The Avalon School Summer Reading List
Dear Avalon Families,
Reading during the summer months broadens a boy’s horizons like few other activities.
With this end in mind, I am happy to provide you with the Avalon School’s Summer Reading and Poetry Requirements.
All boys at Avalon will be required to memorize one poem over the summer months to recite in September when school begins. Each poem is likely found on the internet or in many poetry collections.
The reading requirements involve more effort. Each boy entering lower or middle school grades is required to read two of the listed works for the grade he is set to enter in September. No other assignment will be required of boys entering grades 2 through 6, but literature teachers will ask the student which books he read. Boys entering grades seven and eight should be prepared to answer questions in complete sentences about one of the books read on the first day of school.
Requirements for boys entering upper school grades reflect their growing capabilities. All students entering a high school grade will pick two books from this list of teacher selections and read them. The names of the teachers who selected the texts are hidden for now. When we come together in the fall, students who picked a book will meet with the teacher who selected it. There will be a short assessment of your reading of the text and then there will be an open discussion of the work in which the teacher will share what moved him in the text. Students can share impressions and ask questions about the work in this time.
This year the books are divided into two categories: 1) 9th & 10th grade books and 2) 11th & 12th grade books. Based on the grade you will be in the Fall of 2025, please select your books from the appropriate category.
If you know of other quality, age-appropriate books that boys will enjoy, we would be happy to keep them in mind for future summer reading lists.
Kevin J. Davern
Headmaster
Please note: High School Students can access the special instructions for their reading list here.