GT English I: 2016 Summer Reading
A central theme for GT English I this next year will be the Hero’s Journey. As you begin
preparing your summer reading assignments, consider the following:
●
●
●
●
●
What is the definition of a hero?
What does it take to be a hero?
What does society consider to be heroic, and why?
What elements do all heroes have in common?
What patterns emerge from the adventures most heroes face?
Attached, you will find the literary pattern known as the Hero’s Journey. Study the cycle,
and then identify each of these various phases within the book ​The Hobbit​ by J.R.R. Tolkien.
I would suggest that you annotate (make notes, highlight, underline) for these various
stages as you come across them in your reading.
Then, with the information you collect, use the attached instructions and rubric to
complete your annotated map of the story.
You will also read a self-selected novel and prepare a 3 minute “book talk” to present to
your peers. Include important features of the book (no spoilers, please!), main characters,
etc to intrigue your peers and introduce them to a new book they might consider reading in
the future.
The first day of class demonstrate your preparedness by turning in the following:
Read: The Hobbit by J.R.R. Tolkien
● Entire book
● Create an annotated map depicting the various elements of the hero’s
journey in the text.
Read: Self-selected work:
● Read for fun
● Prepare a 3 minute book talk
McDonald Middle School GT English I– 8​th​ grade
Summer Reading
You will need to purchase a copy of ​The Hobbit​ by J.R.R. Tolkien. As you read, highlight and
make notes of the different elements of the Hero’s Journey as Bilbo encounters them.
A central theme for GT English I this next year will be the Hero’s Journey. As you begin
preparing your summer reading assignments, consider the following:
·​
·​
·​
·​
·​
​What
is the definition of a hero?
​What does it take to be a hero?
​What does society consider to be heroic, and why?
​What elements do all heroes have in common?
​What patterns emerge from the adventures most heroes face?
Attached, you will find the literary pattern known as the Hero’s Journey. Study the cycle, and
then identify each of these various phases within the book ​The Hobbit​ by J.R.R. Tolkien. I would
suggest that you annotate (make notes, highlight, underline) for these various stages as you
come across them in your reading.
Then, with the information you collect, use the attached instructions and rubric to complete your
annotated map of the story.
You will also read a self-selected novel and prepare a 3 minute “book talk” to present to your
peers. Include important features of the book (no spoilers, please!), main characters, etc to
intrigue your peers and introduce them to a new book they might consider reading in the future.
The first day of class (Monday 8/28) demonstrate your preparedness by turning in the following:
Read: The Hobbit by J.R.R. Tolkien
·​ ​Entire book
·​ ​Create an annotated map depicting the various elements of the hero’s journey in the text.
Read: Self-Selected Work
·​ ​Read for fun
·​ ​Prepare a 3 minute book talk which will be presented to your classmates.
You will also need to purchase a copy of ​The Red Badge of Courage​ by Stephen Crane. We will
begin this novel during the first six weeks. While you are out and about this summer, be on the
search for a copy of ​The Odyssey​, translated by ​Robert Fagles​ and a copy of Folger
Shakespeare Library ​Romeo and Juliet​. We will be using these books in class this coming year;
if you have your own copy of the books, you will be able to annotate in them like you did with
The Hobbit.
Don’t be guilty of putting your reading off until it is time for school to start in August. You might
not get it done.
I will be checking my email from time to time over the summer. If you have a question or
concern, please email me.
Amy Towner
[email protected]
Resource: The Hero’s Journey Outline
​The Hero’s Journey is a narrative pattern outlining the usual pattern or sequence of adventure
faced by the Hero archetype—the character who achieves great deeds or completes a difficult
task on behalf of a certain group—in literature or drama.
The Stages:
1.​ ​THE ORDINARY WORLD: The hero, uneasy, uncomfortable, or unaware, is introduced
sympathetically so the audience can identify with the situation or dilemma. The hero is shown
against a background of environment, heredity and personal history. Some kind of polarity in the
hero’s life is pulling in different directions and causing stress.
2.​ ​THE CALL TO ADVENTURE: Something shakes up the situation, either from external
pressures or from something rising up deep within, so the hero must face the beginnings of
change.
3.​ ​REFUSAL OF THE CALL: The hero feel the fear of the unknown and tries to turn away from
the adventure, however briefly. Alternatively, another character may express the uncertainty and
danger ahead.
4.​ ​Meeting with the MENTOR: The hero comes across a seasoned traveler of worlds who
gives him or her training, equipment, or advice that will help on the journey. Or the hero reaches
within to a source of courage and wisdom.
5.​ ​CROSSING THE THRESHOLD: At the end of Act I, the hero commits to leaving the
Ordinary World and entering a new region or condition with unfamiliar rules and values.
6.​ ​TESTS, ALLIES, AND ENEMIES: The hero is tested and sorts out allegiances in the Special
World.
7.​ ​APPROACH: The hero and newfound allies prepare for the major challenge in the Special
World.
8.​ ​THE ORDEAL: Near the middle of the story, the hero enters a central space in the Special
World and confronts death or faces his or her greatest fear. Out of the moment of death comes
a new life.
9.​ ​THE REWARD: The hero takes possession of the treasure won by facing death. There may
be celebration, but there is also danger of losing the treasure again.
10.​ ​THE ROAD BACK: About three-fourths of the way through the story, the hero is driven to
complete the adventure, leaving the Special World to be sure the treasure is brought home.
Often a chase scene signals the urgency and danger of the mission.
11.​ ​THE RESURRECTION: At the climax, the hero is severely tested once more on the
threshold of home. He or she is purified by a last sacrifice, another moment of death and rebirth,
but on a high and more complete level. By the hero’s action, the polarities that were in conflict at
the beginning are finally resolved.
12.​ ​RETURN WITH THE ELIXIR: The hero returns home or continues the journey, bearing
some element of the treasure that has the power to transform the world as the hero has been
transformed.
Source: ​"INTRODUCTION." ​Hero's Journey​. N.p., n.d. Web. 11 May 2016.
THE HOBBIT: ANNOTATED MAP INSTRUCTIONS
Before you begin reading, study the Hero’s Journey resource included in your summer reading
packet. As you read the text, be on the lookout for these various stages as Bilbo Baggins encounters
them in the tale. Annotate (make notes, highlight, underline, use sticky notes) as you read to help
you collect the needed information to complete your map project.
On a sheet of poster board (or something of comparable size), create a map of Bilbo Baggins’
journey through the story. You could also use technology to create your map. You will include one
symbol or marker for each stage of the Hero’s Journey as Bilbo encounters it, and include a brief
annotation—or note—explaining what is happening in this point of the text, and how it relates to the
Hero’s Journey. Each annotation should just be a short paragraph next to the symbol.
You will be graded on the following:
·​ ​Content:​ The symbols/explanations you include in your map.
·​ ​Organization:​ Your map should be well-organized and easy to follow.
·​ ​Design and Layout:​ Your map should be well-designed, aesthetically appealing, and make
appropriate use of space, color, and stylistic elements.
·​ ​Creativity and effort:​ This is a GT course. As such, it is my expectation that you approach each
assignment/project with a high degree of creativity and effort. There are many various ways you can
approach this, materials you may use, etc…so don’t be afraid to get creative in designing your map!
Everything you include in your map should be relevant to the text, and especially Bilbo’s
journey—both literally and figuratively. Your goal here is to demonstrate a deep grasp of the text,
and also how the story fits into the heroic cycle framework.
Use the rubric to check your work against my expectations.