Honors 9th World History Summer Reading

9th grade Honors World History Suggested Summer Reading List
Students are required to read a minimum of two books during the school year from the following
list of historical novels and historical non-fiction books. Your student might want to read some of
these books over the summer in preparation for the course. These were chosen to enrich the
course work required by the Alabama Course of Study and to reflect the major eras and areas to
be studied during the year. For example, the first several books reflect the Renaissance, Age of
Exploration, and the impact of science on society. There are also books that detail WWII, and
various cultures such as China, Cuba, Rwanda and Afghanistan. Great care and consideration
were taken into choosing age appropriate books. Many books were omitted because of mature
content. With that stated, as teachers we respect the individuality of our students. Therefore, if a
parent or student feels that this suggested list is not helpful, and would prefer to suggest
alternative books, then please contact Lauren Dressback at dressbacklj@vestavia.k12.al.us as
soon as possible in order to discuss the matter.
Students will be required to write a three to five page report that is double-spaced for each of the
two required books. (A rubric for the writing assignment is included on last page of the internet
based reading list and rubric.) One report will be completed each semester. In addition, students
will be expected to contribute to the class discussion any pertinent
knowledge and insights attained after reading their chosen book when the time period pertaining
to the book is studied.
If you have any questions or concerns, then please contact Lauren Dressback at
dressbacklj@vestavia.k12.al.us
Thank you,
Lauren Dressback, Honors World History 9 Teacher

Students will be required to read one book related to first semester studies and a second book
related to second semester studies.
Please print the rubric twice and attach a copy to each book report.
First Semester Choices:
Choose one of the following book from the first semester related unit of studies:
Medieval prelude to Renaissance
Lost to the West: The Forgotten Byzantine Empire that Rescued Western Civilization written by Lars
Brownworth.
Patience: Princess Catherine de Medici Young Royals Series by Carolyn Meyer
Age of Exploration and Absolute Divine Right
Rivers of Gold The Rise of the Spanish Empire, from Columbus to Magellan Written by Hugh Thomas
The Confident Hope of a Miracle: The True Story of the Spanish Armada Written by Neil Hanson
The Bad Queen: Instructions and Rules for Marie Antoinette by Carolyn Meyer Young Royals Series
Doomed Queen Anne Young Royals series by Carolyn Meyer
Beware Princess Elizabeth: Young Royals Series by Carolyn Meyer
Mary, Bloody Mary Young Royals series by Carolyn Meyer
Scientific Revolution
Longitude by Dava Sobel
Aladdin Lamp: How Greek Science Came to Europe Through the Islamic World by John Freely
Isaac Newton Written by James Gleick
Age of Enlightenment
How the Scots Invented the Modern World : The True Story of How Western Europe's Poorest Nation Created
Our World and Everything in It Written by Arthur Herman
Victorian England
At her majesty's request : an African princess in Victorian England Written by Walter Dean Myers.
Age of Imperialism
Into Africa The Epic Adventures of Stanley and Livingstone Written by Martin Dugard
The Great Wave Gilded Age Misfits, Japanese Eccentrics, and the Opening of Old Japan Written by
Christopher Benfey
Second Semester Choices:
Choose one of the following books from the second semester related unit of studies:
Asia
The Good Earth by Pearl Buck
Pyongyang: A Journey in North Korea by Guy Delisle
Burma Chronicles by Guy Delisle
India After Gandhi: The History of the World's Largest Democracy by Ramachandra Guha
When Broken Glass Floats: Growing Up Under the Khmer Rouge by Chanrithy Him
Colors of the Mountain by Da Chen
Gandhi & Churchill: The Epic Rivalry that Destroyed an Empire and Forged Our Age Written by Arthur
Herman
Africa
We Wish to Inform You that Tomorrow We Will Be Killed With Our Families by Philip Gourevitch
The Fate of Africa: A History of Fifty Years of Independence by Martin Meredith
The Making of Modern South Africa: Conquest, Apartheid, Democracy by Nigel Worden
Long Walk to Freedom by Nelson Mandela
A Long Way Gone: Memoirs of a Boy Soldier by Ishmael Beah

Middle East
Persepolis: The Story of a Childhood and Persepolis 2:The Story of a Return
Funny in Farsi by Firoozeh Dumas
My Forbidden Face by Latifa
Moment of Truth in Iraq by Michael Yon
Understanding Iraq: The Whole Sweep of Iraqi History, from Genghis Khan's Mongols to the Ottoman Turks to
the British Mandate to the American Occupation by William R. Polk
Europe
The Hiding Place by Corrie Ten Boom
Dancing Under the Red Star: The Extraordinary Storyof Margaret Werner, the Only
American Woman to Survive Stalin's Gulag Written by Karl Tobien
The Bielski Brothers: The True Story of Three Men Who Defied the Nazis Written by Peter
Duffy
The Walls Came Tumbling Down: The Collapse of Communism in Eastern Europe by Gale
Stokes
The Cold War by Steven Ambrose
Latin America
The Duke of Havana: Baseball, Cuba, and the Search for the American Dream Written by Steve Fainaru and
Ray Sanchez
The Aftermath of the Sandinista Revolution by Stuart Kallen c. A History of Argentina in the Twentieth
Century by Luis Alberto Romero

Honors World History Book Report Summary Rubric
Name: _______________________
1. Student submits a double-spaced, 3-5 page typed, 12pt. Times font book review
2. Essay includes an introduction paragraph with basic information about the book, author, title
publisher, number of pages, genre. Also, student explains why this book was chosen and what
expectations were regarding the book.
3. Includes in the body of the paper what the book is about. This should be a concise summary of
the book.
4. Explains and gives opinions about the book’s ability to help you better understand the time
period.
5. Explain strengths and weaknesses of the book.
6. Examples and quotes from the book illustrating strengths and weaknesses of the book.
7. Includes an explanation of why you would or would not recommend this book to a peer.
8. Review is organized and written in a clear manner/ correct grammar.
9. Conclusion pulls together your thoughts and is brief.
10. The student demonstrates his or her full potential in applying their skills in this assignment
1 = weak, 2 = moderately weak, 3 = average, 4 = moderately strong, 5 = strong
Comments: Total points _______ Grade % _________
Please print this rubric and attach it to your report.