Assignment Overview

Welcome to Accelerated Junior Lit!  I’m excited that you’ve all chosen to challenge yourself, and I hope that we’ll all have a fantastic year together.  The first key to a successful year is to ensure you guys all keep practicing your critical reading skills over the summer.  I would hate for your brains to atrophy!   It is vital that you complete all parts of this summer assignment as our first few weeks of class (and therefore a large chunk of your first quarter grade) will be dealing with the books you read this summer and the notes you take over them.  You’ve all earned a well-deserved break, and I sincerely hope you enjoy your summer.  Just do yourself a favor and don’t put this all off until July.  You’ll want to kick yourself if you have to spend the last two weeks of break doing homework instead of enjoying your last summer hurrahs.

The Assignment:

1.Read required novel:  Everyone needs to read the novel, The Great Gatsby, by F. Scott Fitzgerald.  It is recommended that you take notes while reading, as there will be very little discussion upon returning to school prior to the multiple-choice test.  After reading the novel, you will need to respond to two prompts; this is a baseline for me to work from.  This allows me to see not only your analytical abilities, but also identify writing proficiencies.  Prompts and instructions are attached to this packet.

2.Choose a book:  I have attached a reading list comprised of previous AP Lit and Comp tests and award winning authors.  Your assignment for this summer is to read one of these works.  You have several titles and authors to choose from, some of which may be unfamiliar to you.  In order to get the most out of your reading (and make one of your first fall assignments much easier), make sure you’re an active reader of these books.  As you read, take notes.  Use the instructions for a Dialectic Journal to setup your notes in a manner that will promote active reading.  These notes should be ample proof that you have carefully read the work and be the basis for the grade received for this portion of the summer assignment.  Remember: do not just summarize the plot!  

Note: All books are available at the public library, as well as through bookstores; Bookman’s Used Bookstore on 19th Avenue and Northern usually has most of these books for under $5 each.