Summer Reading Assignment Summer 2015 English II /Honors English II Introduction to American Literature Welcome to 10 th grade American Literature! You will be reading two books and an essay for your summer reading assignment. All assignments will be due the first week of school. The assignments will comprise the first of your grades for the first marking period. We believe you will find these selections interesting and enjoyable and we look forward to discussing them with you. While some texts contain mature language and mature content, all material is developmentally appropriate. If any student does struggle with the content, we will help them work through it in the proper context of our Catholic faith and values. Have a wonderful summer!! English II and Honors English II: Selection #1: Essay: How to Mark A Book by Mortimer J. Adler (1902-2001) http://academics.keene.edu/tmendham/documents/adlermortimerhowtomarkabook_20060802.pdf Please read this essay and write a typed, double-spaced with Times Roman 12 point font response to the piece. First, summarize what you learned from the essay. Second, analyze what type of reader you are based on the essay. Last, explain how you will annotate your readings. If you do not mind writing in books how will you mark them up? If you do not like to write in books what alternative methods of annotating will you use? This response should NOT exceed two pages. DUE: Wednesday September 2, 2014 Assignment Rubric: 15 points (points will be deducted for submitting the assignment after the due date) 1) Content Requirements Satisfied: 10 points 2) Proper Grammar, Punctuation and Spelling: 5 points ++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ English II and Honors English II Selection #2: The Secret Life of Bees by Sue Monk Kidd Amazon link: http://www.amazon.com/secret-life-bees-monk-kidd/dp/0142001740 Description: Living on a peach farm in South Carolina with her harsh, unyielding father, Lily Owens has shaped her entire life around one devastating, blurred memory - the afternoon her mother was killed, when Lily was four. Since then, her only real companion has been the fierce-
hearted, and sometimes just fierce, black woman Rosaleen, who acts as her "stand-in mother. When Rosaleen insults three of the deepest racists in town, Lily knows it's time to spring them both free. They take off in the only direction Lily can think of, toward a town called Tiburon, South Carolina - a name she found on the back of a picture amid the few possessions left by her mother. There an eccentric trio of black beekeeping sisters named May, June, and August takes them in. Lily thinks of them as the calendar sisters and enters their mesmerizing secret world of bees and honey, and of the Black Madonna who presides over this household of strong, wise women. Maternal loss and betrayal, guilt and forgiveness entwine in a story that leads Lily to the single thing her heart longs for most. You will read and annotate the novel and keep a reading log. The requirements of the reading log are as follows: A reading log is an effective way to keep a record of your reading responses positive or negative, sure or unsure. It offers a chance to respond personally, to ask questions, wonder, predict or reflect on the characters, events, literary elements, or language of a text. DO NOT SUMMARIZE!!!! Instead, record your textual observations. Instructions: Ø Use notebook paper (one side only) or you may type the log Ø Must have two columns (divide the page in half) Ø Title the column on the left Quotations from the Text Ø Title the column of the right Commentary/Responses to the Text Ø Responses may start: o The imagery reveals o The setting gives the effect of o The author seems to feel o The tone of this part o The character feels o This is ironic because o The detail seems effective/ineffective/out of place/important because o An interesting word/phrase/sentence/thought is o This reminds me of o Sometimes I notice/appreciate/don t appreciate/wonder about is Ø Or you may begin the response with anything else you feel is appropriate Ø Generally each response should be 3-5 sentences and should include your analysis of the literary techniques present in the quotations, the author s attitude, purpose or tone, and relation to personal experience. Ø Show me that you have read the entire book by responding to the novel from the first to the last page. You must have a total of 20 entries or at least one per chapter which ever is more Ø Make sure that you note the page numbers for the quotes.
Your journal will be used to determine your comprehension of the text. Be sure that your response are thorough and that you complete the journal for all chapters of the book. Please remember that these logs are not meant to be personal diaries. They are meant to be read by others and should relate only to the assigned material. You will be sharing your journals in class, so keep that in mind as you write. When sharing you will have the opportunity to confirm, clarify, and modify your responses through discussion. You will also find that your journals will be helpful in writing literary analysis of the text. The reading log scoring guide is attached in a separate file. 2) After reading the novel, you will watch the 2008 movie version of The Secret Life of Bees. http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0416212/ - Director: Gina Prince-Bythewood. After watching the movie, you will write a reader response comparing and contrasting the book and the movie. The response must be at least two pages in length but no more than four pages and typed in 12-point times new roman font. You may use first person when writing your response. Please pay special attention to how you pictured the characters while reading the book and whether the casting in the movie met or fell short of your expectations. Also make note of any obvious changes in the plot and why you think such changes were made. Draw some conclusions about which version of the story you enjoyed more and why. DUE: WEDNESDAY September 3, 2014 Scoring Rubric: see attached Reading Log Scoring Guide Reader Response essay turned in on time 3 pts. Response meets required page length and is typed in proper font 5 pts. Content of response evidences an insightful comparison between novel and movie 10pts Assignment evidences attention to spelling, grammar and punctuation 5pts. ++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ English II and Honors English II Selection 3: Legend by Marie Lu ISBN-10: 014242207X ISBN-13: 978-0142422076
What was once the western United States is now home to the Republic, a nation perpetually at war with its neighbors. Born into an elite family in one of the Republic's wealthiest districts, fifteen-year-old June is a prodigy being groomed for success in the Republic's highest military circles. Born into the slums, fifteen-yearold Day is the country's most wanted criminal. But his motives may not be as malicious as they seem. From very different worlds, June and Day have no reason to cross paths - until the day June's brother, Metias, is murdered and Day becomes the prime suspect. Caught in the ultimate game of cat and mouse, Day is in a race for his family's survival, while June seeks to avenge Metias's death. But in a shocking turn of events, the two uncover the truth of what has really brought them together, and the sinister lengths their country will go to keep its secrets. Full of nonstop action, suspense, and romance, this novel is sure to move readers as much as it thrills. Assignment: Please read and annotate the book. There will be a reading quiz on the book the first week of school.