2012 SUMMER READING*SUMMER READING*SUMMER READING*SUMMER READING*SUMMER*READING
TAPPAN ZEE HIGH SCHOOL The 2012 Summer Reading Program June 2012
Dear Parents and High School Students:
The purpose of the summer reading program is to encourage reading. Studies have shown that the best way to improve academic performance in school is to read! Read magazines, read the back of the cereal box, read your favorite blog – but READ!!! Of course there’s nothing better on a summer day than relaxing on the beach or in your yard with a good book. You might be reading it on your kindle, nook, ipad or itouch but the satisfaction you’ll receive will still be the same! If you’re going on a long car ride, you might even want to try free audiobooks that you can download as an MP3! Or listen while exercising. As in previous years, we are providing links to a wide variety of reading lists that address specific reading interests or needs, or that we think are just great lists. Students can choose to read any two books. These lists are just suggestions.
Do you want to know what your friends are reading? Every few years we poll students in all English classes to find out what their favorites book are. (Remember, we asked "what is your favorite book of all time?" so Dr. Seuss's books came up a few times!). Check out this year's top 20! This year students in 10H created book trailers for their independent reading projects and these were added right to our OPALS catalog. You can watch the trailers by selecting the book in our catalog, clicking on it and then clicking on the link for the book trailer. If you want to read one of our 87 e-books, just search our catalog for ebooks if you like reading online. What books do TZHS faculty members recommend? Find out on the book blog on the library website.
Again, these lists provide suggestions and students may select any two books to read over the summer. Incoming ninth grade students can also consult the SOMS list (available at socsd.org) for other age-appropriate summer reading suggestions. For additional advice, check with your school librarian, Ms. Parker-Hennion or Ms. Eyer (for incoming 9th graders) your public librarian, or bookseller. Other suggestions may be found on the web, through the links listed below. Remember, you can read fiction, non-fiction, biography, science fiction – whatever YOU like to read!
In the fall, an in-class writing assignment will be required of all students about the two books they read over the summer. Students should remember to write down at least the author and title for a minimum of two books.
The assignments and required books for English AP and Honors courses are attached here and posted on the SOCSD website and on the English Department website in addition to being posted as a separate link on the library website. When school begins again in September, students will have an opportunity to ask questions about the assignments to receive clarification before anything is collected or graded.
Please feel free to contact or any of the public librarians for additional suggestions for leisure reading. This year summer reading programs at the five libraries that serve our district are a coordinated effort. Stop by your public library for more information.
Michael L. Printz Winners & Honor Books The Michael L. Printz Award is an award for a book that exemplifies literary excellence in young adult literature. It is named for a Topeka, Kansas school librarian who was a long-time active member of the Young Adult Library Services Association. The award is sponsored by Booklist, a publication of the American Library Association.
Top Ten Best Fiction for Young Adults – Another list from YALSA
Alex Awards The Alex Awards are given to ten books written for adults that have special appeal to young adults, ages 12 through 18. The winning titles are selected from the previous year's publishing. The Alex Awards were first given annually beginning in 1998 and became an official ALA award in 2002. Here is a great opportunity for you and your teen to read the same book!
Planning to go to college? Many colleges and universities have reading lists for their students. Google the school and get ahead by reading what they suggest! Or check out the American Library Association's Outstanding Books for the College Bound and Lifelong Learners (updated every 5 years)
Reluctant Readers- You say you hate to read, but check out these high interest quick reads. You may be pleasantly surprised!
If you like graphic novels, check out this list.
Teenreads.com – New books galore for teens and adult books with teen appeal, this site also includes author interviews, media tie-ins, and online book discussion guides. www.teenreads.com
NoveList Plus is a fiction and non-fiction database that can be accessed from the Tappan Zee High School Library Web Page. Click on the Novelist Plus tab on the left. To use this database from home, the username is tzhs and the password is student. This database provides subject heading access, reviews, and annotations for over 135,000 fiction titles. For some novels, the first chapter is available to read online, or you can click on the author's website link. Book discussion guides are provided for many novels. With Novelist, simply describe a plot and Novelist will find the perfect book that fits the keywords or subject headings entered.
Audiobooks - You can listen to books on tape, CD, or MP3's. There are a number of sites that provide audiobooks in MP3 format.
Rockland Catskill Public Library System - http://www.rcls.org
New York State has a summer reading site for teens - check it out here!
Free Classic Audio Books - http://freeclassicaudiobooks.com
A copy of this letter will be sent to all of the local public libraries and bookstores and will be posted along with the lists from our other South Orangetown schools at http://www.socsd.org/. Remember, high school students can check out books in June from the high school library. The books will be due back the first week of school in September!
Have a Great Summer - and HAPPY READING!
Ms. Lois Parker-Hennion
Library Media Specialist
Tappan Zee High School Library