Students Entering Grade 10:
Suggested Summer Reading List
- A Long Way Gone: Memoirs of a Boy Soldier by Ishmael Beah
What is war like through the eyes of a child soldier? Child soldiers have been profiled by journalists, and novelists have struggled to imagine their lives. But until now, there has not been a first-person account from someone who came through this hell and survived.
- Chasing Excellence by Ben Bergeron
Author and coach Ben Bergeron writes about what it means to be your best—not just in sports, but in everyday life. Bergeron, a coach to some of the top CrossFit athletes in the world, shares real stories and lessons about hard work, staying focused, and building strong character. The book shows that true success isn't just about winning—it's about always working to improve and never giving up.
- How to Save a Life by Sara Zarr
As their worlds change around them, two girls must learn to both let go and hold on, and that nothing is as easy—or as difficult—as it seems.
- I am the Cheese by Robert Cormier
A teenage boy named Adam Farmer sets out on a bike journey to deliver a package to his father. As he pedals through the countryside, his thoughts shift between the present and fragmented memories of his past. Told through a mix of narrative, interviews, and internal monologue, the story slowly unravels the truth about Adam's identity and the secrets surrounding his family.
- I'm Glad My Mother is Dead by Jennette McCurdy
Former child actress Jennette McCurdy reflects on her complicated childhood, her rise to fame, and the pressures she faced growing up in the spotlight. Through dark humor and raw honesty, she explores themes of control, identity, and healing, offering a powerful memoir about reclaiming one's voice after years of silence.
- Marley and Me: Life and Love with the World’s Worst Dog by John Grogan
John and Jenny had just begun their life together. They were young and in love, with a perfect little house and not a care in the world. Then they brought home Marley, a wiggly yellow furball of a puppy. Life would never be the same.
- Of Beetles and Angels by Mawi Asgedom
“A Boy’s Remarkable Journey From a Refugee Camp to Harvard” by Mawi Asgedom tells the story of Selamawi Haileab Asgedom or Mawi. He was a refugee who came to America when he was young. Through hard work and his father’s influence, he became a Harvard graduate.
- The Perks of Being a Wallflower by Stephen Chbosky
A story about what it’s like to travel that strange course through the unchartered territory of high school.
These book suggestions are available at our community libraries (click on the library name to visit: William Jeanes Memorial Library, Montgomery County-Norristown Public Library, and Conshohocken Free Library).