Summer Reading

Reading is to the mind what exercise is to the body. 

– Richard Steele, Tatler, 1710
Summer Reading is an essential part of The Haverford School experience. Students are exercising their minds and preparing for the year ahead.
 
These lists of required reading have been created by teachers in different academic departments, and are designed both to challenge and engage. In some cases the books will be used in the first weeks of classes.
 

It is important to remember that these required books represent a minimum reading commitment. We encourage our students to go beyond the minimum and read additional books that will broaden their perspectives, their knowledge, and their ability to share in the life experiences of others.
 

Use the tabs above to navigate the Summer Reading Lists by grade for the Lower School. If you have any questions, please contact the division office.  

For Students Entering Kindergarten - Fall 2011
 

At this point, your son may be reading, beginning to read, or not reading at all yet. Your goal for the summer is to keep up his interest and develop his love of books. If he is a beginning reader, look for books with very controlled vocabulary, lots of repetition, and rhymes. The Dr. Seuss books and the Margaret Hiller "Beginning to Read" series are popular with beginning readers. If your son is not yet reading, choose from our read-aloud list and set aside a faithful time each day for reading together.

Kindergarten Summer Reading

For Students Entering First Grade - Fall 2011
 

Your goal for the summer is to keep up your child's interest in reading and develop his love of books. Why not share some of your favorite read aloud books from your childhood or choose from our read aloud list of titles and authors? Please, set aside a faithful time each day for reading together, as consistent exposure to good books will best prepare your son for a wonderful start in First Grade.

Grade 1 Summer Reading

For Students Entering Second Grade - Fall 2011
 

During the summer following first grade, the second grade teachers would like the boys to read for pleasure to practice the comprehension and decoding strategies and skills that they have learned. Summer reading should be fun and, at the same time, an extension of reading in school. The boys have some experience in choosing books appropriate to their own levels. They may choose to read additional books by authors enjoyed in and out of school. They may choose books that are appealing based on topic, title, illustrations, a “picture walk,” or recommendations by friends and family.*
 
We are asking boys entering second grade to read approximately 15-20 minutes at least three or four days each week, which is the equivalent to homework requirements beginning in September. They should try to include as many different genres as possible in their reading: fiction, nonfiction, poetry, biographies, folktales and fairy tales, magazines, comic books, and any others they wish to read!
 
We are including a reading log calendar set on which to record minutes read. Please help your son fill in his reading minutes as the summer progresses, rather than at the last minute! This calendar set should be given to your son’s second grade teacher on the first day of school in September. In addition, each boy should bring in a favorite book read over the summer for a project to be done in school on the first day back! HAPPY READING!!!

Sincerely,
The Second Grade Teachers

*We did not include a specific reading list or forms to fill out. If you need help with suggestions, please let us know. Local libraries also have great age appropriate bibliographies and motivational reading programs.

For Students Entering Third Grade - Fall 2011
 

A summer reading program will help boys choose books to read, and perhaps, to discover some books they might otherwise miss. Sequels or other books by the same author are enjoyable as well. There also are many other good books at your local library.

Your son should read thirty minutes each day, read a minimum of two books a week. The important thing is to keep your son reading on a consistent, regular basis over the summer. The more he reads, the better he gets!

 Grade 3 Summer Reading

For Students Entering Fourth Grade - Fall 2011
 

This is a list of suggested authors and titles, although asking for suggestions at book stores is a good idea, too. Many of the authors listed have several books appropriate for boys entering fourth grade. Please avoid the books specifically listed at the end of this list. This is not a list of required reading.

Grade 4 Summer Reading

Thank You,
The Fourth Grade Teachers

For Students Entering Fifth Grade - Fall 2011
 

Enjoy your summer reading!

Grade 5 Summer Reading Materials
Grade 5 Summer Reading List

Middle/Upper School

Use the tabs above to navigate the Summer Reading Lists by form for the Middle and Upper Schools. If you have any questions, please contact your division office.
 
For Students Entering I Form - Fall 2011

I Form Summer Reading Assignment
Pennsylvania Young Reader's Choice Award Program Information

Latin
Required: City: A Story of Roman Planning and Construction, David Macauley
Recommended: Aulaire’s Book of Greek Myths, Ingri and Edgar Parin D’Aulaire, pp. 8-69.
 

New Students are required to read any version of the Trojan War in addition to the requirements listed above.

For Students Entering II Form - Fall 2011
 
II Form Summer Reading

World Cultures
Daniel, Half Human and the Good Nazi, David Chotjewitz. Translated by Doris Orgel – In 1933, best friends Daniel and Armin admire Hitler. When Daniel discovers he is half Jewish, their friendship is threatened.  

After reading this book, you are required to prepare a two (2) page typed commentary. Your commentary must summarize the novel and the last two paragraphs need to include your overall reaction to the characters and the plot.  The paper should be double-spaced in Times Roman, 12 point font. This is due the first day of school and will be your first trimester grade in World Cultures.    
 
