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Magruder HS Summer 2008 Reading List |
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Col. Zadok Magruder High School |
Summer reading is an expectation of all Montgomery County Public
Schools students. When we return to school in August, teachers will
allot time for discussion and a formal assessment of the books read by students
over the summer months. In an effort to promote reading as a pleasurable
experience, we encourage all family members to participate. We hope that this
approach will encourage lifelong pleasure reading as well as intellectual
growth.
WHY?
Research strongly suggests that reading, like most skills,
improves with practice. One of the best ways to increase your vocabulary is to
read! At Magruder HS we are committed to prepare all
students for success during their time spent in school as well as in the years
after graduation.
WHO?
Summer Reading can be a family project. Since many of the books on
the list are appropriate for adult readers, share the book you are reading with
other members of your family. Talk about and ask questions about what you read.
The opportunity to discuss the book with those you know will make the
experience more valuable. (It will also make the return-to-school assignment
easier to approach.)
HOW?
The best way to
pick a book that you will enjoy is to talk
to other readers. Ask your parents, your other adult relatives or
friends, your teachers, and even your classmates which books they liked and
what they would recommend for you to read. Additional resources are the Magruder High School Library Media Center, the
'Book Links' section of the Magruder HS Virtual
Library Media Center web page, the public library, and local new and used bookstores.
WHEN?
As nice as it seems to “take the summer off” and not do anything
related to school, reading really is one of the most relaxing and inexpensive
ways to entertain yourself. Summer reading becomes a chore only when it is left
for the last few days before school returns to session. Don’t wait! Find a couple of books that appeal to you and either
purchase them or check them out from the library. Set aside some time each day
to read 15 pages and the book will be finished quickly and enjoyably. Who
knows? You might like it so much that you read another book (or more!)
WHAT?
If you are taking an On-level
English course in 2008-09, read at least ONE book from the recommended list or the Black-Eyed Susan Award
List. The list provides a brief synopsis of the plot of the book.
If you are taking an Honors
English course in 2008-09, read at least TWO books from the recommended list or the Black-Eyed Susan Award
List. The list provides a brief synopsis of the plot of the book.
If you are taking an AP
English course in 2008-09, you are required to read the specific titles
assigned for this class. These titles are listed on the Magruder website.
§§§§§§§§
Not sure this answers all your
questions? Contact Mr. Grant Goldstein, English Resource Teacher at Magruder HS at 301-670-2279. Have a great summer; read a great book!
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Non-fiction Beah, Ishmael – A Long Way
Gone: Memoirs of a Boy Soldier 12 year-old-boy flees, then
joins attacking rebels, becoming a cold-blooded soldier in Bryson, Bill – A
Walk in the Woods Grogan, John – Marley
& Me Dog lovers will delight in the antics of
Marley, a yellow lab, as he happily terrorizes his owners. Mortenson, Greg & D. O. Relin
– Three Cups of Tea The story of one man’s mission to promote
peace in Nazario, Sonia – Enrique’s Journey A teenage boy’s harrowing journey from Poitier, Actor recounts his public and private life
as he broke racial barriers to launch a pioneering acting career. Classics Christie, Agatha
– And Then There Were None Ten people, each with a deadly secret,
find themselves trapped on an island where they become the subjects of a
cruel game. Defoe, Daniel – Robinson
Crusoe During an adventurous voyage in the 1600s,
an Englishman becomes the sole shipwreck survivor and lives for nearly 30
years on a deserted island. Knowles, John – A
Separate Peace Two prep school boys face coming of age
challenges. Stone, Michelangelo's career as a sculptor, painter,
architect, and poet is traced from his promising boyhood apprenticeships
through all the years of his genius. Twain, Mark – A Connecticut
Yankee in King Arthur’s Court A 19th century
citizen of Wharton, Edith – Ethan
Frome A harsh picture of doomed love and the
tragedy of society’s restrictions. |
Modern Fiction Armstrong,
Jennifer – What a Song Can Do: 12 Riffs on the Power of Music A collection of 12 short stories explores
the theme of music’s power for teenagers. Bloor, Edward – Taken In the future, a child of privilege and
her kidnappers face racism, stereotyping, and social awareness. Brooks, Geraldine
– March March, the fictional father from Louisa May
Alcott’s Little Women, leaves his family to serve the Union cause
during the Civil War. (2006 Pulitzer Prize for Fiction) Campbell, Broos – No Quarter A 17-year-old midshipman learns seamanship
20 years after the Revolutionary War in this swashbuckling, war-at-sea novel. Deuker, Carl – Gym Candy Can a young football player with talent
and good intentions cope with the pressure to succeed on the field? Doctorow, E. L. –
The March At the end of the Civil War, General
Sherman marches 60, 000 troops on a 60-mile wide path of
pillage and destruction. (National Book Gruen, Sara – Water for Elephants A veterinary school drop-out joins a
traveling circus during the Great Depression. Haddon, Mark – The Curious
Incident of the Dog in the Nighttime This funny, touching novel tells the story
of an autistic boy who keeps a diary of his efforts to solve the mystery of
who killed his neighbor’s dog. Kingsolver, Barbara
– The Poisonwood Bible A novel narrated by a missionary’s funny,
smart and brave daughters during the political upheaval of the Leon, Donna – Noble
Radiance Unearthed bones are linked to the
disappearance of a member of a respected family in Martel, Yann – The Life of Pi: A Novel While emigrating from McCarthy, Cormac – The Road In a futuristic, post-apocalyptic world, a
father and son make their way through the ruins of a devastated American
landscape. Myers, Walter
Dean – Fallen Angels Young American soldiers are challenged by
the realities of war in Tyler, Anne – Digging
to Two Korean babies are adopted into
American families resulting in contrasting ideas of what is important. |
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Black-Eyed Susan Award
Nominees The Black-Eyed Susan Book Award is a
children's choice award for the state of To find one of
this year’s nominated books, go to the Magruder HS home page and click on ' |
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