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Senior (12th Grade)
All incoming students will choose books from the categories below. If you are going into ACC English, you will read one book from each category (two books total). If you are not going into ACC English, you will choose a book from category 1 and a book from category 3 (2 total). A brief summary and content considerations are listed below for each book.
Category 1 - Classics
- Invisible Man by Ralph Ellison
- Summary: This classic novel follows a young Black man’s journey of self-discovery as he navigates racial prejudice and personal identity in mid-20th-century America.
- Content Considerations: Themes of racial discrimination, violence, and complex societal issues.
- Jane Eyre by Charlotte Brontë
- Summary: The story of orphaned Jane Eyre as she grows into adulthood, faces challenges, and finds love with the mysterious Mr. Rochester.
- Content Considerations: Themes of class struggles, gender roles, and mental illness.
- Great Expectations by Charles Dickens
- Summary: The coming-of-age story of Pip, an orphan who rises in social class through the help of an anonymous benefactor, examining wealth, ambition, and loyalty.
- Content Considerations: Crime, unrequited love, and societal expectations.
Category 2 - Non-Fiction
- The Year of Living Biblically by A.J. Jacobs
- Summary: Journalist A.J. Jacobs chronicles his year-long attempt to follow the Bible’s teachings as literally as possible, offering insights into faith and modern life.
- Content Considerations: Discussions of religious practices and moral dilemmas.
- I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings by Maya Angelou
- Summary: Maya Angelou’s powerful autobiography recounts her early years, touching on themes of identity, resilience, and overcoming adversity.
- Content Considerations: Includes depictions of sexual assault, racism, and trauma.
- The Truth Will Set You Free by Samuel L. Hoard
- Summary: This reflective memoir shares Hoard’s insights into truth, freedom, and personal growth, offering a look at faith and resilience.
- Content Considerations: Personal challenges and philosophical themes.
- A Walk in the Woods by Bill Bryson
- Summary: A humorous and insightful account of Bill Bryson’s adventures (and misadventures) hiking the Appalachian Trail.
- Content Considerations: Mild language and reflections on environmental issues.
Category 3 - Contemporary Fiction
- The Poisonwood Bible by Barbara Kingsolver
- Summary: A missionary family’s journey to the Congo unfolds into a story of cultural clashes, personal growth, and historical upheaval.
- Content Considerations: Depictions of cultural imperialism, family conflict, and political unrest.
- Beloved by Toni Morrison
- Summary: The haunting story of Sethe, an escaped slave, who is confronted by the ghost of her deceased daughter, exploring trauma, memory, and motherhood.
- Content Considerations: Graphic depictions of slavery, violence, and trauma.
- The Handmaid’s Tale by Margaret Atwood
- Summary: In a dystopian future, women are stripped of their rights and forced into reproductive servitude. Offred’s story is one of survival and resistance.
- Content Considerations: Themes of sexual violence, totalitarianism, and personal autonomy.
Senior Summer Reading Activities
Category 1: After reading one book in this category, be prepared to take a 25 question, multiple-choice test on the first day of class. You should read the book, recognize characters, understand the plot, and be able to recall details.
Category 2 (ACC Students Only): Read one of the true stories in this category. As you read, keep a personal journal of your thoughts. You might answer the following questions in your journal:
- What obstacles did this person face? What obstacles do I face?
- What did this person do to overcome the obstacle? What can I do to overcome my obstacles?
- What story do I want to write about myself one day? How can I begin to make that story happen?
You may write as little as 4 notebook pages or as much as 40 notebook pages. Use this book as a springboard to inspire you to dream and achieve your goals. Your English teacher will check for completion of this journal. This can be handwritten or typewritten, but it should be legible.
Category 3: Read one of these novels. As you read, consider the author’s themes and strategies for writing this story. What is unique about this book? Who are its characters? What happens to them? How do they change? Think about this book and prepare to write an essay in class on the first day of school.
Providing excellent co-ed, Christian education for grades 6-12 in Saint Louis, Missouri.
