Our students are not the only ones reading over the summer. During the long break, teachers at BASIS International & Bilingual School China dove into their own reading lists, consuming books for both learning and pure enjoyment. We asked several teachers about the books on their summer reading lists. Their responses reflect their wide range of interests, from fantasy and science fiction to historical works and graphic novels.
Jennifer Roth, Incoming Vice Head of Upper School
BASIS Bilingual School Guangming
“I’ve been reading like crazy this summer, so I have a lot to choose from!
I’ve started the Arcturus Academy series by A.L. Knorr, finishing the first two books: Firecracker and Fire Trap. It’s a five-book young adult fantasy series about a school that teaches mages how to wield their fire power.
I also read Circe by Madeline Miller, a book that tells the story of the daughter of the Titan sun god Helios, who is exiled to a deserted island where she hones her skills in witchcraft.”
Tim Willcutts, Chair of High School English
BASIS International School Shenzhen
“Cormac McCarthy’s Blood Meridian uses historical accounts of battles and massacres along the 1850s Texas-Mexico border to ask timeless, unsettling questions about the origins of human violence. Reading it this summer reminded me how great fiction can draw history and philosophy together to make a statement that transcends any particular time or setting.”
Thomas Borowiec, Course Advisor, G8 Biology / G6 Physics Subject Teacher, Chair of Science
BASIS International School Guangzhou
“I just finished a book called A Memory Called Empire by Arkady Martine. It’s sci-fi, like most books I read lately, all about a diplomat trying to stop a large, unstable empire from invading her much smaller home country. There is lots of court intrigue, some murder mystery plots, and a big focus on being a foreigner in another country, which resonates with me quite a bit.
Ed Winsted, Grade 7 English Subject Teacher
BASIS International School Guangzhou
“Just started: The Chinese Groove by Kathryn Ma, a witty and perceptive novel, presenting a compelling immigration narrative through the eyes of 18-year-old Zheng Xue Li from Yunnan province, China. Readers will find themselves drawn to the tenacious and resolute young man, experiencing a range of emotions as they laugh, cringe, and fret over his journey. (Winner of the Silver Medal for the California Book Award for Fiction, longlisted for the Dublin Literary Prize, and longlisted for the Joyce Carol Oates Prize)
Black Cloak Volume 1, a compelling blend of fantasy and detective noir, weaving a richly detailed world with intricate storytelling. The captivating plot and striking artwork draw readers into a mysterious realm where magic and crime intersect, making it a must-read for fans of imaginative, genre-defying graphic novels from the mind of Eisner Award-winning writer Kelly Thompson.
Enjoyed:
The Shortest History of Europe by John Hirst. It is an amazingly dense yet readable experience and a must for anyone who wants a condensed yet flavorful history of Europe (abridged, of course!)
Zero: The Biography of a Dangerous Idea by Charles Seife. This non-fiction text traces the journey of this enigmatic number from its mystical beginnings to its profound impact on modern physics. The Babylonians invented it, the Greeks banned it, the Hindus worshiped it, and the Church used it to fend off heretics—zero has always been both nothing and everything, pitting East against West and faith against reason. Did I mention it’s a PEN/Martha Albrand award winner?
All Time Favorites:
Confederacy of Dunces by John Kennedy Toole masterfully combines sharp wit and profound social commentary through the outlandish character of Ignatius J. Reilly, challenging readers to reflect on the absurdities of modern existence. Set in the vibrant backdrop of New Orleans, this Pulitzer Prize-winning novel entertains while offering deep insights into human nature and societal structures.”
Courtney Schomaker, Social Studies Teacher
BASIS International School Park Lane Harbour
Here’s one I recently finished that I loved–The Island of Missing Trees by Elif Shafak. It’s a nonlinear narrative focusing on a couple in the midst of the unrest in Cyprus in the 1970s. I loved the narrative structure, and the prose was absolutely beautiful. The book switches POV between the couple, their child (much later), and the fig tree they fell in love under, which was fascinating. It was so unique and so beautiful. It was heart-wrenching and heartwarming at the same time–truly a wonderful book in so many ways. I took this photo of the book while I was on vacation in Greece this summer.
Jessica Loots, Head of Early Childhood
BASIS International & Bilingual Schools Chengdu
The Boy Who Would Be a Helicopter – The Uses of Storytelling in the Classroom by Vivian Gussin Paley is a compelling book that advocates for an approach to early childhood education that emphasizes creativity, storytelling, and imaginative play. This was my second read of this book, and it’s great to revisit some of the strategies that storytelling can provide. Paley argues that storytelling is a natural and critical part of children’s development. It allows children to express their thoughts, fears, dreams, and social interactions. The method involves listening to children’s stories, transcribing them verbatim, and acting them out with peers. This practice respects children’s voices and imaginations, placing their narratives at the center of the learning process. Paley’s method is highly inclusive, accommodating children with diverse backgrounds and abilities. It allows every child a voice and an opportunity to be heard and to contribute creatively.
Overall, The Boy Who Would Be a Helicopter is both a practical guide and an inspirational text, encouraging educators to embrace the power of storytelling and play in fostering children’s development and learning.
My downtime reads included completing the series It Ends With Us and It Starts With Us by Colleen Hoover, which leads into a movie this summer. Reading for both learning and fun is a great example of a balanced life in which we make time to learn but also relax! I am a great believer that when we read, our minds rest as we take it into the stories of others and get to view the world a little differently.
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