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2014 Summer Reading Program 11th grade
2014 Summer Reading Program
11th Grade
Summer Reading Instructions:
All students are required to read TWO books this summer:

ONE Required book (Neverwhere)

ONE Free Choice book that each student will select from the list that begins on the next
page
Books must be read in their entirety by the time the 2014-2015 school year begins. Assessments
on the summer reading books will be conducted by each student’s English teacher in the fall
semester. Students will receive further instructions at that time.
CP English: No other summer reading work is required
Honors/AP: Students can select one required book from the Free Choice list, but they must
complete all additional books assigned for all of their advanced courses
11th Grade Required Book:
Neverwhere (Gaiman):
One of the most admired and influential writers of our time, Neil Gaiman imagines an
underworld below London. This is a darkly funny fantasy about an ordinary young man who
falls through the cracks (both literally and metaphorically) and finds himself in London Below, a
shadow world beneath the city where the lost, forgotten, and outcast go. At times, it is hard to
tell the difference between London Above and London Below, and for Richard Mayhew, it will be
even harder to figure out how he fell Below, and how (and if) he can get Above again.
https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/14497.Neverwhere?from_search=true
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2014 Summer Reading Program 11th grade
11th Grade Free Choice Books:
The Immortal Life of Henrietta Lacks (Skloot); recommended by Sr. Angela Ekwonye:
Henrietta Lacks was a poor black tobacco farmer who died of cancer. Her cells were taken
without her knowledge in 1951. Those cells never died and have been used in various medical
and scientific researches such as developing Polio vaccine, cloning, gene mapping, etc.
Henrietta’s cells have been bought and sold for billions of dollars, yet she remains virtually
unknown, and her family cannot afford health insurance. The history of Henrietta Lacks and the
HeLa cells raises important issues regarding science, ethics, race, and class. It addresses current
legal and ethical debate surrounding tissue ownership and research. The work is nonfiction.
https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/6493208-the-immortal-life-of-henriettalacks?from_search=true
Strangers and Neighbors: What I have learned about Christianity by Living Among
Orthodox Jews (Johnson); recommended by Mrs. Shea:
Dr. Johnson was one of my first Theology professors at the University of Scranton. She
challenged me to think outside of myself; she took what I knew about Christianity and flipped it
on its head. She forced me to read great works by authors across all disciplines and faiths, and
use their writings to deepen my understanding of Christian teachings / practices. This is exactly
what she does in this book. The reader gets to take a journey with her – a faithful conservative
Catholic woman – inside an ultra-orthodox Jewish community. I gained great insight into and
respect for the Jewish religion that I could never get from a textbook. The book is approachable,
insightful and entertaining as she grows deeper in her Christian faith through the relationships
she builds with her Jewish neighbors.
https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/256302.Strangers_and_Neighbors?from_search=tru
e
Ender’s Game (Card); recommended by Mr. Brieden:
This allegorical science fiction novel explains why militaries do what they do in an extremely
effective, albeit brief, way. The main character, Ender Wiggin, can be seen as an antagonist due
to his actions, but because of Card’s interesting twist, this protagonist is able to remain “clean”
since he, Ender Wiggin, is not aware that the “game” he is playing is actually real. There are a
number of parallels like this one that can be made between the characters in Ender’s Game and
other historical figures, be they either good or evil, and exploring them with one’s class can be a
lot of fun.
https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/375802.Ender_s_Game?from_search=true
1776 (McCullough); recommended by Mrs. Grillo (REQUIRED FOR ALL AP US I
STUDENTS):
1776 was the most critical year of the Revolutionary War. The future of the United States is
literally being decided in this one year and McCullough deftly weaves primary sources into a
gripping and easy to follow narrative that outlines the beginnings of the country that came to be.
https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/1067.1776?from_search=true
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2014 Summer Reading Program 11th grade
Raising Stony Mayhall (Gregory); recommended by Ms. Daniell:
What begins as a zombie novel (you read that correctly) quickly turns into so much more. A
family finds a living, non-zombie baby wrapped in the arms of his dead mother; they hide the
child and raise it in secret, until one day he discovers that there are other living children in the
world. This novel has very little to do with typical zombie plots and more to do with what it
means to fit in vs. how it feels to be an outsider.
https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/9466865-raising-stony-mayhall?from_search=true
Archer’s Goon (Wynne Jones); recommended by Dr. Abate:
Who is Archer? What’s a goon? Why does an otherwise normal teenager have wild dreams about
spaceships with many blinking lights, in which he imagines himself with powers he couldn’t
possibly possess? This science fiction classic is a must-read for anyone who is looking to find
their next favorite author, or someone who just wants a good book to read over the summer.
