2017 Summer Reading Assignment -Juniors
JSerra Catholic High School
Course / Reading Requirement / Writing RequirementEnglish 3CP
English 3A /
- Select onebook from the JuniorReading List.
AP English Literature and Composition /
- Crime and Punishment, by Fyodor Dostoyevsky
- Memorize literary terms from the list.
AP English Language and Composition /
- Read The Travels of a T-Shirt in a Global Economy
- Watch The True Cost.
Questions? Contact Eileen McKeagney at
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Junior Reading List: Select One Book
Non-Fiction
Undaunted Courage, by Stephen Ambrose
Riveting account of the journey of Lewis and Clark across the unchartered frontier of the West at the turn of the 19th century.
The Bully Pulpit: Theodore Roosevelt, William Howard Taft, and the Golden Age of Journalism, by Doris Kearns Goodwin
Focusing on the presidencies of Theodore Roosevelt and his successor, William Howard Taft, Goodwin chronicles the birth of an activist press, which occurred when five of the nation’s best-ever journalists converged and helped usher in the Progressive era.
Remember Why You Play by David Thomas
If you enjoyed Friday Night Lights, this book is a must-read. Remember Why You Play documents the lives, struggles, and triumphs of the players and coaches of Faith Christian School in Grapevine, Texas.
1776, by David McCullough
America’s beloved and distinguished historian presents the stirring story of the year of our nation’s birth, 1776, interweaving the actions and decisions that led Great Britain to undertake a war against her rebellious colonial subjects and that placed America’s survival in the hands of George Washington.
The Explorers: A Story of Fearless Outcasts Blundering Geniuses, and Impossible Success, by Martin Dugard
Unlock your inner explorer in this riveting account of one of history’s greatest adventures—and a study of the seven character traits all great explorers share.Dugard demonstrates that we are all explorers and that these traits have a most practical application in everyday life.
Theology/Spirituality
Jesus of Nazareth: From Baptism in the Jordan to the Transfiguration, by Pope Benedict XVI
This may be Pope Benedict’s greatest legacy to the Church, but certainly his greatest teaching legacy. One cannot read this text without growing closer to the Lord.
Everything You Ever Wanted to Know about Heaven, by Peter Kreeft
Forget the boring image of endless cloud-sitting and boring harp music; philosopher Peter Kreeft asks the questions that sometimes seem off-limits: What will we do in heaven? Where is heaven? Is there really a hell?
The Great Divorce, by C.S. Lewis
Follow the author of The Chronicles of Narnia on a mind-blowing journey through the afterlife.
Fiction
House of the Spirits, by Isabel Allende
This classic of magical realism tells the story of the Trueba family across four generations, tracing the social and political upheavals of Chile.
Sirens of Titan, by Kurt Vonnegut
An outrageous romp through space, time, and morality. The richest, most depraved man on Earth, Malachi Constant, is offered a chance to take a space journey to distant worlds with a beautiful woman at his side. Of course there’s a catch to the invitation–and a prophetic vision about the purpose of human life.
My Antonia, by Willa Cather
A great love story that winds its way through the great Midwest during the late nineteenth century. Cather’s brilliant storytelling style carries the reader along a tale of love and hardships on the prairies of the American frontier.
Farewell, My Lovely, by Raymond Chandler
Marlowe's about to give up on a completely routine case when he gets caught up in a murder that leads to a ring of jewel thieves, another murder, a fortune-teller, a couple more murders, and more corruption than your average graveyard.
Written Assignment: Response to Literature
- Passage Analysis: Select six passages from your book for analysis: two passages from the beginning of your text, two passages from the middle, and two passages from the end of your text. For each passage, you will (a) fully paraphrase the passage in your own words; (b) critically analyze how this passage reflects the book’s themes or author’s message; and (c) make a personal connection toor commentary on your own life (explain how you can understand this passage from your own life experiences or interests).
- Response Template: Use the chart template provided for you below. You may copy and paste it or retype it into a word document. Please follow MLA guidelines for the heading, margins, and font requirements. (You do not have to double space the assignment.) Provide the book title and author in the title of your assignment. Please follow that chart format; do not submit an essay response.
- Due Date and Submission: This assignment is due on the first day of school. A paper copy must be submitted to your English teacher, and an electronic copy must be submitted to TurnItIn.com. (You will activate your TurnItIn.com accounts during the first week of school.)
Retype passage / Paraphrase this passage in your own words. / How does this passage reflect the theme or author’s message for this book as a whole? / Make a personal connection to or commentary on this passage.
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AP Literature and Composition: Crime and Punishment by Fyodor Dostoyevsky
Directions: Please type your answers in MLA format.
-You do NOT need to use complete sentences. (Bullet points are acceptable).
-You do NOT need to include quotes; instead, include the page number for your answer.
