English III Honors

2008 Summer Reading Assignment

You will divide each novel into five approximately equal sections.  After reading each section, you will complete a reader-response journal entry for it.  You may choose to comment on character development, theme, the author’s use of literary devices, etc., but please avoid summarizing. 

Your final entry, after completing all journal entries for both novels, will discuss any links or points of comparison between the two novels.  For this final entry (worth a separate grade entirely) think beyond the plot!  Consider, for example, the lessons learned by the protagonists, patterns of character development, the author’s use of descriptive language, the narrator’s commentary, etc.  I am aware that the stories are very different, but there are points of comparison to be discussed.  Do not omit this component of the assignment!

 Vocabulary Log:

Additionally, as you read each novel, you will keep a log of unfamiliar vocabulary words.  As you come across a word, write it down, and note the page number on which it is found.  Then, write down what you think the word means, based on the context in which it is used.  You should have a minimum of thirty words when you finish both novels.  The last thing you should do is look up each word in the dictionary, so that you can determine whether your interpretation of it was correct.  Your vocabulary log must contain columns labeled as follows:

All assignments will be due on the first week of school.  Please do not ignore this assignment!  A significant portion of the first nine weeks will be devoted to work dealing with these two novels, and failure to complete the summer assignments will cause significant setbacks.  Enjoy the summer break, and enjoy reading!  We look forward to seeing you in August. 

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