Cleveland Heights High School Library
Summer Reading

Eleventh Grade English 3 Honors
Summer 2009

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Directions: Summer reading assignments for students enrolling in 11th grade English 3 for the 2009-2010 school year. NOTE: Assignments are due Tuesday, September 1, 2009.

I.	Select TWO of the following books to read. Click here for descriptions of each book.
		Fiction	Non-Fiction
		As I Lay Dying. Faulkner William.	Becoming Billie Holiday. Weatherford, Carole Boston.
		Interpreter of the Maladies. Lahiri, Jhumpa.	Girls Like Us: Carole King, Joni Mitchell, Carly Simon-And the Journey of a Generation. Weller, Sheila
		My Sister's Keeper. Picoult, Jodi.	Heart to Heart: New Poems Inspired by Twentieth-Century American Art. Greenberg, Jan
		Pillars of the Earth. Follett, Ken.	I Am Scout: The Biography of Harper Lee Shields, Charles J.
		The Astonishing Life of Octavian Nothing, Traitor to the Nation: Vol. II: The Kingdom on the Waves. Anderson, M. T.	John Lennon: All I Want is the Truth Partridge, Elizabeth
		The Book Thief. Zusak, Marcus.	Legacy of Ashes: The History of the CIA Weiner, Tim.
		The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-Time. Haddon, Mark.	New Found Land: Lewis and Clark's Voyage of Discovery Wolf, Allan.
		Water for Elephants. Gruen, Sarah .	Shooting Under Fire: The World of the War Photographer Howe, Peter.
			The Race Beat: The Press, the Civil Rights Struggle, and the Awakening of a Nation Roberts, Gene and Hank Klibanoff
			This Land Was Made for You and Me: The Life and Songs of Woody Guthrie Partridge, Elizabeth.
			Your Own, Sylvia: A Verse Portrait of Sylvia Plath. Hemphill, Stephanie.


II.	Complete all of the assignments
	A.	Read with purpose. Read for detail. Read for meaning. Read for clarity. Be able to describe the characters. Be able to relate the specific sequence of events that transpire in both works. Be ready to share your attitudes, opinions, and input surrounding issues that are discussed in the books.

	B.	Develop a 3-5 paragraph essay for each of the books that you have selected. Choose a different prompt for each book from the list of Advanced Placement English Literature and Composition writing prompts that are listed below. This assignment will be collected Tuesday, September 1, 2009. Click here for a Word document of these instructions.
		Choice One - In retrospect, the reader often discovers that the first chapter of a novel or the opening scene of a drama introduces some of the major themes of the work. Write an essay about the opening scene of a drama or the first chapter of a novel in which you explain how it functions in this way. Choice Two - The conflict created when the will of an individual opposes the will of the majority is the recurring theme of many novels, plays, and essays. Select the work of an essayist who is in opposition to his or her society; or from a work of recognized literary merit, select a fictional character who is in opposition to his or her society. In a critical essay, analyze the conflict and discuss the moral and ethical implications for both the individual and the society. Do not summarize the plot or action of the work you choose. Choice Three - A recurring theme in literature is the classic war between a passion and responsibility. For instance, a personal cause, a love, a desire for revenge, a determination to redress a wrong, or some other emotion or drive may conflict with moral duty. Choose a literary work in which a character confronts the demands of a private passion that conflicts with his or her responsibilities. In a well-written essay show clearly the nature of the conflict, its effects upon the character, and its significance to the work Choice Four - A critic has said that one important measure of a superior work of literature is its ability to produce in the reader a healthy confusion of pleasure and disquietude. Select a literary work that produces this "healthy confusion." Write an essay in which you explain the sources of the "pleasure and disquietude" experienced by the readers of the work. Choice Five - The British novelist Fay Weldon offers this observation about happy endings. "The writers, I do believe, who get the best and most lasting response from their readers are the writers who offer a happy ending through moral development. By a happy ending, I do not mean mere fortunate events -- a marriage or a last minute rescue from death -- but some kind of spiritual reassessment or moral reconciliation, even with the self, even at death." Choose a novel or play that has the kind of ending Weldon describes. In a well-written essay, identify the "spiritual reassessment or moral reconciliation" evident in the ending and explain its significance in the work as a whole. Choice Six - Novels and plays often depict characters caught between colliding cultures -- national, regional, ethnic, religious, institutional. Such collisions can call a character's sense of identity into question. Select a novel or play in which a character responds to such a cultural collision. Then write a well-organized essay in which you describe the character's response and explain its relevance to the work as a whole. Choice Seven - In many works of literature, a physical journey - the literal movement from one place to another - plays a central role. Choose a novel, play, or epic poem in which a physical journey is an important element and discuss how the journey adds to the meaning of the work as a whole. Avoid mere plot summary. Choice Eight - In many works of literature, past events can affect, positively or negatively, the present activities, attitudes, or values of a character. Choose a novel or play in which a character must contend with some aspect of the past, either personal or societal. Then write an essay in which you show how the character's relationship to the past contributes to the meaning of the work as a whole.

