Summer Reading Lists

Ready Player One by Ernest Cline
"In the year 2044, reality is an ugly place. The only time teenage Wade Watts really feels alive is when he's jacked into the virtual utopia known as the Oasis.Wade's devoted his life to studying the puzzles hidden within this world's digital confines - puzzles that are based on their creator's obsession with the pop culture of decades past and that promise massive power and fortune to whoever can unlock them. But when Wade stumbles upon the first clue, he finds himself beset by players willing to kill to take this ultimate prize. The race is on, and if Wade's going to survive, he'll have to win - and confront the real world he's always been so disparate to escape" -- Cover verso.
"The story of a town torn apart by the events surrounding the rape of drunk girl at a house party, from the perspective of the partygoers who witnessed it"-- Provided by publisher.
"One teenager in a skirt. One teenager with a lighter. One moment that changes both of their lives forever. If it weren't for the 57 bus, Sasha and Richard never would have met. Both were high school students from Oakland, California, one of the most diverse cities in the country, but they inhabited different worlds. Sasha, a white teen, lived in the middle-class foothills and attended a small private school. Richard, a black teen, lived in the crime-plagued flatlands and attended a large public one. Each day, their paths overlapped for a mere eight minutes. But one afternoon on the bus ride home from school, a single reckless act left Sasha severely burned, and Richard charged with two hate crimes and facing life imprisonment. The case garnered international attention, thrusting both teenagers into the spotlight." -- Amazon.com.
The Happiness Advantage by Shawn Achor
Discovering the happiness advantage -- The happiness advantage at work -- Change is possible -- Principle #1: the happiness advantage -- Principle #2: the fulcrum and the lever -- Principle #3: thetetris effect -- Principle #4: falling up -- Principle #5: the Zorro circle -- Principle #6: the 20-second rule -- Principle #7: social investment -- Spreading the happiness advantage at work, at home, and beyond.
Requirements
English 9- Choose 1 Title
Honors English 9- Choose 2 Titles
Ready Player One by Ernest Cline
"In the year 2044, reality is an ugly place. The only time teenage Wade Watts really feels alive is when he's jacked into the virtual utopia known as the Oasis.Wade's devoted his life to studying the puzzles hidden within this world's digital confines - puzzles that are based on their creator's obsession with the pop culture of decades past and that promise massive power and fortune to whoever can unlock them. But when Wade stumbles upon the first clue, he finds himself beset by players willing to kill to take this ultimate prize. The race is on, and if Wade's going to survive, he'll have to win - and confront the real world he's always been so disparate to escape" -- Cover verso.
"The story of a town torn apart by the events surrounding the rape of drunk girl at a house party, from the perspective of the partygoers who witnessed it"-- Provided by publisher.
"One teenager in a skirt. One teenager with a lighter. One moment that changes both of their lives forever. If it weren't for the 57 bus, Sasha and Richard never would have met. Both were high school students from Oakland, California, one of the most diverse cities in the country, but they inhabited different worlds. Sasha, a white teen, lived in the middle-class foothills and attended a small private school. Richard, a black teen, lived in the crime-plagued flatlands and attended a large public one. Each day, their paths overlapped for a mere eight minutes. But one afternoon on the bus ride home from school, a single reckless act left Sasha severely burned, and Richard charged with two hate crimes and facing life imprisonment. The case garnered international attention, thrusting both teenagers into the spotlight." -- Amazon.com.
The Happiness Advantage by Shawn Achor
Discovering the happiness advantage -- The happiness advantage at work -- Change is possible -- Principle #1: the happiness advantage -- Principle #2: the fulcrum and the lever -- Principle #3: thetetris effect -- Principle #4: falling up -- Principle #5: the Zorro circle -- Principle #6: the 20-second rule -- Principle #7: social investment -- Spreading the happiness advantage at work, at home, and beyond.
