10th Grade Summer Reading 2014
Welcome to 10 grade English! You will read two books this summer!
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1) Novel/Movie:
The following list contains “classic” and “modern” novels that were portrayed in film. There are key
similarities and differences between the two. Select a novel to read that interests you from the following
list of novels. Watch the movie and compare and contrast between the written version and the Hollywood
film adaptation. Focus more on the differences and why you think Hollywood altered the book. Write
a five paragraph essay using a 12” font. Be ready to discuss the novel and movie in-depth during the first
week of class. You will also be required to take an AR test.
Maintain academic integrity. Do not use a novel that you have previously read or that you were
previously assigned. Read a “new” novel. In addition, use your ideas. Avoid using the Internet to
research possible contrasts. Avoid simply watching the movie. Read the novel, watch the movie,
think, compare/contrast, and write your ideas.
Classic/Literary Novel List:
Sense & Sensibility- Jane Austen
Little Women-Louisa May Alcott
Breakfast at Tiffany’s- Truman Capote
Father of the Bride by Edward Streeter
The Age of Innocence—Edith Wharton
Empire of the Sun-- J. G. Ballard
A Farewell to Arms—Ernest Hemingway
Jane Eyre-Charlotte Bronte
Wuthering Heights-Emily Bronte
Tess of the D’urbevilles-Thomas Hardy
The Hours-Virginia Woolf
Cold Mountain-Charles Frazier
Catch-22-Joseph Heller
The Last of the Mohicans-James Fenimore Cooper
Modern Novel List:
The Firm – John Grisham
A Time To Kill—John Grisham
A Painted House-- John Grisham
Patriot Games—Tom Clancy
The Hunt for Red October—Tom Clancey
The Andromeda Strain—Michael Crichton
Jumper-- Steven Gould
Stardust—Neil Gaiman
Friday Night Lights: A Town, a Team, and a Dream -H. G. Bissinger
The Other Boleyn Girl --Philippa Gregory
The Blind Side: Evolution of a Game—Michael Lewis
The Help – Kathryn Stockett
2) The entire class will read Bleachers by John Grisham. This will be our first class novel study when
school begins. You will use large index cards to create “Novel Cards” that will help you review the
book.
You should create a total of eight cards:
1- Title Card: Title of book, author, some type of graphic to represent the book (your name in bottom
right-hand corner)
2- Plot Summary Card: Summarize the story: You are only allowed to use ONE card
3-Background Information: What inspired the author to write the book? Is there a specific time period,
or event in history the book is centered on? What about a culture? (Takes a little research)
4-Setting: Bullet points to describe setting – there could be more than one for the novel
5-Main Characters: List characters and give a brief description- this will probably take two cards
6-Literary Elements: List 2-4 elements and give examples from the book
7-Key Quotes: List 2-3 important quotes from the book and explain each.
8-Theme: List 1-2 themes and describe how it is illustrated in the story.
*Put your initials in the bottom right-hand corner of each card. Secure with a paper clip or rubber
band.
Bring everything with you to class on the first day of school! Enjoy reading and please email me if you
have questions or concerns at [email protected].