Glen Ridge High School

200 Ridgewood Avenue

Glen Ridge, NJ 07028

June 2009

Dear Tenth Grade Honors English Student,

The English Department at Glen Ridge High School believes that summer reading is the best way for a student to continue the learning process, make transitions to new classes and improve standardized test scores. Therefore, we are requiring that you read The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn by Mark Twain as well as The Life and Times of the Thunderbolt Kid by Bill Bryson. While you are reading, take note of each author’s perception of the American Experience and what it means to be American. Are the authors making any satirical or political comments about their societies? Be prepared to discuss and write about these ideas when you return in September. There will be a test on the first day.

While reading these books, please keep in mind any patterns, symbols or themes that you notice. We will discuss your reading in some depth and you are expected to enter this class in September with a comfortable understanding of both. It would be helpful to take notes or keep a reading journal for these books so you have a way to process and recall your critical reading experience.

We also encourage you to complete as much outside reading as possible, not only during the summer, but also throughout the school year. We are attaching a list of recommended reading, and we would like you to read and be responsible for at least one book from this list.

Enjoy your summer!

Very Truly yours,

The English Department

Glen Ridge High School

Encl.

English 10H – Recommended Summer Reading List

Franny and Zooey J.D. Salinger

Yellow Raft in Blue Water Michael Dorris

Catch 22 Joseph Heller

The Color Purple Alice Walker

The Poisonwood Bible Barbara Kingsolver

The Heart is a Lonely Hunter Carson McCullers

Housekeeping Marilynne Robinson

Extremely Loud and Incredibly Close Jonathan Safran Foer