the woman who may have saved his grandfather from the Nazis. On his trip
the man is accompanied by an old man haunted by war memories. I found this book extremely entertaining
as it was filed with comedy and interesting plot twists. (Content and language in this book may be
appropriate for juniors and seniors)
Exodus
Leon Uris
(Evan Sandler ‘10, Ilana Levin ‘12)
This historical fiction demonstrates the Jewish struggles to obtain a homeland in Palestine and recover from
the horrors of the Holocaust.
The Eye of the Needle
Ken Follett
(Mrs. Allen, Mrs. Ginsberg)
Using late World War II as a backdrop for an exciting tale of espionage, Ken Follett brings together a ruthless
German spy and a resourceful young English woman, a combination that serves as a catalyst for the Allied
victory. Even if you have not tried spy novels, you will enjoy this book.
Far From the Tree: Parents, Children and the Search for Identity Andrew Solomon
(Rabbi Frank)
This eye opening, thoughtful book explores the way that we as a society and culture explore difference,
identity and disabilities. It contains chapters borne out of years of interviews with and research on families
coping with issues of deafness, dwarfism, Down syndrome, autism, schizophrenia, multiple severe
disabilities, prodigies, homosexuality and criminality in the family unit.
The Finish: The Killing of Osama bin Laden
Mark Bowden
(Evan Lieberman ’13)
In this gripping account of the hunt for the most notorious man of the 21st century, Mark Bowden details
the sentiments of top American officials after 9/11 as they began to search for Osama bin Laden. Bowden
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describes the determination and hard work in which the Navy Seals and the CIA analysts engaged to find the
terrorist.
Flowers for Algernon
Daniel Keyes
(Ethan Tucker ‘09, Joanna Rapoport ‘10, Micah Lehmann ‘10)
This extremely engaging story describes the tale of a mentally challenged individual who receives an
experimental drug to increase his intelligence. Keyes questions the effects of science attempting to play G-d
as the protagonist learns the positive and negative effects of his newfound knowledge.
Following Ezra: What One Father Learned
Tom Fields-Meyer
About Gumby, Otters, Autism, and Love from his Extraordinary Son
(Marisa Kassimir ’13)
This inspiring book traces the experiences of a father as he raises a child he did not expect, a son with
autism. It highlights the difficulties as well as the loving and joyful moments that transpire with this unique
child. Lastly, it offers insight that the father must not attempt to change his son, but he must follow his
son's ways in order to lead a happy life.
The Forger
Cioma Schonhaus
(Sara Shefter ’10, Avi Fagan ‘12)
This memoir reflects Cioma’s struggles of losing his family and friends while he tries to help save a number
of Jews by using his skills as a graphic artist. An interesting read, Cioma gives the reader a new view of the
Holocaust and the lives of Jews fortunate enough to escape the Nazis.
Freakonomics
Steven D. Levitt/Stephen J. Dubner
(Jacob Finglass ’12)
Prepare to be fascinated as the authors apply the principles of economics to unravel misconceptions about
cheating, drug dealers, and even baby names in an attempt to understand the world.
Freefall
Anna Levine
(Mrs. London)
While Abigail Jacobs prepares for high school graduation and compulsory service in the IDF, her friend Shira
tries out for a troupe of entertainers. Abigail survives a physically and mentally grueling boot camp with the
help of Noah, Shira’s brother. A realistic narrative and a romance give this novel universal appeal.
The Friday Night Knitting Club Kate Jacobs
(Julie Friedman ’13)
A group of women from several different and diverse backgrounds meet at a knit shop every Friday night
and become a supportive group of friends, depending on each other as they deal with twists and turns in
their lives.
Funny in Farsi
Firoozeh Dumas
(Mr. Bruner, Dulaney Hassan’11, Marissa Zamanian ‘12)
This humorous collection of short stories chronicles the immigrant experience in the United States as the
author and her family acclimates to a new environment. Living in America with a funny sounding name, and
with relatives who cannot understand cultural differences often leads to humorous as well as insightful
points about racial profiling and stereotypes.
A Game of Thrones
George R.R. Martin
(Sam Hirsh ’12)
This fantasy novel describes how the great houses of the Seven Kingdoms fight for the Iron Throne. Those
who are fantasy enthusiasts and medieval history buffs will enjoy this book.
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In the Garden of Beasts
Erik Larson
(Mrs. Harans)
During the first years of Hitler’s reign, the American ambassador to Germany and his daughter become
players in the story of Hitler’s obsession with absolute power. The New York Times called this novel “the
best and most enthralling work of novelistic history.”
Girl with a Pearl Earring
Tracy Chevalier
(Mrs. Schorr)
An evocative story based on the work of Dutch Masters painter Johannes Vermeer. Hauntingly recounted,
the book deals with the intensity of the artistic process, and with the human issues of loyalty and betrayal.
The Glass Castle
Jeanette Walls
(Julie Harrans ’13, Kaitlyn Hubberman ’13)
In her memoir, Walls recounts stories of her childhood at the hands of her poverty-stricken and
dysfunctional parents. Walls strives for the education and values that her parents fail to provide.
The God Delusion
Richard Dawkins
(Raanan Gurewitsch ’14)
In The God Delusion, Richard Dawkins, an evolutionary biologist from Cambridge University in the United
Kingdom, presents a radical naturalist perspective on the order of the universe and the origin of life. While
doing so, Dawkins’ primary goal is to show that the existence of an omnipotent, intervening God is
incompatible with modern science.
The Good Earth
Pearl S. Buck
(Leora Friedman ‘10)
This novel follows the life of Wang Lung, from his beginnings as an impoverished peasant to his eventual
position as a prosperous landowner. Buck combines descriptions of marriage, parenthood, and complex
human emotions with depictions of Chinese reverence for the land. Winner of the Pulitzer Prize for fiction
in 1932.
Hank Greenberg, The Story of My Life
Ira Berkow
(Danny White ’12)
While Hank Greenberg was raised in an observant Jewish home in the Bronx, Greenberg transcended Jewish
stereotypes and followed his passion for baseball overcoming anti-Semitism throughout his career.