Requirements
English 10: American Literature- Choose 1 Title
Honors American Literature- Choose 2 Titles
Choose 1 Title
Ready Player One by Ernest Cline
"In the year 2044, reality is an ugly place. The only time teenage Wade Watts really feels alive is when he's jacked into the virtual utopia known as the Oasis.Wade's devoted his life to studying the puzzles hidden within this world's digital confines - puzzles that are based on their creator's obsession with the pop culture of decades past and that promise massive power and fortune to whoever can unlock them. But when Wade stumbles upon the first clue, he finds himself beset by players willing to kill to take this ultimate prize. The race is on, and if Wade's going to survive, he'll have to win - and confront the real world he's always been so disparate to escape" -- Cover verso.
"The story of a town torn apart by the events surrounding the rape of drunk girl at a house party, from the perspective of the partygoers who witnessed it"-- Provided by publisher.
"One teenager in a skirt. One teenager with a lighter. One moment that changes both of their lives forever. If it weren't for the 57 bus, Sasha and Richard never would have met. Both were high school students from Oakland, California, one of the most diverse cities in the country, but they inhabited different worlds. Sasha, a white teen, lived in the middle-class foothills and attended a small private school. Richard, a black teen, lived in the crime-plagued flatlands and attended a large public one. Each day, their paths overlapped for a mere eight minutes. But one afternoon on the bus ride home from school, a single reckless act left Sasha severely burned, and Richard charged with two hate crimes and facing life imprisonment. The case garnered international attention, thrusting both teenagers into the spotlight." -- Amazon.com.
The Happiness Advantage by Shawn Achor
Discovering the happiness advantage -- The happiness advantage at work -- Change is possible -- Principle #1: the happiness advantage -- Principle #2: the fulcrum and the lever -- Principle #3: thetetris effect -- Principle #4: falling up -- Principle #5: the Zorro circle -- Principle #6: the 20-second rule -- Principle #7: social investment -- Spreading the happiness advantage at work, at home, and beyond.
Choose 1 plus required title.
Ready Player One by Ernest Cline
"In the year 2044, reality is an ugly place. The only time teenage Wade Watts really feels alive is when he's jacked into the virtual utopia known as the Oasis.Wade's devoted his life to studying the puzzles hidden within this world's digital confines - puzzles that are based on their creator's obsession with the pop culture of decades past and that promise massive power and fortune to whoever can unlock them. But when Wade stumbles upon the first clue, he finds himself beset by players willing to kill to take this ultimate prize. The race is on, and if Wade's going to survive, he'll have to win - and confront the real world he's always been so disparate to escape" -- Cover verso.
"The story of a town torn apart by the events surrounding the rape of drunk girl at a house party, from the perspective of the partygoers who witnessed it"-- Provided by publisher.
"One teenager in a skirt. One teenager with a lighter. One moment that changes both of their lives forever. If it weren't for the 57 bus, Sasha and Richard never would have met. Both were high school students from Oakland, California, one of the most diverse cities in the country, but they inhabited different worlds. Sasha, a white teen, lived in the middle-class foothills and attended a small private school. Richard, a black teen, lived in the crime-plagued flatlands and attended a large public one. Each day, their paths overlapped for a mere eight minutes. But one afternoon on the bus ride home from school, a single reckless act left Sasha severely burned, and Richard charged with two hate crimes and facing life imprisonment. The case garnered international attention, thrusting both teenagers into the spotlight." -- Amazon.com.
The Happiness Advantage by Shawn Achor
Discovering the happiness advantage -- The happiness advantage at work -- Change is possible -- Principle #1: the happiness advantage -- Principle #2: the fulcrum and the lever -- Principle #3: thetetris effect -- Principle #4: falling up -- Principle #5: the Zorro circle -- Principle #6: the 20-second rule -- Principle #7: social investment -- Spreading the happiness advantage at work, at home, and beyond.
Frankenstein- Mary Wollstonecraft Shelley REQUIRED
A tale of a man and a monster, and the dangers of exploring and exploiting the nature of life too closely.
Choose 1 Title plus required titles.
Ready Player One by Ernest Cline
"In the year 2044, reality is an ugly place. The only time teenage Wade Watts really feels alive is when he's jacked into the virtual utopia known as the Oasis.Wade's devoted his life to studying the puzzles hidden within this world's digital confines - puzzles that are based on their creator's obsession with the pop culture of decades past and that promise massive power and fortune to whoever can unlock them. But when Wade stumbles upon the first clue, he finds himself beset by players willing to kill to take this ultimate prize. The race is on, and if Wade's going to survive, he'll have to win - and confront the real world he's always been so disparate to escape" -- Cover verso.
