My Summer Reading List

By Bruce Janu -

I am Bruce Janu, the new librarian at Hersey High School. I am looking forward to the start of the school year in a new role. But for now, summer is here and my book list is long!  This is going to be a very different summer for me. Last summer, I didn't get a chance to do much reading because I was finishing up a documentary called This Sacred Place: The Story of Old Lynn Concerts. That ate up much of my reading time.

This summer, I am taking a course at the University of Illinois called Teen Materials. There are 9 novels on this list. Some I have read; some will be new. For me, this will be the Summer of Reading! And it is a welcomed change of pace.

Here are the books on my list:

  • Weetzie Bat by Francesca Lia Block
  • The Perks of Being a Wallflower by Stephen Chbosky
  • To All the Boys I've Loved Before by Jenny Han
  • Pride: a Pride and Prejudice Remix by Ibi Zoboi
  • This One Summer by Mariko Tamaki and Jillian Tamaki
  • The Chocolate War by Robert Cormier
  • Graceling by Kristin Cashore
  • 13 Reasons Why by Jay Asher
  • Dread Nation by Justina Ireland
Throughout the next few weeks, I will be posting about each of these books as I read them. Join me on this journey. First up:  Weetzie Bat.



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