Upper School Summer Reading 2024: US Student-Nominated Summer Reading Options

"When sixth-grader Mac discovers several words of his classroom copy of Jane Yolen's The Devil's Arithmetic are blacked out he is outraged, so he, his friends, and his eccentric family set out to do something about the censorship imposed by one teacher and the school board"--OCLC.

"Its a good fiction book about activism and the characters are relatable and funny" ~ Ayo
Suitable for all readers.

From publisher: Beginning in the 1950s in a poor but vibrant neighborhood on the outskirts of Naples, Elena Ferrante’s four-volume story spans almost sixty years, as its main characters, the fiery and unforgettable Lila and the bookish narrator, Elena, become women, wives, mothers, and leaders, all the while maintaining a complex and at times conflicted friendship. This first novel in the series follows Lila and Elena from their fateful meeting as ten-year-olds through their school years and adolescence.

"I think it balances interesting analysis of the self and how gender and class intersect with an engaging plot. It also focuses on the friendship of two young girls as they grow up, which is very relatable for the BMS community." ~ Kathryn

HBO series based on novel is suggested for 15+ by Common Sense Media.

"In a world where disease has been eliminated, the only way to die is to be randomly killed ('gleaned') by professional reapers ('scythes'). Two teens must compete with each other to become a scythe--a position neither of them wants. The one who becomes a scythe must kill the one who doesn't"-- Provided by publisher.

"The book is a futuristic dystopian novel that deals with the complications of a broken world in the eyes of two teenage protagonists. The challenges they face are relatable, and the book is extremely well written." ~ Grace
Suggested for readers 12+

From the publisher: Everyone thinks they know Libby Strout, the girl once dubbed “America’s Fattest Teen.” But no one’s taken the time to look past her weight to get to know who she really is. Following her mom’s death, she’s been picking up the pieces in the privacy of her home, dealing with her heartbroken father and her own grief. Now, Libby’s ready: for high school, for new friends, for love, and for EVERY POSSIBILITY LIFE HAS TO OFFER. In that moment, I know the part I want to play here at MVB High. I want to be the girl who can do anything.

Everyone thinks they know Jack Masselin, too. Yes, he’s got swagger, but he’s also mastered the impossible art of giving people what they want, of fitting in. What no one knows is that Jack has a newly acquired secret: he can’t recognize faces. Even his own brothers are strangers to him. He’s the guy who can re-engineer and rebuild anything in new and bad-ass ways, but he can’t understand what’s going on with the inner workings of his brain. So he tells himself to play it cool: Be charming. Be hilarious. Don’t get too close to anyone.

Until he meets Libby. When the two get tangled up in a cruel high school game—which lands them in group counseling and community service—Libby and Jack are both pissed, and then surprised. Because the more time they spend together, the less alone they feel. . . . Because sometimes when you meet someone, it changes the world, theirs and yours.

"It has a fun plot line and it also brings up thought provoking ethical issues. It also introduces people’s life experiences that differ from our own." ~ Yael

Suggested for readers 14+

From the publisher: Among the ashes of a dying world, an agent of the Commandment finds a letter. It reads: Burn before reading.

Thus begins an unlikely correspondence between two rival agents hellbent on securing the best possible future for their warring factions. Now, what began as a taunt, a battlefield boast, becomes something more. Something epic. Something romantic. Something that could change the past and the future.

Except the discovery of their bond would mean the death of each of them. There’s still a war going on, after all. And someone has to win. That’s how war works, right?

"It uses a really interesting format (some prose + epistolary between two characters) and is almost like a puzzle to read!" ~ Sophia

Adult book with teen appeal.

From the catalog: Frantically racing to freedom with thousands of other refugees as Russian forces close in on their homes in East Prussia, Joana, Emilia and Florian meet aboard the doomed Wilhelm Gustloff and are forced to trust each other in order to survive.

