NOHS 2009NOHS 2009Top 25 books forTop 25 books forSummer ReadingSummer Reading

Every student will Every student will participate in reading a participate in reading a book this summer.book this summer.

Students may choose from: Students may choose from: NOHS Top 25 NOHS Top 25 Independent choice Independent choice

AP required listAP required listVisit www.oldham.kyschools.us/nohs for previous Visit www.oldham.kyschools.us/nohs for previous years Top 25 booklistsyears Top 25 booklists

The The BIGBIG Question Question

How will my reading be assessed?How will my reading be assessed?

How summer reading is used in the How summer reading is used in the English class is up to the creative English class is up to the creative choice of each teacher.choice of each teacher.

Possibilities….Possibilities….Discussion groupsDiscussion groupsBook talkBook talkReflection/review essayReflection/review essay

        The Chosen OneThe Chosen Oneby Carol Lynch Williamsby Carol Lynch Williams

Have you ever had the choice between Have you ever had the choice between two things and neither option looked two things and neither option looked good? Kyra, who is almost 14, lives in good? Kyra, who is almost 14, lives in a closed community with her father, a closed community with her father, his three wives, and her 20 brothers his three wives, and her 20 brothers and sisters. When the whole family is and sisters. When the whole family is brought together for a visit from brought together for a visit from Prophet Child, the leader of their Prophet Child, the leader of their community, the family thinks they community, the family thinks they may be getting promoted, which would may be getting promoted, which would mean a nicer house than the three mean a nicer house than the three trailers the family live in now. Instead, trailers the family live in now. Instead, they learn that the Prophet has they learn that the Prophet has decreed that Kyra is to marry Hyrum, decreed that Kyra is to marry Hyrum, her sixty-year old uncle who has 6 her sixty-year old uncle who has 6 wives already. Kyra does not want to, wives already. Kyra does not want to, but as she starts to rebel, the but as she starts to rebel, the consequences fall on people she cares consequences fall on people she cares about. Kyra must choose between her about. Kyra must choose between her freedom and her family.freedom and her family.

GracelingGracelingby Kristen Cashoreby Kristen Cashore

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In a world where some people are In a world where some people are born with extreme and often born with extreme and often feared skills called Graces. Katsa feared skills called Graces. Katsa struggles for redemption from her struggles for redemption from her own horrifying grace, the grace of own horrifying grace, the grace of killing, teams up with another killing, teams up with another young fighter to save their land young fighter to save their land from a corrupt king.from a corrupt king.

ShiftShiftby Jennifer Bradburyby Jennifer Bradbury

The transition from high The transition from high school to college often brings school to college often brings a sense of freedom and a sense of freedom and release, but Chris' first few release, but Chris' first few days on a university campus days on a university campus were impacted by the arrival were impacted by the arrival of an FBI agent full of of an FBI agent full of questions about his best questions about his best friend. friend.

Author Jennifer Bradbury does Author Jennifer Bradbury does an exquisite job of seamlessly an exquisite job of seamlessly weaving past and present weaving past and present scenes into an intriguing, scenes into an intriguing, cohesive story as Chris cohesive story as Chris struggles to decide what to do struggles to decide what to do about his missing friend, Win, about his missing friend, Win, last seen at the end of their last seen at the end of their cross-country bike trip cross-country bike trip

WintergirlsWintergirlsby Laurie Halse Andersonby Laurie Halse Anderson

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The Hunger GamesThe Hunger Gamesby Suzanne Collinsby Suzanne Collins

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Perfect ChemistryPerfect Chemistryby Simone Elkelesby Simone Elkeles

A fresh, urban twist on the A fresh, urban twist on the classic tale of star-crossed classic tale of star-crossed lovers.lovers.

When Brittany Ellis walks into When Brittany Ellis walks into chemistry class on the first chemistry class on the first day of senior year, she has day of senior year, she has no clue that her carefully no clue that her carefully created “perfect” life is created “perfect” life is about to unravel before her about to unravel before her eyes. She’s forced to be lab eyes. She’s forced to be lab partners with Alex Fuentes, a partners with Alex Fuentes, a gang member from the other gang member from the other side of town, and he is about side of town, and he is about to threaten everything she's to threaten everything she's worked so hard for—her worked so hard for—her flawless reputation, her flawless reputation, her relationship with her relationship with her boyfriend, and the secret boyfriend, and the secret that her home life is anything that her home life is anything but perfect. Alex is a bad boy but perfect. Alex is a bad boy and he knows it.and he knows it.

