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Summer Reading

I hope everyone's summer has been great so far. I'm looking forward to seeing all of you in the classroom! Below is a reminder of the book lists and writing assignment:

BOOK LISTS

Remember -- Honors students will read the required book plus TWO additional books; Non-honors students will read the required book plus ONE additional book. Choose additional books only after some research. Although all books on the lists are commonly assigned texts, parents are strongly encouraged to pre-read books for content.

FRESHMEN

Required book: The Alchemist -- Exam ONLY

Additional book(s) -- Essay ONLY (see below):

(1) A Northern Light
(2) Speak
(3) Eragon
(4) Bleachers
(5) Stargirl

SOPHOMORES

Required book: And Then There Were None -- Exam ONLY

Additional book(s) -- Essay ONLY (see below):

(1) Vote For Larry
(2) Chinese Cinderella
(3) The House of the Scorpion
(4) Catalyst
(5) Bless Me, Ultima (on Laura Bush's TOP TEN list!)

JUNIORS

Required book: A Lesson Before Dying -- Exam ONLY

Additional book(s) -- Essay ONLY (see below):

(1) The Secret Life of Bees
(2) The Things They Carried
(3) Extremely Loud and Incredibly Close
(4) Devil in the White City
(5) The Bean Trees

SENIORS

Required book: Wuthering Heights -- Exam ONLY

Additional book(s) -- Essay ONLY (see below):

(1) Life of Pi
(2) The Handmaid's Tale: A Novel
(3) Sense and Sensibility OR Emma
(4) 1984
(5) Brave New World


WRITING ASSIGNMENT

As noted, all students will read a book and take an exam when they return to school. The required texts for each grade are listed above. In addition, students must choose an additional book (TWO for Honors) and write an essay for each additional book they read. All papers should be typed, double-spaced, and formatted according to MLA.

First, Summarize the book in an introductory paragraph. Think of this is your own version of the book jacket synopsis (don't look at the back of your book while writing this!).

Next, include a description of TWO important characters (one paragraph each), including physical and psychological details, as well as any other information that you feel “defines” the characters. Cite all specifics according to MLA.

Then, include a discussion of THREE major themes in the novel (one paragraph each), noting specific examples to illustrate your points. Cite according to MLA. Please relate the thematic content to meaning or the writer’s purpose for writing the novel. Note: a "theme" is any primary topic of the novel, as it relates to the overall meaning of the book.

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. Please underline the vocabulary term whenever it is used.

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

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