Pre-AP ENGLISH LITERATURE AND COMPOSITION -- GRADE 10

Read the attached letter and assignment; sign this page; detach itand hand it into Mrs. Turner in B103 by Monday, May 23, 2016.

Student’s Name: ______

My signature indicates that I understand that if I do not complete the required reading and hand in the written assignments by August23, I will receive a zero for the assignment. I understand that I will NOT be dropped from the course.

AP courses are electives. If you do not wish to complete a summerassignment, please withdraw from the class now. If you cannot devote the time needed to besuccessful in this class next year, please drop it now. If you have an issue with school attendance, pleaseknow that it will become a problem in this class and in any AP class.

Students entering Pre-AP 10 English will select two of the following books to read and then analyze in an essay of at least three-pages:

  1. Girl at War by Sara Novic
  2. Undocumanted: A Dominican Boy’s Odyssey from a Homeless Shelter to the Ivy League

by Dan-El Padilla Peralta

  1. The Curious Lives of Human Cadavers by Mary Roach
  2. Uncommon Faith by Trudy Krisher
  3. Copper Sun by Sharon Draper
  4. Runner by Carl Deuker
  5. The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Nighttime by Mark Haddon
  6. The Five People You Meet in Heaven by Mitch Albom
  7. The Secret Life of Bees by Sue Monk Kidd
  8. I Robot by Isaac Asimov
  9. Double Helix by Nancy Werlin
  10. A Natural History of Dragons by Marie Brennan
  11. Monster by Walter Dean Myers
  12. 1984 by George Orwell

Please sign below and return this form to Ms. Turner in room B103 by Monday, June 1,2016.

______

Signature of student

______

Student email address (legibly printed)

______

Signature of parent or guardian

10 Pre- A.P. English and Literature Summer Assignment June 2016

Dear Pre-AP 10 English students:

A major factor in your success in English class and in taking future AP exams is your reading.

During the summer, read as much as possible and include reading material ofvarious genres. Don’t exclude newspapers and magazines. The summer program is an important featureof the AP English class, and it serves two functions: 1) to keep you active as readers, and 2) to prepareyou for the work that you can expect in this class.

Students will be expected to actively engage in reading by developing close reading skills for detail,literary devices and structures. Expect regular in-class writing assignments based on thestructure, style, and themes addressed in the reading, and also addressing elements such as figurativelanguage, imagery, symbolism, and tone. Taking notes on what you read aswell as class discussion/lecture is required and will be the basis for writing both formal and informal assessments.

Assignments must be turned in on the FIRST DAY OF SCHOOL, AUGUST23,, 2016.

Failure to turn in the assignments on that day will result in grade penalties.

Students entering Pre-AP 10 English will select two of the following books to read and then analyze in an essay of at least three-pages:

  1. Girl at War by Sara Novic
  2. Undocumanted: A Dominican Boy’s Odyssey from a Homeless Shelter to the Ivy League

by Dan-El Padilla Peralta

  1. The Curious Lives of Human Cadavers by Mary Roach
  2. Uncommon Faith by Trudy Krisher
  3. Copper Sun by Sharon Draper
  4. Runner by Carl Deuker
  5. The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Nighttime by Mark Haddon
  6. The Five People You Meet in Heaven by Mitch Albom
  7. The Secret Life of Bees by Sue Monk Kidd
  8. I Robot by Isaac Asimov
  9. Double Helix by Nancy Werlin
  10. A Natural History of Dragons by Marie Brennan
  11. Monster by Walter Dean Myers
  12. 1984 by George Orwell

After reading each of the two books, write an analysis including an explanation of at least two global themes (life lessons and the author’s purpose in writing the novel) and an explanation of two quotes (include the page numbers) which illustrate your understanding of the novel. In addition, on a separate page, list major literary devices used throughout the texts (examples include: symbolism, metaphors, similes, foreshadowing, flashback). Finally, write a brief (no more than one paragraph)character study for each main character in the book. Focus on the character’s motivation, function, values and development.

AP English courses are designed for secondary students who are willing to devote the energy necessary tocomplete a course that is more rigorous and demanding than other courses. Studentsshould meet the criteria set for the course which includes high verbal skills; an expressed enthusiasm forindependent, student-initiated reading and writing, prior accomplishment in English, andteacher recommendation based on your attendance, performance, and participation in class.

Gallery 30 (on York Street),BAM (Hanover Mall), and Adams County Public Library should have these books in stock for you. You can also order new or used copies online.

Have a great summer and don’t procrastinate! I look forward to working with you next year.

Sincerely,

Mrs. Amanda Turner

English Teacher

“To read is to fly: it is to soar to a point of vantage which gives a view over wide terrains of history, human variety, ideas, shared experience and the fruits of many inquiries.” —A.C. Grayling

Student checklist:

______Return signed form for receipt of assignment (including parent/guardian signature) to Mrs. Turner in room B103 byMay 23, 2016.

______Read two novels from list

______ Write a sophisticated analysis for each novel including global themes and two quotes from each book.

______Write a character study (no more than one paragraph each) for the main character(s) in each book.

______ List and explain major literary devices (simile, metaphor, flashback, foreshadowing, symbolism, etc.) used throughout the books.

______Hand in written assignments (theme and quotes analysis essays, character studies, literary device pages) for each book on the first day of school (August 23, 2016) even if you have Pre-AP English 10 in the Spring semester.