Ten Mile RiverTen Mile Riverby Paul Griffenby Paul Griffen

Ten Mile River is 21st century Twain: the Ten Mile River is 21st century Twain: the dialect, the close escapes, fishing for their dialect, the close escapes, fishing for their dinner, a near-drowning, even the floating dinner, a near-drowning, even the floating dead bodies. dead bodies.

Two teenage boys living on their own in an Two teenage boys living on their own in an abandoned shack in New York City.abandoned shack in New York City.

No Choirboy: Murder, Violence, Teenagers on Death No Choirboy: Murder, Violence, Teenagers on Death RowRow

by Susan Kuklinby Susan Kuklin

No Choirboy No Choirboy takes readers inside America’s prisons, and allows takes readers inside America’s prisons, and allows inmates sentenced to death as teenagers to speak for themselves. inmates sentenced to death as teenagers to speak for themselves. In their own voices—raw and uncensored—they talk about their In their own voices—raw and uncensored—they talk about their lives in prison, and share their thoughts and feelings about how lives in prison, and share their thoughts and feelings about how they ended up there. Susan Kuklin also gets inside the system, they ended up there. Susan Kuklin also gets inside the system, exploring capital punishment itself and the intricacies and exploring capital punishment itself and the intricacies and inequities of criminal justice in the United States. inequities of criminal justice in the United States.

This is a searing, unforgettable read, and one that could change This is a searing, unforgettable read, and one that could change the way we think about crime and punishment.the way we think about crime and punishment.

UnwindUnwindby Neal Shustermanby Neal Shusterman

In a society where unwanted In a society where unwanted teens are salvaged for their body teens are salvaged for their body parts, three runaways fight the parts, three runaways fight the system that would "unwind" themsystem that would "unwind" them

Connor's parents want to be rid of Connor's parents want to be rid of

him because he's a troublemaker. him because he's a troublemaker. Risa has no parents and is being Risa has no parents and is being unwound to cut orphanage costs. unwound to cut orphanage costs. Lev's unwinding has been planned Lev's unwinding has been planned since his birth, as part of his since his birth, as part of his family's strict religion. Brought family's strict religion. Brought together by chance, and kept together by chance, and kept together by desperation, these together by desperation, these three unlikely companions make a three unlikely companions make a harrowing cross-country journey, harrowing cross-country journey, knowing their lives hang in the knowing their lives hang in the balance.balance.

Artichoke’s HeartArtichoke’s Heartby Suzanne Suppleeby Suzanne Supplee

Cursed with the nickname “the Artichoke” after Cursed with the nickname “the Artichoke” after wearing an ill-chosen green jacket to school way wearing an ill-chosen green jacket to school way back in sixth grade, Rosemary continues to cope back in sixth grade, Rosemary continues to cope with the cool kids’ disdain by making food her with the cool kids’ disdain by making food her friend. It’s a treacherous ally, though, and when friend. It’s a treacherous ally, though, and when she tops 200 pounds, she decides to make radical she tops 200 pounds, she decides to make radical changes and begins to lose some serious changes and begins to lose some serious weight. Then, Rosemary discovers that an A-list girl weight. Then, Rosemary discovers that an A-list girl wants to befriend her, the boy she adores returns wants to befriend her, the boy she adores returns her feelings, and (most incredible of all) her her feelings, and (most incredible of all) her mother has cancer. mother has cancer.

The Adoration of Jenna FoxThe Adoration of Jenna Foxby Mary Pearsonby Mary Pearson

The ethics of bioengineering The ethics of bioengineering in the not-so-distant future in the not-so-distant future drives this story. Jenna, drives this story. Jenna, 17, severely injured in a car 17, severely injured in a car crash, is saved by her crash, is saved by her heartbroken father, a heartbroken father, a scientist who illegally uses scientist who illegally uses the latest medical the latest medical technology to help her. Only technology to help her. Only 10 per cent of her original 10 per cent of her original brain is saved, but Dad has brain is saved, but Dad has programmed her by programmed her by uploading the high-school uploading the high-school curriculum. She could live curriculum. She could live two years, or 200. Is she a two years, or 200. Is she a monster or a miracle? What monster or a miracle? What startling secret does she startling secret does she learn about herself?learn about herself?

The Astonishing Life of Octavian The Astonishing Life of Octavian NothingNothing

byby M.T. AndersonM.T. Anderson

In this fascinating and eye-opening Revolution-In this fascinating and eye-opening Revolution-era novel, Octavian, a black youth raised in a era novel, Octavian, a black youth raised in a Boston household of radical philosophers, is given Boston household of radical philosophers, is given an excellent classical education. He and his an excellent classical education. He and his mother, an African princess, are kept isolated on mother, an African princess, are kept isolated on the estate, and only as he grows older does he the estate, and only as he grows older does he realize that while he is well dressed and well fed, realize that while he is well dressed and well fed, he is indeed a captive being used by his he is indeed a captive being used by his guardians as part of an experiment to determine guardians as part of an experiment to determine the intellectual acuity of Africans. the intellectual acuity of Africans.

