English Department
Philosophy
We believe that reading can be a pleasurable experience for all students, and that it is a skill that can and must be developed through practice. As such, we value summer reading as a vehicle to exercise young minds, to increase literacy, and to cultivate a love of reading.
Purpose
The primary goal of summer reading is to maintain essential skills and to motivate students to read books that are both challenging and appealing. For students in Honors and AP courses, summer reading has the additional purpose of supplementing the curriculum.
Assessment
On the first Friday of the academic year, a summer reading test will be taken by all students, regardless of which English class they are taking or which semester they are scheduled to take it. This assessment, an essay test, will be used to hold students accountable for meeting the summer reading requirements and to give teachers a baseline writing sample that will enable them to gauge students' incoming skill level.
Obtaining Books
Before leaving for summer vacation, students will know which English class they are entering in September or January and should consult the appropriate section of the reading list. Students are encouraged to buy their own books. Underlining, highlighting, and annotating personally owned books is also recommended. Several area bookstores have our reading list and will have books available. Students may also borrow books from the Attleboro Public Library.
Notice to Guardians
Although the books on this list are appropriate for high school students, both students and guardians should be aware that some books contain adult topics with adult language and/or controversial material. Different students and families have different perspectives on what is most appropriate for a student's best choice so please review these books carefully before deciding which ones are most appropriate for your child.