Summer reading and writing is a part of all Advanced and A.P. English courses at Mt. Ararat High School. Reading is a deeply ingrained habit of strong readers and writers. We hope that you read widely—and for pleasure—throughout the summer. In addition to your independent reading selections, we have created two required assignments.

These assignments should introduce you to the level of reading and thinking expected in Advanced English courses. They should be challenging and engaging but not overwhelming. This may be a good opportunity to think about your decision to enroll in Advanced English II. This course requires a significant amount of homework and reading as well as sophisticated intellectual thinking demonstrated in discussion, homework and writing. It is an accelerated English program; students selected for this course are expected to demonstrate competency in English Language Arts and usually plan to move on to Advanced Placement (college-level) courses in the following years.

You should be excited to take this course. You should be eager to be challenged to think more deeply and intellectually. We believe you can meet this challenge and learn a lot in this course.

PART ONE ** To be completed BEFORE JULY 30**
Here is a list of recent books that have variously won prizes, received critical acclaim, been popular among the sophisticated reading public, and made their way into school reading lists. This is a diverse collection of books; don't judge by title alone and avoid reading one that you've already read. You ought to be able to find them in paperback at any good bookstore or in your local library. Browse through them to find one that's right for you.

Directions:

• Read at least one book from the list below.
• Write a 1-2 page (typed and double-spaced) review of the book for an audience of your peers. Discuss why you would recommend or not recommend the book. Provide specific reasons to support your opinions. Please don’t simply summarize the story or enumerate what you liked or didn’t like. Instead, write thoughtfully about ideas and elements—characters, plot structure, literary devices, themes, social issues, etc.
• Send your review to Mrs. Galle before July 30.

Mrs. Janet Galle
Mt. Ararat High School
73 Eagles Way
Topsham, Maine 04086

 

Material should NOT be e-mailed. Students whose material is not received by postal mail at the above address by July 30, 2010, can expect to be enrolled in Academic English II in the fall.

List of Books
Sherman Alexie Reservation Blues
Jane Austen Pride and Prejudice
Ishmael Bael A Long Way Gone
Madeleine Blais In These Girls, Hope is a Muscle
H. G. Bissinger Friday Night Lights
Tracy Chevalier Girl with A Pearl Earring
Charles Dickens Great Expectations

 

See also Part 2