Looking for AlaskaLooking for Alaskaby John Greenby John Green

Green's debut YA novel follows a year in the life of high Green's debut YA novel follows a year in the life of high school junior Miles Halter, a friendless Floridian who school junior Miles Halter, a friendless Floridian who begged his parents to enroll him in the Culver Creek begged his parents to enroll him in the Culver Creek boarding school. Miles dreams of starting anew at his boarding school. Miles dreams of starting anew at his elite Alabama prep school, of finding Francois Rabelais's elite Alabama prep school, of finding Francois Rabelais's "The Great Perhaps." At school, he falls in with a "The Great Perhaps." At school, he falls in with a prankster of a roommate, the Colonel, and the sassy, prankster of a roommate, the Colonel, and the sassy, sexy, messed-up Alaska Young. For an unforgettable 128 sexy, messed-up Alaska Young. For an unforgettable 128 days, Miles learns life lessons in love, loyalty, friendship, days, Miles learns life lessons in love, loyalty, friendship, literature, and poetry, as well as experiences the thrill of literature, and poetry, as well as experiences the thrill of a first girlfriend. When tragedy strikes Culver Creek, a first girlfriend. When tragedy strikes Culver Creek, Miles is forced to undertake an even closer examination Miles is forced to undertake an even closer examination of his own character and relationship with his friends. of his own character and relationship with his friends.

The Perfect StormThe Perfect Stormby Sebastian Jungerby Sebastian Junger

Junger, a journalist Junger, a journalist reconstructs here the last reconstructs here the last moments before the wreck of a moments before the wreck of a swordfish boat during a fierce swordfish boat during a fierce storm off the coast of Nova storm off the coast of Nova Scotia in October 1991. The Scotia in October 1991. The Andrea Gail was a 70-foot, Andrea Gail was a 70-foot, steel-hulled vessel that fished steel-hulled vessel that fished for swordfish using a 30-mile for swordfish using a 30-mile "longline" with thousands of "longline" with thousands of hooks. Junger provides an hooks. Junger provides an excellent account of the fishing excellent account of the fishing industry, detailing various industry, detailing various fishing techniques; he also fishing techniques; he also chronicles the rowdy lifestyle chronicles the rowdy lifestyle of fishermen. He recounts of fishermen. He recounts harrowing stories of the search harrowing stories of the search and rescue efforts of other and rescue efforts of other vessels caught in the same vessels caught in the same storm, including a fascinating storm, including a fascinating look at "rescue swimmers."look at "rescue swimmers."

Kabul Beauty SchoolKabul Beauty School by Deborah Rodriguez by Deborah Rodriguez

Soon after the fall of the Taliban, in 2001, Deborah Rodriguez went to Soon after the fall of the Taliban, in 2001, Deborah Rodriguez went to Afghanistan as part of a group offering humanitarian aid to this war-torn Afghanistan as part of a group offering humanitarian aid to this war-torn nation. Surrounded by men and women whose skills–as doctors, nurses, nation. Surrounded by men and women whose skills–as doctors, nurses, and therapists–seemed eminently more practical than her own, and therapists–seemed eminently more practical than her own, Rodriguez, a hairdresser and mother of two from Michigan, despaired of Rodriguez, a hairdresser and mother of two from Michigan, despaired of

being of any real use. With warmth and humor,being of any real use. With warmth and humor, Rodriguez details the Rodriguez details the lushness of a seemingly desolate region and reveals the lushness of a seemingly desolate region and reveals the magnificence behind the burqa. magnificence behind the burqa. Kabul Beauty School Kabul Beauty School is a is a remarkable tale of an extraordinary community of women who remarkable tale of an extraordinary community of women who come together and learn the arts of perms, friendship, and come together and learn the arts of perms, friendship, and freedom.freedom.

