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Summer Reading (Upper School)

Upper School

As a new or returning upper school student, you have summer reading. Teachers have tried to choose books that will sharpen your reading skills and set up themes for the coming year.  One book is assigned below. The other should be taken from the 2024-25 Upper School Summer Reading. If you have questions, email your English teacher for the upcoming school year.

2024–25 Assignments
  • English 9: 
    • Dragon Hoops by Gene Luen Yang
    • One other book from the 2024 US Summer Reading List.  Choose a book you have not previously read.
  • English 9 Adv: 
    • Born a Crime: Stories from a South African Childhood by Trevor Noah or It's Trevor Noah: Born a Crime: Stories from a South African Childhood (Adapted for Young Readers) by Trevor Noah — this younger version omits some PG-13 language.
    • One other book from the 2024 US Summer Reading List.  Choose a book you have not previously read.
  • English 10: 
    • The Miracles of the Namiya General Store by Keigo Higashino
    • One other book from the 2024 US Summer Reading List. Choose a book you have not previously read.
  • English 10 Adv: 
    • The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-Time by Mark Haddon 
    • One other book from the 2024 US Summer Reading List.  Choose a book you have not previously read.
  • English 11: 
    • David and Goliath: Underdogs, Misfits, and the Art of Battling Giants by Malcolm Gladwell  
    • One other book from the 2024 US Summer Reading List.  Choose a book you have not previously read.
  • English 11 AP: 
    • Educated by Tara Westover
    • One other book from the 2024 US Summer Reading List.  Choose a book you have not previously read.
  • English 12
    • Extremely Loud & Incredibly Close by Jonathan Safran Foer
    • One other book from the 2024 US Summer Reading List.  Choose a book you have not previously read.
  • English 12 AP: 
    • Annihilation by Jeff VanderMeer
    • One other book from the 2024 US Summer Reading List.  Choose a book you have not previously read.
When selecting your book from the 2024 US Summer Reading List, remember that the list is suggestive, not exhaustive. The English Department suggests these books because we hope everyone will find a book that interests them. If you are interested in reading a book of comparable difficulty that is not on the list, please ask your future English teacher for permission. You are encouraged to take notes so that you are prepared to discuss the books and to write about them in August. 
Happy reading!
The English Department

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Kentucky Country Day School is a private JK–12, coeducational school located on a spacious 80+ acre campus in Louisville, KY. KCD combines a rigorous academic program with a wide variety of athletic and extracurricular programs. Our outstanding faculty creates an intimate learning environment that is both challenging and supportive.