May 2025
Aloha e Nā Haumāna,
Our school year is quickly coming to an end, and for many of you, summer can’t come fast enough! It is time to find and read a book or two or three. Your English teachers want your Summer Reading experience to:
-
-
- Celebrate reading
- Create a culture of reading
- Offer you a choice
-
Look for book(s) that pique your interest or feed your passion, which means if you don’t like a book, choose another. At least ONE book needs to be read by the end of summer. Here are a few thoughts and links to help you choose and meet your grade-level expectations:
- Freshmen, please see the English 9 Summer Reading Program letter from the grade 9 teachers. You may read any grade-level appropriate book that you have not read before. Honors 9 students should refer to the reading list below. There are seven English and two Hawaiian books that you may choose from.
- Sophomores and Juniors, you may choose ANY book of interest, provided that the subject matter is appropriate to discuss in an English classroom. While your interests may be maturing, we ask that you use discretion when selecting your texts, and we encourage you to challenge yourselves as readers.
- Seniors: Your Senior kumu designed Ē Ola! Senior English Semester Course Summer Reading response options, along with making “possible” book suggestions to get you started.
Our HONORS English program requires specific books from a shorter list, since the Summer Reading is incorporated into the school year course. Please access the highlighted link for your Honors class assignment:
And for those still struggling to find a book, pick one of the top five favorite books recommended by English department kumu—see lists under faculty pictures.
Finally, we encourage you to use apps available through Midkiff Learning Center [sign in using username + password in SSO] and the Hawaiʻi State Public Library System.
Have a fantastic summer!!!
Kumu Kaiwi
English Department Head
Kamehameha Schools—Kapalama
210 Konia Circle
Honolulu, Hawaiʻi 96817
(808) 842-8578