Falling Leaves, the Memoir of an Falling Leaves, the Memoir of an Unwanted Chinese DaughterUnwanted Chinese Daughter

by Adeline Yen Mahby Adeline Yen Mah

In 1937, Adeline Yen Mah's mother died giving birth to her. In 1937, Adeline Yen Mah's mother died giving birth to her. Because of this, she was considered "bad luck", tormented by Because of this, she was considered "bad luck", tormented by her siblings and shunned by her father. Her father soon her siblings and shunned by her father. Her father soon remarried a beautiful, young Eurasian woman who was cruel remarried a beautiful, young Eurasian woman who was cruel and manipulative. She treated all five of her stepchildren and manipulative. She treated all five of her stepchildren badly, but saved her real hatred for Adeline. Falling Leaves is badly, but saved her real hatred for Adeline. Falling Leaves is the powerful, riveting memoir of emotional abuse and the powerful, riveting memoir of emotional abuse and isolation that Ms Yen Mah suffered at the hands of her isolation that Ms Yen Mah suffered at the hands of her stepmother. At this point, most would say, "Why would I want stepmother. At this point, most would say, "Why would I want to torture myself by reading a book about child abuse?" The to torture myself by reading a book about child abuse?" The answer is simple...Adeline Yen Mah didn't just survive her answer is simple...Adeline Yen Mah didn't just survive her childhood, she triumphed. With great wisdom and insight, she childhood, she triumphed. With great wisdom and insight, she tells a story not just about her life, but the life of China, before tells a story not just about her life, but the life of China, before and after the cultural revolution and how both were changed and after the cultural revolution and how both were changed forever. .forever. .

The Last LectureThe Last Lectureby Randy Pauschby Randy Pausch

http://www.amazon.com/gp/mpd/perhttp://www.amazon.com/gp/mpd/permalink/m2YH4U3WTBO0QAmalink/m2YH4U3WTBO0QA

The AssociateThe Associateby John Grishamby John Grisham

Kyle McAvoy grew up in his father’s small-town law office in Kyle McAvoy grew up in his father’s small-town law office in York, Pennsylvania. He excelled in college, was elected York, Pennsylvania. He excelled in college, was elected editor-in-chief of editor-in-chief of The Yale Law JournalThe Yale Law Journal, and his future has , and his future has limitless potential.limitless potential.

But Kyle has a secret, a dark one, an episode from college But Kyle has a secret, a dark one, an episode from college that he has tried to forget. The secret, though, falls into the that he has tried to forget. The secret, though, falls into the hands of the wrong people, and Kyle is forced to take a job hands of the wrong people, and Kyle is forced to take a job he doesn’t want—even though it’s a job most law students he doesn’t want—even though it’s a job most law students can only dream about.can only dream about.

Three months after leaving Yale, Kyle becomes an associate Three months after leaving Yale, Kyle becomes an associate at the largest law firm in the world, where, in addition to at the largest law firm in the world, where, in addition to practicing law, he is expected to lie, steal, and take part in a practicing law, he is expected to lie, steal, and take part in a scheme that could send him to prison, if not get him killed.scheme that could send him to prison, if not get him killed.

Many Lives, Many Masters: The True Story of a Many Lives, Many Masters: The True Story of a Prominent Psychiatrist, His Young Patient, and the Prominent Psychiatrist, His Young Patient, and the Past-Life Therapy That Changed Both Their LivesPast-Life Therapy That Changed Both Their Lives

by Brian Weiss, MDby Brian Weiss, MD

In 1980, Weiss, head of the psychiatry department In 1980, Weiss, head of the psychiatry department at Mount Sinai Medical Center in Miami Beach, at Mount Sinai Medical Center in Miami Beach, began treating Catherine, a 27-year-old woman began treating Catherine, a 27-year-old woman plagued by anxiety, depression and phobias. When plagued by anxiety, depression and phobias. When Weiss turned to hypnosis to help Catherine Weiss turned to hypnosis to help Catherine remember repressed childhood traumas, what remember repressed childhood traumas, what emerged were the patient's descriptions of a dozen emerged were the patient's descriptions of a dozen or so of her hitherto unknown 86 past lives, as well or so of her hitherto unknown 86 past lives, as well as philosophical messages channeled from "Master as philosophical messages channeled from "Master Spirits." Catherine's anxieties and phobias soon Spirits." Catherine's anxieties and phobias soon disappeared, says Weiss, and she was able to end disappeared, says Weiss, and she was able to end therapy. therapy.

For One More For One More DayDay by Mitch Albomby Mitch Albom

For One More DayFor One More Day is the story of a is the story of a mother and a son, and a relationship mother and a son, and a relationship that covers a lifetime and beyond. It that covers a lifetime and beyond. It explores the question: What would explores the question: What would you do if you could spend one more you do if you could spend one more day with a lost loved one?day with a lost loved one?