"I read this book about 2 years ago and it has lingered in my mind ever since. I think Sepetys does a wonderful job at showing us a new side to the Holocaust that school's don't really cover. It's shocking while still being tasteful. It really opened my eyes to all the people impacted by ww2, and I hope it provides a similar experience to someone else. It does all of this while being easily comprehend and masterfully written. 10/10 would definitely recommend." ~ Yasmin

Suggested for readers 13+

From the catalog: An autobiography of Jesmyn Ward, an African American author, in which she describes how she grew up in poverty in rural Mississippi, revisiting the losses of young African American men in her life, and describing her community with its history of racism and economic struggle that fosters drug addiction and the dissolution of family.

This book was not only an incredibly impactful portrayal of Ward’s experiences of loss and love, but also a commentary on the systemic racism inherent in America and especially in the deep south that enabled the deaths of five young men in her community. I consider this book an essential read; Ward's prose is beautifully poetic but also so powerful and unwavering even while dealing with incredibly difficult topics. Ward writes about her unique upbringing in a way that is relevant to everyone, regardless of how much you may have in common with her, and her storytelling makes her memoir unforgettable. For those uncomfortable with nonfiction, this is also a great introduction to the genre, and for anyone who wants to learn more about America's history, is interested in social justice, or just wants to read a great, thought-provoking book, Men We Reaped is perfect." ~ Pete

Adult book with teen appeal.

"Lara Jean writes love letters to all the boys she has loved and then hides them in a hatbox until one day those letters are accidentally sent"--Provided by publisher.


"As a very popular YA author, Jenny Han describes and navigates the life of a 16 year old asian American girl through high school. I think the US students should read this book as it is very relatable for many teenagers going through high school who also go through grief and changes." - Nisa

Suggested for readers 13+

"The Greek goddess Aphrodite recounts two tales of tragic love during WWI to her husband, Hephaestus, and her lover, Ares, in a luxe Manhattan hotel room at the height of World War II. She seeks to answer the age-old question: 'Why are Love and War eternally drawn to one another?' but her quest for a conclusion that will satisfy her jealous husband uncovers a multi-threaded tale of prejudice, trauma, and music revealing that War is no match for the power of Love"--OCLC.

"There are just so many good things about this book. It has so many ideas and stories and characters and situations, but somehow the story flows seamlessly and beautifully. This book has it all: Greek gods, World Wars I and II, romance, jazz, humour, gentle moments, trauma, healing, found family, the horror of war, racism amidst war, life, death, and everything in between. Reading this book made me appreciate good writers so much, because this was a real work of art. I cried during this book, and that is not a regular occurence for me. This book really opened my eyes to the reality of war. There are a lot of stories in this book that need to be told." ~ Elise

Suggested for readers 13+

From the publisher: When Feminist Theory: From Margin to Center was first published in 1984, it was welcomed and praised by feminist thinkers who wanted a new vision. Even so, individual readers frequently found the theory "unsettling" or "provocative." Today, the blueprint for feminist movement presented in the book remains as provocative and relevant as ever. Written in hooks's characteristic direct style, Feminist Theory embodies the hope that feminists can find a common language to spread the word and create a mass, global feminist movement.

"This book is relevant to the student body because not only do we share the trait of womanhood, but we collectively need to understand the importance of intersectionality, recognizing that systems of oppression, such as racism, sexism, and classism, are interconnected and must be addressed collectively." ~ Mariah

"Elizabeth Zott is not your average woman. In fact Elizabeth Zott would be the first to point out that there is no such thing as an average woman. But it's the 1960s and despite the fact that she is a scientist, her peers are very unscientific when it comes to equality. The only good thing to happen to her on the road to professional fulfillment is a run-in with her super-star colleague Calvin Evans (well, she stole his beakers.) The only man who ever treated her-and her ideas-as equal, Calvin is already a legend and Nobel nominee. He's also awkward, kind and tenacious. Theirs is true chemistry. But as events are never as predictable as chemical reactions, three years later Elizabeth Zott is an unwed, single mother (did we mention it's the early 60s??) and the star of America's most beloved cooking show Supper at Six. Elizabeth's singular approach to cooking ('take one pint of H2O and add a pinch of sodium chloride') and independent example are proving revolutionary. Because Elizabeth isn't just teaching women how to cook, she's teaching them how to change the status quo"--Provided by publisher.

