Summer Reading 2008-2009

Driving Miss Daisy by Alfred Uhry

A Separate Peace by John Knowles

The Story of My Life: An Afgan Girl on the Other Side of the Sky by Farah Ahmedi with Tamin Ansary. (This title is on indefinite backorder at Barnes and Noble. You may need to order online to get this book in time).

For more information about your assignments and to see an example of a reading log, please click here.

 

Black Like Me by John Howard Griffin

The Glass Menagerie by Tennessee Williams

Death Be Not Proud by John Gunther

Assignments
All of the assignment are divided into sections based on chapters or scenes. Please complete the listed assignments for each chapter or scene. Assignments must be typed and turned in on the first day of class.

For each book:
•Summarize each chapter in 3-5 bullet points (preferably one sentence or statement per bullet point)
•Choose 2 quotes from each chapter that show the overall mood or theme of that particular chapter. Next to each quote, write a brief paragraph stating why that particular quote represents the overall mood or theme of the chapter.

Summer Reading Test
On the second day of class, you will take a test on the summer reading books. The test will consist of true or false, multiple choice, identification and fill in the blank questions.

For English II Honors
In addition to the assignments above, choose one of the three books read. Write a 2-page, double-spaced (typed) essay. Your essay must discuss one major theme that is carried throughout the story. The theme must be original (not stolen from Spark Notes). Your paper should include an introduction, conclusion, and body paragraphs that present substantial evidence for the theme chosen.

 

The Picture of Dorian Gray by Oscar Wilde

Robinson Crusoe by Daniel Defoe

Wuthering Heights by Emily Bronte

Assignments

A Reading Record Card must be created for each of these books.

Example of a Reading Record Card:

Student Name and Class	Card #
Title	Author (dates, where lived)
Publication of original work (original date of publication, not current edition)
Significance of the title
Setting (place, time)
Theme or main idea (in one declarative sentence)
Brief plot synopsis
Characters (with brief descriptions; identify protagonist and antagonist)
Major symbols (patterns of symbols or allusions present
Distinguishing characteristics of the work
A quotation from the work that is representative of the theme of the work as a whole, with page number of source

These cards must be handwritten on a 5 x 8 lined notecard. No typed cards will be accepted. Write legibly.

 

Beowulf translated by Seamus Heaney
NOTE: Heaney’s is the only translation of Beowulf that is acceptable. Students who use a translation other than Heaney’s will lose five points from their first quarter grade. Used copies are available on Amazon for less than $5.

Hard Times by Charles Dickens

The Strange Case of Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde by Robert Louis Stevenson

Top Girls by Caryl Churchill

Assignments

A Reading Record Card must be created for each of these books.

Example of a Reading Record Card:

Student Name and Class	Card #
Title	Author (dates, where lived)
Publication of original work (original date of publication, not current edition)
Significance of the title
Setting (place, time)
Theme or main idea (in one declarative sentence)
Brief plot synopsis
Characters (with brief descriptions; identify protagonist and antagonist)
Major symbols (patterns of symbols or allusions present
Distinguishing characteristics of the work
A quotation from the work that is representative of the theme of the work as a whole, with page number of source

These cards must be handwritten on a 5 x 8 lined notecard. No typed cards will be accepted. Write legibly.

 

1984 by George Orwell

A Streetcar Named Desire by Tennessee Williams

Candide by Voltaire

Assignments

A Reading Record Card must be created for each of these books.

Example of a Reading Record Card:

Student Name and Class	Card #
Title	Author (dates, where lived)
Publication of original work (original date of publication, not current edition)
Significance of the title
Setting (place, time)
Theme or main idea (in one declarative sentence)
Brief plot synopsis
Characters (with brief descriptions; identify protagonist and antagonist)
Major symbols (patterns of symbols or allusions present
Distinguishing characteristics of the work
A quotation from the work that is representative of the theme of the work as a whole, with page number of source

These cards must be handwritten on a 5 x 8 lined notecard. No typed cards will be accepted. Write legibly.

 

Madame Bovary by Gustave Flaubert

A Streetcar Named Desire by Tennessee Williams

Candide by Voltaire

Assignments

A Reading Record Card must be created for each of these books.

Example of a Reading Record Card:

Student Name and Class	Card #
Title	Author (dates, where lived)
Publication of original work (original date of publication, not current edition)
Significance of the title
Setting (place, time)
Theme or main idea (in one declarative sentence)
Brief plot synopsis
Characters (with brief descriptions; identify protagonist and antagonist)
Major symbols (patterns of symbols or allusions present
Distinguishing characteristics of the work
A quotation from the work that is representative of the theme of the work as a whole, with page number of source

These cards must be handwritten on a 5 x 8 lined notecard. No typed cards will be accepted. Write legibly.

In addition, students are required to write an AP Essay on TWO of the required readings. Each essay should be at least two double spaced typed pages.

Each of the questions listed has been used on previous AP exams, so writing these essays will give you valuable practice in preparation for the exams. Two questions are provided for each book; choose one question to answer for each book you decide to write on.

Click here for your choices of AP Essay questions

 

ALL SENIORS MUST COMPLETE THE FOLLOWING ASSIGNMENTS OVER THE SUMMER IN ADDITION TO SUMMER READING ASSIGNMENTS.

1. College Essay
All seniors will write a College Application Essay. This essay must be written even if the college(s) to which you are applying does not require such an essay. Use one of the essay topics suggested on the college application you will be filling out. Or go to the Common College Application and find an essay topic there.

College application essays are typically no longer than 500 words, which is the equivalent of two double-spaced typed pages.

Students who fail to turn in this essay on the first day of class will have five points subtracted from their first quarter grade. And they will still have to turn in an essay.

2. Literary Terms
Here is a list of literary terms you are expected to know. Look up the definition of each term, write the term and its definition in longhand (no typing) on a 3 by 5 index card. Then write an example of this literary device. Then memorize the definitions.

I will collect those cards on the first day of class for review. Students who fail to turn in these cards on the first day of class will have five points subtracted from their first quarter grade. Any Advanced Placement student who fails to turn in these cards will not only have five points subtracted from her first quarter grade but will also be dropped from the AP class.

The second week of class you will be tested on your knowledge of these terms. Any AP student who scores below an 84 on this test will be dropped from AP English.

 

SparkNotes and CliffNotes are very tempting things. They can be very useful tools, but they DO NOT replace reading the actual texts. If you do use these aides, be aware that tests will address things that can only be found in the actual works. Similarly, there are film versions of some of the summer reading books. Be aware that these films are not 100% accurate.

 

These books are widely available, but Barnes and Noble offers a discount for Saint Cecilia Academy students if you have a Barnes and Noble member card. Purchasing these books through the Internet can also be cheaper. Please plan on buying these books - we will be discussing them during the first quarter and they will likely be useful to you down the road.