Pebblebrook High School Summer Reading 2013-2014
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Required Reading Philosophy: The Pebblebrook English Department believes that the required reading assignment is an opportunity for students to establish a broad literary foundation and exercise independent reading and thinking skills. Students entering ANYEnglish course must follow the directions below. See chart below for specific reading assignments.The choices are based on recommendations from classroom teachers, librarians, and students, and support the Common Core Standards for English. At the beginning of the semester in which you have your English class, you will have an opportunity to discuss and share the selection(s) read with your teacher and classmates.
Purchasing Books:You may find all books in the publiclibrary or you may purchase one from a bookstore or on the internet (Amazon.com, Half.com, Barnes & Noble, The Book House in Mableton, etc. We suggest purchasing your book since you MUSTannotate as you read (making notes in the margins, highlighting passages, etc.). This annotation will help you remember the text whether your reading assignment is completed for a fall or spring course. If you obtain a library book, you will need to annotate on a separate sheet of paper.
Lexile Scores:While providing readers a choice, we remind you to check the Lexile score of the novel to ensure that you enjoy something on an appropriate reading level. This score denotes reading ability and text difficulty on a scale, allowing readers to select titles that meet and challenge a reader’s unique abilities and interests.
Assessment: The reading and annotations should be completed by August 7, 2013 for first semester English classes, and January 7, 2014 for secondsemester English classes. Please go to for book information and annotation resources or visit the websites listed on the back of this handout. If you have any questions, contact English Department Chair Amy Lydigsen at .
Honors 9th Literature:Choose ONE of the following:
The Book Thief
(Lexile 730)
by Markus Zusak
OR
The Once and Future King (Lexile 1080)
by T.H. White
Assignment to accompany the reading:
Annotations – A minimum of TWO per page. / 9th Literature:
Choose ONE of the following:
Percy Jackson and the Olympians Book Two: The Sea of Monsters
(Lexile 740) by Rick Riordan
OR
The Freedom Writers Diary: How a Teacher and 150 Teens Used Writing to Change Themselves and the World Around Them
(Lexile 900) by Erin Gruwell
OR
The Color of Water: A Black Man's Tribute to His White Mother
(Lexile 1240) by James McBride
Assignment to accompany the reading:
Annotations – A minimum of ONE per page. / Honors American Literature:
Read the following:
A Lesson Before Dying
by Ernest Gaines
Assignment to accompany the reading:
Annotations – A minimum of THREE per page. / World Literature:
Read the following:
Funny in Farsi: A Memoir of Growing Up Iranian in America
by Firoozeh Dumas
Assignment to accompany the reading:
Annotations – A minimum of TWO per page. / American Literature:
Read the following:
The Pursuit of Happyness
by Chris Gardner
Assignment to accompany the reading:
Annotations – A minimum of TWO per page.
Advanced Composition:
Read the following:
Conquering the College Admissions Essay in 10 Steps: Crafting A Winning Personal Essay
by Alan Gelb
Assignments to accompany the reading:
Annotations – A minimum of THREE per page.
AND
Come to class with a typed college essay. / AP English Language:
Read the following:
In Cold Blood
by Truman Capote
Assignment to accompany the reading:
Annotations – A minimum of THREE per page. / British Literature:
Read the following:
Lord of the Flies
by William Golding
Assignment to accompany the reading:
Annotations – A minimum of TWO per page. / Multicultural Literature:
Read the following:
Mexican White Boy
by Matt de la Pena
Assignment to accompany the reading:
Annotations – A minimum of TWO per page. / AP English Literature:
Read the following TWO books
Brave New World
by Aldous Huxley
AND
How to Read Literature Like a Professor
by Thomas C. Foster
Assignments to accompany the reading:
Annotations for Brave New World Only-
A minimum of THREE per page.
AND
Be prepared for an assessment over How to Read Literature.
Why Annotate? (from EngageNY)
Definition of Annotating:
Annotating text goes beyond underlining, highlighting, or making symbolic notations or codes on a given text. Annotation includes adding purposeful notes, key words and phrases, definitions, and connections tied to specific sections of text.
Purpose of Annotating:
Annotating text promotes student interest in reading and gives learners a focused purpose for writing. It supports readers’ ability to clarify and synthesize ideas, pose relevant questions, and capture analytical thinking about text. Annotation also gives students a clear purpose for actively engaging with text and is driven by goals or learning target(s) of the lesson.
Annotation Resources:
engageny.org/sites/default/files/resource/.../annotating_text.doc