Upper Level Summer Reading Instructions for the 2025–2026 School Year

PLEASE NOTE: This information is for students entering grades 10–12 for the 2025–2026 school year. If you are an incoming 9th grade student, please email the Library Department for information on your summer reading requirements.

All students in grade 10–12 will read either THREE or FOUR books total:

  1. You have already selected ONE BOOK from the list of choices provided by the Library. You are expected to acquire a copy of the book and read it in its entirety. If you prefer not to purchase the book, using your local public library is another option. You may feel free to engage the text in any form—print, eBook, or audiobook. If you did not make note of your book choice, you can contact the Library Department.

    All book discussions will take place on Thursday August 28 in extended Advisory. You must participate in the book discussion to the satisfaction of the teacher moderator. In the weeks before the start of school a writing activity will be sent electronically. This must be completed prior to the discussion day. 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 first quarter grades until the requirement has been met.

  2. You will also read TWO/THREE BOOKS listed below, based on your grade level, course, or phase. You are expected to acquire a print copy of each book and read them in their entirety. You will be assessed on these books during the related classes at the beginning of the school year.

    • 12th Grade:
      1. Religion – The Immortal Life of Henrietta Lacks by Rebecca Skloot

      2. English 12 – Rebecca by Daphne du Maurier
        or
        AP Literature – Rebecca by Daphne du Maurier and A Thousand Splendid Suns by Khaled Hosseini

    • 11th Grade:
      1. Social Studies – We Are Not Free by Traci Chee

      2. English 11 and HUM 11 – A Great and Terrible Beauty by Libba Bray
        or
        AP Language – The Firekeepers Daughter by Angeline Boulley and The Glass Castle: A Memoir by Jeannette Walls

    • 10th Grade:
      1. Science – All the Water in the World by Eiren Caffall

      2. English Phase 2/3/4 and HUM 10 (all phases) – The Inheritance Games by Jennifer Barnes
        or
        English Phase 5 – The Inheritance Games by Jennifer Barnes and The Awakening (Norton Critical Edition) by Kate Chopin and Margo Culley

Notre Dame Preparatory School

815 Hampton Lane Towson, Maryland 21286
Telephone: 410.825.6202
An Independent, Catholic Girls School, Grades 6-12, Sponsored by the School Sisters of Notre Dame