https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/47521.Archer_s_Goon?from_search=true
Divergent (Roth); recommended by Ms. Fabiano:
In Beatrice Prior's dystopian Chicago, society is divided into five factions, each dedicated to the
cultivation of a particular virtue—Candor (the honest), Abnegation (the selfless), Dauntless (the
brave), Amity (the peaceful), and Erudite (the intelligent). On an appointed day of every year, all
sixteen year olds must select the faction to which they will devote the rest of their lives. For
Beatrice, the decision is between staying with her family and being who she really is—she can't
have both. This story is fast-paced where you keep wondering what's going to happen next and
the action is reminiscent of The Hunger Games. It is filled with electrifying decisions,
heartbreaking betrayals, stunning consequences, and unexpected romance. You won't be
disappointed!
https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/13335037-divergent?from_search=true
100 Most Important Science Ideas: key concepts in genetics, physics and mathematics
(Henderson); recommended by Mr. Rahman:
Recommended to mentally prepare and create curiosity of learning physics in students.
https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/6986111-100-most-important-scienceideas?from_search=true
Diary of a Heartbreak Kid: Shawn Michaels’ Journey into the WWE Hall of Fame
(Michaels/Tello); recommended by Mr. Saulpaugh:
The showstopper. Mr. Wrestlemania. The Heartbreak Kid Shawn Michaels. The tale of the one
of the greatest ring technicians of all time. Follow the tale of a kid from San Antonio all the way
to “The Grand Daddy of Them All.”
https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/12593972-diary-of-a-heartbreakkid?from_search=true
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2014 Summer Reading Program 11th grade
Truman (McCullough); recommended by Mr. Freimuth:
This book highlights an area of American history that is underrepresented in the curriculum.
https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/2279.Truman?from_search=true
A Tree Grows in Brooklyn (Smith); recommended by Ms. Brown:
This novel illustrates the life of the poor during the early 1900s, everything from the living
conditions, methods of buying food, school, how to earn some extra pennies as a kid, and
the fear of war. Yes, it is a coming of age tale of a little girl but it covers daily life in an accessible
way.
https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/14891.A_Tree_Grows_in_Brooklyn?from_search=tr
ue
Alan Turing, Computing Genius and Wartime Code Breaker (Henderson);
recommended by Ms. Teehan:
This non-fiction book tells the true story of the Enigma Project during WWII. A fascinating read.
https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/20406658-alan-turing?from_search=true
In Cold Blood (Capote); recommended by Mr. Schmidig (REQUIRED FOR ALL AP
LANG STUDENTS):
On November 15, 1959 a family was discovered murdered in the rural town of Holcomb, Kansas.
During the search for the killers writer Truman Capote and his friend Harper Lee (author of To
Kill a Mockingbird) travel to the town in an attempt to chronicle the aftermath of such a brutal
crime. In chronicling the story of such a horrific incident, Capote celebrates the lives of the dead
and explores the complex motivations of the murderers.
https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/168642.In_Cold_Blood?from_search=true
Philadelphia, Here I Come! (Friel); recommended by Mr. Martin:
Set in County Donegal, Ireland in late 1950s, Brian Friel presents his audience with Gareth
O'Donnell as he prepares for a life changing move to Philadelphia. On the outside, Gareth
appears excited about the possibility of moving out of the small and dull fishing village of
Ballybeg and living it up in the vibrant city of brotherly love; however, internally, Gareth is
hesitant to leave behind the life he has become accustomed to over the past 20 odd years. To add
a creative twist to this touching drama, Friel incorporates two actors to portray Gareth (one for
his public self and the other for his private thoughts). The reader will soon come to realize that
leaving Ballybeg is not an easy decision for Gareth: will he move on to bigger and better things
or remain in Ireland?
https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/410583.Philadelphia_Here_I_Come_?from_search=t
rue
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2014 Summer Reading Program 11th grade
Profiles in Courage (Kennedy); recommended by Mrs. Grillo (REQUIRED FOR ALL
US I HONORS STUDENTS):
This well-written book is easy to follow and fascinating as it chronicles the men who risked their
political careers for the good of the country.
https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/830364.Profiles_in_Courage?from_search=true
The Monuments Men: Allied Heroes, Nazi Thieves, and the Greatest Treasure Hunt in
History (Gosel and Witter); recommended by Ms. Henshaw:
This non-fiction book is about a group of soldiers whose job was to preserve and protect the
artwork that was hidden during WWII, when the Nazis were plundering artwork for their own
private collections and destroying what they considered “degenerate” art.
https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/6514074-the-monuments-men?from_search=true
Childhood’s End (Clarke); recommended by Mr. Frangione:
Arthur C. Clarke explores the next stage in human development. People struggle as humanity
changes into something new.
https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/414999.Childhood_s_End?from_search=true
The Third Man (Greene); recommended by Mr. Loranger:
Graham Greene is the great Catholic writer of 20th Century British Literature. Here he uses the
thriller format to explore themes of Loyalty vs. Moral responsibility, Faith vs. Despair, and Love
and betrayal, all set against a backdrop of the wreckage of post-World War II Europe.
https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/48800.The_Third_Man?from_search=true
The Physics of Superheroes (Kakalios); recommended by Mr. Rahman:
Recommended to mentally prepare and create curiosity of learning physics in students.
https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/281016.The_Physics_of_Superheroes?from_search=t
rue
Two Ways to Sunday (Starita); recommended by Mr. Frangione:
The events of this novel revolve around Staten Island and the Jersey Shore in the present day
and a realistic near future. We follow the life and the choices of Chris Marcum, a successful
writer and family man, who on his death bed is asked a question that might shake one’s beliefs.
