Course Books
Below is an updated list of required course books for the 2021–2022 school year. This list is organized by department and by course number. For each book, we have specified whether used or e-book editions are acceptable, and included additional notes when needed. The links will show you the correct edition of the book on Amazon (or the best vendor for that course book). Most of these books will also be available from your preferred bookseller.
Here are some things to keep in mind as you do your course book shopping:
- If you have a financial aid grant, textbooks are factored into your grant, and Commonwealth will order these books on your behalf. We will be placing book orders in mid-August and students will be able to pick up their books prior to the beginning of school.
- Please be very mindful of ISBNs. If you are purchasing books online, you can search for them by ISBN to ensure that you are buying the correct edition. It is helpful to Google an ISBN to pull up book vendors rather than searching for the ISBN on Amazon, where in some cases the search results list other editions of the book. Different editions of textbooks may have different page numbers, content, or problem sets, so buying the wrong book will make homework a real challenge! If you are buying your books used or from a bookstore, you should be able to double check the ISBN by looking above the barcode on the back of the book.
- Books marked with a star (★) may be exchanged in the Virtual Textbook Exchange in August. You will hear more about this event from the Parents Committee shortly!
- Several courses include source books, reading packets, or other materials that will be available at school at the beginning of the year; these are noted on the list. This year, English texts and books for French 1, 2, and 3 will also be provided at school. Full-pay families will be billed for these materials at a later date.
- There are no required books for Arts courses.
Please address any questions or problems to Stephanie Poynter at spoynter@commschool.org. A full PDF course book list is available here.
Required Summer Reading
Required Summer Reading for Courses
Courses for 9s & 10s
ANCIENT HISTORY: Homer, The Essential Iliad, edited and translated by Stanley Lombardo (ISBN: 0872205428). (Please, no Kindle copies of the book as students are expected to mark up their copies).
MEDIEVAL WORLD HISTORY: Students taking Medieval World History next year are asked to read ONE of the following:
1. The Arabian Nights (ISBN: 9780393331660) (Volume 1 only of the Husain Haddawy translation) The classic medieval Islamic work, constructed as a labyrinth of story within story, The Arabian Nights draws on tales from many eastern lands, and provides material in turn for the literature of medieval Europe.
2. Dante, The Inferno (ISBN: 0374524521) (Robert Pinsky translation). A poetic journey through the many levels of Hell, The Inferno (first part of Dante’s Divine Comedy) presents an encyclopedic vision of medieval European culture. The poet Robert Pinsky chose to translate this work because he believes it to be “the best book ever written about the sadness of evil.”
3. Lao-Tse, Tao Te Ching (ISBN: 9780872202320) (Stephen Addiss & Stanley Lombardo translation). The central text of Taoist philosophy, attributed to the possibly mythical Lao Tzu, this collection of terse poems exemplifies the deceptively simple ideas that lead to Taoist enlightenment.
4. D.T. Niane, Sundiata: An Epic of Old Mali (ISBN: 0582264758). An oral history, told by the griot Mamadou Kouyate, of the life of a thirteenth-century African king who united the twelve kingdoms of Mali into one of the most powerful empires of Medieval Africa.
BIBLE-AS-HISTORY/BIBLE-AS-BIBLE: In the beginning, there was summer reading. The teacher required that all Bible scholars familiarize themselves with the stories of the Book of Genesis in the version they will be reading in the Fall (note subtle Bible humor there): Genesis, translated by Robert Alter. Reading the Book of Genesis means a) reading; b) making annotations about things that strike you as interesting, and c) making a list of the different stories for later reference, and d) making a list of themes that seem to emerge from those stories, which we'll discuss in the first week. The Book of Genesis is short, but Alter's version is long because of the copious and extremely useful notes. Don't ignore them!
Courses for 11s & 12s
UNITED STATES HISTORY: Please read William Cronon's “ethno-ecological” history of New England: Changes of the Land (ISBN: 978-0809016341), but taking paper notes on copy from the library is just fine). This profound and revolutionary book explores how Native Americans transformed the environment before contact with Europeans—and how the changing economy of the 17th century led to an ecological transformation. This book looks drier than it actually is—and reading actively may help you uncover the quite radical claims hidden within. You can find extra credit reading questions here.
