Wheaton Warrenville South Freshmen Summer Reading Assignment

What is the Summer Reading Assignment?

Read a book(s)

Take in-depth notes

Develop critical

thinking and

reading skills

Discuss, write,

and take a test about

the texts.

Why Do Your Future Teachers Want You to Read Over the Summer?

Assessments

• Objective test – second full day of school

• Written analytical essay – second week of school

Novel Options FRESHMEN I-LEVEL

When No One is Watching – Joseph Hayes A charismatic Chicago politician causes a deadly accident where he flees the scene and doesn’t take responsibility for the mess he’s made. This is a tale of inspiration and redemption, and makes the reader think about the sins some people commit when no one is watching. Peace Like a River – Leif Enger When Israel Finch and Tommy Basca, the town bullies, break into the home of school caretaker Jeremiah Land, wielding a baseball bat and looking for trouble, they find more of it than even they expected. For seventeen-year-old Davey is sitting up in bed waiting for them with a Winchester rifle. Told in the touching voice of an eleven-year-old boy, it revels in the legends of the wild west and the possibility of magic in the everyday world. Above all, it shows how family, love, and faith can stand up to the most terrifying of enemies, the most tragic of fates. The Bean Trees – Barbara Kingslover The main character, Taylor Greer, cannot wait to leave Kentucky and start her own life. During her travels, the unexpected happens: she has to take care of an abandoned child. Throughout her experiences, Taylor learns the importance of belonging, and comes to terms with the idea of putting down roots.

FRESHMEN A-LEVEL The Bean Trees – Barbara Kingslover The main character, Taylor Greer, cannot wait to leave Kentucky and start her own life. During her travels, the unexpected happens: she has to take care of an abandoned child. Throughout her experiences, Taylor learns the importance of belonging, and comes to terms with the idea of putting down roots. The Count of Monte Cristo – Alexandre Dumas Edmund Dantes is the victim of an unjust punishment. Fueled by a desire for retribution, he becomes an anonymous agent of fate. This novel follows Dantes’ betrayal, escape, and triumphant revenge. Dumas' presents a powerful conflict between good and evil.

Note-Taking Tips

It is strongly recommended that you keep detailed notes as you read these works. However, do not simply summarize the plot. Instead, focus on the following: • Defining unfamiliar vocabulary words • Keeping a time-line of events • Creating an organized list of characters including description, development, and

change throughout the book – VERY IMPORTANT • Creating an organized list of themes and how they are developed, including

important quotations • Identifying literary devices • Commenting on the authors’ writing styles • Noting your personal reaction to events and character • Listing questions you have regarding character actions, plot events, authors’

intentions, etc.

*Remember to bring these notes and the novels to the first day of class.

Terms to Know

• Plot: exposition, rising action, climax, falling action, dénouement

• Theme • Direct, indirect characterization • Types of characters: static,

dynamic, flat, round, antagonist, protagonist

• Internal conflict/External conflict • Six universal conflicts: man v. self,

man v. man, man v. society, man v. nature, man v. technology, man v. supernatural

• Simile • Metaphor • Symbolism

• Setting/Mood • Points of View: first person, third

person limited, third person omniscient

• Irony: verbal, dramatic, situational • Personification • Allusion • Alliteration/Assonance • Archetype (general) • Character archetypes: hero,

scapegoat, outcast, wise old man/woman, temptress

• Symbol archetypes: colors, numbers, water, nature

Tips from Current Freshmen

• Order the books early • Don’t wait until August to read the

book, but don’t read too early • SparkNotes doesn’t work in place of

reading, but use the SparkNotes quizzes to test your understanding

• Annotate and know what to annotate for (follow what the letter told you to read for)

• Summarize each chapter once you read through it to review later

• Find a friend to discuss the book with

QUESTIONS??