Summer reading titles and information.
Summer Reading Theme Titles (everyone, but incoming freshmen, is to choose one of these selections to read this summer and incoming freshmen are to choose between The Circuit and Esperanza Rising)
Return to Sender by Julia Alvarez
- Tyler’s family hires migrant workers from Mexico when they face loosing their farm. Tyler becomes friends with the oldest daughter, Mari, who although is proud of her Mexican heritage, assimilates easily into American life. Issues regarding undocumented workers and the poverty in Mexico are discussed in this novel written by popular writer Alvarez. Other books by this author: Before We Were Free, How the Garcia Girls Lost Their Accents, In the Time of the Butterflies, and Once Upon a Quinceanera (all available in our library). For an interview with Ms. Alvarez click here.
Across a Hundred Mountains by Reyna Grande
- Juana leaves her home in Mexico after she is separated from her mother and decides to try and find her father, who left them to find work in America. Juana’s trip is not smooth and she up in the jail in Tijuana were she meets Adelina Vasquez who has left her family in California to follow her boyfriend into Mexico. The desperate circumstances of the border are explored in this debut novel.
La Linea by Ann Jaramillo
- When Miguels turns 15 he decides it is time to join his parents in California and travel north to the border (la linea). He and his sister fight thieves, border guards, the desert and finally the mata gente (the train) to make their way to the border and their family.
The Circuit: Stories from the Life of a Migrant Child by Francisco Jimenez
- Santa Clara University professor Francisco Jimenez is the author of this collection of intertwined autobiographical tales of his families travels picking strawberries and cotton in the Imperial Valley during the late 1940s. There lives are defined by the lack of a permanent home and inescapable poverty. Choice 1 for incoming freshmen.
Breaking Through by Francisco Jimenez
- Professor Jimenez continues the stories of his youth in this sequel to The Circuit. These stories show the tenacity of a family full of faith, hope, and love as they combat prejudice and poverty to persevere.
Enrique’s Journey by Sonia Nazario
- This timeless story of the search for family is based on the Pulitzer Prize winning series that ran in the LA Times. The book focuses on Enrique’s journey to find his mother who has gone to America in search of work, but covers the stories of countless others who travel the dangerous railroad from Central America north to the border.
Esperanza Rising by Pam Munoz Ryan
- This novel, set during the Great Depression, follows Esperanza who after the death of her wealthy, loving, land-owning father, immigrates to California with her mother to escape her corrupt uncles. They try to adapt to their new life of long labor filled days and prejudice. Choice 2 for incoming freshmen.
Fall Discussion Helps
What should you pay attention to as you read your summer reading book so you will be ready to talk about your book in September?
- Pay attention to and make note of, either on sticky notes, in a journal or in the margins, any connections you make between your own life and characters, situations, or places in the book you are reading.
- Also make note of any connections you make to something else you have read or heard about in class or in the news.
- Make note of any sections that you find very exciting, very troubling, or otherwise memorable.
- Make note of anything having to do with borders and any changes in your understanding about the border or immigration issues.
- Write down any vocabulary that is new or interesting.
Other Books with the Border Theme - all types of borders
Buried Onions by Gary Soto – the story of a 19-year-old Mexican American struggling to find a way out of the hopelessness of his barrio in California.
What the Moon Saw by Laura Resau – the story of a 14-year-old girl who leaves her home in the Maryland to spend the summer with her grandparents a rural part of Mexico.
How the Garcia Girls Lost Their Accent byJulia Alvarez – the story of four sisters from the Dominican Republic who escape to America when their father is jailed.
American Chinese by Gene Yang – three stories in one - Monkey King tries to live as a god, Jin Wang tries desperately to fit in with his White classmates, and Danny tries to escape his Chinese heritage.
Persepolis: The Story of a Childhood byMarjane Satrapi - a timely and timeless story of a young girl’s life under the Islamic Revolution.