UNITED STATES HISTORY SINCE 1865: Students in the new US History course will read the first 300 pages of Jill Lepore's These Truths (ISBN: 978-0-393-63524-9). You can find extra credit reading questions here.
MODERN EUROPEAN HISTORY: Students enrolled in Modern European History must read the Introduction and Part I: Life and Death (Chapters 1-4) of Tim Blanning, The Pursuit of Glory: Europe 1648-1815 (ISBN: 978-1-1012-0245-6 for Kindle, 978-0143113898 for physical edition). The New York Times described this book as "History writing at its glorious best." You may use either a physical or a Kindle edition.
LATIN 4: Please read books 1, 6, and 7 of The Gallic War: Seven Commentaries on the Gallic War with an Eighth by Aulus Hirtius by Julius Caesar, translated by Carolyn Hammond (ISBN: 978-0199540266). For a summary of the other books in this work, consult p. 232 of Caesar: Selections from his Commentarii De Bello Gallico, edited by Hans-Friedrich Mueller, which is also listed among the required course books.
PSYCHOLOGY: Students taking Psychology are required to read High Wind in Jamaica by Richard Hughes over the summer.
ECONOMICS: Students are required to read Naked Economics by Charles Wheelan (ISBN: 9780393337648). Naked Economics is an informal introduction to the principles of economics.
Course Books
English
Books for English 9, English 10, English 11, English 12, and Reasons for Writing will be provided at school on the first day of class.
Creative Writing (142)
| Title | Notes |
|
Course packet |
This course packet will be available at school on the first day of class. |
Shakespeare and the fairy tale (157)
| Title | ISBN | Notes |
|
Cymbeline (Pelican) |
9780140714722 |
No used or e-book editions. |
| A Midsummer Night's Dream (Pelican) |
9780143128588 |
No used or e-book editions. |
| Twelfth Night (Pelican) |
9780143128595 |
No used or e-book editions. |
| The Winter's Tale (Pelican) |
9780143131748 |
No used or e-book editions. |
History
Ancient History (201)
| Title | ISBN | Notes |
|---|---|---|
|
World History, Vol. 1 (9th ed.) |
9781337401050(print) 9781337679657 (e-book) |
Used and e-book editions okay. If renting the e-book, you will need access through June. Here are additional instructions for acquiring an e-book. |
|
Alexander the Great: Selections from Arrian, Diodorus, Plutarch, and Quintus Curtius |
9780872207271 |
No used or e-book editions. |
|
9780631217848 |
No used or e-book editions. |
|
|
★ A Pocket Guide to Writing History (10th ed.) |
978319244415 |
Used and e-book editions okay. |
|
★ It Was the Best of Sentences, It Was the Worst of Sentences |
9781580087407 |
Used and e-book editions okay. |
| The Essential Iliad |
0872205428 |
This is the required summer reading for this course. No used or e-book editions. |
Medieval World History (202)
| Title | Notes |
|---|---|
| Medieval Societies | This textbook will be available at school on the first day of class. |
| Sourcebook | This sourcebook will be available at school on the first day of class. |
United States History (203)
| Title | ISBN | Notes |
|---|---|---|
|
Changes in the Land: Indians, Colonists, and the Ecology of New England |
9780809001583 |
This is the required summer reading for this course. Students do not need to buy this book; reading a copy from the library is just fine. |
|
Sourcebook |
n/a |
This sourcebook will be available at school on the first day of class. |
Students may rent or purchase any edition of Give Me Liberty by Eric Foner for reference or for help in studying for the AP, but it is not required.
United States History since 1865 (204)
| Title | ISBN | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| A Raisin in the Sun | 9780679755333 | Used okay. |
| Citizen 13660 |
9780295993546 |
Used okay. |
| These Truths: A History of the United States |
9780393635249 |
This is the required summer reading for this course. |
| Sourcebook | n/a | This sourcebook will be available at school on the first day of class. |
Students may rent or purchase any edition of Give Me Liberty by Eric Foner for reference or for help in studying for the AP, but it is not required.
