Chariho Regional High School www.chariho.k12.ri.us/chs Wood River Jct., RI CHS Summer Reading Program 2013 One School – One Book

All students entering grades 9 through 12 will read Little Brother by Cory Doctorow.

Marcus, a.k.a. “w1n5t0n,” is only seventeen-years-old, but he figures he already knows how the system works and how to work the system. Smart, fast, and wise to the ways of the networked world, he has no trouble outwitting his high school’s intrusive but clumsy surveillance systems. But his whole world changes when he and his friends find themselves caught in the aftermath of a major terrorist attack on San Francisco. In the wrong place at the wrong time, Marcus and his crew are apprehended by the Department of Homeland Security and whisked away to a secret prison where they’re mercilessly interrogated for days. When the DHS finally releases them, Marcus discovers that his city has become a police state where every citizen is treated like a potential terrorist. He knows that no one will believe his story, which leaves him only one option: to take down the DHS himself. (Macmillan Publishers)

More about Little Brother

“This book is meant to be something you do, not just something you read. The technology in this book is either real or nearly real. You can build a lot of it. You can share it and remix it (see THE COPYRIGHT THING, at craphound.com). You can use the ideas to spark important discussions with your friends and family. You can use those ideas to defeat censorship and get onto the free Internet, even if your government, employer or school doesn't want you to.” Cory Doctorow

How to get this book free!

Download Little Brother for free at: Cory Doctorow’s website at http://craphound.com/littlebrother/download/ Project Gutenberg at www.gutenberg.org/

Of course, you can also borrow a print or audio version from your local public library.

Why is independent reading so important for all students? o Reading provides students with greater content knowledge across all subject areas. o Reading increases your reading comprehension, vocabulary and verbal fluency. o Reading increases student success on achievement tests (standardized tests, NECAP, PSAT, SAT). o Reading increases your general world knowledge. o Research shows that students who do not read over the summer may show a decline of 6 months to 1 year in their academic performance at the beginning of the school year.

The goal of the Chariho Regional High School Summer Reading program is to encourage lifelong reading. Our philosophy is that books open up new worlds to people and the more you read the better readers and writers you become. The summer reading requirement also supports the district’s English Language Arts standard of students reading at least 25 books per year. Chariho Regional High School www.chariho.k12.ri.us/chs Wood River Jct., RI

Assessment: Students will reflect on the theme, for the grade level they are entering in September, through an on-demand response, graded and weighed as 10 % of the 1st Quarter grade.

9th Grade theme – Personal Identity/Character (hero): First, let’s distinguish between a person whose personal identity/character makes them a hero and the heroes we see in movies and comic books. Superman is a superhero because he has super powers. Human beings don’t really have super powers so you need to consider how the author of the novel portrays the main character as a hero or not. A hero is usually an ordinary person who has done something extraordinary. A hero shows great courage or strength when put in a position that demands moral and/or physical courage.

10th Grade theme – Coming of Age: Coming of age is the transition from childhood to adulthood. In a coming of age novel this transition usually occurs because of a life changing event in a young person’s life.

11th Grade theme – The American Experience: The American experience probably has a different meaning to every U.S. citizen. For some, it is the opportunity and freedom afforded to all Americans, and for others it is the pursuit of wealth and fame. Many novels focus on how this experience plays out for those who are natural citizens or come to the U.S. by choice. Many novels also look at the results of this experience when interrupted by internal and/or external conflicts and turmoil, often beyond the character’s control.

12th Grade theme – Moral Responsibility: Moral responsibility is conforming to a standard of what is right and good. What has been established in a community and is accepted as the right or moral act. Moral responsibility implies a knowledge and understanding of 'right' and 'wrong' and the ability and willingness to behave morally (www.c-sap.bham.ac.uk).

Note Taking Tips

Try using one of the active reading tasks suggested below. You may use these notes when taking the test.

Annotate as you go: Keep track of important information about characters and events by recording notes in the margins (ONLY IF YOU OWN THE BOOK), or on Post-it notes. Use this method to mark favorite passages, or perhaps to ask questions you hope to answer as you continue reading.

Chapter Check: At the end of each chapter, summarize important information and events in a journal.

Look-Back List: Create a page-number-organized list of important information about characters and events. Perhaps employ a chart or color system to facilitate quick and easy reference.