Incoming 9th Grade students must choose and read two (2) books from the following list.
Reading should be completed prior to the first day of school. The English faculty will evaluate the completed reading within the first month of the 2009 - 2010 school year.
Alexie, Sherman. The Absolutely True Diary of a Part Time Indian.
Exploring Indian identity, both self and tribal, Alexie's first young adult novel is a semiautobiographical chronicle of Arnold Spirit, aka Junior, a Spokane Indian from Wellpinit, WA. The bright 14-year-old was born with water on the brain, is regularly the target of bullies, and loves to draw. He says, "I think the world is a series of broken dams and floods, and my cartoons are tiny little lifeboats." He expects disaster when he transfers from the reservation school to the rich, white school in Reardan, but soon finds himself making friends with both geeky and popular students and starting on the basketball team. Meeting his old classmates on the court, Junior grapples with questions about what constitutes one's community, identity, and tribe. The daily struggles of reservation life and the tragic deaths of the protagonist's grandmother, dog, and older sister would be all but unbearable without the humor and resilience of spirit with which Junior faces the world. The many characters, on and off the rez, with whom he has dealings are portrayed with compassion and verve, particularly the adults in his extended family. Forney's simple pencil cartoons fit perfectly within the story and reflect the burgeoning artist within Junior. Reluctant readers can even skim the pictures and construct their own story based exclusively on Forney's illustrations. The teen's determination to both improve himself and overcome poverty, despite the handicaps of birth, circumstances, and race, delivers a positive message in a low-key manner. Alexie's tale of self-discovery is a first purchase for all libraries.—School Library Journal
Anderson, Laurie. Speak.
When Melinda Sordino’s friends discover she called the police to quiet a party, they ostracize her, turning her into an outcast—even among kids she barely knows. The worst part of not “fitting in” is the secret she has to hide.
Anderson, Laurie. Twisted.
After finally getting noticed by someone other than school bullies and his ever-angry father, seventeen-year-old Tyler enjoys his tough new reputation and the attentions of a popular girl, but when life starts to go bad again, he must choose between transforming himself or giving in to his destructive thoughts. – Summary from Request
Bourdain, Anthony. Typhoid Mary.
From the best-selling author of Kitchen Confidential comes this true, thrilling tale of pursuit through the kitchens of New York City at the turn of the century. By the late nineteenth century, it seemed that New York City had put an end to the outbreaks of typhoid fever that had so frequently decimated the city's population. That is until 1904, when the disease broke out in a household in Oyster Bay, Long Island. Authorities suspected the family cook, Mary Mallon, of being a carrier. But before she could be tested, the woman, soon to be known as Typhoid Mary, had disappeared. Over the course of the next three years, Mary worked at several residences, spreading her pestilence as she went. In 1907, she was traced to a home on Park Avenue, and taken into custody. Institutionalized at Riverside Hospital for three years, she was released only when she promised never to work as a cook again. She promptly disappeared. For the next five years Mary worked in homes and institutions in and around New York, often under assumed names. In February 1915, a devastating outbreak of typhoid at the Sloane Hospital for Women was traced to her. She was finally apprehended and reinstitutionalized at Riverside Hospital, where she would remain for the rest of her life. Typhoid Mary is the story of her infamous life. Anthony Bourdain reveals the seedier side of the early 1900s, and writes with his renowned panache about life in the kitchen, uncovering the horrifying conditions that allowed the deadly spread of typhoid over a decade. – Summary from the book.
Bradbury, Ray. Fahrenheit 451.
In the author’s frightening vision of the future, firemen don’t put out fires- they start them in order to burn books. The hero, according to Mr. Bradbury, “is a book burner who discovers that books are flesh and blood ideas and cry out silently when put to the torch.”
Bagdasarian, Adam. Forgotten Fire.
Based on the experiences of the author’s grandfather during the Armenian Holocaust, the author tells the story of one boy’s search for the survivor in him and the determination of the human spirit to persevere.
Bechard, Margaret. Hanging on to Max.
Seventeen-year-old Sam decides to raise his infant son Max after his girlfriend chooses to give the baby up for adoption.
Carvell, Marlene. Who Will Tell My Brother?
