Summer Reading Lists for Pre- AP English 10
Dear Pre- AP English 10 Student,
The following list includes the 3 reading selections needed to complete the summer work
for Pre-Ap English 10. I have provided names, authors, and summaries for each.
Purchasing each book is the responsibility of the student, the school will NOT be
providing. If you have any questions during the summer, I can be reached at
[email protected]. This is my home email that I will check frequently during the
summer months and will respond to you as promptly as possible. Questions will definitely
arise as the summer progresses, so please do not hesitate contacting me. My alternative
email address is [email protected]. If I do not respond to either email address, then
communication has been unsuccessful. You may then call the school and leave a voicemail
or message with administrative assistants. Deadlines are very important. Please make sure
all school work is completed by the 2nd day of school. Work not completed by this day will
result in a zero. Please do not procrastinate on the summer assignments. I look forward to
working with you next school year.
Mrs. Nicole Carter
Book Selections/Descriptions
I. AP Book Choice-Fiction
Choose a title that can be found on the website that is recommended for those students who
are pursuing a course in Advanced Placement This is your opportunity to choose from a list
of works that may appear on the future Advanced Placement Literature exam.
AP (Fiction) Website:
http://mseffie.com/AP/APtitles.html
The following novels/choices are NOT to be used for this project:
Frankenstein
The Kite Runner
1984
The Great Gatsby
The Awakening
The Metamorphosis
The Bluest Eye
The Things They Carried
Hamlet
Death of a Salesman
The Poisonwood Bible
Othello
Bonesetter’s Daughter
Fahrenheit 451
Brave New World
2. “A Raisin in the Sun” Lorraine Hansberry (Play)
Hansberry's recognition of the close relationship between art and propaganda is the
reason she chose the environment of the powerless as a backdrop for her work about
American culture. Her objective was to be a spokesperson for those who, prior to
Raisin, had no voice. The thought that anyone outside of the black community would
care about the struggles of a black family in Southside Chicago, prior to the opening of
Raisin, was all but preposterous.
The play opens as the Younger family (poor) awaits the arrival of a check. It is made
payable to Lena Younger (mama) because of the death of her husband. The entire
family lives within the walls of a tiny apartment. The members of Lena’s family all
want to do something different with the money; therefore, everyone waits anxiously
for his/her new life to start.
3. AP Book Choice-Non-Fiction
Choose a title that can be found on the website that is recommended for those students who
are pursuing a course in Advanced Placement. This is your opportunity to choose from a list
of works that may appear on the future Advanced Placement Language exam.
AP (Non-Fiction) Website:
-http://www2.nya.org/files/2011/06/ap11-nonfiction11-12.pdf
(Approval not necessary of book choice)
The following novels/choices are NOT to be used for this project:
The Last Lecture
Tuesdays with Morrie
The Immortal Life of Henrietta Lacks
Outliers
Reading Lolita in Tehran
Teacher Man
Just Kids
Pre-AP 10
Summer Assignments (3)
Mrs. Carter
Assignments with Novels: All projects are due the 2nd day of school and will
result in a zero if not turned in during the honors class period.
**All novels and required reading for this course is the responsibility of the
student, the school will not be providing. (This includes both summer and
school year requirements)
Assignment #1: AP Fiction Book Choice/Theme Analysis
Writing Prompt/Formal Essay
A symbol is an object, action, or event that represents something or that creates a
range of associations beyond itself. In literary works a symbol can express an idea,
clarify meaning, or enlarge literal meaning. Select a novel or play and, focusing on
one symbol, write an essay analyzing how that symbol functions in the work and
what it reveals about the characters or themes of the work as a whole. Do not
merely summarize the plot.
The essay must be a five paragraph well-written essay that clearly responds to the
prompt that has been given. Please type the paper in MLA Format, double-spaced,
and 12 point Times New Roman or Arial. The paper must be TYPED and is due the
2nd day of school.
Assignment #2: “A Raisin in the Sun” (Play)
Diary Project/Creative Writing
Diary Entries: (Small Writing Composition Book Needed)
Suppose that after the play ends, Beneatha marries Joseph Asagai and returns with
him to his beloved Nigeria. Think about what she might experience there—as a
woman and a doctor. Write a series of diary entries Beneatha might compose
regarding her life in Africa. This project will require you to do some outside
research on life in Nigeria and/or Africa to make the entries as authentic as
possible. Between 8-10 entries is an acceptable length. Each entry should be
atleast one to two pages typed. The typed entries should be dated and attached to
the pages. You may consider extending your diary into a scrapbook by adding
annotated images and news clippings. This is due the 2nd day of school.
Assignment #3: (AP Non-Fiction Book Choice)
Book Talk Poster Project:
A book talk poster is an "advertisement" for the book you have chosen to read.
There are two main parts to this project: a written portion (the ad) and an oral
presentation (the sales pitch). Below are the exact requirements of each section. In
addition, students will be asked more “impromptu” discussion questions in class.
Poster Advertisement:
_ Use a HALF sheet of standard poster board (ANY color). MUST include:
- Name of the book
- Author of the book
- An illustration (drawing/photos cut out/computer generated clip art). Be sure that
the illustration is LARGE!
- Must use COLOR!
- Slogan or catchy information about the book to catch the audiences’ attention.
_ Make sure the advertisement is colorful, catchy, neat, and creative! It MUST
express what your book is about.
The Sales Pitch (Oral Presentation):
- Must last AT LEAST 2 minutes in length.
- Must include:
- Name of the book
- Author of the book
- Genre (what type of book is it?)
- Who are the main characters?
- When and where does the story take place?
- What is the story about?
- Explain why someone else would enjoy reading this book?
- Presented clearly. (I strongly suggest that you use note cards to present!) Show me
that you have prepared and planned what you were going to say! Please do not
make up as you present to the class! Your presentation should make people want to
read your book. You must "sell" the book!
-Posters are Due and Presentations Begin: (2nd Day of School)