Pre-AP ENGLISH LITERATURE and COMPOSITION GRADE 10

Pre-AP ENGLISH LITERATURE AND COMPOSITION -- GRADE 10

Read the attached letter and assignment; sign this page; detach it and hand it in to Mrs. Turner in B103 by Tuesday, May 30, 2017.

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 August 22, 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 summer assignment, please withdraw from the class now. If you cannot devote the time needed to be successful in this class next year, please drop it now. If you have an issue with school attendance, please know 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, analyze and compare in an essay of at least two pages:

1. Girl at War by Sara Novic 2. Undocumented: A Dominican Boy’s Odyssey from a Homeless Shelter to the Ivy League by Dan-El Padilla Peralta 3. The Curious Lives of Human Cadavers by Mary Roach 4. Uncommon Faith by Trudy Krisher 5. Copper Sun by Sharon Draper 6. Runner by Carl Deuker 7. The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Nighttime by Mark Haddon 8. The Five People You Meet in Heaven by Mitch Albom 9. The Secret Life of Bees by Sue Monk Kidd 10. I Robot by Isaac Asimov 11. Double Helix by Nancy Werlin 12. Monster by Walter Dean Myers 13. 1984 by George Orwell 14. Boy in the Striped Pajamas by John Boyne 15. Astonishing Life of Octavian Nothing, Traitor to the Nation: The Pox Party by M.T.Anderson 16. Story of King Arthur and his Knights by Howard Pyle 17. Muchacho by Louanne Johnson 18. For the Win by Cory Doctorow

Please sign below and return this form to Ms. Turner in room B103 by Tuesday, May 30, 2016.

______Signature of student

Student email address (legibly printed)

Signature of parent or guardian 10 Pre- A.P. English and Literature Summer Assignment June 2017

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 of various genres. Do not exclude newspapers and magazines. The summer program is an important feature of the AP English class, and it serves two functions: 1) to keep you active as readers, and 2) to prepare you 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 the structure, style, and themes addressed in the reading, and elements such as figurative language, imagery, symbolism, and tone. Taking notes on what you read as well 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, AUGUST 22,, 2017. 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, analyze and compare in an essay of at least two pages:

1. Girl at War by Sara Novic 2. Undocumented: A Dominican Boy’s Odyssey from a Homeless Shelter to the Ivy League by Dan-El Padilla Peralta 3. The Curious Lives of Human Cadavers by Mary Roach 4. Uncommon Faith by Trudy Krisher 5. Copper Sun by Sharon Draper 6. Runner by Carl Deuker 7. The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Nighttime by Mark Haddon 8. The Five People You Meet in Heaven by Mitch Albom 9. The Secret Life of Bees by Sue Monk Kidd 10. I Robot by Isaac Asimov 11. Double Helix by Nancy Werlin 12. Monster by Walter Dean Myers 13. 1984 by George Orwell 14. Boy in the Striped Pajamas by John Boyne 15. Astonishing Life of Octavian Nothing, Traitor to the Nation: The Pox Party by M.T.Anderson 16. Story of King Arthur and his Knights by Howard Pyle 17. Muchacho by Louanne Johnson 18. For the Win by Cory Doctorow

After reading each of the two books, write a comparison which includes analysis of characters, themes and literary devices. Focus on the characters’ motivations, functions, values and development; how themes share similar messages and how literary devices added to the story. AP English courses are designed for secondary students who are willing to devote the energy necessary to complete a course that is more rigorous and demanding than other courses. Students should meet the criteria set for the course which includes high verbal skills; an expressed enthusiasm for independent, student-initiated reading and writing, prior accomplishment in English, and teacher 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! 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 by May 30, 2017.

______Read two novels from list.

______Write a comparison of the two novels pointing out themes, characters’ motivations and similar traits and figurative language.

______Turn in written assignment on the first day of school (August 22, 2017) even if you have Pre-AP English 10 in the Spring semester. You may email your essay to Mrs. Turner over the summer if you would like to hand it in as soon as you are done. [email protected]