2024 Summer Assignments

English Department: Summer Reading Program

Reading lists for the 2024-2025 School Year, as well as the assignments accompanying the summer reading program, are now available. The documents below indicate the appropriate grade level reading lists and assignments. Please keep in mind that students should be reading/completing assignments that correspond to their 2024-2025 course level.

The primary purpose of Holy Name High School’s summer reading program is to lead students to an appreciation of literature and let them discover that reading can be enjoyable. Other benefits include a development of reading comprehension skills, a building of vocabulary, a better understanding of interactions between people, and a broadening of knowledge about various cultures represented in the books.

During the first two weeks of the new school year, English teachers will give objective tests on all of the assigned books. Following class discussion on the books, students will also be assigned an essay.

We require that you take notes on your summer reading book so that you remember what you have read. These notes will help lead class discussions during the first two weeks of school. The format of your notes should follow the rubric below to earn full points. You are welcome to take notes in a notebook or on the computer. 

Students will be expected to have all notes on their selected books on the first day of class.

Please note: Students entering Honors 9, Honors 10, CCP, or AP have an additional assignment instead of the note taking assignment below. 

Character Notes: Write down each character’s name as they are introduced and describe each one. As you read, indicate the importance of each character in the book. Identify significant actions, thoughts, connections, relationships, and traits.

Chapter Summaries: In a few sentences, summarize what happens at the end of each chapter. What are the important conflicts? Developments? 

Reflection: Write down a few statements or ideas from the book that are especially noteworthy or meaningful. Is the ending of the book satisfactory? Was the main character successful in overcoming a difficulty? Why or why not? What questions do you have after reading your book? What are some themes of the book? How does the content of this book apply to your life?

Summer Reading List - For All Grade Levels

Class of 2025 - Seniors
Required Book for Senior English Classes: Just Mercy by Bryan Stevenson 

Required Book for AP English Classes: Our Missing Hearts by Celeste Ng
Advanced Placement (AP) Summer Assignment

Class of 2026 - Juniors
Required Book for Junior English Classes: Scars Like Wings by Erin Stewart

Required Book for CCP English Classes: The Anthropocene Reviewed: Essays on a Human-Centered Planet by John Green
College Credit Plus (CCP) Summer Assignment

Class of 2027 - Sophomores
Required Book for Sophomore English Classes: Long Way Down by Jason Reynolds

Required Book for Honors Sophomore Classes: The Catcher in the Rye by J.D. Salinger
Honors Sophomore Summer Reading Assignment

Class of 2028 - Freshmen
Required Book for Freshman and Honors Freshman English Classes: A Step From Heaven by An Na
Honors Freshman English Summer Reading Assignment

AP Biology
Summer Assignment
Questions? Contact Mr. Lubowicki at [email protected]. 

AP Calculus AB
All summer assignment information is posted on Google Classroom.
Please contact Mr. Lanza at [email protected] if you have any questions.

AP Calculus BC
All summer assignment information is posted on Google Classroom.
Please contact Mr. Lanza at [email protected] if you have any questions.

AP Literature & Composition
Required Book: Our Missing Hearts by Celeste Ng
Advanced Placement (AP) Summer Assignment
Questions? Contact Mrs. White at [email protected]. 

AP Precalculus 
All summer assignment information is posted on Google Classroom.
Please contact Mr. Lanza at [email protected] if you have any questions.

AP U.S. Government and Politics
Summer Assignment
Questions? Contact Mrs. Ramella at [email protected]. 

CCP Civilizations
Summer Assignment
Questions? Contact Mr. Ehrbar at [email protected]. 

CCP English
Required Book for CCP English Classes: The Anthropocene Reviewed: Essays on a Human-Centered Planet by John Green
College Credit Plus (CCP) Summer Assignment
Questions? Contact Mrs. White at [email protected]. 

CCP French
Check with Madame Paul - [email protected] - for any summer work related to CCP French. 

CCP Holocaust
Summer Assignment
Questions? Contact Mr. Ehrbar at [email protected]. 

CCP Physics
Check with Mr. Mewhinney - [email protected] - for any summer work related to CCP Physics.

CCP Spanish
Check with Mrs. Lechler - [email protected] - for any summer work related to CCP Spanish. 

CCP U.S. History
Summer Assignment
Questions? Contact Mr. Ehrbar at [email protected].