Does My Head Look Big in This? by Randa Abdel-Fattah - when 16-year-old Amal decides to wear the hijab full-time, her entire world changes, all because of a piece of cloth.
Book Suggestions from La Salle Educators
Counting Coup: A True Story of Basketball and Honor on the Little Big Horn by Larry Colton – Mr. Malone ~ “A great book for anyone interested in girls basketball and especially interesting in light of our immersions to the Blackfeet reservation in Montana.”
Sarah’s Key by Tatiana de Rosnay – Ms. Schroeder ~ “I read this book over Christmas break. I thought I knew quite a bit about the Holocaust, but I had never heard about what happened in Paris on July 16, 1942. The book will open new perspectives on the 20th century’s worst massacre… and on the frailty of human nature.
Street Gang: The Complete History of Sesame Street by Michael Davis – Ms. Milani ~ “Right now I’m reading a non-fiction book that is both interesting and very well-written. I think that some of our upperclassmen who are interested in drama, children’s television, and/or public service work might find it interesting.”
The Shack by W.P. Young – Ms. Durham ~ “ A one of a kind invitation to journey to the very heart of God written by a local author.”
Loving Frank by Nancy Horan – Ms. O’Brien ~ “Extremely well-written and interesting account of famed architect Frank Lloyd Wright.”
The Graveyard Book by Neil Gaiman – Ms. McDonald ~ “I’m a real fan of Mr. Gaiman’s writing and whole-heartedly believe he deserved the Newbery for this allegory for childhood that follows the basic storyline of The Jungle Book. Truly powerful. Great characters and wonderful writing.”
The Art of Racing the Moon by G. Stein – Ms. Orr ~ “ I really enjoyed this book. It is not a literary masterpiece but it is very entertaining, especially if you like dogs.”
A River Runs Through It by N. Maclean and The Secret Life of Bees by Sue Monk Kidd – Mr. Dreisbach ~ “ A River Runs Through is just such a beautiful story about the relationships that occur within families and between people and their environments. Additionally, I would like to suggest The Secret Life of Bees which is also a great story about “families,” in this case people who come together for a variety of reasons. The connections that are formed between people in this novel are very powerful and beautiful examples of how we should treat and respect one another.
The Little Friend by Donna Tart – Ms. White ~ Part mystery, part family drama, and all excitement. Robin Cleve Dufresnes is found hanging from a tree in his own backyard. The crime is never solved and destroys the family. Twelve-year-old Harriet vows to solve the mystery of her brother’s death and unmask the killer, whom she decides, without a shred of evidence, is Danny Ratliff, a member of a degenerate, redneck family of hardened criminals.
Bel Canto by Ann Patchett – Ms. Eldon ~ “ This novel is suspenseful, intriguing and thought-provoking.”
The Education of Little Tree by Forrest Carter & Rennard Stickland and Seabiscuit by Laura Hillenbrand– Mr. Ruppa
The Hour I First Believed by Wally Lamb, Edgar Sawtelle by David Wrobelwski, or In Defense of Food by Michael Pollan – Ms. Bartel ~ “ I just finished the Lamb book, it’s about a make-believe victim who survived Columbine and what happened in her life after. The other two were good, too.”
The Book Thief by Markus Zusak, What is the What by Dave Eggers, or The Crazy Horse Electric Game by Chris Crutcher – Ms. Pukstas
Young Reader Choice Award Titles
New Moon – Stephanie Meyer - winner 2009
2010 nominees -
Absolutely True Diary Of A Part-Time Indian by Sherman Alexie; City Of Bones by Cassandra Clare;
Deadline by Chris Crutcher;
Does My Head Look Big In This? by Randa Abdel-Fattah;
Enter Three Witches by Caroline Cooney;
Mistik Lake by Martha Brooks;
Twisted by Laurie Halse Anderson;
Wicked Lovely by Melissa Marr
I have read all, except one (which I have read really great reviews of) and can highly recommend them.
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