Requirements for MHS English Department

Reading

 

9th Grade College Prep
Required Reading (CHOOSE ONE):

1. The Absolutely True Diary of a Part-Time Indian- Sherman Alexie
2. March- John Lewis
3. Everyday- David Levithan
4. A Separate Peace- John Knowles
5. Taking Hold- Fransisco Jimenez
6. Piecing Me Together-Renee Watson
   
7. The Hate U Give by Angie Thomas
8. Being Jazz: My Life as a (transgender) Teen by Jazz Jennings

Assignment: Directions for the written assignment can be found here: Summer Reading Puzzle Project

 

9th Grade Honors
Required Reading (CHOOSE ONE):

1. Animal Farm by George Orwell
2. The Iliad by Homer
3. The Hate U Give by Angie Thomas
4. The Namesake by Jhumpa Lahiri
5. Little Women by Louisa May Alcott
6. Pride and Prejudice by Jane Austen
7. Brave New World by Aldous Huxley
8. Maus by Art Spiegelman
9. The Hobbit by J.R.R. Tolkien
10. Mr. Penumbra's 24-Hour Bookstore by Robin Sloan
11. Student Choice*

Assignment:  There is no required assignment other than reading. We do, however, encourage you to take notes for yourself on the concept of identity (how it is shaped, impacted, changed, etc.), how one’s home shapes one’s identity, significant quotes, and notable literary devices (like symbolism, themes, motifs, etc.). *Note: You may choose a book(s) off of the provided list and/or a book(s) of your choice.

 

10th Grade College Prep
Required Reading (CHOOSE AT LEAST ONE):

1. The Perks of Being a Wallflower - Stephen Chbosky
2. Simon vs. The Homo Sapiens Agenda - Becky Albertalli
3. Jane Eyre - Charlotte Bronte
4. The Sun Also Rises - Ernest Hemingway
5. Look Me in the Eye - John Elder Robison
6. The Care and Feeding of Ravenously Hungry Girls - Anissa Gray
7. Sula - Toni Morrison
8. Student Choice

Assignment:  There is no required assignment other than reading. We do, however, encourage you to take notes on significant quotes and notable literary devices (such as symbolism, themes, motifs, etc.). *Note: You may choose a book(s) off of this list and/or a book(s) of your choice.

 

10th Grade Honors
Required Reading: To Kill A Mockingbird, Harper Lee

Assignment: Take notes for yourself on the concept of identity (how it is shaped, impacted, changed, etc.), how one’s home shapes one’s identity, significant quotes, and notable literary devices (like symbolism, themes, motifs, etc.).

 

11th Grade College Prep AND Honors
Required Reading (CHOOSE AT LEAST ONE): 

1. All the Light We Cannot See - Anthony Doerr
2. A Knock at Midnight - Brittany K. Barnett
3. Born a Crime - by Trevor Noah 
4. Hotel on the Corner of Bitter and Sweet - by Jamie Ford
5. Sissy: A Coming of Gender Story - Jacob Tobia
6. The Cruel Prince - Holly Black

Assignment: There is no required assignment. We encourage you to take notes on significant quotes and notable literary devices (like symbolism, themes, motifs, etc.).

 

Advanced Placement Language & Composition
Required Reading:

1. The Overachievers: The Secret Lives of Driven Kids - Alexandra Robbins
2. Choose one (1) “Required Choice Text” listed on the AP Language & Composition Summer Reading Assignment doc HERE

Assignment: Detailed assignment requirements and expectations for both readings are outlined on the AP Language & Composition Summer Reading Assignment doc linked HERE

 

Advanced Placement Literature & Composition
Required Reading:

1. The Goldfinch by Donna Tartt

Assignment: Detailed assignment requirements and expectations for the reading are outlined on the AP Literature & Composition Summer Reading Assignment doc linked HERE

 

12th Grade College Prep AND Honors

In recognition of the time many of our seniors will be investing in college applications and personal narratives over summer break, there is no required reading for any senior College Prep or Honors classes.  We do, however, have a recommendation:
Recommended Reading for ALL 12th Grade College Prep and Honors Courses:

1-Where You Go is Not Who You Will Be- Frank Bruni

Please note that personal narrative workshop time will be incorporated into the first semester in all senior classes. Students are encouraged to begin working on their personal narratives, regardless of their post-graduation plans.

 

A pdf version of the information on this page can be found HERE.