15 June 2009

 

 

Dear Upper School Student:

 

While summer vacation is a time for relaxation and pursuing interests outside of school, it is also a time for sharpening skills.  And by skills, we mean reading.  Our expectation is that you will read one book from the enclosed list and complete a written assignment.  There is one exception:  11th grade Honors students must read two books.  The title of the required novel is indicated on the list.  Look up reviews of the books, and find a title that interests you.  This required reading is part of the curriculum, and will be studied closely in September.  To that objective, 9th through 11th graders are expected to complete an assignment to support your study (see below).  Take notes while reading, as “forgetting” what the book was about will not serve anyone’s interests in September. 

 

Please read this summer.  Choose books and articles that expand your interests beyond McLean requirements.  Look on your bookshelves at home, in the library, take a suggestion from a friend or read that book that you've been meaning to read for years.  Read something just for fun, just because you are interested, or just because.  

 

 

If you have any questions, feel free to contact me this summer.  This information is available on our website, www.mcleanschool.org.

 

Happy Reading!

 

 

Heather L. Carvell

Literature Department Chair

Hcarvell@mcleanschool.org

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Summer Reading 2009

 

9th grade ­ Contemporary Classics

 10th grade ­  Modern World Literature

11th grade ­ American Literature

 

Please complete ONE of the following assignments.  Keep your options in mind as your read, so you mark helpful passages.   We created the following ideas with the hope of stimulating your imagination.  Feel free to be creative and thoughtful while writing.  Allow your writing to help you come to a deeper understanding of the book. 

 

This assignment is to be submitted to your teacher the first day of class, and will be the basis of discussions during the first week of school.  Please bring two copies (one for submission and one for discussions).  While it is useful to discuss your ideas with someone, be sure all of the work and writing is your own.  This assignment should be taken seriously, but not serve as a source of anxiety.  It is important for your teacher to have some method of assessing your understanding of the reading.   

 

Please choose one of the following:

  • Choose one character (it does not need to be the main character) and write about that person at three separate occasions in the book.  What were they like?  What were your feelings about the character during that scene?  Has he or she changed?  Was the change predictable or unexpected?
  • Choose two characters who share any type of relationship and describe what is notable about their connection.  Explore their relationship at two different points in the work.  You may want to consider their impact on events, conflicts, or other characters.  
  •  Choose three of your favorite scenes and explain why they are your favorite.  Mention how the scenes relate to the rest of the story.  Give a brief explanation of the scene, but avoid too much plot summary. 

 

The length of the assignment will vary depending on your book; use your common literary sense when determining if you have written enough.  Again, your writing will help guide the teacher in the Fall. 

 

The following books are options for you to read.  You may read one that seems most appealing.  11th grade Honors students must read Wolfe’s Old School in addition to one other book on the list.

 

9th grade

The Hobbit – Tolkien, J.R.R

Skellig – Almond, David

Feed  - Anderson, M.T.

Repossessed – Jenkins, A. M.

 

10th grade

The Book Thief – Zusak, Markus (This novel is long, but we strongly recommend

                                                            it; the audio is unforgettable.)

My Love, My Love – Guy, Rosa

1984 – Orwell, George

Sky Burial – Xinrun, Xinrun

 

 

11th grade

Old School – Wolff, Tobias (Required for Honors students, in addition to another

                                                from the list.  Regular section may read, if you wish.)

Parable of the Sower – Butler, Octavia

Water for Elephants – Gruen, Sara

The Color of Water – McBride, James

Autobiography of a Face – Grealy, Lucy