Reading in the High School: High School Summer Reading 2025

This is the powerful story of the young Manchester United team and accompanying journalists, that were on board the flight that crashed at Munich Airport in February, 1958. It is about the crash and its aftermath, and how football changed in England as a result. This moving account is both tragic and hopeful, and a must read for every football fan.

This is a sweeping historical novel set in Verdun at the end of World War One, and Los Angeles in the 1950's. It's a story of romance and grief, and gives one a real sense of place of the aftermath and destruction of Verdun.

This is the first book in a series about seven sisters who are adopted from different parts of the world by a very eclectic gentleman. The first book introduces us to the sisters after the death of their father. The books that follow showcase one of the sisters. What I love about this series is the historical basis around each character. You will not be able to put these books down!

A student who is looking to gain more understanding of experiences around bullying in MS and HS and how friends and the school environment can respond. It shows a deeper look into students beliefs about themselves as well as the superficiality of school until things become more serious in terms of emotions and actions. It's a beautiful read and I recommend it for students in MS and HS including young adults.

At the end of Rania's senior year, she's looking forward to the usual things - prom, graduation, a summer with her best friend, and then college. Everything changes literally overnight when her mother - an asylum-seeker in the US - is detained by ICE. Suddenly she finds herself caring from her brother and evading authorities. She goes on the run with help from Carlos, who's immigration status is also in question.

This book paints a realistic picture of what life is like for some immigrants. The author, Marina Budhos, will be one of ASD's visiting authors next year. Much of her fiction, like this one, concerns teens in challenging situations.

It's a real story about Teddy Roosevelt going up a tributary of the Amazon River. It's such an amazing tale of the wild jungle of South America and one man's quest to re-discover who he is.

We are born into families and situations we didn't choose, but are responsible for the choices we make to help us be better versions of ourselves. It's a quite captivating book, full of surprises, and I enjoyed the stories about each of the major characters in the book.
I recommend this book because it deals with real life situations young adults may be experiencing, and should therefore not isolate themselves from others when dealing with life issues.
High school students, and young adults may find this book an interesting read for the summer.

You may appreciate An Unlasting Home by Mai Al-Nakib because it explores the tension between tradition and modernity across generations and cultures, a theme many international students can relate to. The novel’s setting across Kuwait, Lebanon, India, and the U.S. offers a rich, multicultural lens that mirrors the diverse backgrounds of many students in Dubai. Its powerful portrayal of women's struggles and resistance in the face of shifting political landscapes encourages thoughtful reflection and important discussions about identity, gender, and belonging.

This novel serves as the prequel to the Hunger Games series, and focuses on the journey of the main character Hamitch (who later becomes Katniss' mentor in the sequel series). Although this book has even darker themes than the original series, readers who enjoyed the Panam world will also be enthralled with this installment. I recommend "Sunrise on the Reaping" to readers who enjoy dystopian universes, action, and surprising twists.

The title says it all. A book for curious people that want to make a difference in their farmily, friends and the world

It's a psychological thriller which deals with a child who is convicted of a crime, her experience living in a group home and her relationship with her mother. It is intense and at times hard but overall amazing.

It's a short and sweet commentary on how being needed makes helps us all belong.

Reminds me of hatchet, meets hunger games where a strong female must push past many obstacles from nature and society. The story is so moving and then you can watch the movie and compare what you imagined each part to be like to how they chose to portray it. Interested in nature, love stories, mysteries. Trigger warning: abandonment & abuse.

This book was recommended to me because it is written in a similar style to Russian literature (which I highly enjoy) but written about India during the late 1800s. There are several main characters which will eventually meet each other, but until they do, their stories are independent.

I See You've Called In Dead is a witty and sharply written novel by John Kenney, known for blending humor with insight about modern life. This story follows the daily grind of Dan, a cynical yet hilarious advertising copywriter, as he struggles through midlife challenges, office politics, and the absurdities of adulthood. The book combines dry humor with moments of real vulnerability, offering a refreshing look at how people cope when life doesn’t go quite as planned.

I recommend this book because it’s laugh-out-loud funny but also deeply relatable. Kenney’s writing captures the awkwardness, frustrations, and ridiculousness of everyday life with spot-on observations. While the characters are adults, their feelings of insecurity, pressure to meet expectations, and desire to figure out what really matters will feel familiar to high school students preparing to navigate life beyond school. It’s a great example of how humor can be used to deal with serious topics.

This book is perfect for readers who enjoy sharp, sarcastic humor, realistic characters, and stories that reflect the chaos of everyday life. If you like books that make you laugh while still making you think, or if you enjoy authors like David Sedaris or Jesse Andrews (Me and Earl and the Dying Girl), you’ll probably love I See You’ve Called In Dead. It’s especially great for students interested in writing, advertising, or the human side of the workplace.

I don’t usually reach for science fiction, but Project Hail Mary by Andy Weir turned out to be one of those rare, "can’t-put-it-down reads" that had me hooked from the first page to the last.

The story's protagonist is Ryland Grace, a man who wakes up alone on a spaceship, light-years from Earth, with no memory of who he is or how he got there. All he knows is that he’s been in a deep, extended sleep—and the only other crew members are dead.

As his memory returns, Ryland realizes he’s on a last-ditch mission to save humanity from a looming extinction-level threat. With time running out and no one around to help (no human, that is -- but there is an alien life form! Spoiler!), it’s up to Ryland to solve a seemingly impossible scientific puzzle—and somehow, against all odds, complete a mission he doesn’t even remember starting.

Part high-stakes space thriller, part science-fueled mystery, and sprinkle in a generous dose of humor, this book is a wild ride. Even if sci-fi isn’t usually your thing, give this one a try! You'll love it!

Have you ever wanted to read a classic? John Steinbeck's short, 123-page novella is an absolute "gem" (pun intended!). It is an "easy-to-read" and accessible classic that is packed with big ideas about how people change when money is involved and what matter most in life.

Kino, a poor fisherman, finds a massive pearl and suddenly sees a big future—one of money, education for his son, a better life. But as news of the pearl spreads, trouble comes for Kino. Lots of trouble! You won't believe all the trouble!

What starts as a lucky break turns into a spiral of greed, fear, and plot twists. Everyone wants a piece of the pearl, but what will Kino do with this massive pearl? Is the pearl a blessing, or a curse, or something in-between?

Give this novella a try -- you won't be disappointed!