Summer is a wonderful time to enjoy literature. All Upper School students entering and returning to Ojai Valley School are required to read specific assigned books during the summer and be prepared to discuss them at the start of the academic year.

The intent is for students to experience reading worthwhile literature in a non-school environment. It is hoped that the reading will stimulate questions and ideas that will lead to thoughtful discussion and writing at the beginning of the year. In addition, there is nothing more important to developing critical thinking and writing skills than actually reading well-written literature.

This year, the entire school, faculty included, will be reading 1984 by George Orwell. We will be discussing this book during the first week of school and using issues raised by it for discussion and reflection.

Additionally, students are required to read additional literature by grade level. Click here to find the required summer reading list, which includes works by a number of classical and current authors, including John Steinbeck, Jon Krakauer, Dave Eggers, Kurt Vonnegut, Chinua Achebe, and many others.

It is the student’s responsibility to purchase the books. It should be possible to obtain inexpensive copies of these books at Borders, Barnes & Noble, online at Amazon.com, or other websites. Please read them over the summer and bring them to school in September prepared to discuss and write about them.

Enjoy your summer reading and get ready for the start of the upcoming 2010/2011 academic year.!