"The story of a town torn apart by the events surrounding the rape of drunk girl at a house party, from the perspective of the partygoers who witnessed it"-- Provided by publisher.
"One teenager in a skirt. One teenager with a lighter. One moment that changes both of their lives forever. If it weren't for the 57 bus, Sasha and Richard never would have met. Both were high school students from Oakland, California, one of the most diverse cities in the country, but they inhabited different worlds. Sasha, a white teen, lived in the middle-class foothills and attended a small private school. Richard, a black teen, lived in the crime-plagued flatlands and attended a large public one. Each day, their paths overlapped for a mere eight minutes. But one afternoon on the bus ride home from school, a single reckless act left Sasha severely burned, and Richard charged with two hate crimes and facing life imprisonment. The case garnered international attention, thrusting both teenagers into the spotlight." -- Amazon.com.
The Happiness Advantage by Shawn Achor
Discovering the happiness advantage -- The happiness advantage at work -- Change is possible -- Principle #1: the happiness advantage -- Principle #2: the fulcrum and the lever -- Principle #3: thetetris effect -- Principle #4: falling up -- Principle #5: the Zorro circle -- Principle #6: the 20-second rule -- Principle #7: social investment -- Spreading the happiness advantage at work, at home, and beyond.
Nineteen Eighty-Four- George Orwell REQUIRED
Portrays life in a future time when a totalitarian government watches over all citizens and directs all activities.
The Handmaid's Tale- Margaret Atwood REQUIRED
A look at the near future presents the story of Offred, a Handmaid in the Republic of Gilead, once the United States, an oppressive world where women are valued only as long as they are viable for reproduction.
Choose 1 title pluse required title.
Ready Player One by Ernest Cline
"In the year 2044, reality is an ugly place. The only time teenage Wade Watts really feels alive is when he's jacked into the virtual utopia known as the Oasis.Wade's devoted his life to studying the puzzles hidden within this world's digital confines - puzzles that are based on their creator's obsession with the pop culture of decades past and that promise massive power and fortune to whoever can unlock them. But when Wade stumbles upon the first clue, he finds himself beset by players willing to kill to take this ultimate prize. The race is on, and if Wade's going to survive, he'll have to win - and confront the real world he's always been so disparate to escape" -- Cover verso.
"The story of a town torn apart by the events surrounding the rape of drunk girl at a house party, from the perspective of the partygoers who witnessed it"-- Provided by publisher.
"One teenager in a skirt. One teenager with a lighter. One moment that changes both of their lives forever. If it weren't for the 57 bus, Sasha and Richard never would have met. Both were high school students from Oakland, California, one of the most diverse cities in the country, but they inhabited different worlds. Sasha, a white teen, lived in the middle-class foothills and attended a small private school. Richard, a black teen, lived in the crime-plagued flatlands and attended a large public one. Each day, their paths overlapped for a mere eight minutes. But one afternoon on the bus ride home from school, a single reckless act left Sasha severely burned, and Richard charged with two hate crimes and facing life imprisonment. The case garnered international attention, thrusting both teenagers into the spotlight." -- Amazon.com.
The Happiness Advantage by Shawn Achor
Discovering the happiness advantage -- The happiness advantage at work -- Change is possible -- Principle #1: the happiness advantage -- Principle #2: the fulcrum and the lever -- Principle #3: thetetris effect -- Principle #4: falling up -- Principle #5: the Zorro circle -- Principle #6: the 20-second rule -- Principle #7: social investment -- Spreading the happiness advantage at work, at home, and beyond.
Choose 1 title plus required title.
