Back to School Books We Recommend for a New School Year
Curious to know what back to school books we recommend for St. Agnes Academy students? Discover our list of stories to inspire, challenge, and prepare students for the year ahead.
The start of a new school year brings fresh notebooks, sharpened pencils, and the promise of a new chapter. At St. Agnes Academy, we believe stories are more than assignments; they are catalysts for growth and reflection.
Our 2025–2026 Summer Reading List was carefully chosen to meet academic goals and inspire critical thinking, new perspectives, and personal reflection. Learn more about our selection of back to school books that help create a fresh start to the school year.
2025–2026 Summer Reading List: Grade-Level Selections
We’ve organized our list of books by grade level to capture the progression of recommended books throughout a student’s time at St. Agnes. Let’s dive in!
CP English I
The Last Cuentista by Donna Barba Higuera – A science fiction novel about Petra Peña, who awakens centuries after Earth’s destruction on a ship where stories have been erased and conformity is enforced. Read this book to discover her journey that celebrates the power of storytelling and the importance of preserving culture.
- Highlights resilience and identity
- Emphasizes hope through storytelling
Honors English I
Jane Eyre by Charlotte Brontë – A literary classic following Jane’s growth from a difficult childhood to adulthood marked by integrity and moral strength.
- Explores themes of personal strength and integrity
- Encourages reflection on love and independence
CP English II
And Then There Were None by Agatha Christie – A suspenseful mystery where ten guests on an isolated island face accusations and deadly consequences, raising questions about guilt and justice.
- Examines human nature and morality
- Builds suspense through intricate plotting
Honors English II
The Picture of Dorian Gray by Oscar Wilde – A haunting tale of a man whose portrait ages and reveals his moral decay while he remains outwardly youthful.
- Explores vanity and corruption
- Reflects on the cost of living without accountability
CP English III
The Crucible by Arthur Miller – Set during the Salem witch trials, this play reveals how hysteria and fear can lead to injustice and challenges students to consider conscience versus social pressure.
- Highlights the dangers of mass hysteria
- Explores the conflict between the individual and society
H AP English Language & Composition (H English III)
1984 by George Orwell (75th Anniversary Edition) – A chilling depiction of a totalitarian future that challenges readers to think about truth, censorship, and autonomy.
- Warns against government surveillance and propaganda
- Encourages critical thinking about media and truth
CP English IV
Things Fall Apart by Chinua Achebe – Tells the story of Okonkwo, a respected leader in pre-colonial Nigeria whose world changes dramatically with the arrival of European missionaries.
- Explores cultural identity and tradition
- Addresses the impact of colonialism
H AP English Literature & Composition (H English IV)
Circe by Madeline Miller – A retelling of Greek mythology from the perspective of the enchantress Circe, focusing on power and transformation through a modern feminist lens.
- Explores empowerment and voice
- Reimagines classical mythology
Why Summer Reading and Back to School Books Matter
At St. Agnes Academy, we know that great books do more than check an academic box. They ignite imagination, build empathy, and encourage meaningful dialogue.
Whether it’s a classic novel, a gripping mystery, or a modern retelling of mythology, each of these back to school books is designed to help students build confidence for the year ahead and ease those first-day jitters. These titles help foster a strong classroom community and offer opportunities to explore important themes like identity, morality, and resilience.
Literature plays a vital role in helping students see the world through new perspectives. As students read over the summer, they’re preparing to bring fresh ideas and critical questions into the classroom. This foundation of thoughtful reading is essential to the academic journey, and it strengthens the values we cultivate as an all-girls Catholic school rooted in Dominican tradition.
When the first day of school arrives, we want students to be more than just prepared – we want them to be inspired. That’s why we’ve compiled a list of books to read that connect directly to the themes and conversations they’ll explore in class throughout the year.
These summer reads go beyond fun reads; they are an invitation to engage, reflect, and connect with classmates and teachers. Whether students read Jane Eyre or Circe, we believe they’ll discover new ideas that will shape their voice and confidence throughout the school year.
- We encourage students and families to visit our curriculum guide to learn more about curriculum goals and how each summer reading title aligns with our broader academic mission.
- We also invite parents and students to explore additional student resources that will help them prepare for the new school year. Let these books be more than just assignments – let them be the spark that launches a transformative year of learning!
