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Upper School Summer Reading

Summer Reading Introduction

Purpose of Summer Reading

Summer is the perfect time to spend some pleasurable hours with a good book, and so all students, grades 9-12, are asked to read at least one book from the list at their grade level. Please purchase the correct edition by following the ISBN numbers listed. 

Reading Level and Ability

This list of books has been compiled with an eye toward variety of subject matter, accessibility to all reading levels, and issues such as gender differences. The books are available at local bookstores and by clicking on the picture of the book on the Pace website.  At the time this list was prepared, all of the titles were in print and available in paperback. 

Reading Guides & Evaluation

All students must purchase the required book for their grade level, read it over the summer, and bring the book to school on the first day in August.  The English teachers have provided reading guides in the form of inquiries.  They’re designed to help you begin to think about some of the complex ideas in the summer reading books.  We recommend that you write responses for two reasons:  first, processing thoughts on paper that you pick up while reading helps you to get involved and to stay involved in the book; and second, thinking of ideas and writing them down helps them stick in your mind.  These notes will not be graded, but writing responses will help you contribute to the class discussions and also help when you take the summer reading test.  

Students will be asked to sign the honor pledge that they have read the book, and then the assignment will be assessed in different ways, depending on grade level. For most students, the summer reading assessment will count as the first quiz grade of fall semester. For more details about the summer reading books, the notes on the reading guides, and the extra credit opportunity, visit the Pace Academy website and follow the links to summer reading for the appropriate grade level.

Bailey Player
English Department Chairperson

Summer Reading Assignments