C.		Complete the vocabulary assignment. One paragraph for each word is to be written.
			1.	For each book you read, select five words that you believe to be essential to the understanding of the book. Some of these words might be unfamiliar to you. However, some of these words may not be completely unfamiliar, but may have larger, symbolic value that is vital to understanding a central metaphor or may have specific/special meaning in the context of the story.
			2.	Describe your understanding of each word’s role in the story. Why is this word vital to understanding the story? Be prepared to share these responses in small groups when school resumes. You will write a total of ten paragraphs.

D.		Prepare for the culminating activities.
			1.	Be prepared to use your reader response writings to become involved in a panel discussion, to conduct a small group meeting, and/or to present to the class.
			2.	Be prepared for an individual or small group presentation that highlights the most insightful aspects of your reader response journals.

III.	Understand the importance of completing the summer reading assignments according to the instructions.
A.		Evaluation
		1.	Summer reading scores will be averaged into the first marking period grade.
		2.	Teachers will be provided with the following rubric with which they may choose to evaluate the summer reading work:
		3.	Each facet of the written work may be assigned point valued based upon the following criteria:
			a.	Accuracy
				(1)	Does the writing adhere to the rules of Standard English?
				(2)	Is the writing free from repetitive grammatical or syntactical errors that impede comprehension?
				(3)	Is the work written using MLA guidelines if sources are cited?
				(4)	Does the work correctly address the questions raised in the prompt?
			b.	Completeness
				(1)	Does each response meet the minimum length requirement?
				(2)	Does each response fully answer questions raised in the prompt? Do they go beyond mechanical “yes” “no” answers? In other words, did the writer create commentary?
				(3)	Have all the prompts been attempted?
				(4)	Are the paragraphs fully developed? Do they each contain a specific topic sentence and adequate support?
				(5)	Do any concluding paragraphs exhibit an appropriate sense of closure?
			c.	Imagery
				(1)	Does the writing include sensory imagery?
				(2)	Has the writer used enough proper nouns, and proper adjectives to convey a clear image in the mind of the reader?
				(3)	Has the writer used specific quoted material taken directly from the novel to support his or her opinions about what he or she has read?
				(4)	Does the writing avoid using clichéd expressions and informal or ambiguous language that prevents the reader from forming a specific impression?
	B.	General Directions (Use the Modern Language Association format - MLA.) Click the link for an instruction sheet on How to Set Up Your Paper in MLA format. This document is in MS Word format. If your word processor has difficulty handling that format, click here to use a different format.
		If you handwrite your assignments, skip lines. Use dark blue or black ink only. Use loose-leaf paper. If you word process your assignment, use 12-point type and Arial or Times New Roman font type only. Double space. Leave margins of one inch at the top, the bottom and on both sides of the text. Write or type your assignments on one side of the paper only. Write your last name one inch from the top and one inch from the right margin. The page number appears one space after your last name. Title each section of the assignment. Center the title near the top of the page where each section begins. Write the page on which each detail and each quotation is found. Use the Modern Language Association format. Use the literary present to discuss the events of a novel. Proofread and edit for grammar, spelling, capitalization and punctuation. Use staples to fasten the pages.
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English 3 Summer 2009 Summer Reading Lists
Fiction Non-Fiction
Click this link for a Print Version of the English 3 Honors 2009 Summer Reading List
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Fiction Selections - Descriptions
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Anderson, M.T. The Astonishing Life of Octavian Nothing, Traitor to the Nation: Vol. II: The Kingdom on the Waves. Having escaped from his captors, Octavian joins the Royal Ethiopian Regiment of the British Army in 1775 Boston when they promise freedom to all runaway slaves.
Faulkner, William. As I Lay Dying. Faulkner's uses of multiple points of view and the inner psychological voices of the characters. In the story, the members of the Bundren family must take the body of Addie, matriarch of the family, to the town where Addie wanted to be buried. Along the way, we listen to each of the members on the pilgrimage, while Faulkner heaps upon them various flavors of disaster.
Follett, Ken. Pillars of the Earth.. This best-selling epic tale of ambition, anarchy, and absolute power set against the canvas of twelfth-century England depicts fascinating characters and provides a spellbinding introduction to medieval religion, architecture, politics, and daily life.
Gruen, Sara. Water for Elephants. A Novel. Gruen creates a story full of enchanting circus lore, mystery, trains, romance, and danger with no-holds-barred.
Haddon, Mark. The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-Time. Christopher has two mysteries to solve: who killed Wellington the dog and what happened to his mother. But Christopher, who has Asperger Syndrome, a form of autism, approaches these mysteries and the world itself in a unique and special way.
Lahiri, Jhumpa. Interpreter of the Maladies. Her stories explore the effects of displacement and capture the struggles of first and second generation Indians who are torn between two worlds. Written with compassion and objectivity, the stories give vivid details about Indian and Indian American culture. Interpreter of the Maladies won the 2000 Pulitzer Prize for Fiction, an honor rarely given to a first time author.
Picoult, Judy. My Sister’s Keeper. Anna was genetically engineered to be a perfect match for her cancer-ridden older sister. Since birth, the 13-year-old has donated platelets, blood, her umbilical cord, and bone marrow as part of her family's struggle to lengthen Kate's life. Anna is now being considered as a kidney donor in a last-ditch attempt to save her 16-year-old sister. As this compelling story opens, Anna has hired a lawyer to represent her in a medical emancipation suit to allow her to have control over her own body.
Zusak, Marcus. The Book Thief. Living in Nazi Germany, young Liesel and her family choose to lie and steal to protect a Jewish refugee hiding in their basement. Narrated by Death, this is not your typical World War II story.