A public issue comes close to home in the story of Evan Hill, a part-Mohawk high-school senior, who protests against his school’s use of Indian mascots. Drawing on the real-life experience of her own two high school sons, Cavell lets Evan tell the story, which unfolds in quiet, spare, very readable, free-verse vignettes that express his hurt, anger, and humiliation as he tries to get the school board, the principal, and his classmates to listen to him and get rid of the noble savage caricature of his people.
Cohn, Rachel. Gingerbread.
After falling in love with a surfer her mother does not approve of, getting kicked out of school, and making her family miserable because of her punishment, Cyd is sent to visit her biological father and his new family in New York City.
Crutcher, Chris. Stotan.
A high school coach invites members of his swimming team to a memorable week of rigorous training that tests their moral fiber as well as their physical stamina.
Davidson, Diane Mott. ***Students may choose one of the following three titles from the author
Fatally Flaky. Colorado caterer Goldy Schulz doesn't have a moment to spare as she frantically tries to pull everything together for two upcoming wedding receptions, including last-minute venue and menu changes from a spoiled bridezilla, in bestseller Davidson's entertaining 15th culinary suspense novel (after Sweet Revenge). When Harold "Doc" Finn, Aspen Meadow's beloved retired doctor, dies under mysterious circumstances on his way to the first wedding ceremony, Goldy wonders if it was an accident or murder. When her godfather and Doc Finn's good friend, Jack Carmichael, is also attacked, it's obvious that Goldy will have to venture out of the kitchen and put her detecting skills to use once again. Stir in a slimy spa owner, rumors of a malpractice suit and the usual cast of supporting characters-including Goldy's patient cop husband, Tom, and her capable culinary assistant, Julian Teller-and you've got another winning entry in Davidson's mouthwatering series. ---Publishers Weekly Review
Sweet Revenge. In her 14th adventure, caterer Goldy Schulz is preparing a holiday breakfast for the staff and volunteers of the Aspen Meadow Public Library when the head librarian finds the body of a man in the stacks. A rare map that he had for sale is missing. Adding spice to this story line are sightings of Sandee Brisbane, the woman who murdered Goldy's ex-husband and who supposedly died in a forest fire, in the stacks and near the body of another map dealer. Of course, Goldy starts nosing around and causing much trouble for her police detective husband. If you have not read Davidson's culinary cozies in a while, try this one. With an entertaining plot and out-of-this-world recipes, it proves that the author is in top-notch form. --- Library Journal 5/1/2007
Dark Tort. The New York Times bestselling author cooks up a knockout treat featuring the irrepressible caterer Goldy Schulz "I tripped over the body of Dusty Routt at half past ten on the night of October 19. . . ." Goldy Schulz has a lucrative new gig, preparing breakfasts and conference-room snacks for a local law firm. It's time-consuming, but Goldy is enjoying it -- until the night she arrives to find Dusty, the firm's paralegal, dead. The poor young woman also happened to be Goldy's friend and neighbor, and now Dusty's grieving mother begs Goldy to find out who murdered her daughter. Just because the police are on the case doesn't mean Goldy can't do a little snooping herself. While catering a party at the home of one of the firm's lawyers, she manages to overhear an incriminating conversation and ends up discovering a few clues in the kitchen. Before long, Goldy is knee-deep in suspects, one of whom is incredibly dangerous and very liable to cook Goldy's goose. --- Summary from cover of the book
Dean, Carolee. Comfort.
Life in the small town of Comfort, Texas, is unbearable for fifteen-year-old Kenny Wilson, who is desperate to escape from an alcoholic, ex-con father and a grasping, scheming mother. Can the power of words change his life and give him a way out?
Frank, E.R. America.
After years of being placed in foster homes and institutions for anti-social behavior, America, a multiracial teen boy, does his best to overcome the pain of his past with the help of his psychologist Dr. B. and new friends he makes in group therapy.
Gantos, Jack. Hole in My Life.
The author relates how, as a young adult, he became a drug user and smuggler, was arrested, did time in prison, and eventually got out and went to college, all the while hoping to become a writer.
Haddix, Margaret. Just Ella.