City of Boston (221)
| Title | Notes |
|---|---|
|
Sourcebook |
This sourcebook will be available at school on the first day of class. |
Modern European History (232)
| Title | ISBN | Notes |
|
★ Western Civilizations: Their History & Their Culture, Vol. 2 (20th ed.) |
9780393418880 | Used and e-book editions okay. |
|
Discovering the Western Past: A Look at the Evidence, Volume II: Since 1500 (7th ed.) |
9781111837174 |
E-book editions okay. No used copies. |
| Epidemics and Society: From the Black Death to the Present | 9780300256390 | Used books okay. No e-book editions. |
|
9780195171570 |
Used and e-book editions okay. |
|
|
9780547086330 |
Used books okay. No e-book editions. |
|
|
9780803226616 |
No used or e-book editions. |
|
|
9780060890728 |
Used and e-book editions okay. |
|
|
A Pocket Guide to Writing in History (10th ed.) |
978319244415 |
Used and e-book editions okay. Students may use their earlier edition from Ancient History. |
|
The Pursuit of Glory: The Five Revolutions that Made Modern Europe |
9781101202456 |
This is the required summer reading for this course. |
|
Sourcebook |
n/a |
This sourcebook will be available at school on the first day of class. |
Bible-As-History/Bible-as-Bible (243)
| Title | ISBN | Notes |
|---|---|---|
|
9780060969592 |
No used or e-book editions. | |
|
The Gospel of Judas (2nd ed.) |
9781426200489 |
Used okay. No e-book editions. |
|
9780300248449 |
No used or e-book editions. | |
|
Sourcebook |
n/a | This sourcebook will be available at school on the first day of class. |
|
9780393316704 |
This is the required summer reading for this class. No used or e-book editions. |
Mesoamerica (251)
| Title | ISBN | Notes |
|---|---|---|
|
The Maya (9th ed.) |
9780500291887 |
Used okay. No e-book editions. |
|
Mexico: From the Olmecs to the Aztecs (8th ed.) |
9780500841785 |
Used okay. No e-book editions. |
|
9781571314680 |
Used okay. No e-book editions. |
Languages
Tabs
French
In order to simplify the process, we have decided to order books for French 1, French 2, and French 3 and bill families at a later date. Those books will be provided at school on the first day of class. If you have already ordered a copy of one of these textbooks, please let us know.
French 4 Conversation (304)
| Title | ISBN | Notes |
|---|---|---|
|
9782035893024 |
Used okay. No e-book editions. Please note that this and other books for this class may have more availability on Amazon.fr or AbeBooks if they are difficult to locate on Amazon.com. |
|
| Les fourberies de Scapin |
9782035834195 |
Used okay. No e-book editions. |
| L'illusion comique |
9782035867919 |
Used okay. No e-book editions. |
| Le mariage de Figaro | 9791035805326 | Used okay. No e-book editions. |
French 4 Literature (305)
| Title | ISBN | Notes |
|---|---|---|
|
Taches d'encre: French Composition (4th ed.) |
9781305580282 |
Used (but unmarked) and e-book editions okay. |
| Candide | 9782035866011 | Used okay. No e-book editions. Please note that this and other books for this class may have more availability on Amazon.fr or AbeBooks if they are difficult to locate on Amazon.com. |
| Le misanthrope |
9782218959295 |
Used okay. No e-book editions. |
|
9782070462797 |
Used okay. No e-book editions. |
Latin
Latin 1 (331)
| Title | ISBN | Notes |
|---|---|---|
|
★ Wheelock's Latin (7th ed.) |
9780061997228 |
Used and e-book editions okay. |
|
★ Vocabulary Cards and Grammatical Forms Summary for Wheelock’s Latin (2nd ed.) |
9780865167711 |
This book is most readily available from the publisher's website, but there are also used versions of the 2nd edition available on Amazon. No e-book editions. |
|
9780865162891 |
Used okay. No e-book editions.
