9th Grade Book List
World History, Biology, Algebra I, and English I—ninth grade builds the foundations of high school learning through great literature and scientific inquiry.
📚 Core Literature
- The Odyssey by Homer (Fagles or Fitzgerald translation)
Epic poetry—required
- Romeo and Juliet by William Shakespeare
Renaissance drama—required
- To Kill a Mockingbird by Harper Lee
Modern classic—required
- Animal Farm by George Orwell
Political allegory
- The Giver by Lois Lowry
Dystopian fiction
🔬 Biology & Science Reading
- Biology textbook by Various
Comprehensive reference
- The Immortal Life of Henrietta Lacks by Rebecca Skloot
Science and ethics
- Lab manual by Various
Experiment procedures
- Field guides by Various
Local ecology
Unit 1: Lammas – Ancient Civilizations & Scientific Method
- The Epic of Gilgamesh by Retold for students
World's oldest story
- Ancient world mythology by Various
Mesopotamia, Egypt review
- Scientific method introduction by Various
How science works
- World history overview by Various
Setting the stage
Unit 2: Mabon – Classical World: Greece & Rome
- The Odyssey by Homer (translated)
Epic poetry foundation
- Greek philosophy excerpts by Plato, Aristotle
Birth of Western thought
- Roman history by Various
Republic to Empire
- Classical mythology by Various
Gods and heroes
Unit 3: Samhain – Life & Death: Cells & Ecosystems
- The Immortal Life of Henrietta Lacks by Rebecca Skloot (adapted)
Cells and ethics
- Cell biology resources by Various
Building blocks of life
- Ecology and ecosystems by Various
Web of life
- Ancient beliefs about death by Various
Cultural perspectives
Unit 4: Yule – Medieval World & Genetics
- Cathedral by David Macaulay
Medieval architecture
- Medieval history by Various
Middle Ages overview
- Genetics introduction by Various
DNA and heredity
- Medieval literature excerpts by Various
Beowulf, Canterbury Tales
Unit 5: Imbolc – Renaissance, Reformation & Evolution
- Romeo and Juliet by William Shakespeare
Renaissance drama
- Renaissance art and ideas by Various
Rebirth of learning
- Evolution introduction by Various
Darwin and natural selection
- Reformation history by Various
Religious change
Unit 6: Ostara – Enlightenment & Human Body Systems
- Enlightenment thinkers by Various
Locke, Voltaire, Rousseau
- Human body systems by Various
Anatomy and physiology
- Scientific Revolution by Various
Copernicus to Newton
- Political philosophy by Various
Ideas that shaped nations
Unit 7: Beltane – Modern World & Ecology
- To Kill a Mockingbird by Harper Lee
Justice and compassion
- Modern history overview by Various
Revolutions to present
- Environmental science by Various
Ecology and conservation
- Animal Farm by George Orwell
Political allegory
Unit 8: Litha – Integration & World Community
- The Giver by Lois Lowry
Dystopian classic
- Global connections by Various
World community
- Summer reading choices by Various
Student-selected
- Portfolio and review by Various
Year-end reflection
📖 Tips for 9th Grade Reading
- • Annotation skills – Learn to mark up texts with notes, questions, and connections
- • Close reading – Practice analyzing passages in depth
- • Literary analysis – Move beyond summary to interpretation and argument
- • Research integration – Connect literature to historical and scientific contexts
- • Reading stamina – Build capacity for longer, more complex texts