Ready Player One by Ernest Cline
"In the year 2044, reality is an ugly place. The only time teenage Wade Watts really feels alive is when he's jacked into the virtual utopia known as the Oasis.Wade's devoted his life to studying the puzzles hidden within this world's digital confines - puzzles that are based on their creator's obsession with the pop culture of decades past and that promise massive power and fortune to whoever can unlock them. But when Wade stumbles upon the first clue, he finds himself beset by players willing to kill to take this ultimate prize. The race is on, and if Wade's going to survive, he'll have to win - and confront the real world he's always been so disparate to escape" -- Cover verso.
"The story of a town torn apart by the events surrounding the rape of drunk girl at a house party, from the perspective of the partygoers who witnessed it"-- Provided by publisher.
"One teenager in a skirt. One teenager with a lighter. One moment that changes both of their lives forever. If it weren't for the 57 bus, Sasha and Richard never would have met. Both were high school students from Oakland, California, one of the most diverse cities in the country, but they inhabited different worlds. Sasha, a white teen, lived in the middle-class foothills and attended a small private school. Richard, a black teen, lived in the crime-plagued flatlands and attended a large public one. Each day, their paths overlapped for a mere eight minutes. But one afternoon on the bus ride home from school, a single reckless act left Sasha severely burned, and Richard charged with two hate crimes and facing life imprisonment. The case garnered international attention, thrusting both teenagers into the spotlight." -- Amazon.com.
The Happiness Advantage by Shawn Achor
Discovering the happiness advantage -- The happiness advantage at work -- Change is possible -- Principle #1: the happiness advantage -- Principle #2: the fulcrum and the lever -- Principle #3: thetetris effect -- Principle #4: falling up -- Principle #5: the Zorro circle -- Principle #6: the 20-second rule -- Principle #7: social investment -- Spreading the happiness advantage at work, at home, and beyond.
In the Garden of Beasts- Erik Larson REQUIRED
In the Garden of Beasts lends a stunning, eyewitness perspective on events as they unfold in real time, revealing an era of surprising nuance and complexity. The result is a dazzling, addictively readable work that speaks volumes about why the world did not recognize the grave threat posed by Hitler until Berlin, and Europe, were awash in blood and terror.
Choose 1 title plus required title.
Ready Player One by Ernest Cline
"In the year 2044, reality is an ugly place. The only time teenage Wade Watts really feels alive is when he's jacked into the virtual utopia known as the Oasis.Wade's devoted his life to studying the puzzles hidden within this world's digital confines - puzzles that are based on their creator's obsession with the pop culture of decades past and that promise massive power and fortune to whoever can unlock them. But when Wade stumbles upon the first clue, he finds himself beset by players willing to kill to take this ultimate prize. The race is on, and if Wade's going to survive, he'll have to win - and confront the real world he's always been so disparate to escape" -- Cover verso.
"The story of a town torn apart by the events surrounding the rape of drunk girl at a house party, from the perspective of the partygoers who witnessed it"-- Provided by publisher.
"One teenager in a skirt. One teenager with a lighter. One moment that changes both of their lives forever. If it weren't for the 57 bus, Sasha and Richard never would have met. Both were high school students from Oakland, California, one of the most diverse cities in the country, but they inhabited different worlds. Sasha, a white teen, lived in the middle-class foothills and attended a small private school. Richard, a black teen, lived in the crime-plagued flatlands and attended a large public one. Each day, their paths overlapped for a mere eight minutes. But one afternoon on the bus ride home from school, a single reckless act left Sasha severely burned, and Richard charged with two hate crimes and facing life imprisonment. The case garnered international attention, thrusting both teenagers into the spotlight." -- Amazon.com.
The Happiness Advantage by Shawn Achor
Discovering the happiness advantage -- The happiness advantage at work -- Change is possible -- Principle #1: the happiness advantage -- Principle #2: the fulcrum and the lever -- Principle #3: thetetris effect -- Principle #4: falling up -- Principle #5: the Zorro circle -- Principle #6: the 20-second rule -- Principle #7: social investment -- Spreading the happiness advantage at work, at home, and beyond.
How to Read Literature Like a Professor- Thomas C. Foster
In this practical guide to literature, Thomas C. Foster shows how gratifying it is to unlock literature's hidden truths: to discover a world where a road leads to a quest or where a shared meal may signify a communion.
Click the link below for the suggested Summer Reading Titles for WAMS.