|
Latin 2 (332)
| Title | ISBN | Notes |
|---|---|---|
|
★ Wheelock's Latin (7th ed.) |
9780061997228 |
Students who took Latin 1 last year may re-use this book, the vocabulary cards, and 38 Latin Stories. Used and e-book editions okay. |
| ★ Vocabulary Cards and Grammatical Forms Summary for Wheelock’s Latin (2nd ed.) |
9780865167711 |
This book is most readily available from the publisher's website, but there are also used versions of the 2nd edition available on Amazon. No e-book editions. |
|
9780865162891 |
Used okay. No e-book editions. |
|
| ★ Fabulae Romanae: Stories of Famous Romans | 9780801309922 |
Used okay. No e-book editions. NOTE: More affordable copies of this book may be available from AbeBooks. Let Stephanie Poynter know if you are having trouble acquiring the book. |
Latin 3 (333)
| Title | ISBN | Notes |
|---|---|---|
|
9780198610052 |
Used okay. No e-book editions. |
|
|
9780865164314 |
Used okay. No e-book editions. |
|
|
9780806142326 |
Used okay. No e-book editions. |
Latin 4 (334)
| Title | ISBN | Notes | |
|---|---|---|---|
|
Vergil’s Aeneid: Selected Readings from Books 1, 2, 4, and 6 |
9780865167643 |
This is the required summer reading for this course. | |
| The Aeneid (Fitzgerald trans.) |
0679729526 |
Used okay. |
|
|
9780865167520 |
Used okay. |
Mandarin
Mandarin 1 (351)
| Title | ISBN | Notes |
|---|---|---|
|
★ Integrated Chinese: Simplified Characters Textbook, Level 1, Part 1 (English and Chinese Ed.) |
9780887276385 |
Used okay. |
|
Integrated Chinese: Level 1, Part 1 Workbook (English and Chinese Ed.) |
9780887276408 |
Used okay. |
Mandarin 2 (352)
| Title | ISBN | Notes |
|---|---|---|
|
★ Integrated Chinese: Level 1, Part 2 (Simplified and Traditional Character) |
9780887276705 |
Used okay. |
|
Integrated Chinese: Level 1 Part 2 Workbook (Simplified and Traditional Character) |
9780887276743 |
Used okay. |
Mandarin 3 (353)
| Title | ISBN | Notes |
|---|---|---|
|
★ Integrated Chinese: Level 1, Part 2 (Simplified and Traditional Character) |
9780887276705 |
Students who took Mandarin 2 last year can use the same textbook. |
|
Integrated Chinese: Level 1 Part 2 Workbook (Simplified and Traditional Character) |
9780887276743 |
Used okay. |
Mandarin 4 (354)
| Title | ISBN | Notes |
|---|---|---|
|
★ Integrated Chinese: Level 1, Part 2 (Simplified and Traditional Character) |
9780887276705 |
Students who took Mandarin 3 last year can use the same textbook. |
|
Integrated Chinese: Level 1 Part 2 Workbook (Simplified and Traditional Character) |
9780887276743 |
Used okay. |
Mandarin 5 (355)
| Title | ISBN | Notes |
|---|---|---|
|
窗边的小豆豆 (Doudou by Window) |
9787544250580 |
Used okay. |
Spanish
Spanish 1 (321)
| Title | ISBN | Notes |
|---|---|---|
|
★ Aula Internacional 1: Grammar and vocabulary companion (English ed.) |
9788415846888 |
Be sure to purchase the edition with English instructions. No used or e-book editions. *UPDATED LINK* |
|
9788415846772 |
No used or e-book editions. Please note that searching for this ISBN on Amazon appears to pull up the French edition. Be sure to purchase the edition with English instructions if buying from a vendor other than the one we have linked. |
Spanish 2 (322)
| Title | ISBN | Notes |
|---|---|---|
|
Aventuras Litererias (6th ed.) |
9780618220830 |
Used okay. No e-book editions. |
Spanish 3 (323)
| Title | Notes |
|---|---|
|
Sourcebook |
This sourcebook will be available on the first day of class. |
Spanish 4 Language (326)
