Summer Reading List for 9th Graders

Fiction

1. To Kill a Mockingbird by Harper Lee

A classic novel that explores themes of racial injustice, moral growth, and compassion through the eyes of Scout Finch in the Deep South.

2. The Book Thief by Markus Zusak

Set during World War II, this novel follows a young girl named Liesel Meminger as she finds solace in stealing books and sharing them with others, amidst the horrors of the Nazi regime.

3. 1984 by George Orwell

A dystopian novel that delves into themes of totalitarianism, surveillance, and individualism, set in a world where the government exerts total control over all aspects of life.

4. The Catcher in the Rye by J.D. Salinger

This coming-of-age novel tells the story of Holden Caulfield, a teenager who navigates the challenges of adolescence and his own mental health.

5. The Road by Cormac McCarthy

A post-apocalyptic tale of survival, love, and hope as a father and his young son journey through a devastated landscape.

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Nonfiction

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6. I Am Malala: The Girl Who Stood Up for Education and Was Shot by the Taliban by Malala Yousafzai with Christina Lamb

The memoir of Malala Yousafzai, the youngest recipient of the Nobel Peace Prize, who advocates for girls' education worldwide.

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7. Steve Jobs by Walter Isaacson

A biography of Steve Jobs, co-founder of Apple Inc., exploring his innovative contributions to technology and his complex personality.

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8. Sapiens: A Brief History of Humankind by Yuval Noah Harari

This book offers a sweeping overview of the history of humankind, from the emergence of Homo sapiens in the Stone Age to the present.

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9. Just Mercy: A Story of Justice and Redemption by Bryan Stevenson

A memoir by Bryan Stevenson, a lawyer who founded the Equal Justice Initiative, detailing his fight for justice and human rights, particularly for those on death row.

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10. Hidden Figures: The American Dream and the Untold Story of the Black Women Mathematicians Who Helped Win the Space Race by Margot Lee Shetterly

This book uncovers the story of African-American female mathematicians at NASA whose calculations were crucial to the success of the U.S. space program.

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These books cover a range of genres and themes, providing a balanced mix of fiction and nonfiction to engage and inspire rising ninth graders.

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