Summer Reading List British Literature 2010 - 2011

Of the four listed novels, you must choose and read TWO over the course of the summer. All titles are available in the school library, public library, and local bookstores. A limited number of copies for some titles are available to be signed out for the summer.

Please choose two: The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-time – Mark Haddon The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe – C.S. Lewis Coraline – Neil Gaiman Harry Potter and the Sorcer’s Stone – J.K. Rowling

Teachers will not only test summer reading through an objective test the first week of school, they will also incorporate the reading assignment into a first marking period writing prompt. Students who wish to excel on both the objective test as well as the subsequent writing assignment should employ some or all of the following reading activities:

To help with comprehension:
Look up words in the dictionary for added clarification on meaning or usage.
Re-read difficult passages and chapters before moving on with reading.
Note important events as you come across them in the reading.

To check for comprehension while reading: • Compose a one-paragraph chapter summary incorporating the major details after finishing each chapter. o If you are unable to adequately and accurately summarize the chapter, this indicates that you may need to re-read it. o The summaries should be complete but short. Overly lengthy summaries often include minor details instead of major events.

To review for the objective summer reading test: • Create a character worksheet with names and important facts and character traits about the characters in the story. • Re-read the chapter summaries you wrote while reading. This is an excellent way to review, as the most important information is now in your own words, with only a paragraph per chapter.

The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-time Author: Haddon, Mark

Despite his overwhelming fear of interacting with people, Christopher, a mathematically-gifted, autistic fifteen-year-old boy, decides to investigate the murder of a neighbor's dog and uncovers secret information about his mother.

The Lion, The Witch and The Wardrobe Author: Lewis, C. S. (Clive Staples)

Four English school children find their way through the back of a wardrobe into the magic land of Narnia and assist Aslan, the golden lion, to triumph over the White Witch, who has cursed the land with eternal winter.

Coraline Author: Gaiman, Neil

Looking for excitement, Coraline ventures through a mysterious door into a world that is similar, yet disturbingly different from her own, where she must challenge a gruesome entity in order to save herself, her parents, and the souls of three others.

Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone Author: Rowling, J. K.

Rescued from the outrageous neglect of his aunt and uncle, a young boy with a great destiny proves his worth while attending Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry.