Robert A. Millikan High School
2800 Snowden Avenue Long Beach, CA 90815
Phone: (562) 425-7441 • Fax: (562) 425-1151
QUEST English 1-2 Summer Reading
Dear Future Student,
Congratulations on your acceptance to QUEST at Millikan!
A component of your English courses in QUEST is participating in a Summer Reading
Program. This summer, your assignment is to read To Kill a Mockingbird by Harper Lee. The
novel is to be finished when you come to school in September. Itʼs best if you buy the novel so
you can mark it up as you read. Also, we will spend time in class discussing the novel during
first quarter. You will be tested on your reading during the second or third week of school.
In addition to reading, complete the discussion questions and notes on discrimination
and racism. The discussion questions and directions for taking notes are included on the next
pages. Your discussion questions and notes are due the first day of class during the first
full week of school in September.
Please consult the following online study guide as you read. This study guide is meant to
help you as you read, NOT as a replacement for reading the novel.
<www.lausd.k12.ca.us/Belmont_HS/tkm/>
This site is loaded with information that will help you understand the novel more completely.
Have a great summer. Weʼre looking forward to getting to know you in the fall. To Kill a
Mockingbird is a great novel; many people have a hard time putting it down once the plot gets
going.
If youʼd like to get a head start on other books weʼll read together next year, here is the
information youʼll need to make sure you buy the correct version of the books:
To Kill a Mockingbird
Great Expectations
Mythology
Bless Me, Ultima
by Harper Lee
by Charles Dickens
by Edith Hamilton
by Rudolfo Anaya
ISBN# 0-446-31078-6
ISBN# 0-553-21342-3
ISBN# 0-446-60725-8
ISBN# 0-446-60025-3
$6.99
$4.95
$7.99
$6.99
Since books are often available in different editions, ordering the books by using the ISBN
number (It is usually located above the bar code.) will guarantee that weʼre all reading the exact
same edition of each book. Otherwise, finding a passage can be difficult when itʼs not on the
same page in everyoneʼs book. If the full price of a new book is prohibitive, Amazon.com,
Borders.com, and Half.com sell used copies for substantially less than a new bookʼs cost.
Sincerely,
Ms. Hickox
Mr. Poerschke
<[email protected]>
<[email protected]>
P.S. Please email either of us if you have any questions. Copies of this letter, the discussion
questions, and the directions for taking notes are available as Word attachments.
To Kill a Mockingbird Discussion Questions
Check out <www.lausd.k12.ca.us/Belmont_HS/tkm/>
for help as you work through To Kill a Mockingbird.
I.
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
II.
7.
8.
9.
10.
11.
12.
13.
III.
14.
15.
16.
17.
18.
Chapters 1-11
What is your first impression of the novel?
In what ways is Maycomb like your hometown? How would you feel about
growing up in Maycomb?
Which of the main characters do you like best? Are there any you dislike?
Give reasons for your answers.
At first, Jem and Scout are not impressed by their fatherʼs courage. What
is your opinion of Atticus Finch at this point?
What evidence of different social classes have you found in Leeʼs
description of Maycomb?
What questions do you have about the novel? Is there anything in the
book that you strongly agree or disagree with?
Chapters 12-22
How are Jem and Scout affected by their fatherʼs defense of Tom
Robinson?
Explain your opinion about Tom Robinsonʼs guilt or innocence. What
evidence supports your opinion?
Compare your beliefs about prejudice to those Atticus expresses in his
final speech to the jury.
How does the outcome of the trial affect Jem and Scout? What is your
reaction to the verdict?
What evidence is there that hints that Atticus and his family will be in
danger after the trial ends? What role might Bob Ewell play in any threats
toward the Finch family?
What new information have you found about social classes in Chapters
12-22? Review your answer to question 5 and add new information here.
List any new questions or strong reactions here.
Chapters 23-31
Comment on the relationship between B. B. Underwoodʼs editorial and the
bookʼs title.
Explain how Jem and Scoutʼs relationship to Boo Radley changes. Give
reasons for the change.
How do you feel about the way Sheriff Tate handles Bob Ewellʼs death?
Who decides what is “fair” and “just” in Maycomb during the time period of
the novel? Compare those decisions to your own ideas of fairness and
justice.
What are the most important lessons Jem and Scout learned? Give
reasons for your answers.
Discrimination & Racism in To Kill a Mockingbird
Find evidence about racism and/or prejudice for the following characters and
draw conclusions based on the evidence you have found. On separate sheets of
paper, set up your notes in two columns as demonstrated below.
EVIDENCE (include page #ʼs)
Boo Radley [Find evidence in part one of the
novel and at the end of the novel.]
How do Jem and Scout view him?
How do adults view him?
Tom Robinson [Look especially at the mob scene
in chapter 15 and the chapters covering the trial.]
How does Maycomb view him?
How do the Finches view him?
Walter Cunningham [Chapters 2 & 3]
How does Scout discriminate against
Walter Cunningham?
How do Atticus & Calpurnia react to
Scoutʼs treatment of Walter?
Calpurniaʼs church [Chapter 12]
Describe how interracial discrimination
is evident at Calpurniaʼs church.
Describe Lulaʼs racist attitude toward
Jem & Scout.
Dolphus Raymond [Chapter 16, end of chapter
19, beginning of chapter 20]
Describe his family life.
Why does he act like heʼs drunk?
Womenʼs Missionary Society [Chapter 24]
What racist beliefs about the Mrunas do
some of the ladies hold?
How do some of the ladies show racism about
Tom Robinsonʼs trial and their colored servantsʼ
reaction to the trialʼs outcome?
What does Miss Maudie say about race
relations near the end of chapter 24?
CONCLUSIONS