Summer Reading 2015
One of the goals of the Wilson Hall English Department is to foster the continued practice of reading. By doing so, we hope to cultivate a love for literature and to enhance independent reading comprehension and critical analysis. Therefore, we have carefully selected the attached list of books for students to read and enjoy over the summer.
Summer Reading Assignment
· Students are advised to read and annotate their books, which will be beneficial in facilitating class discussion and preparing for the reading assessments. No additional notes are required or graded. However, while reading, students should pay attention to characterization, point of view, setting, conflicts, themes, symbols, figurative language, author’s writing style, etc. To ensure success on the assessments, the attached “Literary Elements Aid” is included to guide reading and to help with review. It will not be graded, but the test will be developed from those ideas.
· Students will bring a personal copy (electronic or hard copy) of their summer reading books to class for the first few weeks of school.
· Independent reading assessments on the required books will be administered on Thursday, August 20, 2015, the first full day of school and will count as a test grade.
Mission Series Speaker: Eric Metaxas
Check out some of his books over the summer!
Miracles: What They Are, Why They Happen,
and How They Can Change Your Life
Seven Men: And the Secret of Their Greatness
Bonhoeffer: Pastor, Martyr, Prophet, Spy
Amazing Grace: William Wilberforce and the Heroic
Campaign to End Slavery
Everything You Always Wanted to Know About God
(but were afraid to ask)
No Pressure, Mr. President! The Power of True Belief in a Time of Crisis:
The National Prayer Breakfast Speech
Summer Reading Book Titles 2015
English I College Prep (2 books)
The Giver by Lois Lowry
Nothing But the Truth by Avi
English I Honors (2 books)
Whirligig by Paul Fleischman
The Once and Future King by T.H. White
***Only read TWO sections called The Sword in the Stone pages 7-209 (maybe watch the Disney movie first to understand the storyline—but you MUST also read because so much is left out of the movie) and The Queen of Air and Darkness pages 211-312. (Purchase and save entire book to use during the school year.)
***Snap a family photo some time over the summer. (first writing assignment)
English II College Prep (2 books)
Fahrenheit 451 by Ray Bradbury
The Once and Future King by T.H. White
***Only read the THIRD section called The Ill-Made Knight pages 313-514
English II Honors (2 books)
Fahrenheit 451 by Ray Bradbury
Their Eyes Were Watching God by Zora Neale Hurston
English III College Prep (2 books)
Training Camp: What the Best Do Better Than Everyone Else by Jon Gordon
Seven Men: And the Secret of their Greatness by Eric Metaxas (Missions Series Speaker 2015)
English IV College Prep (2 books)
Pride and Prejudice by Jane Austen
Cry, the Beloved Country by Alan Paton
Advanced Placement English Language and Composition (2 books)
The Last Lecture by Randy Pausch
Seven Men: And the Secret of their Greatness by Eric Metaxas (Missions Series Speaker 2015)
Advanced Placement English Literature (2 books)
The Screwtape Letters, C.S. Lewis. ISBN 978-0-06-065293-7
The Stranger, Albert Camus. ISBN 978-0-679-72020-1
The Elements of Style, Fourth Edition. White and Strunk. ISBN 978-0205309023
***NOTE-only browse through the last book, but it will be used for instruction at the
beginning of the year
The Library is now open 24/7
Books, materials, eBooks, and research databases are now available at any time. Most selections in the on-line library are for our Lower School students, but some Summer Reading titles are also available. Follett eBooks can be used in two ways: Students can accesseBooks online from anywhere and make use of the built-in dictionary and integrated search tools, or they can download and view eBooks offline, which reserves the eBook and allows use of the search, highlighting, and note-taking tools.
· eBooks may be checked out for a period of 7 days.
· Username: first initial last name
· Password: barons
See Mrs. Goodson in the lower school library for additional information or enter the link below: https://wbb41376.follettshelf.com/shelf/servlet/presentshelfform.do?site=41376
Literary Elements Aid for Summer Reading
It is NOT GRADED. It is merely a helpful guide to direct your reading and to help you review for the assessments. However, teachers may ask to see it before the test. Annotating (marking up) your book is the best way to take notes!
TitleAuthor’s Name
Publication Year
Genre
Author’s Biographical Information-
Find out information about your author.
Setting-time and place of literary work
Historical context-when
Geographical context -where
Physical context-weather, time of day, indoors or out, etc.
Point of View-relationship between the storyteller (speaker) and the story
first person-narrator is one of the characters and is involved in the events (can be reliable or unreliable)
third person limited-told by narrator from the viewpoint of a character-you know thoughts and feelings of only one character
third person objective-a narrator shares the story with no emotions being revealed
omniscient point of view-told by an all-knowing narrator, you know thoughts and feelings of all characters
Plot (for fiction books)
*exposition-introduces the story’s characters, setting, situation, and conflict
*narrative hook or inciting incident- the point the author catches our
attention and establishes the basic conflict
*rising action- narrative hook marks beginning of rising action which adds complications
to the story
*climax- the way in which the story’s conflict will be solved
*falling action-reveals the outcome of the climax
*resolution/dénouement-brings the story to a satisfying and logical conclusion
Conflict
*external conflict-between character and outside force (man vs. nature, man
vs. man, man vs. society)
· internal conflict-conflict in character’s mind (man vs. self)
Characters (Round or Flat/ Dynamic or Static)
*round character is well-developed in the story, complex personality traits, and closely
involved in the action
*flat character is one that is barely developed, very simple, one personality trait
*dynamic character grows and changes in a significant way
*static character will remain unchanged by events or other characters
Characterization
*Direct Characterization-author makes direct statements about character’s personalities
*Indirect Characterization- author reveals the character through personalities, thoughts, words of others, etc.
It is smart to write the page numbers where characters are introduced. Perhaps even box the characters’ names as they are introduced.
Themes
*The central idea or message; the insight about life and human experience that an author expresses in a work.
Symbols
*a person, object, action, place, or event that, in addition to its literal meaning, suggests a more complex meaning
Irony
*Contrast between appearance and reality
Situational Irony-
Verbal Irony-
Dramatic Irony-
Writing Style
*the way a writer selects and arranges words, sentences, and paragraphs.
*diction or word choice (precise verbs, vivid verbs, specific nouns)
*syntax sentence length and structure
*imagery, sensory details, and figures of speech
Tone & Mood
*Tone: the attitude of the author toward the subject shown through word choice, etc.
*playful, humorous, serious, moving, frightening, ironic, satirical, serious, somber, bitter,
condescending, formal or informal, critical or supportive
*Mood-the atmosphere or feeling the READER gets
Figurative Language
*list examples from text and page numbers (similes, metaphors, alliteration, imagery, onomatopoeia, hyperbole, etc.)