Have a Little Faith
Mitch Albom
(Gabe Krivenko ’11)
When an 82 year-old rabbi from Albom’s hometown asks him to deliver his eulogy, Albom returns to Detroit
where he meets a reformed drug dealer who is now a pastor. This pastor’s poor, homeless congregation
learns to live by faith. This book is a timely, moving, and inspiring look at faith: not just who believes, but
why he believes.
The Help
Kathryn Stockett
(Mr. Bruner, Mrs. Schorr)
Three women from different backgrounds set out to challenge the social and racial boundaries in the South
during the civil rights movement.
A Higher Call: An Incredible True Story Adam Makos and Larry Alexander
of Combat and Chivalry in the War-Torn Skies of World War II
(Jake Horowitz ’13)
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A Higher Call follows the lives of American 2nd Lieutenant Charlie Brown and the German 2nd Lieutenant
Franz Stigler and their encounter in the skies. As an ace Messerschmitt fighter, Stigler was the pride and joy
of the German Air Force. During World War II, both Stigler and B-17 captain Brown were sent on attack
missions where their lives collided in an intense stare at each other across the sky. Stigler’s shooting skills
allowed him to be able to shoot down Brown’s plane at any second, but in that second where Stigler’s and
Brown’s eyes met, Stigler sought to avoid fighting any more in World War II.
The History of Love
Nicole Krauss
(Mrs. Steinberg)
In this coming-of age novel, a teenage girl who has lost her father and an elderly Holocaust survivor who has
lost virtually everyone discover their own truth through the power of the written word. Set in a modernday New York City, the novel spans continents and time periods to explore the ways in which we are
ultimately connected to one another.
Hole in my Life
Jack Gantos
(Jordana Eisenberg ’10)
As a child Jack Gantos dreamed of becoming a writer. After his family is forced to move to Puerto Rico,
Gantos finds a way to escape to New York to pursue his writing career. This expedition, though, lands him
in a federal prison. In his memoir, Gantos addresses his childhood troubles, his time in prison, and the
lessons he learned from each experience.
Homage to Catalonia
George Orwell
(Sam Supnick ‘09)
Orwell’s thrilling memoir of life as an anarchist in the Spanish Civil War provides the inspiration for his later
masterpiece, 1984. This book is an interesting historical read with plenty of moral fiber.
The Hope
Herman Wouk
(Mr. Gurewitsch)
David Harris wrote, “The story of the Jewish nation is the wondrous realization of a 3,500-year link between
a land, a faith, a language, a people, and a vision. It is an inspiring story of tenacity and determination, of
courage and renewal, of the ascendancy of hope over despair.”
Hotel on the corner of Bitter and Sweet
Jamie Ford
(Shira Goldstein ’11)
An aging Chinese man discovers the old “Panama Hotel’ which holds secrets in its basement. As he explores
these artifacts left by Japanese citizens prior to their internment, he tries to piece together information
about an old hidden love.
How to Buy Stocks
Louis Engel/Harry Hecht
(Yossi Kuttler ’13)
This book provides the key insights into the world of investments including stocks, bonds, mutual funds, and
the workings of the stock exchange.
I Was Told There'd be Cake
Sloane Crosley
(Meredith Smith ’14)
This is an excellent memoir that shows the life of an average woman in her mid 20s. Crosley's clever way of
writing portrays her struggles, from getting locked out of her apartment not once but twice in one day, to
dealing with a difficult boss and living as a vegetarian.
I’d Like to Apologize to Every Teacher I Ever Had:
My Year as a Rookie Teacher at Northeast High
Tony Danza
(Rabbi Frank)
10
This is an excellent year-long reflection by actor Tony Danza, who took the risk of teaching in an inner city
high school for one year.
The Illustrated Man
Ray Bradbury
(Emily Kozlow ‘10)
Blending science fiction with acid social commentary, Ray Bradbury weaves together vivid depictions of
witches, extraterrestrial life, and the coming of the messiah to develop disturbing insights into human
nature.
The Immortal Life of Henrietta Lacks
Rebecca Skloot
(Mrs. Steinberg, Jennifer Franklin ’13)
In her fascinating New York Times bestseller, Rebecca Skloot tells the true story of Henrietta Lacks, an
African American woman whose cells – collected without her knowledge by Johns Hopkins researchers in
the 1950s – became the basis for medical research spanning from the polio vaccine to AIDS treatments. A
non-fiction account, the story of Lacks, her family and the researchers reads like a detective novel.
Interpreter of Maladies
Jhumpa Lahiri
(Rachel White ‘09, Mr. Bruner)
This book of short stories examines the experiences of Indians, in both their native country of India and the
United States. Although the characters range from couples dealing with marriage to college students
looking for the American dream to poor servants trying to survive, they share the common human struggle
to adapt to unfamiliar situations, times, and people.
Into Thin Air
Jon Krakauer
(Mr. Green)
This non-fiction book recounts the gripping tale of a 1996 disaster on top of Mount Everest when Krakauer
and a team of climbers become stranded on the apex in a storm. This is an emotionally-charged, page
turning account of a true-life adventure.
Is Everyone Hanging Out Without Me? Mindy Kaling
(Jenna Miller ’14)
This memoir is a collection of funny experiences leading up to and through her job as a writer on The Office.
Kaling's comedic take on life as a modern, single, ethnic, and self-admittedly chubby girl makes this memoir
enjoyable, relatable, and hysterical.
Ishmael
Daniel Quinn
(Gabby Levey ’11)
This book focuses on a series on conversations between the narrator Ishmael, a gorilla, and his student as
they review the history of mankind on this planet and the detrimental effects that humans have caused on
the environment. Through these conversations, the reader learns that a society that is measured primarily
in economic terms is a society destined for unhappiness.
Invasion of the Body Snatchers
Jack Finney
(Rebecca Hefter ’13)
When his high school lover returns to town, Dr. Miles Bennell’s patients start experiencing weird feelings
that their family members are not really members of their family. His colleague suggests that the patients
are experiencing an unreal, mental epidemic. Can Miles discover the reason behind the community’s
behavior, or will his town crumble from these psychotic people?