In this continuation of the Cinderella story, fifteen- year-old Ella finds that accepting Prince Charming’s proposal ensnares her into a suffocating tangle of palace rules and royal etiquette, so she plots her escape.
Hayden, Torey. One Child.
Six-year-old Sheila never spoke, she never cried, and her eyes were filled with hate. Abandoned on a highway by her mother, abused by her alcoholic father, Sheila was placed in a class for the hopelessly retarded after she committed an atrocious act of violence against another child. Everyone said Sheila was lost forever -- everyone except teacher Torey Hayden.
Hesse, Karen. Out of the Dust.
In a series of poems, fifteen-year-old Billie Jo relates the hardships of living on her family's wheat farm in Oklahoma during the dust bowl years of the Depression.
Levitin, Sonia. The Cure.
A sixteen-year-old boy living in 2407 collides with the past when he finds himself in Strasbourg in 1348 confronting the anti-Semitism that sweeps through Europe during the Black Plague.
McCormick, Patrick. Cut.
While confined to a mental hospital, thirteen-year-old Callie slowly comes to understand some of the reasons behind her self-mutilation, and gradually starts to get better.
Meyer, Stephenie. The Host.
The earth has been invaded by a species that take over the minds of their human hosts while leaving their bodies intact, and most of humanity has succumbed. But Melanie Stryder refuses to fade away. Wanderer, the invading "soul" who has been given Melanie's body, knew about the challenges of living inside a human: the overwhelming emotions, the too vivid memories. But there was one difficulty Wanderer didn't expect: the former tenant of her body refusing to relinquish possession of her mind. Melanie fills Wanderer's thoughts with visions of the man Melanie loves--Jared, a human who still lives in hiding. Unable to separate herself from her body's desires, Wanderer yearns for a man she's never met. As outside forces make Wanderer and Melanie unwilling allies, they set off to search for the man they both love. -- From publisher description.
Paulsen, Gary. The Beet Fields.
Based on his experiences as a migrant worker, Paulsen describes the summer a boy learns the lessons of hard-work, cruelty, and kindness, and becomes a man.
Patterson, James. Maximum Ride: The Angel Experiment.
A group of bird-kids, genetically altered with avian DNA, and led by Max, have escaped from the experimental "school" and must survive the perils of other mutants as they save the youngest member of their flock... Teens will love the chaotic chases and frantic action.
Rennison, Louise. Angus, Thongs and Full-Frontal Snogging.
Presents the humorous journal of a year in the life of a fourteen-year-old British girl who tries to reduce the size of her nose, stop her mad cat from terrorizing the neighborhood animals, and win the love of handsome hunk Robbie.
Soto, Gary. Buried Onions.
When nineteen-year-old Eddie drops out of college, he struggles to find a place for himself as a Mexican American living in a violence-infested neighborhood of Fresno, California.
Strasser, Todd. Can’t Get There From Here.
Tired of being hungry, cold, and dirty from living on the streets of New York City with a tribe of other homeless teenagers who are dying, one by one, a girl named Maybe ponders her future and longs for someone to care about her.
Ten Boom, Corrie. The Hiding Place.
The true story of a Dutch family who hid Jews from the Nazis were betrayed and sent to a concentration camp.
Zevin, Gabrielle. Elsewhere.
Is it possible to grow up while getting younger? Welcome to Elsewhere. It is warm, with a breeze, and the beaches are marvelous. It's quiet and peaceful. You can't get sick or any older. Curious to see new paintings by Picasso? Swing by one of Elsewhere's museums. Need to talk to someone about your problems? Stop by Marilyn Monroe's psychiatric practice. Elsewhere is where fifteen-year-old Liz Hall ends up, after she has died. It is a place so like Earth, yet completely different. Here Liz will age backward from the day of her death until she becomes a baby again and returns to Earth. But Liz wants to turn sixteen, not fourteen again. She wants to get her driver's license. She wants to graduate from high school and go to college. And now that she's dead, Liz is being forced to live a life she doesn't want with a grandmother she has only just met. And it is not going well. How can Liz let go of the only life she has ever known and embrace a new one? Is it possible that a life lived in reverse is no different from a life lived forward? This moving, often funny book about grief, death, and loss will stay with the reader long after the last page is turned. |
