English Department: Summer Reading

Every student is required to read over the summer according to his/her upcoming class selection. You may either purchase the book (new or used), borrow from the public library, or read the selection on an e-reader; however, all students should have a copy of their required reading on the first day of class in August. While there are no outside assignments, other than annotations, attached to these readings, all teachers will be assessing students within the first few days of class. (Assessments may include, but are not limited to, essays, objective tests, written analyses, etc.) Thus, taking notes, in addition to the required annotating, over the readings is recommended.

Questions? Contact Christina Neukam (department chair) at [email protected].

Class Required Reading Further Instructions English 9 Select a narrative---either nonfiction or fiction. --The selection must represent your **Do not select a novel that we will be reading reading ability. Choose something that is (hyperlink to during class this year. Avoid the following neither too easy nor too difficult for you. assignment titles: Lord of the Flies by William Golding, The --Select a book that you have never read description) Odyssey by Homer, and The Twelfth Night by before. Don’t choose something that you William Shakespeare. have read previously in middle school. --As you read, mark at least 10 passages that are particularly vivid and write notes about what seems most compelling in the margins. English 9 Honors Non-Fiction: --As you read, mark at least 10 passages Tattoos on the Heart by Fr. Greg Boyle that are particularly vivid and write notes I Am Malala by Malala Yousafzai about what seems most compelling in Between the World and Me by Ta-Nehisi Coates the margins. --After you have finished reading the Modern Fiction: entire text, review the passages you What Is Not Yours Is Not Yours by Helen marked and think about how the author Oyeyemi uses sensory detail to make the scene Extremely Loud & Incredibly Close by Jonathan vivid and memorable. Be prepared to Safran Foer discuss these in class or on an The Round House by Louise Erdrich assessment in class.

Classic Fiction: Cry, the Beloved Country by Alan Paton The Alchemist by Paulo Coelho East of Eden by John Steinbeck English 10 Select a narrative—either nonfiction or fiction. --The book must represent your reading The novel must be written by an American ability. Choose something that is not too author. easy or not too difficult for you. **Your chosen novel should connect or relate --Select a book that you have never read to one of the following overarching ideas that before. Don’t choose something that you we will explore during the course: the have read previously. American Dream, race in America, social class --The copy of the book you choose in America, or the role of protest and challenge should only have writing, highlighting, of American ideals. How will you know if your annotating, and note-taking from you.

chosen book relates? When you’re working to select your book, be sure to read summaries available on the book cover and online to ensure the choice fits your reading purpose. **Do not select a novel that we will be reading during class this year. Avoid the following titles: The Great Gatsby by F. Scott Fitzgerald, The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn by Mark Twain, and The Things They Carried by Tim O’Brien. English 10 Honors Travels with Charley by John Steinbeck As you read, annotate diligently, carefully noting the differences between the different regions and the people who live there. Also make note of how the regional voices in the text resonate with contemporary views of America. Consider making a chart to help you keep track. American Studies Travels with Charley by John Steinbeck As you read, annotate diligently, carefully noting the differences between the different regions and the people who live there. Consider making a chart to help you keep track. English 11 Grendel by John Gardner “The Other” is someone who doesn’t belong, someone who is different, someone who is an outcast. What does the monster in this text reflect? What does Grendel reveal about human nature, and how do the characters in the novel personify these moral lessons? Why is the Grendel the “other”? Finally, explore the role of “The Other” in modern society. It can be a small society, like Brebeuf. Reflect on who the “Others” are, how they are treated, and whether they perpetuate or even encourage their own outcast reputation and why. AP English Follow the links to read EACH essay: In addition to reading the essays, please: Language John Muir, “Stickeen” --Look up and read biographical Jane Addams, “The Devil Baby at Hull information about each author House” (Wikipedia will do.) H.L. Mencken, “The Hills of Zion” --Look up and learn the references and Richard Wright, “The Ethics of Living Jim allusions in the essays that you do not Crow: An Autobiographical Sketch” understand E.B. White, “Once More to the Lake” --Annotate each essay thoroughly. Katherine Anne Porter, “The Future Is Now” --Bring all your notes and annotated Donald Hall, “A Hundred Thousand copies of the essays to the first week or Straightened Nails” two of classes.

John McPhee, “The Search for Marvin Gardens” Annie Dillard, “Total Eclipse” William Manchester, “Okinawa: The Bloodiest Battle of All” Saul Bellow, “Graven Images” English 12 Kaffir Boy by Mark Mathabane Read the memoir with the expectation that you will have a quiz over its content and write a short essay about the protagonist of the work during the first two weeks of the school year. AP English Read ALL of the following: Literature The Namesake by Jhumpa Lahiri “The Overcoat” (short story can be found online) by Nikolai Gogol ACP The Paradise of Bombs by Scott Russell Sanders As you read the book, look at how Sanders writes, the words he chooses, the organization of his essays, and the use of figurative language. Of course, you don’t have to limit yourself to just these items. Think about what makes his writing so distinctive. Don’t just look at one or two essays since Sanders uses a variety of different devices.