And Then There Were None by Agatha ChristieSometimes it might be best to turn down even the most tempting dinner invitation, especially if murder is on the menu.

The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-Time by Mark HaddonWhen a teen with autism discovers his neighbor's dog savagely stabbed to death, he decides to use the deductive reasoning of his favorite detective, Sherlock Holmes, to solve the crime.

East of Eden by John SteinbeckSet in the rich farmland of California's Salinas Valley, this sprawling and often brutal novel follows the intertwined destinies of two families—the Trasks and the Hamiltons—whose generations helplessly reenact the fall of Adam and Eve and the poisonous rivalry of Cain and Abel.

The Heart is a Lonely Hunter by Carson McCullersA deaf-mute becomes the confidant for various misfits in a 1930s Georgia mill town, each of whom yearns for escape from small town life. A haunting, unforgettable story that gives voice to the rejected, the forgotten, and the mistreated—and to the quiet, intensely personal search for beauty.

The Hitchhiker’s Guide to the Galaxy by Douglas AdamsSeconds before the Earth is demolished to make way for a galactic freeway, Arthur Dent is plucked off the planet by his friend Ford Prefect. Together this dynamic pair begin a journey through space aided by quotes from The Hitchhiker's Guide.

Jane Eyre by Charlotte BronteHaving grown up an orphan in the home of her cruel aunt and at a harsh charity school, Jane Eyre becomes an independent and spirited survivor. But when she finds love with her sardonic employer, the discovery of his terrible secret forces her to make a choice.

Light Thickens by Ngaio Marsh“Light thickens, and the crow makes wing to the rooky wood.” Just like the ambitious Macbeth, someone is planning an evil deed in this classic whodunit set during a run of William Shakespeare’s Macbeth.

Old Possum’s Book of Practical Cats by T.S. EliotThe basis for the wildly successful musical Cats, the book stands on its own as a delightful work of literature. Eliot's words leap and dance across the pages with a zany musicality.

Purple Hibiscus by Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie In Kambili’s world, Papa is God, until her 17 year-old brother quietly refuses to take communion.

A Tale of Two Cities by Charles Dickens“It was the best of times; it was the worst of times…” So begins this classic tale of love and redemption in revolutionary France.

The View from Here by Brian Keith JacksonAnna Anderson Thomas has devoted her life to stepping lightly around her husband’s vast silences and raising their sons. But now, with a sixth child on the way—a girl this time, she’s unsure—Ann faces achallenge that threatens to destroy the family she’s fought so hard to preserve.

Woman Warrior by Maxine Hong KingstonA Chinese-American woman uses her pen as a sword against sexism and racism.

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Grade 11Death Be Not Proud by John Gunther John Gunther’s memoir tells the story of his son—an optimistic, brilliant young man who must cope with his own fatal brain tumor.

Ethan Frome by Edith WhartonSet against a bleak New England background, the novel tells of Frome, his ailing wife Zeena and her companion Mattie Silver, whose presence not only brightens a gloomy house but stirs long-dormant feelings in Ethan.

The Little Foxes by Lillian HellmanMembers of the greedy and treacherous Hubbard family compete with each other for control of the mill that will bring them riches in the post-Civil War South.

The Other Wes Moore: One Name, Two Fates by Wes MooreTwo kids named Wes Moore were born blocks apart within a year of each other. Both grew up fatherless in similar Baltimore neighborhoods and had difficult childhoods. How, then, did one grow up to be a Rhodes Scholar, decorated veteran, White House Fellow, and business leader, while the other ended up a convicted murderer serving a life sentence?

Room by Emma DonoghueTo five-year-old-Jack, Room is the world…It's where he was born, it's where he and his Ma eat and sleep and play and learn. At night, his Ma shuts him safely in the wardrobe, where he is meant to be asleep when Old Nick visits. But to Ma, Room is the prison where she has been held for seven years.

Sailing Alone Around the Room: New and Selected Poems by Billy Collins Beethoven’s “Famous Barking Dog Solo” will turn your notion of poetry on its head. From sublime to downright funny, this U.S. Poet Laureate offers something for everyone.

The Scorpio Races by Maggie StiefvaterIt happens at the start of every November: the Scorpio Races. Riders attempt to keep hold of their water horses long enough to make it to the finish line. Some riders live. Others die.

Shattering Glass by Gail Giles Popularity, ambition, wealth, and control. High school boys vie to be alpha male. How far would you go?

Song of the Buffalo Boy by Sherry GarlandFollow the story of 17-year-old Loi caught between her Vietnamese heritage and the dream of an American father she has never seen.

Unwind by Neal ShustermanIn a society where unwanted teens are salvaged for their body parts, three runaways fight the system that would "unwind" them. Brought together by chance, and kept together by desperation, these unlikely companions make a harrowing cross-country journey, knowing their lives hang in the balance.

Wait Til Next Year—A Memoir by Doris Kearns Goodwin Set in the suburbs of New York in the 1950s, this touching and gentle memoir tells of Goodwin’s growing up in love with her family and the great American pastime, baseball.

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High SchoolSummer Reading

Suggested reading for students enteringgrades 11 and 12 in 2016

The titles on this list are suggestions and other books may be substituted. Ask your librarian for recommendations.

Grade 12entering

• All reading need not be difficult.

• You can develop fluency and improve your rate of readingwith “fun” books.

• Some books with familiar vocabulary and style revealsurprisingly complex themes and ideas.

• Expand your background knowledge and vocabulary withnewspapers, magazines, biographies, and informational books.Nonfiction is great!

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