Entering Grade 9 Summer Reading Instructions
During the summer, Fessenden students in Grade 7-9 are expected to read 3 summer reading books. We believe choice sparks curious, lifelong readers. Accordingly, students can choose 2 of their 3 summer reading books, and we encourage your sons to make these choices for themselves. However, in order to foster conversation and dialogue upon our return to school, one book is required for each grade level. This I Believe: The Personal Philosophies of Remarkable Men and Women, edited by Jay Allison and Dan Gediman, is the Grade 9 required book.
This I Believe is a compilation of essays from various famous individuals which explain their personal philosophies. Students are expected to randomly select 15 of these essays and read each essay twice, then complete the work as required on the worksheet. Students may conduct some brief research on these famous individuals in order to decide which essays to read. All essayists' names are included in the table of contents. Fessenden's returning students were given a copy of the book and the required work at the end of the school year. If your student is new to Fessenden or needs another copy of the This I Believe worksheet, it can be found here and students should print the sheet so they can complete it by hand. Please keep track of this sheet and bring it and the book to school in the fall.
There is no work required for the two choice books. Students can choose any two grade/ability-appropriate titles. Our Summer Reading Lists (on this site) are suggestions in case students need help choosing a high-quality book. Students do not need to purchase or bring a copy of their choice books in the fall. And of course, if students want to read more than 3 books, they are welcome to do so! Happy reading!
Summer Admissions/Late Summer Admission:
If a student is admitted to Fessenden during the summer and does not have time to complete some or all of the required summer reading, please email the English Department chair, Thomas Minehart, at [email protected] to formulate an appropriate plan for them.
This I Believe is a compilation of essays from various famous individuals which explain their personal philosophies. Students are expected to randomly select 15 of these essays and read each essay twice, then complete the work as required on the worksheet. Students may conduct some brief research on these famous individuals in order to decide which essays to read. All essayists' names are included in the table of contents. Fessenden's returning students were given a copy of the book and the required work at the end of the school year. If your student is new to Fessenden or needs another copy of the This I Believe worksheet, it can be found here and students should print the sheet so they can complete it by hand. Please keep track of this sheet and bring it and the book to school in the fall.
There is no work required for the two choice books. Students can choose any two grade/ability-appropriate titles. Our Summer Reading Lists (on this site) are suggestions in case students need help choosing a high-quality book. Students do not need to purchase or bring a copy of their choice books in the fall. And of course, if students want to read more than 3 books, they are welcome to do so! Happy reading!
Summer Admissions/Late Summer Admission:
If a student is admitted to Fessenden during the summer and does not have time to complete some or all of the required summer reading, please email the English Department chair, Thomas Minehart, at [email protected] to formulate an appropriate plan for them.