Non-fiction Selections Descriptions
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Greenberg, Jan. Heart to Heart: New Poems Inspired by Twentieth-Century American Art. Can a painting speak? This collection of lyrical responses to famous American works of art provides answers.
Hemphill, Stephanie. Your Own, Sylvia: A Verse Portrait of Sylvia Plath. Hemphill creates a chronological biography in verse format from the viewpoint of others in Plath's life. This is a worthy homage to Plath as her legend lives on.
Howe, Peter. Shooting Under Fire: The World of the War Photographer. Ten leading combat photographers share their experiences of horror, humor, bravery, and daring while reporting from war-torn locations such as Vietnam, Haiti, Chechnya, El Salvador, Sarajevo, and Afghanistan. Over 150 black-and-white and color photographs provide a powerful and moving look at war and those who risk everything to document it.
Partridge, Elizabeth. This Land Was Made for You and Me: The Life and Songs of Woody Guthrie. Guthrie was a humbling figure, while at the same time a major catalyst of social change. This work provides insight into one of our most prolific and talented musicians, as well as the creation of his music.
Partridge, Elizabeth. John Lennon: All I Want Is the Truth. Partridge provides a wide-open view into the work and life of one of the most influential and complicated persons from the world's musical heritage.
Roberts, Gene and Hank Klibanoff. The Race Beat: The Press, the Civil Rights Struggle, and the Awakening of a Nation. When Harry Reasoner thrust a microphone at an angry mob, and yelled "I don't care what you're going to do to me, but the whole world is going to know it!" he spoke for all the reporters and photographers, black and white, north and south, who played a critical role in bringing the reality of the Civil Rights movement into the living rooms and consciousness of the American public.
Shields, Charles J. I Am Scout: The Biography of Harper Lee. Curious about Harper Lee, author of To Kill a Mockingbird? Finally her story is told; her childhood, success, seclusion and rejection of fame.
Weatherford, Carole Boston. Becoming Billie Holiday. In a series of free-verse poems and bluesy lyrics, headed by song titles, Weatherford retraces Holiday’s childhood and early career in the renowned jazz singer’s own voice. Dubbed “Lady Day,” she earned money singing in clubs, was “discovered” by jazz-enthusiast John Hammond, and battled racism on a groundbreaking tour with Artie Shaw’s all-white band. Closing with Holiday’s spectacular headline gig at the Café Society, where she sang “Strange Fruit”—“how could I not claim: / this is my song?”,Weatherford leaves the 25-year-old at a high spot in her career, before later troubles and drug addiction.
Weiner, Tim. Legacy of Ashes: The History of the CIA. With considerable research and extensive interviews, Tim Weiner shows the grave miscalculations that have plagued the Central Intelligence Agency since its inception.
Weller, Sheila. Girls Like Us: Carole King, Joni Mitchell, Carly Simon-And the Journey of a Generation. In three interwoven biographies, Weller chronicles the life and times of three tradition-breaking women singer-songwriters who came of age in the late 1960s.
Wolf, Allan. New Found Land: Lewis and Clark's Voyage of Discovery. The epic journey of Lewis and Clark comes alive as each member of the expedition tells an intimately personal story of struggle and discovery in this sweeping poetic rendition.

Excerpts taken from
• Amazon. 2009. http://www.amazon.com/
• Alex Awards," American Library Association, July 24, 2006.
http://www.ala.org/ala/mgrps/divs/yalsa/booklistsawards/alexawards/alexawards.cfm (Accessed April 17, 2009)Document ID: 115125

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Cleveland Heights High School Library Summer Reading

Eleventh Grade English 3 Honors Summer 2009

Cleveland Heights High School Library
Summer Reading

Eleventh Grade English 3 Honors
Summer 2009