Advanced Placement English Literature and CompositionMrs. Britton
Summer Reading List 2015-2016
SUMMER READ-IN
SUMMER WRITE-ON
Three Book Wonder – 25 points x 3 extraordinary novels = 75 points Extra Credit
I am pleased to announcethe PHS AP Lit Summer Reading list. The benefits of summer reading are research-based and done by the best high schools in the country. The information below describes your summer reading and essay assignments. The summer reading program is important feature a solid AP program and it serves two functions: 1) to keep you active as readers, broadening your horizon, and 2) to forestall summer brain death through writing about what you have read. This important requirement will ease your transition into the AP Literature program.
For each of the works that you read, you will write an essay of 500 words from the suggested topics. For all the essays, you should date your work, and you should try to write your responses as soon as you finish the novel. When you return in August you will turn in your three essays. You will turn in these assignments the first day of class in August. Your first assignment will be based on your summer reading. If you have a concern about anything concerning the class, please feel free to call me at home (757-6527) or email me: .
The Works and Assignments: Read the works below. The texts are available at Hastings, a used book store, Amazon.com, or a local library (if you have a SF library card, you can even download ebooks).
Choose 2 from this list:
The Awakening by Kate Chopin
Chopin writes about the state of women at the turn on the 19th century. In a 500 word response analyze how the setting (historical period, location) influences the character of Edna Pontellier. How does the setting “make” the woman?
Heart of Darkness by Joseph Conrad
In a 500 word double-spaced typed essay explain the moral struggle, both specific and general, that the main character deals with in this story of colonialism in the heart of the Congo. How does the narrative structure (the way the story is told) contribute to the author’s theme of destruction?
All Quiet on the Western Front by Erich Maria Remarque
In a 500 word double-spaced typed essay explain how the main character makes a significant change in this classic anti-war novel. What was he like in the beginning? At the middle?At the end? What changed him? Employ significant selection of details and images to illustrate his turnabout.
The Road byCormac McCarthy
In a 500 word double-spaced typed essay explain the impacts of a catastrophic event on traditional American society.
A Prayer for Owen Meany by John Irving
In a 500 word double-spaced typed essay explain Irving’s use of religious and faith symbolism in the novel.
Go Set a Watchman
In a 500 word double-spaced typed essay explain how Harper Lee uses characterization techniques to reveal how her characters react to the turbulent events of the 1950s.
Everyone must read this book:
Looking for Alaska
By John Green
Often a death scene is crucial to the plot of a novel. In a 500 word double-spaced essay explain how the death scene contributes to the meaning of the novel as a whole.
**You are welcome to read other novels this summer, but please email me and get prior approval and an essay question to consider while you read.