Summer Reading Instructions for New Upper Level Students

PLEASE NOTE: This information is for NEW Upper Level students for the 2026–2027 school year. If you are a returning Upper Level student entering grades 10–12, please reference the Summer Reading Instructions for Returning Upper Level Students in Grades 10–12 announcement.

For Students Entering Grade 9:

All students entering Grade 9 for the 2026–2027 school year will be required to read TWO books as part of our Summer Reading Program. Please review the options listed below as well as instructions for each.

It is the student's responsibility to obtain copies of the books they 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 options for English classes must be obtained in the print version.

    1. Love and Other Great Expectations by Beck Dean

      • Writing Activity: A writing activity will be sent to students' NDP email address several weeks before the start of the 2026–2027 school year. This must be completed prior to the Book Discussion listed below.

      • Book Discussion: Students must read the entire book before the first day of school and be prepared to participate in a book discussion during Blazer Block in the first week of school. Students must participate in the book discussion to the satisfaction of the teacher moderator. Students who do not participate will fulfill their requirements during an alternative session scheduled with the librarian.

    2. Additionally, students will need to read one book listed below based on their English phase for the 2026–2027 school year. Their phase will be determined by the English placement testing. The student's English teacher will assess the fulfillment of this part of their summer reading requirement.

        • Phase 2 & 3: In the Wild Light by Jeff Zentner

        • Phase 4: A Tree Grows in Brooklyn by Betty Smith

        • Phase 5: Wide Sargasso Sea by Jean Rhys


    For Students Entering Grade 10:

    All students entering Grade 10 for the 2026–2027 school year will be required to read THREE or FOUR books (depending on your class/phase) as part of our Summer Reading Program. Please review the options listed below as well as instructions for each.

    1. Students will select ONE BOOK from the list of books below and take part in a writing assignment and book discussion at the start of the school year. Students and parents are asked to research titles and read summaries before selecting a book. When you have chosen your book, please email the Library Staff at to let us know of your selection.

      Students 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. Feel free to engage the text in any form – print, eBook, or audiobook.

      Capitana       Cassandra James (Romance)
      Wings in the Wild Margarita Engle (Verse/Realistic Eco-fiction)
      Within These Wicked Walls Lauren Blackwood (Retelling/Jane Eyre)
      The Otherwhere Post Emily Taylor (Mystery)
      Into the Sunken City Dinesh Thiru (Sci-Fi/Dystopian)
      A Tempest of Tea Hafsah Faizal (Fantasy)
      What the River Knows Isabel Ibanez (Historical Fantasy)
      I Must Betray You Ruta Sepetys (Historical Fiction)
      The Executioners Three Susan Dennard (Horror)
      Impossible Escape Steve Sheinkin (Narrative Non-Fiction)
      Everything is Tuberculosis John Green (Non-Fiction)

      • Writing Activity: A writing activity will be sent to students' NDP email address several weeks before the start of the 2026–2027 school year. This must be completed prior to the Book Discussion listed below.

      • Book Discussion: Students must read the entire book before the first day of school and be prepared to participate in a book discussion during Blazer Block in the first week of school. Students must participate in the book discussion to the satisfaction of the teacher moderator. Students who do not participate will fulfill their requirements during an alternative session scheduled with the librarian.

    2. Students will also read the TWO/THREE BOOKS listed below, based on their course and phase:

      • Science (all phases) – The Other Einstein by Marie Benedict

      • English Phase 2/3/4 – The Firekeeper’s Daughter by Angeline Boulley

      • English Phase 5 – The Firekeeper’s Daughter by Angeline Boulley AND The Awakening (Norton Critical Edition) by Kate Chopin and Margo Culley

      • HUM 10 (all phases) – Suggested Reading by Dave Connis

      Students are expected to acquire a print copy of each book and read them in their entirety. Students will be assessed on these books during the related classes at the beginning of the school year.

    If you have any questions, please email our Library Staff. Happy Reading!

    Notre Dame Preparatory School

    A Catholic, independent college preparatory school for girls in grades 6–12, sponsored by the School Sisters of Notre Dame