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Ironweed
William Kennedy
(Mr. Schneider)
William Kennedy’s Pulitzer Prize-winning novel draws on both the history of Depression-era Albany and the
supernatural to portray Francis Phelan’s struggles with guilt, alcohol, poverty, homelessness, violence, and
mystical visions. Often confusing the living with the dead and vice versa, former baseball player Francis
seeks reconciliation with his Irish-American family.
Juicing the Game
Howard Bryant
(Leizer Steppa ’14)
Through investigative journalism, Bryant explores how steroids and other performance-enhancing drugs
tainted baseball from the 1990s to 2005.
Kaaterskill Falls
Allegra Goodman
(Dr. Portnoy, Mr. Green)
A beautifully told (and hard to put down!) series of intertwined stories surrounding a fictional ultraOrthodox Jewish community that spends winters in New York City and summers in the bucolic community
named in the title. Goodman’s novel, set in the 1970s, is a richly nuanced view of the many personalities
that comprise a complex and textured community that is often presented in a stereotypical, monolithic
light.
Kaddish
Leon Wieseltier
(Rabbi Frank)
This book is a personal journey of mourning and a scholarly Judaic work. It brilliantly weaves its way
through the author’s year of mourning and contains important messages about family, life, death, and our
place in the world as Jews and as human beings. This book will count as two books read for this coming
year.
Krakatoa
Simon Winchester
(Sarah Greenberg ’12)
A great read for history lovers and avid readers alike, this novel details the infamous annihilation of the
volcano island in 1883. This historically accurate work relays the intricate details of “the day the world
exploded.”
*The Last Alibi
David Ellis
(Jocie Broth ’15)
Incapable of stopping a serial killer without breaking his attorney-client oath and losing his career, Jason
Kolarich, a well-known defense attorney, must unravel the truth before he loses everything.
The Last Song
Nicholas Sparks
(Ali Stampfer ’14)
Veronica “Ronnie” Miller, a rebellious teenager from New York, is sent with her younger brother to North
Carolina for a summer visit with their father. Ronnie meets Will and finds herself falling in love for the first
time.
Leap Into Darkness
Leo Bretholtz
(Mason Bernstein '14)
This thrilling memoir tells the story of Leo Bretholtz's life on the run across Europe in order to escape Nazi
persecution. The reader is kept on edge as Leo constantly experiences close calls with Nazi forces.
To the Last Breath: A Memoir of Going to Extremes
Francis Slakey
(Corey Weinapple ’13)
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This book describes how Francis Slakey devotes his life to journey to the most amazing places on earth. He
sets out to climb the highest mountain of each continent and ride every ocean wave. Slakey goes to the
extreme points in his life-threatening adventures and dives deep down inside the human spirit.
A Lesson Before Dying
Ernest J. Gaines
(Aaron Finglass ’13)
In this novel set in a small Cajun community in the late 1940s, Jefferson, a young black man, is an unwitting
party to a liquor store shoot out in which three men are killed. The only survivor, Jefferson is convicted of
murder and sentences to death. Wiggins, a teacher at the plantation school, befriends Jefferson. In the end,
these two men forge a bond as they both understand the simple heroism of resisting and defying the
expected.
Letter to My Daughter
Maya Angelou
(Mrs. Steinberg)
In this collection of short autobiographical essays, Angelou offers life lessons to “her daughter”- women
everywhere. Angelou’s own experiences as an unwed mother, the victim of an abusive boyfriend, a writer
and a teacher struggling with her own prejudices and those of society shape the stories she tells. Because
of its realistic portrayal of Angelou’s life, this book is appropriate reading for juniors or seniors.
Let the Right One In
John Ajvide Lindqvist
(Max Spitz ’12)
Endlessly tormented by bullies, 12 year-old Oskar lives through life as a loner with a morbid curiosity. When
a girl his age, Eli, moves into the apartment next to his, Oskar begins to learn the truth about Eli’s vampire
state.
Levels of the Game
John McPhee
(Brenden Seidel ’13)
This book describes a tennis match between Arthur Ashe and Clark Graebner alternating between the
match and profiling the participants, contrasting their family backgrounds. This book delves into social
issues like poverty and racism.
Liars Poker
Michael Lewis
(Evan Albert ’11)
Michael Lewis' memoir of his time on Wall Street was truly captivating. He reminisces about how he
entered the world of finance and what everyday life was like as a Wall Street employee.
Like Dreamers
Yossi Klein Halevi
(Lani Roskes ’14)
Like Dreamers follows the lives of seven paratroopers in the Six Day war.
A Long Way Gone: Memoirs of a Boy Soldier
Ismael Beah
(Jordan Loux ’11,
Ashley Sefret ’12, Erin Kuntz ‘12)
In this powerful memoir, Ismael tells his story of how he got caught in a Civil War in his home country of
Sierra Leon as a young boy. Throughout the book, you see how the war affects him. From running from the
fighting to being a part of it, you get an up close view of war through a child’s eyes. I recommend this book
because it shows the horrors of war, and shows the psychology of the soldiers who fight in them .
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Look Homeward Angel
Thomas Wolfe
(Mr. Bolenbaugh)
This is the first of the five novels that describe life in the American South and in New York City in the 1920s.
In this novel, Wolfe focuses on his youth and education at the University of North Carolina Chapel Hill. He
describes in great detail his family, and the characters he meets in his emerging adulthood.
The Long Emergency: Surviving
James Howard Kunstler
the Converging Catastrophes of the Twenty-First Century
(Rabbi Frank)
“Discerning an imminent future of protracted socioeconomic crisis, Kunstler foresees the progressive
dilapidation of subdivisions and strip malls, the depopulation of the American Southwest, and, amid a world
at war over oil, military invasions of the West Coast; when the convulsion subsides, Americans will live in
smaller places and eat locally grown food. Credit Kunstler with an energetic argument, but whether he has
achieved his stated goal--waking up an ostensibly somnolent public--via his relentless and alarmist
pessimism remains to be seen.” -Gilbert Taylor
*Love Letters to the Dead
Ava Dellaira
(Shani Goloskov ’15)
What starts out as an English assignment quickly becomes a way for Laurel to cope with everything life has
thrown at her- her sister’s death, beginning high school, new friendships and more. She tells her story
through letters written to famous people like Kurt Cobain.
