Summer Reading for New Bern High SchoolSummer 2018

Summer Reading for Honors English IThe Boy in the Striped Pajamas by John Boyne

Berlin 1942: When Bruno returns home from school one day, he

discovers that his belongings are being packed in crates. His father has received a promotion and the family must move from their home to a new house far away, where there is no one to play with and nothing to do. A tall fence running alongside stretches as far as the eye can see and cuts him off from the strange people he can see in the distance. But Bruno longs to be an explorer and decides that there must be more to this desolate new place than meets the eye. While exploring his new environment, he meets another boy whose life and circumstances are very different to his own, and their meeting results in a friendship that has devastating consequences.

Read the book at least one time. It may be beneficial to take notes on such topic as characterization, plot, setting, and themes. Students should be prepared for a test on the book the first week of class, and other assignments.

Summer Reading for Honors English IISiddhartha (Herman Hesse)

Summer Reading for New Bern High SchoolSummer 2018

Strong students are well-read. The College Board has stated that reading, frequent reading, does more than anything else to improve a student’s score on the SAT. Additionally, colleges need students who have read and analyzed a wide variety of literary works. Therefore, in addition to the reading Honors English II students do in class during the school year, they will read two books for summer reading. This reading will help guarantee that the students develop into accomplished and effective readers who can handle literary works of increasing complexity.

The students will read Siddhartha by Hermann Hesse. This famous novel depicts the spiritual journey of Siddhartha, the gifted son of a Brahmin, who seeks enlightenment and self-knowledge. Distrustful of the teachings of others, Siddhartha undergoes a series of experiences that over the course of many years guide him to acceptance and understanding of himself and others.

Students will also read Nectar in a Sieve by Kamala Markandaya. This novel tells the story of Rukmani who, as a young girl, marries a farmer through an arranged marriage. Her life is one of struggle and hardship as she confronts the difficulties of rural life in India. Yet she faces her challenges with love and commitment and in the end triumphs over her harsh conditions.

At the end of the first week of classes students will take reading quizzes on both novels. Students will also complete a writing assignment for the two books. The students will imagine that they are one of the secondary characters (a character other than the protagonist) in one of the two books; they will then write a 500 word letter to a secondary character in the other book offering advice on a problem faced by the character to whom the students are writing. For example, Kamala from

Siddhartha might write Irawaddy in Nectar in a Sieve offering advice to Irawaddy on how to improve her finances. The letters must consist of details from the two novels, drawing on the lives of both characters as depicted in the two books for most the letter’s content. The letters will be graded on content from the novels, proofreading and conventions, and creativity and insight.

Summer Reading for English III HonorsThe Glass Castle by Jeannette Walls

Goodreads.com : Jeannette Walls grew up with parents whose ideals and stubborn nonconformity were both their curse and their salvation. Rex and Rose Mary Walls and their four children lived like nomads, moving among Southwest desert towns, camping in the

Summer Reading for New Bern High SchoolSummer 2018

mountains. Later, when the money ran out, or the romance of the wandering life faded, they retreated to the dismal West Virginia mining town -- and the family -- Rex Walls had done everything he could to escape. As the dysfunction of the family escalated, Jeannette and her brother and sisters had to fend for themselves, supporting one another as they weathered their parents' betrayals and, finally, found the resources and will to leave home.

Hers is a story of triumph against all odds, but also a tender, moving tale of unconditional love in a family that despite its profound flaws gave her the fiery determination to carve out a successful life on her own terms. For two decades, Jeannette Walls hid her roots. Now she tells her own story.

Your assignment: Read the book and be prepared for a test in the first week. Taking notes and/or annotating is suggested.

Note: The book was originally published in 2005 but has been reprinted recently with a different cover. The text is the same, so either edition is fine.

Summer Reading for English IV HonorsHow to Read Literature Like a Professor by Thomas C. Foster (REVISED EDITION) [Assignment]:Read How to Read Literature Like a Professor (the REVISED EDITION- see picture of cover above).

Expect a test on the entire book within the first few days of class. After reading, complete the following assignments:

Summer Reading for New Bern High SchoolSummer 2018

Part 1: Create Your Own Study Guide● Create an outline of the major concept from each chapter- noting where the author breaks that

concept down further. (For example: when Foster talks about the two types of violence, make sure to take note of the two types and what distinguishes the types from each other)

● Focus on the concept, not necessarily the examples Foster provides. ○ If you can come up with your own example for the concept, this may help you in studying for

the test. ● Take note of any vocabulary or terms defined in the section (For example: archetype, intertextuality,

etc)● This study guide is for YOU to remember the concepts that Foster covers. Make sure to create

something that will be useful for you.● Note: include all chapters from the book, including the interlude● Bring your study guide the first day of class.

Part 2: 2.5 page Analysis utilizing Foster’s concepts● Select 3 of the concepts covered in Foster’s book and apply them to a (one, singular) book (fiction) that

you’ve read. ○ You can write about a book that you covered in one of your previous English courses or one

that you have read on your own● Your paper should be in MLA format (heading, margins, font, double space, etc)● Your paper should have an introduction, 1 paragraph/concept, and a conclusion

○ Each body paragraph should begin with defining the concept you are discussing and then apply it to your particular book and explain how it is shown in your work

○ Don’t include too much plot summary. Only discuss enough of the plot to showcase the concept at work, I do not need a recap of the entire plotline

● Include a works cited for Foster’s book and the book that you are using as support if you cite direct quotations from that book. You will need proper in-text citations within your paper.

● Have a DRAFT of your paper ready when your semester of English begins, but there is no need to print off prior to starting the course.