From the author of Tuesdays with From the author of Tuesdays with Morrie and The Five People you Meet Morrie and The Five People you Meet in Heaven in Heaven

Siddhartha Siddhartha by Herman Hesseby Herman Hesse

Siddhartha's life takes him on Siddhartha's life takes him on a journey toward a journey toward enlightenment. Afire with enlightenment. Afire with youthful idealism, the youthful idealism, the Brahmin joins a group of Brahmin joins a group of ascetics, fasting and living ascetics, fasting and living without possessions. Meeting without possessions. Meeting Gotama, the Buddha, he Gotama, the Buddha, he comes to feel this is not the comes to feel this is not the right path, though he also right path, though he also declines joining the Buddha's declines joining the Buddha's followers. He reenters the followers. He reenters the world, hoping to learn of his world, hoping to learn of his own nature, but instead slips own nature, but instead slips gradually into hedonism and gradually into hedonism and materialism. materialism.

And Then There Were And Then There Were NoneNone

by Agatha Christieby Agatha Christie

Considered the best mystery novel ever Considered the best mystery novel ever written by many readers, written by many readers, And Then There And Then There Were NoneWere None is the story of 10 strangers, is the story of 10 strangers, each lured to Indian Island by a mysterious each lured to Indian Island by a mysterious host. Once his guests have arrived, the host. Once his guests have arrived, the host accuses each person of murder. host accuses each person of murder. Unable to leave the island, the guests Unable to leave the island, the guests begin to share their darkest secrets-- begin to share their darkest secrets--

The ShackThe Shack by William Young by William Young

Mackenzie Allen Philips' youngest daughter, Missy, Mackenzie Allen Philips' youngest daughter, Missy, has been abducted during a family vacation and has been abducted during a family vacation and evidence that she may have been brutally evidence that she may have been brutally murdered is found in an abandoned shack deep in murdered is found in an abandoned shack deep in the Oregon wilderness. Four years later in the midst the Oregon wilderness. Four years later in the midst of his Great Sadness, Mack receives a suspicious of his Great Sadness, Mack receives a suspicious note, apparently from God, inviting him back to that note, apparently from God, inviting him back to that shack for a weekend. Against his better judgment shack for a weekend. Against his better judgment he arrives at the shack on a wintry afternoon and he arrives at the shack on a wintry afternoon and walks back into his darkest nightmare. What he walks back into his darkest nightmare. What he finds there will change Mack's world forever. In a finds there will change Mack's world forever. In a world where religion seems to grow increasingly world where religion seems to grow increasingly irrelevant "The Shack" wrestles with the timeless irrelevant "The Shack" wrestles with the timeless question, "Where is God in a world so filled with question, "Where is God in a world so filled with unspeakable pain?" The answers Mack gets will unspeakable pain?" The answers Mack gets will astound you and perhaps transform you as much as astound you and perhaps transform you as much as it did him. it did him.

DerailedDerailed by James Siegel by James Siegel

Derailed' is a STUNNER! This is a well written, Derailed' is a STUNNER! This is a well written, intense novel that will grab you and not let go. intense novel that will grab you and not let go. this story of a middle-class professional whose this story of a middle-class professional whose life goes incredibly, criminally awry is one of life goes incredibly, criminally awry is one of the most exciting thrillers in years. The the most exciting thrillers in years. The gripping plot is packed with twists and turns gripping plot is packed with twists and turns galore, and that ending??? What an ending, galore, and that ending??? What an ending, you will be surprised. `Derailed' has it all ; you will be surprised. `Derailed' has it all ; complex plot, well-drawn characters, complex plot, well-drawn characters, relentless suspense and a shocking climax. relentless suspense and a shocking climax. This is a thriller of the highest order. This is a thriller of the highest order.

Water for ElephantsWater for Elephants

by Sarah Gruenby Sarah Gruen

At the beginning of At the beginning of Water for ElephantsWater for Elephants, Jacob is , Jacob is living out his days in a nursing home, hating every living out his days in a nursing home, hating every second of it. His life wasn't always like this, however, second of it. His life wasn't always like this, however, because Jacob ran away and joined the circus when because Jacob ran away and joined the circus when he was twenty-one. His parents were killed in an auto he was twenty-one. His parents were killed in an auto accident one week before he was to sit for his accident one week before he was to sit for his veterinary medicine exams at Cornell. He buried his veterinary medicine exams at Cornell. He buried his parents, learned that they left him nothing, returned parents, learned that they left him nothing, returned to school, went to the exams, and didn't write a single to school, went to the exams, and didn't write a single word. He walked out without completing the test and word. He walked out without completing the test and wound up on a circus train. The circus he joins, in wound up on a circus train. The circus he joins, in Depression-era America, is second-rate at best. Depression-era America, is second-rate at best.

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