Summer Reading Recommendations for High School Students
As the academic year comes to a close, it's the perfect time to transition from textbooks to enriching summer reads. Our tutors have curated a list of eight timeless yet lesser-known classic novels and seven contemporary non-fiction books to engage high school students' minds during the summer break.
Here are the eight timeless but lesser-known classics that we recommend:
1) The Scarlet Pimpernel by Baroness Emmuska Orczy: A thrilling adventure story set during the French Revolution, featuring a mysterious hero known only as the Scarlet Pimpernel.
2) The Awakening by Kate Chopin: A feminist novel that explores the inner turmoil of a woman who desires more from life than her prescribed societal role.
3) The Age of Innocence by Edith Wharton: A critique of the stifling social expectations and obligations of elite New York society in the 1870s.
4) The House of Mirth by Edith Wharton: A tragic but insightful critique of the destructive effects of wealth and social class on personal relationships.
5) Their Eyes Were Watching God by Zora Neale Hurston: A groundbreaking novel that explores the experiences of an African American woman in the early 20th century, grappling with issues of race, gender, and identity.
6) Rebecca by Daphne du Maurier: A gripping tale of love, mystery, and suspense set in a grand estate in Cornwall, with beautifully crafted characters and a haunting atmosphere.
7) The Woman in White by Wilkie Collins: A riveting Victorian mystery novel filled with intrigue, deception, and unexpected plot twists that will keep readers on the edge of their seats.
8) The Master and Margarita by Mikhail Bulgakov: A thought-provoking and surreal novel that delves into Soviet society, blending satire, fantasy, and philosophical themes in a captivating narrative.
In addition to these timeless classics, here are seven contemporary reads that will help your student better understand the world as it is today:
1) Just Mercy by Bryan Stevenson: A powerful memoir and call to action for social justice, written by a lawyer who has dedicated his life to supporting wrongly convicted prisoners on death row.
2) The New Jim Crow by Michelle Alexander: A seminal work of non-fiction that explores the ways in which the US criminal justice system perpetuates racial discrimination and unjustly targets Black Americans.
3) The Sixth Extinction by Elizabeth Kolbert: A fascinating and frightening exploration of the causes and effects of mass extinction events throughout Earth's history and the current threats facing our planet.
4) The Immortal Life of Henrietta Lacks by Rebecca Skloot: A thought-provoking examination of the impact of scientific progress on individuals and their families, centered on the story of Henrietta Lacks and her enduring legacy.
5) Lab Girl by Hope Jahren: A beautifully written memoir that intertwines the author's personal experiences as a woman in science with the wonders of the natural world.
6) Born a Crime by Trevor Noah: A humorous and insightful memoir by the comedian and host of "The Daily Show" detailing his upbringing in apartheid South Africa.
7) Educated by Tara Westover: A memoir detailing the author's journey from a survivalist family in rural Idaho to earning a PhD, showcasing the power of education and resilience.
Any other recommendations you would like to add? Let us know at info@genprep.org. We’d love to hear from you.
