FOR ALL INCOMING FRESHMAN - DGS INFO.!!!!

Below is the summer reading list from DGS - ALL of you are expected to select at least ONE of these books to read before the school year begins. You are more than welcome to read more than one of these books! You will be required to do this every summer during your high school career!

Summer Reading, Grade 9
Downers Grove South High School
May, 2008

Author Title

Bray, Libba A Great and Terrible Beauty
Sixteen-year-old Gemma moves from India to a London boarding school after her mother's surprising murder. While trying to find ways to fit in with her peers and deal with her loss, Gemma discovers her supernatural powers and uses them to explore the mystery of her mother's death. A page-turner set in Victorian England, this gothic mystery deals with issues still relevant today: female roles, parenting styles and family expectations.

Card, Orson Scott Ender’s Game
Imagine a brilliant young child, ripped from his family at a young age and forced to train for battle against an alien monster. Filled with surprises, this novel charts the growth of a deeply complicated young man as he prepares for inter-galactic battle. The ending will surprise you.

Giles, Gail Shattering Glass
The first sentence of this book tells of Simon Glass’ death. From there, we see how Rob, the most popular guy in school, who is also a new transfer, takes it upon himself to make this school geek win the school’s most prestigious popularity award. Despite all effort, Rob’s friends continue to hate Simon, but follow Rob’s requests, as outrageous as they may seem. Simon is hardly the innocent, all-good geek we see in the movies, and the standoff between Rob, Rob’s clique, and him will keep even those who avoid reading flipping the pages quickly.

Grogan, John Marley & Me
When John Grogan and his new wife pick Marley out of a litter of pups, they do not realize how their lives will change forever. An energetic, mischievous puppy, Marley is more than the couple can handle at first. He has a love of life and a fear of thunder, which causes chaos in the Grogans’ lives. Over time, however, Marley becomes one of the family. He grows into a calmer dog that is loving, loyal, and the best friend the Grogans could ever have. This book helps readers remember why dogs truly are “man’s best friends.”

Haddon, Mark The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-Time
Fifteen-year-old Christopher John Francis Boone loves the mysteries of Sherlock Holmes so when he discovers the body of the neighbor's dog, he is determined to solve the mystery of " who dunnit?" This decision leads this remarkable boy on an exciting, often funny, and sometimes heartbreaking adventure. An autistic child, Christopher faces serious challenges. He hates to be touched. He eats only particular foods, hates noises and crowds, and has some startling ways to determine Good and Bad Days. Despite the obstacles, Christopher uses his intelligence and determination to solve the mystery. His discoveries, however, force him and his parents to confront new truths and changes in their lives.

Hautman, Pete Invisible
Andy Morrow and Doug Hanson are an unlikely pair. Andy is a popular football player while Doug is unpopular and spends his free time working on a model railroad set. Despite their differences, they are best friends. Every time Doug has a problem or gets into trouble, Andy is there to support him. And like many friends, Doug and Andy also share many secrets, and secrets are tearing Doug apart. As Doug becomes more and more detached from reality, he looks to Andy for help, but will his friendship with Andy be enough to overcome the secrets he is hiding?

Kluger, Steve Last Days of Summer
Joey Margolis has a dilemma. He has bragged so much about his best friend, New York Giants’ baseball player Charlie Banks, that his school mates want proof. But Joey doesn’t really know Charlie – and so he has to find a way to make him his friend. Thus begins the story of a very unlikely relationship between a national sports hero and a 12 year old boy. A series of letters, notes, report cards, telegrams, baseball scorecards and newspaper clippings tell this funny and touching story as it spans the years before and during World War II.

Tashjian, Janet The Gospel According to Larry
Josh Swensen wants to save the world, but is too shy to speak out – so he creates a web site under the pen name Larry, where he posts his sermons about the flaws in our society – everything from consumerism to celebrity worship. His Web site quickly becomes a national phenomenon and "Larry" becomes a celebrity. Even his best friend Beth, with whom he is secretly in love, has become a fan. Josh is torn about whether to admit being Larry or keep his identity secret – until an obsessed fan makes the decision for him.

Woodson, Jacqueline If You Come Softly
Two students are new at Percy Academy, a private school in Manhattan. Jeremiah is a black boy from Brooklyn. Ellie is a white girl from New York City. Their first meeting in the halls at school is brief but powerful – and neither can stop thinking about the other. When they finally meet again, their connection is immediate, and a relationship begins. Walking in Central Park, Ellie looks down at her hand in Jeremiah’s and likes how it looks contrasted against his. They feel they belong together, but they are not prepared for the views of the rest of the world.

Zevin, Gabrielle Elsewhere
When 15 year-old Lizzie Hall wakes up on a ship cruising to Elsewhere, she does not know she is already dead. Anger, resentment, and longing for her life temporarily block her progress toward - hard as it is to believe - reincarnation. Joy, sadness, and ultimately acceptance fill Lizzie's journey "back" to her new and future roles.