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Sophomore (10th Grade)
All incoming students will choose one book from each list below. A brief summary and content considerations are listed below for each book.
List 1: Social Justice and Inequality
- Dreamland Burning by Jennifer Latham*
- Summary: This novel intertwines two narratives: Rowan Chase in the present discovers a skeleton on her family's property, leading her to investigate a century-old murder. Parallelly, in 1921, William Tillman experiences the racial tensions culminating in the Tulsa Race Riot. The story delves into historical and contemporary issues of racism and justice.
- Content Considerations: Includes depictions of racial violence and historical injustices.
- Unwind by Neal Shusterman
- Summary: In a dystopian future, unwanted teenagers are salvaged for their body parts. The story follows three fugitives who seek to escape this fate, exploring themes of identity, morality, and the value of life.
- Content Considerations: Contains themes of bodily autonomy, ethical dilemmas, and societal control.
- This Is My America by Kim Johnson
- Summary: Tracy Beaumont writes weekly letters to an organization seeking help to exonerate her innocent father on death row. As time runs out, her brother is accused of a crime, propelling Tracy into a fight against systemic racism and injustice.
- Content Considerations: Addresses issues of racial profiling, the criminal justice system, and activism.
- Firekeeper's Daughter by Angeline Boulley
- Summary: Daunis Fontaine, a biracial Native teen, becomes involved in an FBI investigation on her reservation after witnessing a murder. She uses her knowledge of chemistry and Ojibwe traditional medicine to uncover the truth.
- Content Considerations: Explores cultural identity, substance abuse, and community resilience.
- Punching the Air by Ibi Zoboi and Yusef Salaam
- Summary: Amal Shahid, a Black Muslim teen, is wrongfully incarcerated. Through art and poetry, he navigates the challenges of prison life, reflecting on the systemic biases that led to his conviction.
- Content Considerations: Discusses wrongful imprisonment, racial injustice, and the transformative power of art.
List 2: Love and Relationships
- Eleanor & Park by Rainbow Rowell
- Summary: Set in 1986, this is a story of two misfit high school sophomores, Eleanor and Park, who develop an unexpected bond over music and comics, leading to a deep first love amidst personal challenges.
- Content Considerations: Contains themes of young love, self-acceptance, and overcoming personal adversity.
- One of Us Is Lying by Karen M. McManus
- Summary: Five students enter detention, but only four leave alive. The story unravels the mystery behind Simon Kelleher's death, the creator of a notorious gossip app, exploring secrets and lies among the students.
- Content Considerations: Includes discussions of gossip, the nature of truth, and high school dynamics.
- The Book of Lost and Found by Lucy Foley
- Summary: After her mother's death, Kate Darling discovers a portrait of a woman who looks strikingly like her. This leads her on a journey across continents to uncover her family's hidden past and a lost love story.
- Content Considerations: Explores family secrets, the search for identity, and enduring love.
- Thousand Words by Jennifer Brown
- Summary: Ashleigh's impulsive decision to send a revealing photo to her boyfriend leads to widespread humiliation when it goes viral, exploring the consequences of digital mistakes.
- Content Considerations: Addresses digital privacy, the repercussions of sexting, and personal redemption.
- Aristotle and Dante Discover the Secrets of the Universe by Benjamin Alire Sáenz
- Summary: Aristotle and Dante, two Mexican-American teenagers, form an unlikely friendship that helps them explore their identities and emotions, leading to profound self-discovery.
- Content Considerations: Discusses friendship, cultural identity, and sexual orientation.
Sophomore Summer Reading Activities
List 1: Students will write an in-class essay about how the main character(s) actions, perspectives, and struggles illustrate the need for shifts in societal values, power dynamics, or social structures. To prepare for this essay, students should take notes as they read about character struggles, perspectives, personal reactions to character choices, oppressive forces found within the work, and how it impacts the character(s).
List 2: Students will present a 2-3 minute book talk the first week of school. This will include a brief summary and evaluation of the novel. It will also give students a chance to introduce themselves. As part of the book talk, students should prepare slides to present using Google Slides or Canva. You can copy a slide template here.
Providing excellent co-ed, Christian education for grades 6-12 in Saint Louis, Missouri.
