After venturing into the Philippines in Randy Ribay’s “Patron Saints of Nothing,” the next summer reading dawns on the school community. The school announced Larry Watson’s “Montana 1948” as the next summer reading book on May 12.
“It’s a little different from anything we’ve chosen before,” Diana Assereto, Dean of Academics and leader of the summer reading teacher committee, said. “It’s something all grade levels can participate in and connect to.”
Students will join 12-year-old David Hayden as he tells of when his dad Wesley, the sheriff of fictional town Bentrock, confronted his brother and David’s uncle, Dr. Frank, for crimes against Native Americans.
The novel explores Native American treatment and justice, power and morality.
“I would describe the book as having a sort of western, gritty, realistic feel with a lot of vivid images and subtle metaphors,” Assereto said. “I think most will appreciate the pace of the story and perspective of the storyteller.”
Students will take an objective, multiple-choice quiz and choose one short-essay question that will take place during an extended R-Time schedule in August.
Students will not complete a project, a major change this year. However, they will be given a study guide with questions and prompts.
In regards to the changes, Assereto said, “AI is definitely the main factor.”
Students have varying expectations for the book this year.
Book Club member Giovanna Phillips ’28 said, “I expect a story that people across our school can relate to and find something that connects to them.”
President Timothy Reardon, a former English teacher, pitched it to the committee.
“When I first started teaching this book, I used it with seniors, but then I decided to move it to the freshman curriculum,” he said. “Both grades really enjoyed it, so I asked Ms. Assereto to check if the committee would have any interest in it.”
The teacher committee forms every December. After staff suggest books, they read four or five books before Reardon approves the committee’s selection.
Dan Harlan, a first-year member, said, “[Librarian Daniel] Appel and Ms. Assereto were really fun to work with because they both love reading like I do.”
The committee chooses something appropriate for all grades, keeping the Archdiocese’s rules in mind.
“I trust the committee. They have been fantastic,” Reardon said. “…I like that we switched over to the one school, one book model because it sets up a situation where everybody in the school has something in common.”
Choosing a single book relevant for all grades poses challenges for the committee.
“We had two really great books that we couldn’t use because of language and violence,” Harlan said.
However, Assereto hinted at a possible solution. There are plans to revamp the summer reading assignment next year to ensure selections are more relevant for each grade.
“We are going to start much earlier. One book for everyone might not be the best fit for everybody,” Assereto said. “A couple of the books we wanted were only fitting for juniors and seniors… but whatever we move to, I hope to include students in the process.”
Despite these challenges, Assereto finds the most rewarding aspect of the selection process to be working with her colleagues.
They “volunteer because they believe in reading. They put in hours of work and help me tremendously,” she said.
Other members of the committee include: Jennifer Parker, Susan Sutton, and Richard Sylvester ’01 from the English Department, and YinShan Yang from the World Languages Department.
Staff members involved in the selection gave their reviews on the book.
“I hope it’s a page-turner for [the students]. It’s kind of a thriller, but it’s through the eyes of a kid, and you don’t see that very often,” Reardon said.
