Books

Published in 2018-19, eighth graders at The Summit Country Day School write and illustrate 59 stories about people who spent their lives fighting for justice. They interviewed a woman who was imprisoned for 23 years for a murder she did not commit, a Bosnian refugee who escaped the killings in Bosnia and became a U.S. citizen at the age of 16, a man who was born in a refugee camp in Nepal after his family was forced out of Bhutan in an "ethnic cleansing" and a jazz singer who co-founded Learning Through Art.“The human story is magical because when we discover the stories of others, it allows us to see our shared common humanity," said said Rosie Sansalone, the eighth grade English teacher who coordinates the project. "These inspirational stories have helped my students to understand that good thoughts and good words will inspire good deeds as we all work to create justice as we build a roadway to a better world."  
To purchase: This softcover book is available for sale only online. Purchase or read the book online for free here. 

Published in 2017-2018, eighth graders at The Summit Country Day School write and illustrate 60 stories about individuals who have fought injustice. They interview survivors of the Holocaust and other acts of genocide, war veterans, people who grew up in poverty, operators of small family farms, immigrants, civil rights activists, Peace Corps volunteers, recovering addicts and others.“Within the stories, you will discover a harmony of voices, a diverse experience of life, an ever-present sense of optimism -  a strong tower of stones – a cairn of hope - stories which stand stacked together in solidarity wielding the weapons of humanity: respect, empathy, inclusion, love and justice,” said language arts department coordinator and teacher Rosie Sansalone.
To purchase: Available for sale only online. Purchase or read online for free here.

Published in 2016-2017, eighth graders at The Summit Country Day School write and illustrate 54 stories of humanity including those about survivors of genocide, leaders of faith communities, the Native American story, the social justice work of Catholic sisters, the selflessness of philanthropists, immigrants and refugees, parents of children with medical needs, those with differing abilities, veterans, those who fight for civil rights, the Palestinian story, the fight against poverty, small family formers, Red Cross aid workers, apartheid and those who use music to restore justice. The book culminated a year-long, cross-curricular study of justice as part of the school's signature Character Education Program.
Retail Price: $69.99
To purchase: Available for sale only online. Purchase or read the book online for free here.

Summit eighth graders write and illustrate 60 stories focused on the complexity of "story" while considering our common humanity. This volume presents the stories of those who not only faced injustices, such as surviving of the Holocaust, but also those who work to create justice, such as leaders of faith communities. In addition, this volume delves into the complex story of emotional disorders. The book culminated a year-long, cross-curricular study of justice as part of the school's signature Character Education Program.
Retail Price: $62.99
To purchase: Available for sale only online. Purchase or read online for free here.

Summit eighth graders write and illustrate 72 stories of love, sorrow, courage, perseverance, hope, injustice, respect – human stories which reveal the power of the voice, and the need to respect dignity. In the words of Nigerian writer, Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie: "Stories matter."
Retail Price: $59.99
To purchase: Available for sale online only. Purchase or read online for free here.

In collecting the 60 stories told in this volume, student writers explore the need of unity to ensure fair and equitable existence – justice – and the power of voice to provide restorative justice. They discovered every person defines justice differently, based on the injustices they have faced.
Retail Price: $59.99
To purchase: Available for sale only online. Purchase or read online for free here.

This inaugural issue of Hear My Story | Be My Voice includes the story of Holocaust survivor Werner Coppel, who for several years has spoken to the eighth grade class before their annual pilgrimage to Washington, D.C. where they visit the Holocaust Museum. In all, 57 stories are told.
Retail Price: $59.99
To purchase: Available for sale only online. Purchase or read online here for free.

By Ellie Cooney, Audy Dahl, Emily Haussler, Emily Hogya, Mandy Keelor, Jacquie Lee, Regina Merrill and Katie Woodall
This collection of short stories by eight different Middle School student authors covers a gamut of themes – each incisive, poignant and articulating a basic human need. These writers may only be middle school-aged, but their minds and hearts are already delving into the fundamental needs of humanity. Proceeds benefit the charity work of the Sisters of Notre Dame de Namur in Zimbabwe. (Published 2010.) Hardcover, paperback and Kindle versions available online here.
 

By Mackenzie Biggs, Anna Delamerced, Emily Hogya, Alex Houle, Regina Merrill and Katie Woodall 
Jennifer, a seventh grader at The Summit Country Day School, travels back in time to unravel a secret that could potentially save lives. The Summit’s Middle School authors interviewed long-standing teachers and the Sisters of Notre Dame de Namur to collect history for their fictional novel tracing a family through the generations at the school. Proceeds benefit the charity work of the Sisters of Notre Dame de Namur in Zimbabwe. (Published 2008.) Hardcover and paperback versions are available here.

Before Sister Rose Ann Fleming SNDdeN was named a Great Living Cincinnatian, before she became the Athletic Academic Advisor at Xavier University, before she became president of Trinity College in Washington D.C., she was the head of The Summit Country Day School. A Summit lifer who graduated in 1950, Sr. Rose Ann spent her formative years at The Summit with her twin brother, Tom. The kindness of a Sister and the influence of a hardworking new best friend brought out an enduring and competitive side, leading her to six college degrees and professional success. This memoir by former Cincinnati Enquirer columnist Laura Pulfer includes stories of Sister Rose Ann's time at The Summit.
Publisher: Orange Frazer Press, $29.96. Buy online.

Former Summit religion teacher and basketball coach Rich Hoyt documents one of the great basketball stories ever told. During 1981 graduate Rob Hertzel's junior year, the school's basketball team lost a heartbreaking overtime game in the 1980 Ohio Class A Basketball State Championship. In 2010, Rob was diagnosed with stage-four colon cancer. Living his life with a passionate zest that inspired those around him, he motivated the 2011 team even after his death, including his son Holden, to a magical run in claiming the first state championship in program history. 
Publisher: Xcellence Publishing (2013)
Product Specifications: Paperback. 160 pages. Retail: $15.96.
To purchase: Buy online.

Summit Spanish teacher Yngrid Thurston’s Spanish-language children’s book (Las Escalofriantes Adventuras de Una Estudiante de Piano) chronicles the humorous adventures of a young girl, Maguie, and her mother as they search for a piano teacher. With free classes and at-home instruction, the teacher turns out to be too good to be true. The piano, named Fruncini, becomes their ally in surviving the unpredictable and unlikeable teacher. Mrs. Thurston drew inspiration from her own children's piano lessons and her Dominican Republic heritage.
Publisher:  Babel Books (August 17, 2011)
Product Specifications: Paperback. 46 pages. Spanish language edition. ISBN: 1611969557. Currently available for Kindle: $9.99. Paperback coming soon.
To purchase: Buy online.