Summer Reading Program

Students enrolled in a college prep English class will be required to read one book over the summer.
Students enrolled in an honors English class will be required to read two books over the summer.

All summer reading must be completed by Monday, August 18.

While reading the book, you should annotate the text. Mark important details, plot points, key characters, significant quotes, setting details, literary features, and developing themes as well as anything else that will help you read the text well (such as marking connections to your own life or current events, writing summaries, or asking questions). In essence, you should take notes to ensure that you are deeply understanding the text. You will be held accountable for understanding the book well and being able to find specific quotes to support your ideas. In August, you’ll be required to take a quiz and complete a writing assignment related to the book.

Please review the essential questions and discussion questions on the reading guide, and be ready to discuss the book with your classmates and teacher in August.

The English Department put together this handy guide for you. We’ve also included a list of common literary devices. These terms constitute the language of literature. When we talk about books, we use these words.

Please use #MarianReads this summer across all platforms. Post pictures, ask questions, make comments about your book. There’s something wonderful about reading the same book as your friends and then getting together to talk about it. Don’t wait until August to have those conversations!

When you come back to school this fall, we will have a special schedule on Friday, August 22. Each class will get its own block devoted to the Summer Reading Program. For example, each class will have an assigned time to meet in the PAC auditorium where they will listen to a guest speaker talk about the book. After that, the entire class will move to the cafeteria for a free breakfast or snacks. You’ll hang out, eat some good food, and talk about books. Every class will have the chance to do this.

In addition, you will discuss the book in your English class, take a quiz, and receive a writing assignment related to it. You’ll be expected to cite specific passages from the text, so please be sure to annotate carefully as you read the book this summer. Students enrolled in honors English classes should do the same: read the book, annotate the text, and be prepared to discuss the book. In addition, honors students may be assigned a quiz, test, or other assessment in August.

The Summer Reading Program books will be included on the list of required textbooks for 2025-26. You can purchase the book, new or used, from the seller of your choice. The Bookworm (90th & Center) is offering a 20% discount to all Marian students on all titles in the Summer Reading Program. When you purchase one of these books at the Bookworm, just tell them you’re a Marian student, and they’ll give you the discount.

Please contact Ms. Susie Sisson, chair of the English Department, at bsisson@omahamarian.org, if you
have additional questions. We look forward to reading great books with you this year!