Educational Excellence in the LaSallian Tradition La Salle Academy Conducted by the Brothers of the Christian Schools LASALLE READS: GRADE 9 LASALLE Reads is an exciting program at La Salle Academy that highlights the commitment and importance of reading as part of a rigorous, college-bound, high school education. Every summer, each class of incoming freshmen, and rising sophomores, juniors and seniors are required to read a set of 3 books, as outlined by the English Department. These separate, grade-specific reading lists are required reading, and must be completed by the first week of school; as are the single page summaries, one per book read. The mandatory reading lists, and the extra reading lists, are attached. As part of the program, students who come back from Summer Vacation having read TEN (10) books or more, will be acknowledged with a certificate as a LA SALLE READER. The books must be from the approved attached lists. Each book must be accompanied by a summary sheet (one per book) that must be typed and completed in the format attached to this memo. All LA SALLE READERS that have successfully reached this ten- book threshold AND have handed in their approved book summaries by September 8th, will be invited to a Presidential Luncheon at the end of September, co-hosted by the La Salle English Department. In addition, all LA SALLE READERS will be awarded the gift of NO BOOK FEE for the academic year following that summer of reading. In addition, the student that successfully reads the MOST books per grade will receive an additional stipend of $250 that will be taken off their tuition for the academic year. If there is a tie, the English Department Chair, Ms. Patricia Toney, who guides this program, will determine the grade-level winners based on the quality of the summaries. Should you have any questions, please contact Ms. Patricia Toney, Chair of the English Department, at La Salle Academy. ptoney@lasalleacademy.org. A copy of the La Salle Senior Summer Reading List may be found on the school website, at http://www.lasalleacademy.org/ You may also download your books from La Salle s Virtual Library at http://www.la-salle-academy-virtual-library/ 215 East 6 th St, New York, NY 10003-9269 44 East 2 nd St, New York, NY 10003-9269 (212) 475-8940 FAX (212) 529-3598
La Salle Freshman Summer Reading 2018 Theme: Identity MANDATORY LIST 1. Contender by Robert Lipsyte 2. House on Mango Street by Sandra Cisneros 3. The Pearl by John Steinbeck DIRECTIONS All grade nine (Grade 9) students must read the three books from the mandatory list above, before school begins in September. Select seven (7) additional books from the attached list to qualify and receive a certificate as a LASALLE READER All the novels feature characters which explore the theme: IDENTITY. Make notes on the book as you read according to the criteria given below. You will then use your notes to type and submit book reports to your English teacher by the end of the first school week in September. *Note - During the year, your teacher may ask you to refer to your summer reading to make connections to the current issues and ideas that are presented in class. Most of your books are available from your neighborhood library and/or book stores. Some of your books can be downloaded from La Salle Academy Virtual Library website at http:www.lasalleacademy.org/academics/la-salle 2 P a g e
Please make your notes according to the following criteria: Initial Response: What is your first reaction to the book as it pertains to the theme, Identity? Characters: Who is/ are the main character/s? What is the main character s goal? What motivates the main character? List four traits of the main character with supporting evidence of his/her actions, words /thoughts. Identify a character or characters with whom you share similar traits. Why do you have those traits? Identify a character/or characters whose traits you admire and would like to have. Under what conditions and in what circumstances do you/will you apply those traits? Problem / Conflict: What type of conflict exists? What/Who are the opposing forces? Explain why the conflict has developed. How has the character responded to the conflict? How is the conflict resolved? Important Event: Choose an event from your reading that you think is important. Describe the event and discuss why you selected it as important Setting: Where and when is the story taking place? What details of the setting does the author highlight? Does the setting affect the character s view of himself/herself? What do you learn about the character as a result of the setting? Good Literature: Good literature can be considered as a book that contains unique characters, intriguing plots, universal themes, excellent language and a good life lesson or moral. Read the above definition carefully and consider whether the book you have just read can be considered good literature. Explain how your book does or does not fit the definition. 3 P a g e
LA Salle Reads Program for Students Entering Grade 9 ADVENTURES OF TOM SAWYER Twain, Mark ALL AMERICAN BOYS Kiely, Brendan and Reynolds, Jason ALL CREATURES GREAT AND SMALL Herriot, James THE CALL OF THE WILD London, Jack THE CHOCOLATE WAR Cormier, Robert A CHRISTMAS CAROL Dickens, Charles COLD SASSY TREE Burns, Olive Ann DON T LOOK BEHIND YOU Duncan, Lois ETHAN FROME Wharton, Edith FLOWERS FOR ALGERNON - Keyes, Daniel THE GOOD EARTH Buck, Pearl THE HITCHHIKER S GUIDE TO THE GALAXY Adams, Douglas THE HOBBIT Tolkien, J.R. KILLING MR. GRIFFIN Duncan, Lois ILLUSTRATED MAN Bradbury, Ray OUTSIDERS Hinton, S. E. PEACE BREAKS OUT Knowles, John THE SKELETON MAN Bennett, Jay THE STORY OF MY LIFE Keller, Helen TO KILL A MOCKINGBIRD Harper, Lee WATCHED Budhos, Marina WHEN I WAS PUERTO RICAN - Esmeralda Santiago WHITE FANG London, Jack. 4 P a g e
Book Report Name of Student: Grade: Book Title: Author: Initial Response Characters Problem/Conflict 5 P a g e
Important Event Setting Good Literature Response 6 P a g e