NOTE: Consider this assignment a first draft of your initial thoughts. There is no need to go online in order to find someone else’s ideas for answers for these questions, nor is there a need to share your answers with each other. It is okay to be wrong. Rather than being graded on accuracy, you will be graded on:
1. Completion (including quotes and page citations)
2. Thoughtfulness of your conclusions
3. Integrity of your answers
Questions:
- Explain why Raskolnikov is so opposed to Dounia's marriage to Luzhin AND describe Luzhin's personality; explain why he's so revolting. (Defend him if you don't feel that he is)
- Describe Razumihin, and explain his relationship to Raskolnikov, including how it develops throughout the novel.
- Describe Dounia, and discuss the way that her character develops and changes throughout the novel.
- Describe detective PorfiryPetrovitch, and explain what he represents to Raskolnikov.
- List contradicting behaviors apparent in Raskolnikov.
- Discuss how Dostoevsky creates suspense.
- Discuss class distinction throughout the novel.
- List words and phrases that Raskolnikov uses to describe Alyona Ivanovna. Explain why Raskolnikov places his focus on her.
- Explain Raskolnikov's philosophy of crime.
- Explain the treatment of women in the novel. (Treatment of women by men) *Consider Dounia, Sonia, Katerina Ivanovna, Lizaveta, Marfa Petrovna, Svidrigailov's betrothed, and the women witnessed in the streets.
- Explain the function of the side story of Marmeladov. (How does his story contribute to a theme?)
- Look back at the side story of Svidrigailov, and answer the following
-What is the point of his character?
-Why is he so vile? (Defend him, if you don't believe that he is)
-Explain the significance of his dream.
- Raskolnikov muses, "But why are they so fond of me if I don't deserve it? Oh, if only I were alone and no one loved me and I too had never loved anyone! Nothing of all this would have happened." Explain what he means. Then, explain how this comment relates to a greater theme.
- Discuss the presentation of God and religion throughout the novel, and explain how the epilogue contributes to this presentation.
- Sonia does not meet Raskolnikov until after he has committed his crime. Explain why she never leaves his side, and what she represents to Raskolnikov.
- What ultimately do you think is Raskolnikov's crime? What about his punishment?
ALSO: You are also required to memorize literary terms from the list -- 100 Literary Terms to Know -- located on the school website under Academics/Summer Assignments. If you are approved for AP Literature and need further information, please contact Mrs. Hirsch directly at .
AP Language and Composition: Four Books and Four Thought Sheets
You will read one book this summer and watch one documentary film. You will create two Thought Sheets, one for each of the assigned elements. You may contact Mrs. Sickler at if you have any questions. Bring your Thought Sheets with you on the first day of class. Be prepared to take a test on The Travels of a T-Shirt in the Global Economy and The True Cost on the first day of class.
What is a THOUGHT SHEET?
A thought sheet is a handwritten unlined single-page (8 ½ X 11) response to your reading. It is a way to be creative and experimental. It is a way to respond imaginatively and honestly. It is a way to be brief and compressed in a world drowning in paper. Take time to record your reaction to the text as you are reading. Do not attempt to do this assignment after you have finished the whole book; interact and engage with the text as you read it.
The purpose of a thought sheet is to invest in what you are reading. We read differently when we know we are going to be doing something with a text. We learn best when we can create our own patterns. A thought sheet connects the verbal and the visual; it connects the book’s ideas to your ideas; it connects words and images.
Pull out a telling quotation or two, using it as a springboard to explore one of your own ideas. If you're intrigued by certain statements or attracted to characters or issues, write your response
Sketch a small visual image to reflect your thoughts on a specific part of the book. What does the reading make you think of? Does it remind you of anything or anyone? Make connections with other texts or concepts or historic events. Do you see any similarities?
Create a hand drawn collage of small key images and words. Cluster words and images around a dominant impression, feeling, or thought regarding what you have read.
Make a personal statement about the text or ask and answer a question or two.
What perplexes you about a particular passage? Try beginning, "I wonder why..." or "I'm having trouble understanding how...' or "It perplexes or surprises me that..."
On what points, or about what issues, do you agree or disagree? Write down supporting ideas. Try arguing with the author. Think of this as a place to carry on a dialogue with the author.
How does the author's attitude shape the way the writer presents the material?
Cover the page with writing. Make your Thought Sheet rich with quotations and images. Seek to design a response that uses your entire sheet of paper. Your grade will be contingent upon the quality and quantity of your work.
What is NOT a THOUGHT SHEET?
DO NOT type, or cut out pictures and paste them on the sheet
DO NOT merely summarize.
DO NOT simply draw one or two pictures or a scene from the book.
DO NOT think a half page will do.
DO NOT use a sheet larger than 8 ½ X 11
DO NOT use lined paper.
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