Written by Vivian Tran|

Photograph by The Morgan PawPrint|

Once again another exciting summer to read!  Mr. Serenbetz continues to organize the  “I Love This Book”  summer reading program. Many staff members at Morgan offer to host a book chat in the fall for a book that they enjoy reading. Students who will be sophomores, juniors or seniors then choose which I Love This Book  they will read over the summer. In the fall, the students will attend a book chat with the teacher and other students who read the same book.

Many students from The Morgan School have participated in the I Love This Book program in the past.  Some students would prefer that the book chat be an extra credit assignment rather than a requirement.   Junior Kasey Waterberry stated “Don’t have book chat because it’s a waste of summer.”  Junior Sam Pansa thinks that there should be more interesting books to read.  Senior Sarah Burr did not like book chat. Many students want to have a wider variety of genres and options for students. Some male students feel that there are too many feminist books offered. They would prefer more sports books

There are books such as The Boys in the Boat, Season of Life: a football star, a boy, a journey to manhood, Redeployment and The Valley of Fear offered for this summer’s I Love This Book selections that should appeal particularly to males. There are other amazing stories to read! Here are some books from fantasy, fiction, realistic fiction, memoir, how to, and nonfiction.

Fantasy: Where the Mountain Meets the Moon and Wolf in White Van

Fiction: Go Set A Watchman, The Martian, and Wonder

Realistic Fiction: The Distance Between Lost and Found, Please Stop Laughing at Me

Memoir: The Sunshine Away, Redeployment, and Green On Blue

How To: Complete Book Of Framing: An Illustrated Guide for Residential Construction

Nonfiction: Silent Spring, American Nations: A History of the Eleven Rival Regional Cultures of North America, and Escape from Camp 14

Many students are positive about the books offered for book chat. Junior Sami Ashton is obsessed with book chat: “Book chat gives you the option to choose your book style rather than something you are not interested in.” Senior Kelsey Donaldson said, ” I love books; it’s fun.” Junior Kate Mozzochi said, ” I like book chat, and it’s good to mix all grade levels.” Senior Abby Cifferelli thinks “that discussion with people that choose the same book as you, allows you to meet new people that are similar. However, there should be more book selections. Students could offer their own book choices.” Junior Paige Kiozy wants to read Girl on The Train. The description of the book in the “I Love This Book” packet convinced her it was an intriguing story. Junior Savannh Shafman thought Looking for Alaska was interesting.

Teachers are interested in getting to know other students during the fall book chat. Biology teacher Mr. Luther said, “It’s fun to meet students and allow students to see the teachers outside of class.” Learning Commons specialist Mrs. Robinson said, ” It’s an opportunity for students to know new book titles.” Science teacher Mrs. O’Reilly thinks “it’s a great discussion, and it is better than writing a summary.” Science teacher Mrs.Whittle who enjoys reading is reading The Martian for “I Love this Book” this year. She finds book chat  “a relaxing setting to talk to students and to get to know them.”

There are over 35 book chat selections to choose from.  As in past years, students select three books from the I Love This Book list.  The students are then assigned to one of the I Love This Book chat books that they choose.  In addition to the I Love This Book chat book, students  are required to read an book of their choice.  Honors students have required reading instead of the book of choice.  For more details about summer reading, see the 2015 Summer Reading page on The Morgan School website.