John C. Birdlebough High School Grade 9 Summer Reading List Rx and R students please choose 1 book from the list. H students please choose 2 books from the list. You will complete an assessment on the book(s) you choose. Rating System: Please note that we have recently begun using a rating system. If you are worried about mature content (coarse language, violence, and/or sexuality), please stick with a G or PG-rated book. Books with PG-13 will contain some mature content, and books that receive an R rating will contain many instances of mature language and content. If you would like more information on the novels, please visit the following sites: www.commonsensemedia.org and www.parentalbookreviews.com. CLASSIC Fiction Austen, Jane Emma Date published: 1815 400 pages 990 Lexile Rated PG Genre: Realistic Fiction, Romance Summary: Emma knows everything about matchmaking. Though she is twenty and should be considering marriage herself, she has convinced herself she will never marry. Swift, Jonathan Gulliver's Travels Date published: 1726 240 pages 1090 Lexile Rated PG Summary: Lemuel Gulliver, travels the seas when his business fails. He happens upon many adventures on these travels. Tolkien, JRR The Hobbit Date published: 1937 320 pages 1000 Lexile Rated PG Summary: A mild-mannered Hobbit, Bilbo Baggins, who avoids adventure, is swept into a quest to reclaim the lost Dwarf Kingdom from Smaug, a terrifying dragon.
Verne, Jules Journey to the Center of the Earth Date published: 1864 304 pages 1040 Lexile Rated PG Summary: German professor Otto Lidenbrock, his nephew Axel, and their guide Hans descend into a volcano and encounter many adventures. MODERN Fiction Flinn, Alex Beastly Date published: 2007 320 pages 580 Lexile Rated PG-13, Fairy Tale Summary: This modern retelling of Beauty and the Beast from the Beast's point of view is about a vain Manhattan private-school student who is turned into a monster and must find true love before he can return to his human form. Forester, Victoria The Girl Who Could Fly Date published: 2008 336 pages 920 Lexile Rated PG Summary: Piper McCloud's ability to fly sets her apart from the other kids, so her mother sends her to an exclusive school for children with exceptional abilities, but even there she does not fit in with the other students. Goldman, William The Princess Bride Date published: 1973 416 pages 870 Lexile Rated PG, Fairy Tale Summary: Princess Buttercup and her one true love must battle pirates, giants, torture, ROUS monsters, dark forests, and many more adventures in their quest to be together. Graff, Lisa A Tangle of Knots Date published: 2013 240 pages 840 Lexile Rated G Summary: a multiple person narrative guides this twisty and turny story of talents, mysterious suitcases, and a pie-making contest. Green, John Looking for Alaska Date Published: 2005 221 pages 930 Lexile Rated R Summary: Miles leaves his home in Florida for a boarding school in Alabama. He is accepted by a smart group of pranksters who teach him about friendship and love.
King, Stephen The Girl Who Loved Tom Gordon Date published: 1999 224 pages 1040 Lexile Rated R, Horror Summary: Nine-year-old Trisha McFarland wanders off by herself on a family hike and becomes hopelessly lost in the wilderness. Trisha has only her resourcefulness, bravery, and faith to help her survive. Levithan, David Every Day Date published: 2012 325 pages 650 Lexile Rated R Summary: Every day since birth, A has woken up in a different body. Maybe a girl; maybe a boy always interesting. Martel, Yann Life of Pi Date published: 2001 336 pages 830 Lexile Rated PG-13 Summary: Tragedy strikes and a terrible storm sinks a ship that Pi and his family are on. Pi is the only human survivor, but he isn t alone. A huge Bengal tiger has decided to share the lifeboat with Pi. McNeal, Tom Far Far Away Date published: 2013 384 pages 790 Lexile Rated PG 13 Summary: The ghost of Jacob Grimm knows he must protect Jeremy Johnson but he has no idea from whom or what. Rowell, Rainbow Eleanor and Park Date published: 2013 328 pages 580 Lexile Rated R Genre: Young Adult, Realistic Fiction Summary: A story with dual narratives: two misfits living in Omaha, Nebraska in the 80 s form a connection through music and comic books. Smith, Roland Peak Date published: 2008 256 pages 760 Lexile Rated PG-13 Genre: Adventure, Realistic Fiction Summary: A fourteen-year-old boy, who should be in jail for vandalism, attempts to be the youngest person to reach the top of Mount Everest.
Stewart, Trenton Lee The Mysterious Benedict Society Date published: 2009 400 pages 900 Lexile Rated PG Summary: After passing a series of mind-bending tests, four children are selected for a secret mission to go undercover at the Learning Institute for the Very Enlightened, where their mission is to stop the plan of the evil Ledroptha Curtain. Zevin, Gabrielle Elsewhere Date published: 2005 288 pages 720 Lexile Rated PG-13 Genre: Young Adult, Fantasy Summary: After fifteen-year-old Liz Hall is hit by a taxi and killed, she finds herself in a place that is both like and unlike Earth, where she must adjust to her new status and figure out how to "live." Zusak, Markus I Am the Messenger Date published: 2005 368 pages 640 Lexile Rated R Genre: Realistic Fiction Summary: After thwarting a bank robbery, do-nothing, go-nowhere Ed Kennedy is challenged by an unknown benefactor to become a better person by helping those around him. MODERN Non-fiction Crutcher, Chris King of the Mild Frontier: An Ill-Advised Autobiography Date published: 2003 272 pages 1180 Lexile Rated PG-13 Genre: Autobiography, Comedy Summary: Chris Crutcher discussed growing up and the relativity of life. Grogan, John Marley & Me: Life and Love with the World s Worst Dog Date published: 2005 304 pages 1050 Lexile Rated PG-13 Genre: Memoir, Comedy Summary: John Grogan recounts the tale of his adventurous dog. Krakauer, John Into Thin Air Date published: 1993 416 pages 1320 Lexile Rated PG-13 Genre: Adventure, Memoir Summary: Author Jon Krakauer decides to climb Mount Everest, so he can write an article about it. Unfortunately, he joins the most disastrous Everest expedition in history.
Myers, Walter Dean Malcolm X: By Any Means Necessary Date published: 1994 224 pages 1050 Lexile Rated PG-13 Genre: Biography, Drama Summary: Walter Dean Myers discusses the life of Malcolm X a man who, for quite some time, believed an eye for an eye would fix the civil rights issue in America. Ralston, Aron Between A Rock and A Hard Place Date published: 2005 368 pages 1210 Lexile Rated R Genre: Adventure, Memoir Summary: The author, Aron Ralston, recounts his harrowing experiences of being trapped for six days in Blue Canyon in Utah and having to amputate his own right arm in order to save his life. Walls Jeanette The Glass Castle Date published: 2005 304 pages 1010 Lexile Rated R Genre: MEMOIR Summary: The author recalls growing up in a dysfunctional family with an alcoholic father and distant mother.