Madame Bovary
Gustave Flaubert
(Jessica Marder ’10, Jodana Suldan ‘11)
This novel tells the tragic tale of Emma Bovary, a woman chronically dissatisfied with her life, bored with
her husband, and desperate for adventure. Recognized by critics as one of the best novels ever written,
Mademe Bovary’s complex characters, moral questions, and surprise ending have pleased generations of
readers.
Major Pettigrew’s Last Stand
Helen Simonson
(Mrs. London)
Major Ernest Pettigrew lives in a small village in the English countryside. Wry, courtly, and opinionated,
Major Pettigrew leads a quiet life valuing the proper things that Englishmen have lived by for generations.
But then his brother's death sparks an unexpected friendship with Mrs. Jasmina Ali, the Pakistani
shopkeeper from the village. Drawn together by their shared love of literature and the loss of their
respective spouses, the Major and Mrs. Ali soon find their friendship blossoming into something more. But
village society insists on embracing him as the quintessential local and her as the permanent foreigner. Can
their relationship survive the risks one takes when pursuing happiness in the face of culture and
tradition? This funny and beautifully written book, with its quirky characters and compelling plot, has some
important underlying messages and will keep the reader turning pages!
*The Martian
Andy Weir
(Alex Goldstein ’15)
Six days ago, astronaut Mark Watney became one of the first people to walk on Mars. Now, he is sure that
he will be the first person to die there.
The Martian Chronicles
Ray Bradbury
(Mrs. Allen, Emily Kozlow ‘10)
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From “Rocket Summer” to “The Million-Year Picnic”, Ray Bradbury’s short stories of the colonization of
Mars form an eerie mesh of past and future. Expedition after expedition leaves Earth to investigate Mars,
but the Martians guard their mysteries well. This collection of excellent science fiction stories criticizes
some of modern society’s weaknesses.
*Memoirs of a Geisha
Arthur Golden
(Anna Balfanz)
In the 1930’s, a young Japanese girl is taken from her fishing village and sold to an okiya, a boarding house
for geisha. From her childhood to adulthood, Chiyo undergoes the struggles and triumphs of living in the
house, going through training, and ultimately becoming a renowned Japanese geisha.
*The Maze Runner
James Dashner
(Chase Berman ’15)
In this thriller, a teenage boy named Thomas arrives in the Glade, where he experiences memory loss.
Through suspenseful and heart-wrenching scenarios, Thomas and the other boys fight for survival as they
attempt to find the answers to questions about the Glade and their purpose.
Memoirs of a Teenage Amnesiac
Gabrielle Zevin
(Sara Beth Adler ’14)
In this book, Naomi Porter falls down a flight of stairs and hits her head. After the fall, she can't remember
anything since sixth grade. She can't remember her best friend, her boyfriend, or even her parents’ divorce.
Mila 18
Leon Uris
(Mrs. Klaff, Mrs. Allen, Andrew Lebowitz ’12)
This novel about the Warsaw uprising is a timeless story of the Jewish struggle for survival against
overpowering Nazi oppression.
The Moon and Sixpence
W. Somerset Maugham
(Mrs. Munitz)
This book represents the fictionalized account of Paul Gaugin’s decision to leave his wife, children, and
business to head for the South Pacific to paint.
Modoc
Ralph Helfer
(Kacy Stein ’13)
Spanning seven decades and three continents, Modoc is one of the most amazing animal stories ever told.
Raised together in a small German circus town, a boy and an elephant formed a bond that would last their
entire lives and would be tested many times.
Mother Night
Kurt Vonnegut
(Gideon Wolf ’10, Matthew Goldberg ’11))
This novel is a psychological thriller exploring the life of a former Nazi spokesman as he battles through
mysterious circumstances after World War II.
My Sister's Keeper
Jodi Picoult
(Shoshana First ’13)
Anna is not sick, but she might as well be. As a bone marrow match for her sister Kate, dying
from leukemia, she undergoes countless surgeries and transfusions. Unlike most teenagers, she has
always been defined in terms of her sister -- and so Anna makes a decision that for most would be
unthinkable, a decision that will tear her family apart and have perhaps fatal consequences for the
sister she loves.
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My Stroke of Insight
Jill Bolte Taylor, Ph.D
(Yossi Muroff ’10)
Jill Bolte Taylor, a Harvard trained brain scientist, describes her fascinating journey from a debilitating
stroke to full recovery.
Night Road
Kristen Hannah
(Chandler Pierce ’13)
Judy Farrady, a mother of twins Mia and Zach, lives in an upper middle class community. Mia befriends
Lexi, a former foster child, who spends countless hours with Mia and her family. Lexi falls in love with Zach
and the three friends become inseparable. A car accident ruins this relationship.
NurtureShock: New Thinking About Children Po Bronson and Ashley Merryman (Rabbi Frank)
“The central premise of this book by Bronson (What Should I Do with My Life?) and Merryman, a
Washington Post journalist, is that many of modern society's most popular strategies for raising children are
in fact backfiring because key points in the science of child development and behavior have been
overlooked. “ - Publishers Weekly
No Impact Man
Colin Beaven
(Rabbi Frank)
“Beavan (Fingerprint) chronicles his year-long effort to leave as little impact on the environment as possible.
Realizing that he had erred in thinking that condemning other people's misdeeds somehow made [him]
virtuous, he makes a stab at genuine (and radical) virtue: forgoing toilet paper and electricity, relinquishing
motorized transportation, becoming a locavore and volunteering with environmental organizations. Beavan
captures his own shortcomings with candor and wit and offers surprising revelations: lower resource use
won't fill the empty spaces in my life, but it is just possible that a world in which we already suffer so much
loss could be made a little bit better if husbands were kinder to their wives.” -Publisher’s Weekly
Not Me
Michael Lavigne (Michelle Safferman ‘09, Mr. Bruner, Eric Manski ‘12)
When the protagonist receives a box of old journals from his father who suffers from Alzheimer’s disease,
he begins to investigate his father’s past that takes the reader from life in the concentration camps in
Poland to a complicated love story in Israel. Is the narrator’s father a Nazi or a benefactor of Israel?
