Summer Reading For Saint Mary's Students
May 20, 2010
Saint Mary’s College High School Summer Reading Book Selections
Dear Parents and Students,
The Saint Mary's Summer Reading selections are listed for Freshmen (Page 2), Sophomores (Page 3), Juniors (Page 4), and Seniors (Page 5).
Our goal with Summer Reading is to make reading an integral part of what we do. Certainly, we are all aware of the research indicating that the loss of reading acuity—the “Summer Gap”--is real. We wish to prevent that from occurring. But our aim is higher. At its best, reading generates an ongoing dialogue—both internal and communal—about important issues. Reading takes us out of our mundane experience. It “makes the strange familiar, and the familiar strange,” allowing us to empathize with, and to wonder at, the human condition. There will be no mandated quizzes on these books. We wish to distance ourselves from “gotcha learning.” But students will be responsible for the ideas generated in these books throughout the school year and in multiple courses. Knowledge of these books will abet your student’s learning. Similarly, ignorance of these books will hinder learning.
The intent this summer is to integrate the concepts and themes found in these books in every class where appropriate. English, Social Studies, Visual & Performing Arts, and Religious Studies are the traditional subjects for such use, but several books are easily integrated in Science, Health, and Foreign Languages as well.
We strongly encourage all our parents to join us this summer in reading the books your student is reading. The discussions of these books should not merely occur in the classroom, but at the dinner table, in the car, and on vacation as well.
Attached is the full description of each book. All these books are available at local bookstores and through online booksellers. As always, we encourage your patronage of local independent bookstores.
Pete Imperial
Principal