"I personally love this book and its call for women in STEM. It's setting was placed in a time where women were often overlooked in the science and medical field. It beautifully captures the idea of women empowerment in workplaces dominated by men, which I think is incredibly relevant for students to learn, especially as most of us will be studying and working in fields that are still male-dominated." ~ Cami

Adult book with teen appeal; TV series suggested for 14+ by Common Sense Media.

From the publisher: The narrator, Jeanette, cuts her teeth on the knowledge that she is one of God’s elect, but as this budding evangelical comes of age, and comes to terms with her preference for her own sex, the peculiar balance of her God-fearing household crumbles.


"Oranges Are Not the Only Fruit is a coming of age story that is beautifully written, with a lot of important allusions and connections. It is a very beautiful book to read, and it is also a quick read that is still very meaningful." ~ Lilly

Adult book with teen appeal.

From the publisher: In An Immense World, Ed Yong coaxes us beyond the confines of our own senses, allowing us to perceive the skeins of scent, waves of electromagnetism, and pulses of pressure that surround us. We encounter beetles that are drawn to fires, turtles that can track the Earth’s magnetic fields, fish that fill rivers with electrical messages, and even humans who wield sonar like bats. We discover that a crocodile’s scaly face is as sensitive as a lover’s fingertips, that the eyes of a giant squid evolved to see sparkling whales, that plants thrum with the inaudible songs of courting bugs, and that even simple scallops have complex vision. We learn what bees see in flowers, what songbirds hear in their tunes, and what dogs smell on the street. We listen to stories of pivotal discoveries in the field, while looking ahead at the many mysteries that remain unsolved.

"It's a fascinating book, and it would be great for anyone who is interested in biology, animal behavior, or how our senses work. It made me see the world and the animals in it in a new light, and it made me think about how the way we perceive the world is far, far from the only way." ~ Kate

Adult book with teen appeal.

From the publisher: It all begins with a fugitive billionaire and the promise of a cash reward. Turtles All the Way Down is about lifelong friendship, the intimacy of an unexpected reunion, Star Wars fan fiction, and tuatara. But at its heart is Aza Holmes, a young woman navigating daily existence within the ever-tightening spiral of her own thoughts. Solving the mystery of fugitive billionaire Russell Pickett would bring a hundred-thousand-dollar reward, so Aza and her best friend, Daisy, are eager to investigate. They navigate the short distance from their homes in Indianapolis, as well as the broad social divides, that separate them from Russell Pickett's son, Davis. But Aza is living within the ever-tightening spiral of her own thoughts. Still hurting from the death of her father years ago, she's crippled by 'thought spirals' and the irrational, obsessive fear she has of microbes and bacteria.

"This book has an interesting and engaging story with many twists and portrays themes about self-discovery and mental health." ~ Adrienne

Suggested for readers 13+

From the publisher: Leaving handwritten letters on her mother’s grave is the only way Juliet can process her loss. When Declan finds a letter and answers it anonymously, they continue writing back and forth, not knowing who is on the other side. Juliet is instantly intrigued by this stranger who understands the loss she feels. Declan discovers someone who finally sees the good in him.

Such an immediate and intense connection with a perfect stranger is astonishing and wonderful, and soon they are baring their souls to each other. But this secret world can only sustain Juliet and Declan for so long . . . as the reality surrounding them threatens to shatter everything they’ve created.

"Not only is it an enjoyable novel that would be a good read for the summer, it touches on love, loss, grief, connections, and trust. It's an engaging story that has both small and large themes. I read it over winter break, and I've given it to two other people already who loved it as well." ~ Charlotte

Suggested for readers 13+

From the catalog: A meditation in which the author contemplates the practice of love in everyday life, thinks about how people love, and discusses what is needed to develop a culture where love can flourish.

"All About Love: New Visions" by bell hooks, written by a Black female author, challenges common ideas of love and offers new perspectives. Hooks redefines love as an action challenging the notion that love is only a feeling. She emphasizes that love requires effort and this can be applied to friendships, where the love towards the people in our lives should be shown through actions, not just felt internally. Additionally, hooks discusses the importance of self-love and self-acceptance." ~ Samari

Adult book with teen appeal.