Once We Were Brothers
Ronald Balson
(Julian Sless ’13)
This book begins in the present and transitions to the story of an 83 year-old Holocaust survivor who plans
to accuse a man of being a former Nazi SS Officer. Through flashbacks, the survivor tells the life of two
young boys and their families struggling to survive in deteriorating Poland.
One Bullet Away
Nathaniel Fick
(Jeremy Zuckerberg ‘09)
Following his undergraduate years at Dartmouth, Nathaniel Fick, a Marine officer, traces his military service
in Afghanistan and Iraq following the tragedy of 9/11.
One Day in September
Simon Reeve
(Henry Sholk ’11)
At 4:30 am on September 5, 1972, a group of Palestinian terrorists took eleven Israeli athletes and coaches
hostage at the Summer Olympic Games in Munich. This book recounts, documents, and analyzes one of the
most devastating and politically explosive tragedies of the late 20 th century.
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*188th Crybaby Brigade…
Joel Chasnoff
(Jenn Miller ’15)
This hilarious account of a young Jewish American’s journey in the IDF will resonate with all teens.
Chasnoff’s experiences shed light onto the harsh and often comical realities of young people serving in the
Israeli Defense Forces.
One Thousand White Women
Jim Fergus
(Andrea Piccioto ’13)
This book chronicles the life of May Dodd and other pioneer women who, under the auspices of the US
government, travel to the western prairies in 1875 to intermarry with Cheyenne Indians. This controversial
“Brides for Indians” program, launched by the administration of Ulysses S. Grant, sought to assimilate the
Indians into the white man’s world.
One True Thing
Anna Quindlen
(Mrs. Ginsberg)
This is the story of an adult woman whose father asks her to put her life on hold in order to take care of her
mother who is dying. There is a twist in the story that will keep the reader wondering who is responsible
for the mother’s death and how each character grows wiser as death approaches.
*The Orphan Train
Christina Baker Kline
(Mr. Bruner)
Between 1854 and 1929, “orphan trains” transported thousands of abandoned children from East Coast
cities to rural families in the Midwest. These orphans had no idea what might await them at their final
destination. With the help of a young girl, an elderly Vivian Daly recalls her turbulent life as an orphan
when they clean out an old trunk in Vivian’s attic.
Outliers
Malcolm Gladwell
(Billy Mont ’13)
An exploration of the sociological phenomenon of high achievement, this book upends the conventional
wisdom of success. Using narratives of Canadian hockey players, the Beatles, Bill Gates and others,
Gladwell portrays how success is not determined by innate ability, but by timing, circumstance, culture, and
tenacity.
Out of the Depths
Rabbi Israel Meir Lau
(Mr. Green)
Little Luleck Lau was the youngest child to survive Buchenwald. He grew up to become the chief Ashkenazi
Rabbi of the State of Israel. In this easy read and compelling autobiography, Rabbi Lau tells his
extraordinary life story.
The Pact
Jodi Picoult
(Jenny Sloane ’11)
Growing up neighbors and life long friends, it is no surprise when Chris and Emily fall in love. However,
their families’ lives are changed forever when they learn that Emily has been shot in what appears to be
part of a suicide pact.
Passing
Nella Larsen
(Mr. Schneider)
Two lifelong friends from Harlem in the 1920s contend with the temptations and pitfalls of “passing for
white” in an American society dominated by racist policies.
Pay It Forward
Catherine Ryan Hyde
(Sarah Moshman ’11)
17
What would the world be like if instead of paying people back, we paid them forward? Relentless and
determined to bring a light of kindness to the world, Trevor McKinney, a twelve yea-old student,
strategically constructs a plan to help three people who will each help another three people and so on.
Trevor refuses to back down from his task regardless of the obstacles that stand in his way or the dangers
that threaten his life.
People of the Book
Geraldine Brooks
(Mr. Fuller)
Hanna, a book conservationist, not only restores the Sarajevo Haggadah but also discovers clues within the
ancient holy book that take the reader through a series of stories that reconstruct its long and varied
history. Interspersed between the stories of the Haggadah is Hanna’s own story, her own history.
The Perks of Being a Wallflower
Stephen Chbosky
(Carly Greenberg ’14)
This is a novel about a boy who does not fit in with his peers. He writes letters to an anonymous person in
hopes of acquiring a non-judgmental friend.
Percy Jackson and The Olympians Book One (The Lightning Thief) Rick Jordan
(Noa Cardin ’14)
This adventure novel is filled with humor, love, and excitement as Percy Jackson learns about his father who
left him at birth. Discovering that his father is the Greek god Poseidon carries Percy on a quest that can save
the world.
The Piano Teacher
Janice Y. K. Lee
(Mrs. Steinberg )
Through an array of characters from Chinese and British socialites to brutal Japanese military, Janice Lee’s
first novel depicts the intrigue and brutality of Japan’s attack on Hong Kong during WWII as well as the
aftermath still occurring ten years later. The Piano Teacher has a little something for everyone: romance,
betrayal, murder, and international political intrigue. Mature themes: recommended for juniors and
seniors.
Playing the Enemy
John Carlin
(Eric Eidelman ’11)
Carlin tells the story of how Nelson Mandela used rugby as a unifying force in post apartheid South Africa.
The movie Invictus is based on the events in this novel.
*Play Their Hearts Out …
George Dohrmann
(Jordan King ’15)
Play Their Hearts Out reveals the cutthroat world where boys as young as eight or nine are subjected to a
dizzying torrent of scrutiny and exploitation to succeed in basketball.
