Grade 9 Regents Summer Reading (Optional Assignment)
The purpose of this optional summer reading assignment is to help students prepare for the academic expectations of ninth grade. Reading regularly over the summer can strengthen your comprehension skills and build vocabulary, while also helping you stay mentally active and engaged in learning.
Although this assignment is not required, it is strongly encouraged for students who want to build confidence, improve reading stamina, and get a head start on high school expectations. Any novel selected should be grade-level appropriate for 9th grade or higher in both content and complexity.
Optional Assignment Overview:
1. Students may choose to read a novel over the summer and complete detailed, handwritten notes addressing the following literary elements:
- Plot
- Characters
- Setting
- Conflict
- Theme
2. Students who complete the reading will have the opportunity to complete an extra credit project during the first few weeks of school.
3. Participation is voluntary and will not result in a penalty if not completed. However, completed work will be used for extra credit, which can allow for additional points to be earned in the first quarter.
Listed below are resources for students:
A video explaining how to access online reading and audiobooks from SORA: SORA Instructions
Make sure to check out your school’s library:
PBHS: https://sites.google.com/pinebushschools.org/pbhs-library/home
Don’t forget your local libraries!
- Pine Bush Area Public Library- 223-227 Maple Ave, Pine Bush, NY https://pinebusharealibrary.org/
- Middletown Thrall Library- 12 Depot Street, Middletown, NY https://www.thrall.org/WelcomeHome.html
- Mamakating Library- 128 Sullivan Street, Wurstboro, NY https://mamakatinglibrary.org/
You can check the availability of each text from the following merchants:
Grade 9 Regents Summer Reading Ideas: (* available on SORA)
- Stuck in Neutral by Terry Trueman*
- Poison Princess by Kresley Cole*
- Monster by Walter Dean Myer: *
- The Chocolate War by Robert Cormie: *
- The Sun is a Star by Nicola Yoon*
- On the Devil’s Court by Carl Deuker
- Boy21 by Matthew Quick
- Girl in the Blue Coat by Monica Hesse*
- One of Us Is Lying by Karen M. McManus *
- After the Shot Drops by Randy Ribay *
- We Were Here by Matt de la Pena