Latin
Required: View the movies “Spartacus” and “Ben Hur.”
Refer to the packet that will be available before school ends.

Recommended:
D’Aulaire’s Book of Greek Myths, Ingri and Edgar Parin D’Aulaire, pp.114-122, Hercules 132-147, Theseus 148-157, Jason 162-175
 
For Students Entering III Form - Fall 2012

III Form Summer Reading List and Instructions

For Students Entering IV Form - Fall 2012
 

English
This Boy's Life - Tobias Wolff (ISBN: 0802136680)

and one or more from the following list:

Siddhartha - Hermann Hesse (ISBN: 0553208845)
Chronicle of a Death Foretold - Gabriel Garcia Marquez (ISBN: 140003471X)
Life of Pi - Yan Martel (ISBN: 0156030209)

History

All Quiet on the Western Front - Erich Maria Remarque

Chinese II
The Tao of Pooh – Benjamin Hoff (ISBN: 0140067477)
Out of Mao’s Shadow – Philip P. Pan (ISBN: 9781416537052)

Latin II/II*

http://quizlet.com/6146532/ths-latin-ii-summer-noun-review-flash-cards/
http://quizlet.com/6148754/ths-latin-ii-summer-verb-review-flash-cards/
http://quizlet.com/6148841/ths-latin-ii-summer-adjective-review-flash-cards/
http://quizlet.com/6148919/ths-latin-ii-summer-adverbprepconj-review-flash-cards/

Spanish
Click HERE to find the specific summer assignment for your level. If you have questions, please email any of the following Spanish teachers:

Mr. Poolman
Ms. Mateos-Hirshman
Ms. Meier-Fernandez
Ms. David
 

For Students Entering V Form - Fall 2012
 

English
Old School - Tobias Wolff (ISBN: 0965915174)

History
The Killer Angels - Michael Shaara

Biology
What’s Eating You?: People and Parasites – Eugene H. Kaplan (ISBN13: 9780691141404)
*paperback or ebook are okay if available

Biology*
Summer assignment and textbook distributed by Ms. Cleffi before the end of the school year. Contact Mr. Trocano if you did not pick it up.

Physiology
The Woman with a Worm in Her Head & Other True Stories of Infectious Disease – Pamela Nagami, M.D., 2001
(ISBN: 0312306016, publish date Dec. 2002)

Environmental Science (Fall only)
Cradle to Cradle: Remaking the Way We Make Things - William McDonough & Michael Braungart (ISBN: 9780865475878)

Chinese III
Tao Te Ching – Lao Tsu, translated by Gia-fu Feng and Jane English (ISBN: 0679724346)
Riding the Iron Rooster – Paul Theroux (ISBN: 0804104549)

Latin III & Latin IV

http://quizlet.com/6146532/ths-latin-ii-summer-noun-review-flash-cards/
http://quizlet.com/6148754/ths-latin-ii-summer-verb-review-flash-cards/
http://quizlet.com/6148841/ths-latin-ii-summer-adjective-review-flash-cards/
http://quizlet.com/6148919/ths-latin-ii-summer-adverbprepconj-review-flash-cards/

Spanish
Click HERE to find the specific summer assignment for your level. If you have questions, please email any of the following Spanish teachers:

Mr. Poolman
Ms. Mateos-Hirshman
Ms. Meier-Fernandez
Ms. David

 
 

For Students Entering VI Form - Fall 2012

 
History
For European Dictators: The Foreign Correspondent - Alan Furst

Physiology

The Woman with a Worm in Her Head & Other True Stories of Infectious Disease – Pamela Nagami, M.D., 2001

Environmental Science (Fall only)
Cradle to Cradle: Remaking the Way We Make Things - William McDonough & Michael Braungart (ISBN: 9780865475878)

Chinese IV

Art of War – Sun Tzu
Driven Out – Jean Pfaelzer (ISBN: 9780520256941)

Latin III & Latin IV
http://quizlet.com/6146532/ths-latin-ii-summer-noun-review-flash-cards/
http://quizlet.com/6148754/ths-latin-ii-summer-verb-review-flash-cards/
http://quizlet.com/6148841/ths-latin-ii-summer-adjective-review-flash-cards/
http://quizlet.com/6148919/ths-latin-ii-summer-adverbprepconj-review-flash-cards/

Spanish
Click HERE to find the specific summer assignment for your level. If you have questions, please e-mail any of the following Spanish teachers:

Mr. Poolman
Ms. Mateos-Hirshman
Ms. Meier-Fernandez
Ms. David

English
Brave New World - Aldous Huxley (ISBN: 0060850523)
In Pharaoh's Army - Tobias Wolff (ISBN: 0679760237)

Honors English
A Letter to Honors English Students
Fifth Business - Robertson Davies (ISBN: 0141186151)
In Pharaoh's Army - Tobias Wolff (ISBN: 0679760237)
  

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