Fort Pierce Westwood High School | 9th Grade (English I and English I Honors)
Summer Reading Project
English students are expected to write their reflections and reactions in journal form while reading their
summer selections. The assignments will be due during the first few weeks of school. Each journal writing
assignment will be counted as a grade. Thorough, thoughtful, and reflective responses to are to be provided
in the journal; and typed work is expected.
All St. Lucie County public libraries, in addition to Barnes and Noble (Jensen Beach), have the list and books
available. Most titles may also be purchased via online retailers such as barnesandnoble.com and
amazon.com.
English I
English I Honors
At least ten Dialectic Journal Entries based on one novel from the
appropriate grade level’s Summer Reading List
Honors level students in grades 9-11 are required to read two novels; the
first is the required novel for their grade level, the second is a novel of
their choice from the attached listing.
English I Honors Required Novel – A Tree Grows in Brooklyn – Betty
Smith
Students must complete at least ten Dialectic Journal Entries for each
novel.
Fort Pierce Westwood High School
Grades 9-12 Summer Reading Project
Dialectic Journal – How to…
Dialectic means “the art or practice of arriving at the truth by using conversation involving question and answer.” The
“dialectic” was the method Socrates used to teach his students how to be actively engaged in the struggle to obtain
meaning from an unfamiliar and challenging work. A dialectical journal is a written conversation with yourself about a
piece of literature that encourages the habit of reflective questioning. You will use a double-entry form to examine
details of a passage and synthesize your understanding of the text.
You will choose 2 books from the list provided below. You will maintain a dialectic notebook for both novels. The
assignment will be due within the first few weeks of school.
There is to be NO collaboration with other students. Any assistance from the Internet, movies, or secondary sources
such as Sparknotes or Cliff Notes will be viewed as cheating. If you have questions about format, e-mail me!
Instructions:
(1) Purchase a spiral bound notebook or composition book or create a 2 column table in a word document.
(2) Fold pages in half vertically or draw a vertical line down the middle of the page
(3) Label the top of each column: left TEXT and right RESPONSE
(4) In the TEXT column cite passages verbatim from the novel, including quotation marks and page numbers
a. When should you write passages down?
i. Details that seem important to you
ii. You have an epiphany
iii. You learn something significant about a character
iv. You recognize a pattern (overlapping images, repetitions of idea, details, etc.)
v. You agree or disagree with something a character says or does
vi. You find an interesting or potentially significant quotation
vii. You notice something important or relevant about the writer’s style
viii. You notice effective use of literary devices
(5) In the RESPONSE column reflect upon the passages
a. Raise questions about the beliefs and values implied in the text
b. Give your personal reactions to the passage, the characters, the situation
c. Discuss the words, ideas, or actions of the author or character
d. Tell what it reminds you of from your own experiences
e. Compare the text to other characters or novels
f. Write about what it makes you think or feel
g. Argue with or speak to the characters or author
h. Make connections to any themes that are revealed to you
i. Make connections among passages or sections of the work
j. Make predictions about characters’ futures
k. DO NOT MERELY SUMMARIZE THE PLOT
(6) Each RESPONSE must be at least 60 words (include word count at the end of each response)
(7) Write down your thoughts, questions, insights, and ideas while you read or immediately after reading a chapter so
the information is fresh
(8) As you take notes, you should regularly reread the previous pages of notes and comments
(9) First person is acceptable in the RESPONSE column.
(10) Remember that quotations do not have to be dialogue!
Example Responses (Based on Dracula)
Quotation from the Text
1. “The impression I had was that we were
leaving the West and entering the East…”
Page #
p. 1
Respond, Analyze, and Evaluate
It appears that someone is entering into a mysterious
and forbidden land. It almost seems like the East is a
scary place. One might compare this to the expression
“the other side of the tracks,” or “wrong side of town.”
2 . “I had hung my shaving glass by the
window, and was just beginning to shave.
Suddenly I felt a hand on my shoulder, and
heard the Count's voice saying to me, "Good
morning." I started, for it amazed me that I
had not seen him, since the reflection of the
glass covered the whole room behind me. In
starting I had cut myself slightly, but did not
notice it at the moment. Having answered the
Count's salutation, I turned to the glass again
to see how I had been mistaken. This time
there could be no error, for the man was close
to me, and I could see him over my shoulder.
But there was no reflection of him in the
mirror! The whole room behind me was
displayed, but there was no sign of a man in it,
except myself.”
p. 24
The level of terror increases as Harker learns more about
his host and the eccentricities associated with him.
What’s strange is that while Harker is making accurate
observances of his host, it may also lead to Harker’s
madness. It also reminds the reader of classic “monster
myths” associated with vampires.
There are several literary terms you should review before you start this project.
1. Theme – a central idea. The theme is not to be confused with the subject or topic. The theme is often the
general topic of discussion. For example, the subject of Romeo and Juliet is young love, but a theme might be
something like “young love can be reckless” or “passion blinds us to the truth,” etc.
2. Plot – the sequence of events in a narrative work. The plot begins with exposition, which introduces the story’s
characters, setting, and conflicts. The rising action adds complications to the story’s conflicts, or problems,
leading to the climax, or turning point, which is the moment of highest emotional pitch. The falling action is the
logical result of the climax; the resolution, sometimes called the denouement, presents the final outcome.
3. Characterization – the methods a writer uses to reveal the personality of a character. In direct characterization,
the writer makes direct statements about a character’s personality. In indirect characterization, the writer
reveals a characters’ personality through the character’s words and actions and through what other characters
think and say about the character.
Your commentary should be substantial, focusing on analysis, inference, and connections.
You should not summarize the plot or restate the author’s words.
Fort Pierce Westwood High School | English I Summer Reading List
Title
Author
Death Be Not Proud
Gunther, John
Hoop Dreams
Alvarez, Julia
In the Time of Butterflies
Ellison, Ralph
Invisible Man
Lubar, David
Sleeping Freshmen Never Lie
McCormick, Patricia
Sold
Crichton, Michael
The Andromeda Strain
Zusak, Markus
The Book Thief
Collins, Suzanne
The Hunger Games
Toth, Jennifer
The Mole People
LeGuin, Ursula
The Wizard of Earthsea
Mikalsen, Ben
Touching Spirit Bear
Ben Joravsky
Within Reach: My Everest Story
Pfetzer, Mark and Galvin, Jack