| Title | ISBN | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Azulejo (2nd ed.) |
9781938026232 |
Used okay. No e-book editions. |
Spanish 4 Literature (327)
| Title | ISBN | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| El Aleph |
9780307950949 |
No used or e-book editions. |
|
9786074451849 |
No used or e-book editions. |
|
| Crónica de una muerta anunciada |
9788422698456 |
No used or e-book editions. |
| Ficciones |
9780307950925 |
No used or e-book editions. |
| Pedro Páramo |
8437604184 (ASIN) |
No used or e-book editions. |
| El túnel |
9786070751929 |
No used or e-book editions. |
Humanities
Economics (231)
| Title | ISBN | Notes |
|---|---|---|
|
Economics: Principles and Policy (14th ed.) |
9781337696326 |
Used and e-book editions okay. |
| A Random Walk Down Wall Street (12th ed.) | 9780393358384 | Used okay. No e-book editions. |
|
9780393337648 |
This was the required summer reading for this class. If you did not purchase this book at the beginning of the summer, please be sure to have it by the start of school. |
The Nature and Purpose of Education (401)
| Title | ISBN | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| 9781451654431 |
Used okay. No e-book editions. |
Topics in Education Policy and Politics (402)
| Title | ISBN | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| 9781451654431 |
Used okay. No e-book editions. |
Psychology (421)
| Title | ISBN | Notes |
|---|---|---|
|
9780307278449 |
Used okay. No e-book editions. |
|
| 9781609450786 |
Used okay. No e-book editions. |
|
|
9780940322158 |
This is the required summer reading book for this course. |
Film Analysis (432)
| Title | ISBN | Notes |
|---|---|---|
|
Film Art: An Introduction (12th ed.) |
9781260565669 |
Used okay. No e-book editions. |
Health & Community (800)
| Title | ISBN | Notes |
|---|---|---|
|
★ Buzzed: The Straight Facts About the Most Used and Abused Drugs from Alcohol to Ecstasy (4th ed.) |
9780393344516 |
Please be sure to purchase the 4th edition. Used okay. |
|
★ Changing Bodies, Changing Lives (3rd ed.) |
9780812929904 |
This book is recommended, not required. |
Science
Biology 1 (501)
| Title | ISBN | Notes |
|---|---|---|
|
★ Biology: Concepts and Applications (10th ed.) |
9781305967335
|
Used okay. No e-book editions. You should feel free to purchase the loose-leaf edition here, if you prefer. |
Biology 2 (502)
| Title | ISBN | Notes |
|---|---|---|
|
★ Campbell Biology (11th ed.) |
9780134093413
|
Used and e-book editions are okay. |
Advanced Topics in Anatomy & Physiology (507)
| Title | ISBN | Notes |
|---|---|---|
|
Essentials of Human Anatomy & Physiology (12th ed.) |
9780134395326 |
Used okay. No e-book editions. |
Chemistry 1 Advanced (521)
| Title | ISBN | Notes |
|---|---|---|
|
★ Chemistry (12th ed.) |
9780078021510 |
Used and e-book editions okay. |
|
9781259286223 |
This book is recommended, not required. |
Chemistry 1 (522)
| Title | ISBN | Notes |
|---|---|---|
|
★ Chemistry (12th ed.) |
9780078021510 |
Used and e-book editions okay. |
|
9781259286223 |
This book is recommended, not required. |
Chemistry 2 (523)
| Title | ISBN | Notes |
|---|---|---|
|
★ Chemistry (12th ed.) |
9780078021510 |
You may reuse your copy from Chemistry 1 if it is the same edition. Used and e-book editions okay. |
|
9781259286223 |
This book is recommended, not required. |
Computer Science 3 (537)
| Title | ISBN | Notes |
|---|---|---|
|
9781133187790 |
Used okay. No e-book editions. |
Please note: There are no required course books for CS 1, CS 2, or CS 4.
