2023-2024 Summer Reading Information
The English Department requires reading over the summer to keep our students’ reading and critical thinking skills sharp and to provide a common starting point for our classes in the fall. To that end, each course will assign 1 (or more for Honors and AP courses) anchor text/required text. We also want SPX students to find books that they personally enjoy and engage with, so there is a choice novel requirement as well. Both English department members and other faculty/staff at SPX have compiled book recommendation lists to share their top choices and favorites with the community. These are simply suggestions, but hopefully you’ll find something to pique your interest!
All English students must check their individual course for the reading assignments, annotation guidelines, and the teacher point-of-contact should they have any questions. Some courses require assignments in addition to annotating, so students should read their assignment documents carefully.
The choice novel also has an assessment component attached to it. Students have a choice of 3 creative approaches to this, and it is due on the first day of class in August. During the first weeks of fall semester, all English classes will discuss and assess the books that you will read over the summer. These books, in addition to the accompanying activities and assessments, comprise the first unit of the year. Annotated books and reading assignments will be due the first day of school, so please make sure they’re on hand and ready to submit when requested.
If you have difficulty locating any books, you can order them on the Internet from either Amazon or Barnes & Noble. Please be sure to purchase the specific ISBN ( the number usually beginning with 978…) listed next to the book title. This will ensure that you get the proper edition for class. Unless the summer reading doc specifically says otherwise, we expect you to have the correct ISBN for each of your texts.
Again, please read through everything in the summer reading overview document for your grade and course level. If you still have questions, then email the teacher listed in that document as the point-of-contact.
If you are unsure of your English placement, please email Ms. Dent, the English department chair.
Happy reading!