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Summer Reading

Hello everyone! I hope your summer has been great so far.... I know most of you received a copy of the summer reading list with your report cards. However, if you lost the sheet, or never got one, you should be able to download a copy from the River Oaks site very soon. In the meantime, I thought I'd summarize the assignment for you.

Non-Honors students will read two books -- one required and one chosen from the reading list for your grade. Honors students will read three books -- one required (same for all students in your grade) and two chosen from the reading list.

ALL students will take an exam upon returning to school on the required book for your grade. In addition, ALL students will write a "reading guide" for the book(s) you chose from the list. The requirements are below:

Format according to MLA (for an example, go to Purdue’s Online Writing Lab. Use 12-point Times New Roman font. Please use headings to identify each section of your reading guide.

First, Summarize the book in an introductory paragraph.

Next, include a description of three important characters (one paragraph each), including physical and psychological details, as well as any other information that you feel “defines” the characters.

Then, include a discussion of two major themes in the novel (one paragraph each), noting specific examples to illustrate your points. Please relate the thematic content to meaning or the writer’s purpose for writing the novel.

In addition, include a list of ten words that you were introduced to while reading the novel. List the following for each vocabulary word: (1) the original sentence, including the page number, (2) the dictionary definition, and (3) an original sentence that uses the word as it is used in the novel.

Finally, please “review” the novel in a concluding paragraph. Tell the reader what you thought of the book, whether or not you would recommend it, and why.


Windows has a copy of the booklist; otherwise, contact me for suggestions.

Note: my address has changed

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