Summer Reading Instructions for the 2025–2026 School Year

For the 2025–2026 school year, all 9th grade students will be reading two books as part of our Summer Reading Program:

1. Love and Other Great Expectations by Beck Dean

• Read the entire book before the first day of school and be prepared to participate in a book discussion during extended advisory on Thursday, August 28.
  
  
• A few weeks before the start of school a writing activity will be sent via your NDP email. This must be completed prior to the discussion day!
  
  
• You must participate in the book discussion to the satisfaction of the teacher moderator. Students who do not participate will not be able to take part in fall activities, including sports, social activities, drama productions, etc. or receive their 1st quarter grades until this requirement has been met.

• Phases 2 & 3: The Secret Life of Bees by Sue Monk Kidd
  
  
• Phase 4: A Tree Grows in Brooklyn by Betty Smith
  
  
• Phase 5: Northanger Abbey by Jane Austen 

It is your responsibility to obtain copies of the books you are assigned to read. If you prefer not to purchase the books, using your local public library is another option. For Love and Other Great Expectations, you may feel free to engage the text in any form—print, eBook, or audiobook. The English options must be obtained in the print version.

If you have any questions about summer reading, please email the Library at LibraryDepartment@notredameprep.com.