Please Excuse My Daughter
Julie Klam
(Isabella Shapiro ’13)
This book takes place in New York. Growing up, Julie's parents spoiled her with everything she could want
and sometimes even put luxuries before priorities. She grew up knowing she was going to marry a rich
husband and raise her children the same way; however, when that perfect rich man didn't come sweep her
off her feet, Julie didn't know what to do. Julie learns to change her ways, a difficult transition.
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The Power of Nice; How to Negotiate So Everyone Wins-Especially You!
Ron Shapiro (Eli Davis ’12)
Shapiro, a corporate lawyer, teacher and expert negotiator, demonstrates through personal experiences
how simply being nice and building strong relationships represent the keys to any successful negotiation.
The Promise
Chaim Potok
(Leora Friedman ‘10)
This novel, a sequel to Potok’s The Chosen, portrays the continued friendship between Reuven, who lives in
Brooklyn studying to be a rabbi, and Danny, a psychologist. After Reuven discovers that his girlfriend’s
relative, Michael, suffers from depression and anger, his concern for Michael eventually leads him to
reunite with his friend Danny.
A Random Walk Down Wall Street
Burton G. Malkiel
(Eli Plaut ’11)
Malkiel explains to anyone interested in the stock market the background information needed to make wise
investment decisions as he evaluates the full range of investment opportunities.
Rashi
Elie Wiesel
(Mrs. Munitz)
In this book we get a brief biography of Rashi, a number of examples of his commentary on Genesis and
other parts of the Bible, and some very interesting examples of Responses, Rashi's responses to questions
sent to him from Jewish communities throughout Europe. These reveal a lot about the gentle character of
this famous rabbi.
Rebecca
Daphne Du Maurier
(Rachel Cohen ’10)
A young woman marries a widower with a hidden scandal and a housekeeper obsessed with his dead wife.
Rebecca is a novel of mystery and passion, a dark psychological tale of secrets and betrayal.
The Red Necklace: A Story of the French Revolution
Sally Gardner
(Mrs. London)
A Gypsy boy, Yann, and the dwarf who has raised him are caught up in drama on and off the stage, where
they work with a magician and his automaton. Gardner sweeps the reader into the turbulent time,
dissecting eighteenth century French society and the evolution of the revolution, from the yearning for
liberty to the chaotic revolutionary bloodbath.
The Reluctant Fundamentalist
Mohsin Hamid
(Joshua Sloane ‘09, Mr. Bruner)
In Pakistan, an American meets a stranger named Changez who tells his life story about living in America as
a Muslim. Chagez relates his initial infatuation with the American dream and his disenchantment with
America.
Retief Unbound
Keith Laumer
(Gil Lehmann ’13)
This book is a collection of short stories and a novella, “Retief’s Ransom,” set during a Cold War-like
diplomatic conflict between the Terrans of Earth and the Groaci of plant Groac over control of the galaxy.
The Rising Tide
Jeff Shaara
(Joel Cohen ’10)
This historical fiction novel about WWII focuses on the North African theatre along with the beginnings of
the American Italian campaign. Shaara provides the reader a view of some of the most popular figures of
the war, such as Field Marshal Rommel and Supreme Commander Dwight D. Eisenhower.
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A River Runs Through It and Other Stories
Norman Maclean
(Mr. Monroe)
Maclean’s descriptions leave one’s senses abuzz with the limitless beauty of the Bitteroot region of
Montana. Moreover, his characters are as crusty and vibrant as the natural world that they inhabit.
The Road
Cormac McCarthy
(Gideon Wolf ’10, Mr. Bruner)
In the wake of global destruction, a father and a son must make their way to warmer weather, struggling to
find food and shelter along the way. McCarthy reveals the true bond between a father and son in this
breathtaking tale of adventure and drama.
Room
Emma Donoghue
(Helaine Wilkowsky ’11, Lidan Simhi ‘12)
Five year-old Jack, the narrator, has lived his entire life in a single 11’x11’ room with his mother. Although
he is happy in this confinement, everything changes when his mother tells him the story about where they
live and why they live in the room.
Roses
Leila Meachem
(Atara Vogelstein ’11)
Mary Tolliver struggles with maintaining her family’s cotton plantation while she also remains loyal to those
close to her. Instead of taking the “easy way out,” Mary commits herself to a life of toil, hardship, and
regret as she forsakes beauty and romance for pride and dignity.
Sailing Alone Around the Room
Billy Collins
(Paul Rosen, ’13)
In this best-selling collection of poems, Poet Laureate Billy Collins finds meaning in the experiences of
everyday life.
Sag Harbor
Colson Whitehead
(Mrs. Steinberg)
This coming-of-age story follows a group of African American teenage boys as they spend their summer
navigating the world of Sag Harbor, their small vacation community in the affluent Hamptons. In a style
similar to J.D. Salinger’s Catcher in the Rye, Whitehead presents the details of typical teenage life for this
group of boys who struggle with the conflicting feelings of privileged private school students in a world that
expects them to be downtown hip-hop cool. Recommended for juniors and seniors.
Sarah’s Key
Tatiana de Rosnay
(Erika Reif ’09, Frankie Simone ‘11)
This novel parallels two stories of Sarah, a 10 year-old Jewish girl lived in Paris in 1942, and Julia Jarmond,
an American journalist lives in Paris in 2002. After much research, Julia reveals the eerie connection she has
with Sarah. This discovery causes Julia to examine her life and question the decisions that she has made.
The Secret Life of Bees
Sue Monk Kidd
(Judy Gerstenblith ’09, Tara Danels ’11)
Lily Owen and her “stand-in mother,” Rosaleen, flee from their house and escape to Tiburon, South
Carolina, a town that supposedly holds the secret that will reveal her mother’s past. This novel
encompasses the critical themes of female power, the ability to cope with a difficult loss, finding
forgiveness, and discovering one’s true identity.
She Said Yes
Misty Bernall
(Ali Summerfield ’14)
20
This memoir is told by the mother of the late, Cassie Bernall, who was killed in the shooting at Columbine
High School. It illuminates the most remarkable aspects of 17 year-old Cassie’s tragic death and her life.