At its core, the novel asks if we would still have faith even if forced to live a life where it seemed
that all the good God had given to us was taken away. In many ways the characters in this novel
could be people we meet everyday. It is a very human book. The chapters are short and read
quickly.
https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/17120071-two-ways-to-sunday?from_search=true
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2014 Summer Reading Program 11th grade
Killing Kennedy (O’Reilly and Dugard); recommended by Mr. Vesce:
This book describes the events before, during, and after President Kennedy's assassination. A
great aspect of this book is that although it digs deep into the life of President Kennedy, it also
goes into great detail about the inner workings of Lee Harvey Oswald and his life. You get to see
events from both sides which actually makes you question more about the mystery of the
assassination. It also touches on many theories as to why President Kennedy was assassinated
through describing his involvement with organized crime, fight against communism, and the
Cold War.
https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/19618002-killing-kennedy?from_search=true
The Dragonbone Chair (Williams); recommended by Mr. Frangione:
The first book in the trilogy Memory, Sorow, Thorn, this novel is a complex coming of age tale.
The main character Simon is a lowly servant in the castle BUT he has a mysterious origin
(doesn’t really know his parents), works with a wise old man who is a member of a secret order,
and Simon will need to grow up to fulfill his destiny if evil forces are to be stopped. There are
elements of Lord of the Rings in this novel, as well as the traditional coming of age standards.
The author fills the novel with a level of complexity that many fantasy works gloss over. This
book is on the longer side, fulfilling in detail, depth, and story.
https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/91981.The_Dragonbone_Chair?from_search=true
The Murder of Roger Ackroyd (Christie); recommended by Dr. Abate:
Agatha Christie is a name synonymous with intriguing murder mysteries that contain
unforgettable characters and endings you never see coming. When you read this book you will
understand why she remains Queen of Crime. This is one of her first novels featuring Hercule
Poirot, a fussy and curious Belgian detective, as he is called into solve a seemingly
straightforward murder case of Roger Ackroyd. Surely Roger’s unbalanced wife killed him, no?
No! And you won’t believe who did.
https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/16328.The_Murder_of_Roger_Ackroyd?from_search
=true
Trinity (Uris); recommended by Mr. Phelan:
Trinity is set in Ireland during the early 1900's. It is the story of Conor Larkin, an Irish catholic
rebel fighting for Ireland's freedom. In the midst of this struggle, Conor falls in love with a
Protestant woman who defies her heritage and joins his cause. The book portrays strength,
determination, loyalty, independence, love, and individuality.
https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/42696.Trinity?from_search=true
The Rise of Theodore Roosevelt (Morris); recommended by Mr. Freimuth:
This book highlights an area of American history that is underrepresented in the curriculum.
https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/40929.The_Rise_of_Theodore_Roosevelt?from_sear
ch=true
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2014 Summer Reading Program 11th grade
Do Androids Dream of Electric Sheep? (Dick); recommended by Ms. Daniell:
This is one of those important novels you’ve never heard of, but perhaps you’ve seen the movie
based on it called Blade Runner. The author imagines a world in 2021 where androids want to
achieve human status and blend in with “us”. But the authorities have other ideas and the
inevitable clash is unforgettable (as is learning that electronic household pets—even sheep!—can
be purchased for a fraction of what it costs to own a real farm animal).
https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/7082.Do_Androids_Dream_of_Electric_Sheep_?fro
m_search=true
Surely You’re Joking, Mr. Feynman!: Adventures of a Curious Character (Feynman);
recommended by Mr. Liddle:
This book is mainly about the man and his unorthodox approach to science, not the science
itself. There is no need for specific science knowledge to understand the book. I would
recommend it as it shows that science doesn’t have to be boring.
https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/5544.Surely_You_re_Joking_Mr_Feynman_?from_s
earch=true
Animal Farm (Orwell); recommended by Mr. Dorrian:
This is a wonderful and compelling book that reflects events leading up to the Russian
Revolution of 1917 and then onto the Stalin era of the Soviet Union. Orwell writes his
satirical masterpiece on how two pigs, Snowball and Napoleon, were able to drive off their
abusive owner and try to set up a new social utopia. The first rule of law they established was
“All Animals are Equal.” At the end of the book, the last law they established was, “All Animals
are Equal, but Some Animals are More Equal than Others.” How did this happen? How could
this happen? Where did it go wrong?
https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/7613.Animal_Farm?from_search=true
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