Reading is an essential component of a well-rounded education, and Blair faculty members encourage reading throughout the school year. The summer is no exception, which is why all Blair students are expected to read a minimum of five fiction or nonfiction books over the summer. This assignment includes titles of their choosing in addition to those required by their teachers, and depending upon their courses, they may also have associated assignments and/or assessments to complete.

Titles for 2019 summer reading assignments are listed below. New and returning students enrolled in certain language courses for the 2019-2020 academic year must also complete summer work. Details about the summer work for language courses is linked in the list below.

All School Read for 9, 10, 11 and 12’s

Uncensored by Zachary Wood

Requirements for Selected Courses (listed by department) for 2019-2020

English

English 1: The Great Gatsby (Fitzgerald)

English 2: Fahrenheit 451 (Bradbury)

English 3: Into the Wild (Krakauer)

English 3 AP or 4 AP Literature: Let the Great World Spin (McCann)

English 4 AP Language: Between the World and Me (Coates)

History

Global Issues; Western Civilization; U.S. History: In lieu of summer reading, these courses are allowed to assign a book over either the winter or spring break.

AP U.S. History: Students should read Charles Mann's article on "1491" from the March 2002 issue of The Atlantic magazine. Instructions and a link to the article are located here.

AP European History: Darkness at Noon (Koestler); please review instructions here from Dr. Miller for this reading.

Science

Chemistry Honors: Stuff Matters: Exploring the Marvelous Materials that Shape our Man-made World (Miodownik). Dr. Sayers and Dr. Markolovic ask that you review this document as part of the assignment.

AP Chemistry: The Disappearing Spoon (Kean). Dr. Sayers asks that you complete this assignment here.

AP Biology: Riddled With Life  (Zuk); Campbell 10th Ed AP Biology text chapters 1-3. Mrs. Hadden will email a related assignment in August.

Physics AP C (Mechanics): 50 Physics Ideas You Really Need to Know (Joanne Baker)

Physics AP C (Electricity & Magnetism): Relativity Simply Explained (Martin Gardner)

Language

Summer work in language courses differs by grade level and language studied. Please review the below requirements closely and click on the appropriate link.

Spanish 4/4H: Click here for the assignment from Mr. Devaney.

AP Spanish Language: Click here for the assignment from Mr. Devaney.

All Classics students: Click here for the assignments from Mr. Sheppard.

French 4/4H: Click here for the assignment from Mme. Lavalle.

AP French Language: Click here for the assignment from Mme Lavalle.

All Chinese students: Click here for the assignment from Mr. Facciani and Mrs. Wang.

Music & Performing Arts

Music Theory AP: The Complete Book of Scales, Chords, Arpeggios and Cadences…  (Palmer, Manus, Lethco)