Physics 1 (541)
| Title | ISBN | Notes |
|---|---|---|
|
★ Physics (9th ed.) |
9780470879528 |
Used okay. |
|
9780470879566 |
Used okay. |
|
|
Graph paper |
n/a |
Please have graph paper available for homework. |
Physics 1 Accelerated (551)
| Title | ISBN | Notes |
|---|---|---|
|
★ Physics: Principles with Applications (7th ed.) |
9780321625922 |
Please note that the international edition is missing material contained in the hardcover edition. |
Physics 1 Advanced (552)
| Title | ISBN | Notes |
|---|---|---|
|
★ University Physics, Vol. 1 (14th ed.) |
9780133978049 |
Used okay. No e-book editions. |
Physics 2 (553)
| Title | ISBN | Notes |
|---|---|---|
|
★ University Physics, Vol. 2 (14th ed.) |
9780133978001 |
Used okay. No e-book editions. |
Theory of Relativity (557)
| Title | ISBN | Notes |
|---|---|---|
|
★ Relativity: The Special and General Theory (100th Anniversary ed.) |
9780691191812 |
Used okay. No e-book editions. |
|
9781542323512 |
Used okay. No e-book editions. | |
| Graph paper | n/a | Please have graph paper available for homework. |
Mathematics
Geometry Advanced (601)
| Title | Notes |
|---|---|
|
A Course in Geometry: After Euclid and His Descendants |
This textbook will be available at school on the first day of class. |
Geometry (602)
| Title | ISBN | Notes |
|---|---|---|
|
9781881764069 |
Used okay. No e-book editions. |
Intermediate Algebra (610)
| Title | ISBN | Notes |
|---|---|---|
|
★ Elementary and Intermediate Algebra (5th ed.) |
9781111567682 |
Used okay. No e-book editions. |
Algebra 2/Precalculus Advanced (615)
| Title | ISBN | Notes |
|---|---|---|
|
College Algebra and Trigonometry: A Unit Circle Approach (6th ed.) |
9780321916525 |
Used okay. No e-book editions. |
Algebra 2/Precalculus (616)
| Title | ISBN | Notes |
|---|---|---|
|
College Algebra and Trigonometry: A Unit Circle Approach (6th ed.)
|
9780321916525 |
Used okay. No e-book editions. |
Calculus 1 Advanced (622)
| Title | ISBN | Notes |
|---|---|---|
|
★ Single Variable Calculus: Early Transcendentals (6th ed.) |
9780495011699 |
This is an older edition of the textbook; it is available used on Amazon. |
Calculus 1 (623)
| Title | ISBN | Notes |
|---|---|---|
|
★ Calculus I with Precalculus (2nd ed.) |
9780618568062 |
Used okay. |
Calculus 2 (631)
| Title | ISBN | Notes |
|---|---|---|
|
★ Single Variable Calculus: Early Transcendentals (8th ed.) |
9781305270336 |
Used okay. This is a new edition, so it cannot be bought / traded from a student who previously took this course at Commonwealth. |
|
9781305272422 |
See above. |
Theoretical Calculus (632)
| Title | ISBN | Notes |
|---|---|---|
|
★ Calculus (4th ed.) |
9780914098911 |
Used okay. |
Multivariable Calculus (634)
| Title | ISBN | Notes |
|---|---|---|
|
★ Multivariable Calculus (7th ed.) |
9780538497879 |
Used okay. |
Statistics (1/2 Credit) (642)
| Title | ISBN | Notes |
|---|---|---|
|
Stats: Modeling the World (5th ed.) |
9780134685762 |
Used okay. |
Statistics (644)
| Title | ISBN | Notes |
|---|---|---|
|
Stats: Modeling the World (5th ed.) |
9780134685762 |
Used okay. |
Set Theory (650)
| Title | ISBN | Notes |
|---|---|---|
|
9780122384400 |
Used okay. No e-book editions. |
Introduction to Topology (652)
| Title | ISBN | Notes |
|---|---|---|
|
Topology (2nd ed.) |
9780131816299 |
Used okay. No e-book editions. |
Additional Materials
General Supplies for New Students
- 3-ring binders, 1" minimum, different colors, with front & back pockets
- Loose-leaf paper and/or notebooks
- Graph paper
- Dividers
- A pouch with a zipper & hole punch to fit into binder (for those in Ancient History)
- Compass & ruler (for those in Geometry or Geometry Advanced)
- Pens
- Pencils
- Highlighters
- Erasers
- Pencil case
Many Commonwealth teachers, particularly those who teach 9th grade, have specific requests for how students should organize their course materials (notes, papers, handouts, tests, etc.), and they will go over their preferences in class when school begins.