Slave: My True Story
Mende Nazer
(Yaki Weingarten’14)
Slave depicts the true life story of Mende Narzer, a native Nubian from southern Sudan. Throughout the
book Nazer struggles for survival after being abducted and forced into slavery by the northern Sudanese
militia. Slave gives a unique and rare glimpse of modern world slavery.
Snow Flower and the Secret Fan
Lisa See
(Maia Witow ’13)
This 19th century novel focuses on women in China, specifically two girls who are set up to be a laotong pair,
a companionship even closer than a husband’s and wife’s. The novel depicts a sisterly bond between the
two girls as they struggle through the pain of feet binding, marriage, poverty, and death.
Some Danger Involved
Will Thomas
(Mrs. London)
A private detective and his sidekick attempt to solve a murder mystery in the Jewish quarter of Victorian
London. If you liked Sherlock Holmes and Watson, you will definitely enjoy reading about Cyrus Barker and
Thomas Llewelyn.
Son of Hamas
Mosab Hassan Yousef
(Caitlyn Franks ’14)
Son of Hamas is narrated by a young man named Mosab, who discovers that his father is one of the seven
ringleaders of Hamas, a terrorist organization located in the West Bank in Israel. Mosab tells his journey of
working undercover for the Shin Bet, and how he became a double agent between Israel and Hamas.
Spartan Child
Clive Cussler/Grant Blackwood
(Aryeh Weinrauch ’13)
This novel focuses on husband and wife environmentalists who explore the Great Pocomoke Swamp in
Delaware, but they find a WWII German U-boat. When they find a bottle of wine belonging to Napoleon’s
“lost cellar,” they decide to search for the rest of the bottles. Others also want the hidden treasure.
Speak
Laurie Halse Anderson
(Danielle Gelber ’12, Channa Rifkin ’12)
As a high school freshman, Melinda lost her ability to speak. Ever since this traumatic event at a party over
the summer, she has chosen to remain silent as she strives to confront her enemy and prove her honesty.
Start Up Nation:
Dan Senor, Paul Singer
The Story of Israel’s Economic Miracle
(Mrs. Beth Steinberg)
In the 20th century, Israel has emerged as a leading global economic player particularly in the fields of
science and technology. How does a country plagued by bitter Middle Eastern rivals emerge as a critical
leader in world economics? Israel’s culture, environment, military training, open immigration policies and
fight for survival play a major role in fostering its unprecedented success.
Start Something That Matters
Blake Mycoskie
(Louis Bookoff ’13)
21
This book takes readers on the journey of the founder of TOMS Shoes, Blake Myocskie. The book gives great
business advice and shows the inner workings of his business in vivid details. It also tells the story of the
brand and the inspiration behind it.
Steve Jobs
Walter Issacson
(Ian Lever ’12)
Detailing the erratic life of one of our generation’s most compelling figures, Walter Isaacson provides a
comprehensive perspective to the mastermind behind much of today’s innovations.
The Story of Edgar Sawtelle
David Wroblewski
(Mrs. Zigelman)
A poignant story for dog lovers who enjoy observing the complications and intricacies of human
relationships, this book follows the twists and turns in the development of a mute boy.
The Storyteller
Jodi Picoult
Sage Singer is a baker who works through the night, preparing the day’s breads and pastries, trying to
escape a reality of loneliness, bad memories, and the shadow of her mother’s death. When Josef Weber, an
elderly man in Sage’s grief support group, begins stopping by the bakery, they strike up an unlikely
friendship. Despite their differences, they see in each other the hidden scars that others can’t, and they
become companions. When Josef confesses a secret and asks Sage to help him, she faces both moral and
legal implications.
The Sweetness at the Bottom of the Pie Alan Brady
(Emily Miller ’12)
In the English countryside of the 1950s, Flavia de Luce, an 11 year-old chemistry prodigy, investigates the
murder of a stranger on her father’s property. This fictional story entertains the reader with suspense,
humor, and eccentric characters.
The Things They Carried
Tim O’Brien
(Mr. Green, Sam Supnick ‘09)
Arguably the most significant piece of fiction representative of the Vietnam War, this collection of short
stories follows the experience of a platoon of American soldiers fighting deep in the jungles of Vietnam.
This book contains blunt and frank descriptions of what war is like.
A Thousand Splendid Suns Khaled Hosseini (Jordan Pipkin ‘09, Lizzy Solovey ’09, Rebecca Kraut ‘11)
The second book by the author of The Kite Runner outlines the many tribulations Afghani women endure
and the desperate steps that some take to become individuals. Two Afghan women whose paths cross
when they both marry the same man struggle to overcome the male-dominated Afghani society. This book
contains mature language and scenes that portray realistically how some Muslim women are treated.
The Tiger’s Wife
Tea Obrecht
(Jen Sykes ’12, Michelle Czinn ’12)
This novel weaves three related stories: a young doctor investigates her father’s mysterious death, recounts
what she discovered while she researched his childhood, and recalls the stories her grandfather told her
about his encounters with the “Deathless Man.” The three stories deal with the nature of death, the
relationship between death and the struggles of living, and the relationship between truth, secrets, and lies.
The Tipping Point
Malcolm Gladwell
(Ian lever ’12)
22
Demonstrating how small ideas catch on, Gladwell utilizes varying riveting examples spanning from the
exponentially expanding suicide rate in Micronesia to the popularity of Sesame Street to argue that a series
of patterns and factors catalyze each tipping point phenomenon.
Treasure Box
Orson Scott Card
(Shari Kurland ’10)
This novel tells a tale of Quentin Fears, a man with a troubled past and an even more troubling present.
When he was 10 years old, his older sister was killed in a car accident and is seemingly haunted by her
memory. After he marries, his idealistic relationship takes a turn for the worse when she takes him home to
meet her rather mysterious and very peculiar family.
The Trial
Franz Kafka
(Matt Somerville ‘09)
This novel is a terrifying tale of Joseph K., a respectable bank officer who is suddenly and inexplicably
arrested and must defend himself against a charge about which he has no information.
