Mt. Greylock Regional School District

Summer Reading 2011

Grade 7 English

Boy, Tales of Childhood
By Roald Dahl

Most likely you have   read at least one of Roald Dahl’s books.  If not, we encourage you to read one of his novels this summer in addition to Boy.  While reading Boy, consider how Dahl’s life experiences influenced his fiction writing.  Record your thoughts in at least one full paragraph.  Remember:  Read at least two other titles.

Try using the suggested reading list which is available on the MGRHS website.

 Please bring in your paragraph and a list of all the books you read this summer for the first day of school.

 

English Grade 8

The Ransom of Mercy Carter

By Caroline B. Cooney

English Grade 8

Summer Reading 

Themes to respond to:

 1. Family

2. Truth

3. Courage

4.  Fear

5.Prejudice

 Pick 5-7 profound passages that focus on themes and respond.

 Each of your responses should be at least one paragraph in length.  Be prepared to share your thoughts in class.

 Read at least two other titles.  Try using the suggested reading list.

 

English 9 College Prep

The Absolutely True Diary of a Part-Time Indian
By Sherman Alexi

While reading the book, take simple notes on plot, conflict, characters, setting and theme. Be prepared for class discussion and a test. Read at least one other title. Try using the suggested reading list.

Honors English 9

The Absolutely True Diary of a Part-Time Indian
By Sherman Alexi

The Book Thief
By Markus Zusak

Read at least one other title. Try using the suggested reading list. While reading each book, take simple notes on plot, conflict, characters, setting and theme. Be prepared for class discussion and a test.

Sophomore College Prep English

A Long Way Gone, Memoirs of a Boy Soldier
By Ishmael Beah

As you read, consider how the forces of oppression deny characters freedom. Answer these questions: Who are the oppressors? How did the oppressors gain power and how do they keep it?
What are their methods of oppression? (How do they keep others down?) How do the oppressed find ways to resist oppression?
Read at least one other title. Try using the suggested reading list.
While reading each book, take simple notes on plot, character, setting and theme.

Sophomore Honors English

Power of One
By Bryce Courtenay

As you read, consider how the forces of oppression deny characters freedom. Answer these questions:
Who are the oppressors? How did the oppressors gain power and how do they keep it?
What are their methods of oppression? (How do they keep others down?)
How do the oppressed find ways to resist oppression?
Read at least one other title. Try using the suggested reading list. While reading each book, take simple notes on plot, character, setting and theme.

  

College Prep English 11

This Boy’s Life

By Tobias Wolf

Since this is the year of American Literature, keep in mind the following questions as you read:

What are some of the factors in this memoir that reflect American Culture?
How does Wolf gain an awareness of himself and his environment?
Read at least one other title. Try using the suggested reading list.

While reading each book, take simple notes on plot, character, setting and theme.

Honors English 11

This Boy’s Life

By Tobias Wolf

Since this is the year of American Literature, keep in mind the following questions as you read:

What are some of the factors in this memoir that reflect American Culture?
How does Wolf gain an awareness of himself and his environment?

 

Grapes of Wrath
By John Steinbeck

Pay close attention to the inter-chapters, the chapters that take a pause in the plot to present

A focused view on a single aspect of life outside of the Joad’s story. Keep notes on the

topic, style and possible reason for each inter-chapter. Also jot down notes on plot, setting

and theme for the plot-driven story about the Joad family.

 

Read at least two other titles. Try using the suggested reading list.

Be prepared to talk briefly about these books when you return in the fall.

English 11 AP

This Boy’s Life

By Tobias Wolf

 

One Writer’s Beginnings

By Eudora Welty

 

For each of the memoirs (above):

Since this is the year of American Literature, keep in mind the following questions as you read:

What are some of the factors in this memoir that reflect American Culture?
How does Wolf/Welty gain an awareness of him/herself and his/her environment?

Write a well-crafted paragraph for each book in which you discuss (with some specificity)

what techniques the author uses to turn the nonfiction account of his/her own life into

what reads like fiction (a novel).

Grapes of Wrath
By John Steinbeck

Pay close attention to the inter-chapters; these are the chapters that create a pause in the plot.

Each inter-chapter presents a focused view on a single aspect of life outside of the Joad’s story.

Keep notes on the topic, style and possible reason for each inter-chapter. Also jot down notes

On characters, setting and themes for the plot-driven story about the Joad family.

 

Read at least two other titles. Try using the suggested reading list.

Be prepared to talk briefly about these books when you return in the fall.

College Prep English 12

Fahrenheit 451
By Ray Bradbury

As you read, consider how the forces of oppression deny characters freedom. Answer these questions: Who are the oppressors? How did the oppressors gain power and how do they keep it? What are their methods of oppression? (How do they keep others down?) How do the oppressed find ways to resist? Be prepared for class discussion and a test at the start of school.

Read at least one other title. Try using the suggested reading list. Take simple notes on plot, character, setting, and theme.

Honors English 12

1984
by George Orwell

Consider: The parts of lives controlled by the party; the influence of language on society – what would happen if it were diminished; the dangers of totalitarianism; psychological manipulation.

V is for Vendetta
by Alan Moore and David Lloyd

You can either read the book or watch the movie (available on DVD). Be prepared to compare this graphic novel/ movie to 1984.
Read at least one other title. Try using the suggested reading list.

English AP 12

Selections from:
The Bible
and
Mythology 
by Edith Hamilton

One Hundred Years of Solitude
By Gabriel Garcia Marquez

Macbeth
by William Shakespeare

Candide
by Voltaire

Antigone
by Sophocles

The books on this required summer reading list are available at the following libraries and bookstores:

  • Milne Public Library - Williamstown
  • Lanesborough Public Library - Lanesborough
  • Berkshire Athenaeum - Pittsfield
  • North Adams Public Library
  • Water Street Books - Williamstown
  • Barnes & Noble - Pittsfield
  • Northshire Books - Manchester VT

If you have any questions, please feel free to call or e-mail
Kathy Share, 458-9582 x106, kshare@mgrhs.org
Sarah Henry, 458-9582 x106, shenry@mgrhs.org

Happy reading!!