Summer Learning - Books | Bishop Feehan High School

Bishop Feehan 2008 Summer Learning Experience

Book Selection – read one

(these books may be found at your Local Public Library or purchased through the Online Bookstore)

Parents are advised that some of the books contain mature language and themes;
whenever possible, parents and children should read and discuss the contents of the books together.

Jane Eyre

By Bronte, Charlotte.
"Jane Eyre caused a real storm of protest when it was first published. Politicians, the press, and churches wanted it destroyed. It was too dangerous, too depressing, and full of controversial ‘issues’ and revolutionary ideas that had no place in a novel read by impressionable young people. In fact, it was cutting-edge stuff, a roaring success with the young readers who were supposedly threatened by it. Having survived a grim and loveless childhood, Jane ventures into the world on her own, still a teenager, and falls in love with her rich employer. But this man has a dark secret… This story of a young character’s ultimate survival in a brutal world has resonated with generation after generation—and it’s still gripping stuff for readers today.” –from The Ultimate Teen Book Guide

The hero project : 2 teens, 1 notebook, 13 extraordinary interviews
By Hatch, Robert and William Hatch.
When he was 11, William Hatch conducted his first interview. Over the next twelve years, he and his brother asked questions of 13 different people including a president (Jimmy Carter), an author (Madeline L’Engle), an archbishop (Desmond Tutu), a movie star (Jackie Chan) and the man behind Big Bird (Caroll Spinney). This book is a collection of those interviews in which some of the most famous, accomplished people in sports, music, politics, and the arts share what motivates them, their faith life, and how they made their dreams come true.

Never give up: my stroke, my recovery, and my return to the NFL
By Bruschi, Tedy and Michael Holley.
In this new book, New England Patriots linebacker Tedy Bruschi describes the stroke he suffered in 2005, his recovery, the importance of early medical attention to reduce a stroke's damage, providing information for prevention and advice for stroke survivors.

Mountains beyond mountains
By Kidder, Tracy.
Chronicles the life of Paul Farmer, focusing on his efforts to diagnose and cure infectious diseases and to bring modern medicines to the countries and people who need them most.

“Tracy Kidder traveled with Dr. Paul Farmer for six years, interviewing his patients, friends, and family to create a thorough account of the man. Farmer, a Harvard professor, renowned infectious-disease specialist, and anthropologist, has made treating the poor and sick in Haiti his life's work, while also creating nongovernmental organizations to carry on his proven medical and humanitarian efforts in other parts of the world, as well as in Haiti.” –from What Do I Read Next

My mother the cheerleader : a novel
By Sharenow, Rob.
Thirteen year-old Louise used to go to school in the 9^th Ward of New Orleans, but when six year old Ruby Bridges starts going to school in her neighborhood, Louise’s mother pulls her out in protest. When a smart dressed man from the North comes to visit, the violent protests over school desegregation in 1960 New Orleans that surround Louise become more personal, and Louise uncovers secrets about her city, her neighborhood, her mother, and herself.

The once and future king

By White, T. W.

“From the magic-infused good humor of the opening chapters, this vivid retelling of the Arthurian legends gradually moves into darker territory. The plot sweeps from the Welsh borders to the Scottish islands and to England, covering the length of the land. But the drama is painfully human in scale. Witness the Orkney brothers, desperately seeking their mother’s attention through a horrifying unicorn hunt, or Lancelot running wild in the forest, or Arthur, alone in his pavilion before the final battle, contemplating the collapse of all his hopes. This is less a story of good versus evil and more a depiction of idealism set against mankind’s innate destructiveness. Though grounded in an alternative medieval Britain, this is still very much a parable for our times. –from The Ultimate Teen Book Guide

To find one of these books at your local Massachusetts library search the following catalogs: My Own Cafe, SAILS, CLAMS
For library catalogs in Rhode Island visit the Ocean State Library online catalog which covers all Rhode Island libraries.
Or order these books from the Online Bookstore, MBS Direct, along with other books for your courses. SLE books are listed in the English Course site list with the code SLE-08.

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