Triangle
Katharine Weber
(Mrs. Frank)
Esther Gottesfeld, the last survivor of the deadly 1911 Triangle Shirtwaist Factory fire, has been telling her
story of the fire for decades, but what really happened to her remains unclear. As the next generation tries
to determine what really happened to Esther, the real story becomes clear, bringing new meaning to the
greatest tragedy in New York City prior to the 9/11 attack.
Trinity
Leon Uris
(Dr. Portnoy)
In this richly researched historical novel of Ireland, Baltimore-born author Uris turns his attention to thirty
years of turbulent Irish history, as seen through the fictional lives of the three representative families.
When I read this book in high school, it immediately (together with Exodus) became an “all-time favorite.”
*Unbroken
Layra Hillenbrand
(Arielle Albert ’15)
Unbroken depicts the true story of Louis Zamperinin, a skilled Olympic runner who enlists in the army air
corps and becomes a bombardier during World War II. The novel follows Zamperini’s quest for survival in
an inhumane Japanese POW camp.
Uglies
Scott Westerfield
(Rachel Miller ’10)
Starting with the fast-paced Uglies, Westerfield’s series, set in a futuristic (yet both believable and realistic)
time, examines society as a whole, especially society’s obsession with beauty and plastic surgery. The
novel’s adventurous and rebellious protagonist, tally Youngblood, must journey out of her comfortable life
to bring her best friend home. With interesting technologies and plot twists, romance and conspiracy,
Uglies provides an examination of what we see as important in life.
Water for Elephants
Sara Gruen
(Simone Shapiro ’10)
Set during the Great Depression, this novel chronicles the life of a young Cornell University veterinary
student who runs away and joins the traveling circus after the sudden death of his parents.
Watership Down
Richard Adams
(Bobby Rubin ‘10)
In this allegory, a warren of rabbits flees as a result of the destruction of their home by land developers.
Along their journey, the rabbits encounter numerous challenges as their goal and beliefs become clearer.
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What’s Left of Me?
Kat Zhang
Mackenzie Chyatte ‘13
Set in a futuristic era, this book depicts a girl who shares her body with another soul. The two girls must
fight to remain undetected by the government, who weed out those who are “unsettled” and still have two
souls. Through a journey of love, strength and action, both Eva and Addie find a way to coexist.
Where We Belong
Emily Giffin
(Morgan Mzhen '14)
Marian Caldwell is a 36 year-old television producer living her dream life in New York City. One night, 18
year-old Kirby Rose knocks on Marian's door, bringing back a past that Marian thought she had left behind
forever. Suddenly, Marian's life is turned upside down and she is forced to remember a love affair she had
when she was a teenager. Together, Marian and Kirby go on a journey to find the one thing that is missing
from their lives.
*Where’d You Go Bernedette
Maria Semple
(Helyn Steppa ’15)
Bernadette Fox is notorious. To her Microsoft-guru husband, she’s a fearlessly opinionated partner; to
fellow private-school mothers in Seattle, she’s a disgrace; to design mavens, she’s a revolutionary architect,
and to 15 year-old Bee, she is a best friend and, simply Mom. Then Bernadette disappears.
The Witch’s Boy
Michael Gruber
(Mrs. London)
This fantasy novel begins when a witch finds her baby so ugly that the note with it reads, “The devil’s child
for the devil’s wife.” The more the witch underestimates parental responsibility, the more hurt and angry
the boy becomes. The boy and his mother locked in their own selfishness must fight through
disappointment, hatred, and anger to find forgiving love.
The World to Come
Dara Horn
(Mrs. Frank)
A young Jewish man steals a million dollar Chagall painting from a museum during a singles’ cocktail hour.
As the story about why the man stole the painting unfolds, the reader is taken back to 1920s Soviet Russia
where Marc Chagall originally paints the stolen art piece. The two stories mystically intertwine with
references to history, theology and folklore.
Wickett’s Remedy
Myla Goldberg
(Mr. Schneider)
An Irish-American shop girl marries a wealthy young medical student in Boston just prior to the outbreak of
the Spanish Influenza Epidemic of 1918. Amid sudden upheaval and tragedy, Lydia eventually works as a
nurse in an experimental hospital designed to find information about the mysterious and deadly disease.
I Will Plant You a Lilac Tree
Laura Hillman
(Zoe Eisnberg ’12)
As she attended a Jewish boarding school, Hannelore Wolff is informed that the Nazis have taken her
family. To reconnect with her family, Hannelore sends a letter requesting her deportation to the Nazis.
Shifting between concentration camps, Hannelore still manages to find treasured friendships and
everlasting love.
The Winter of Our Disconnect
Susan Maushart
(Elliot Heller ’13)
24
In this humorous memoir, Australian single mother of three Susan Maushart chronicles her family’s sixmonth odyssey without technology. Mason describes the reasons she made the move, the challenges the
family faced, and the unexpected results the experiment yielded.
Women Heroes of WWII
Kathryn J. Atwood
(Miriam Pomerantz ’13)
These short stories take place in Germany, Poland, the Netherlands, France, Belgium, Denmark, Great
Britain, or the United States. The book demonstrates how women refused to sit around and not participate
in the war. Readers take a look at the strides women made to make a difference.
Wrestling Jacob: Deception, Identity,
and Freudian Slips in Genesis
Shmuel Klitsner
(Rabbi Frank)
“The book Wrestling Jacob presents close readings of the biblical stories of Jacob from both literary and
psychological perspectives. The readings explore the relationship between text and subtext as reflecting the
relationship between the conscious and subconscious. On one level, this book is about Jacob's personal
wrestling with his own angels and demons, his struggle to build a ladder between his own internal heaven
and earth. On another level, it is about deceptions of us and of others that threaten the fragile development
of our identities. .. Wrestling Jacob introduces a new way to read the Bible, in which unusual word choices,
odd syntax, and striking parallels conspire to reveal profound new meanings in an ancient text.”—
Amazon.com
The Zookeeper’s Wife: A War Story
Diane Ackerman
(Leora Friedman ’10)
This book tells the true, unique story of two heroes of WWII, Jan and Antonia Zabinski, zookeepers of the
Warsaw Poland Zoo, who risked their lives to rescue and safeguard Jews from Nazi persecution