BISHOP LOUGHLIN MEMORIAL HIGH SCHOOL

SUMMER READING LIST: Summer 2014

All students are required to read the two mandatory books for their grade level. In addition, an essay is required for each book (two books, two essays). These essays are to be typed using Times New Roman, 12 font, double-spacing. Each student must submit both essaysduring English class on the first day of classes in September.

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Class of 2017 (Rising Sophomores)

I. Read A Gathering of Old Men by Ernest Gaines. Then compose an essay in which you consider the theme of justice as it is presented in the literature. Consider the perspective of three different characters and how/why each is seeking to achieve justice in Gaines’s work.

AND

II. Read When I Was Puerto Rican by Esmeralda Santiago. Then compose an essay in

which you consider the protagonists’s move. In your essay, be sure to consider her early life in Puerto Rico, the cause for the move to New York, the consequences (immediate and longer term) of the move, and the implication for her future.

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Class of 2016 (Rising Juniors)

I. Read The Color of Water by James McBride. Then compose an essay in which you describe the character and personalities of both Ruth and James. Write about at least three incidents or events in the book that show them to be the people you have described them to be.

AND

II. Read Breath, Eyes, Memory by EdwidgeDanticat. Then compose an essay in which you consider the protagonist’s immigration to New York. Be sure to consider: her early home life; the reason/s for her move; the consequences (with her family and with people she meets) of the immigration; her return to her native country.

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Reminder: All essays are due the first day of English class in September!

Class of 2015 (Rising Seniors)

I. Read The Bone Collector by Jeffrey Deaver. Then compose a well-developed essay in which you consider how Lincoln’s physical handicap actually makes him a better detective, more objective in his investigation. Be very specific with references to the novel for your evidence.

AND

II. Read Native Son by Richard Wright. Then compose a well-developed essay in which you consider the structure of the novel. Wright has divided the work into three parts: Fear, Flight, and Fate. In your essay consider the central theme of each section and assess how effective the structure is in conveying this theme.

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Reminder: All essays are due the first day of English class in September!

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The following books are highly recommended. You may receive extra-credit for reading any

of these and completing a book report for each one you read. The book report must include:

1. Title and Author

2. A brief summary (one or two paragraphs) of the plot or narrative of the story.

3. A detailed description (one full paragraph) of two main characters in the story.

4. A detailed description (one or two paragraphs) of one specific event in the story that

you found particularly interesting and memorable.

The Kite Runnerby Khaled Hosseini The Other Wes Moore by W. Moore

Big Mouth and Ugly Girl by Joyce Carol Oates Red Pyramidby R. Riodan

Almost A Woman by Esmeralda Santiago The Helpby K. Stockett

Having Our Say by the Delaney SistersThe Book Thief by M. Zusak

The Secret Life of Bees by Sue Monk KidBall Don’t Lie by M. de la Pena

Killing Lincoln by Bill O’ReillyRucker Park Setup by P. Volponi

The Room by E. DonoghueThe Lifeboat by C. Rogan

Mudbound by H. JordanThe Astonishing Adventure of FanboyHotel at the Corner of Bitter and Sweet and Goth Girl by B. Lyga

by J. FordGame by Walter Dean Myers

The Absolutely True Diary of a PartA Scary Scene in a Scary Movie by

Time Indian by S. AlexieM. Blackstone

The Hunger Games by S. Collinsany of the Harry Potter by J. K. Rowlings

Tuesdays with Morrie by Mitch AlbomSarah’s Keyby T. de Rosnay

My Sister’s Keeper by B. Benners11/22/63 by S. King

Farenheit 451 by R. BradburyThe Girl with the Dragon Tattoo by

And Then There Were None by A. ChristieS. Larsson

The Room by E. Donoghue