Reading Lists

Summer Reading

 

"Once I began to read, I began to exist." 

~Walter Dean Myers 

 

Scroll down to "Related Files" for the AP Language and AP Literature summer reading assignments.

Below you will find some guidelines for summer reading along with book list recommendations for students entering Grades 9 – 12. 

Frequently Asked Questions

 

Are there specific books that students must read over summer vacation?

  • This summer, students enrolled in AP English Literature and Composition (Grade 12) receive required reading assignments that must be completed by the start of school. Students were added to a Schoology course to receive this information. The counseling office can assist students with Schoology course access. Questions regarding the assignment can be directed to Colleen Hall (colleen_hall@bcsd.org) or Kathryn Muniz (kathryn_muniz@bcsd.org). Students will read Americanah by Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie as well as excerpts from the King James Bible. Texts are available at Brighton High School or can be secured from the local library or purchased (if a student so chooses , but purchase is not required).  Join the AP Literature Summer Reading Course in Schoology by using the access code: 9XJ3-MWVN-VWPSN. Students will need access to Schoology, go to "My Courses," select "Join Course" and type in the code provided. Students are not joining a group; they are joining a course. 
  • Students enrolled in AP English Language and Composition (Grade 11) have information about reading options provided to them in a Schoology course. The counseling office can assist students with Schoology course access. Questions regarding this material can be directed to Trish Annese (trish_annese@bcsd.org), Julie Capossere (julie_capossere@bcsd.org) or Jenna Legault (jenna_legault@bcsd.org). The Schoology access code for AP Language and Composition is G6S5-RTCP-J8D25. Students will need access to Schoology, go to "My Courses," select "Join Course" and type in the code provided. Students are not joining a group; they are joining a course. 
  • All other students are encouraged to read as much as possible, but no specific titles are required. Links to popular book lists are available below. 

Will students be tested on summer reading in September?

  • Only students in AP Language and Literature can expect to be assessed in September, but not without additional instruction and support. All other students will benefit from summer reading because their reading skills will grow stronger; consequently, they will be more prepared for their upcoming academic courses.

What types of books should students read over the summer?

  • Parents should work with their teenagers to select a variety of reading experiences. We encourage students to read fiction and non-fiction, poetry and drama, essays and short stories. Variety in selection and variety of challenge level are important for developing readers. Titles suggested on the websites below along with the numerous book lists provided on the Internet can be helpful in the search for good summer reading. 
  • While it may be tempting to get a jump on texts read during the school year, we discourage students from choosing core English texts as their summer reading to maintain the community experience of reading a text with peers in a class. The Core Text List can be found here: https://www.bcsd.org/Page/15147

Related Files