Moore High School
Pre-AP English I
Summer Reading Assignment
2012
Alas, Babylon
by Pat Frank
This is an enthralling, apocalyptic novel that paints an extraordinary picture of
humans numbed by catastrophe yet still driven by their unconquerable
determination to continue living. This is the story of their courage, cruelty and
triumphant.
Summer Reading Sources
It is strongly urged that students purchase their own copy of the novel, if at all
possible. Area bookstores, including Barnes and Noble and Borders, will
receive a list of summer reading titles and will have copies on hand. Similarly,
the Moore, Norman, and Oklahoma City public libraries will have copies on hand.
You may also try Half Price Books two locations for used copies.
You can also search used bookstores to find copies at reduced prices (including
used copies.) Online, www.amazon.com and www.half.com are excellent
sources for copies of Summer Reading titles. Even with the cost of shipping, you
can often save money.
Please do not delay in purchasing your novel. If you have trouble finding or acquiring a copy,
please contact Sally Lawrence at [email protected].
Objectives of Summer Reading:
1. To acquire and/or practice time management skills, essential for college.
2. To foster and further develop close reading skills.
Moore High School Summer Reading
English 1 PreAP, Moore High School
Questions: E-Mail: [email protected]
Website: http://www.mooreschools.com
Summer Reading 2012
Assignment:
It is imperative that you read and annotate your copy of Alas, Babylon. Readers cannot
remember the details of an entire novel unless it is read over and over again or unless notes are
taken.
After reading and annotating your copy of the work, you are to complete one of the book projects
(see attached.)
Honor Code:
When a student signs her/his name to any assignment, s/he is stating that the assignment is hers/his alone
and that s/he has neither sought nor accepted help, other than that explicitly permitted by the teacher. A
student may never copy anyone’s work or have anyone dictate any part of the assignment to her/him.
Furthermore, when a student discusses an assignment in class, gives an oral presentation, or writes an
essay, s/he tacitly states that s/he has read the work(s) s/he discusses or writes about. Plagiarism of any
type will result in a grade of zero for the assignment and notification to the sponsors of any
clubs/organizations to which the student belongs.
I understand and agree to do my best to meet the expectations for the 2012 Pre-AP English 1 Summer
Reading Assignment and to abide by the honor code.
*Student Signature
Student E-mail Address
*Parent/Guardian Signature
We look forward to spending an exciting first year of high school with each of
you. Go Lions!!!
Alas, Babylon Book Project
Upon completion of reading the novel Alas, Babylon you must complete one of the
following book projects. Follow the directions for each project, as well as the required
rationale. Be creative & have fun. Your project should give a detailed snapshot of the
novel, characters, themes, & plot.
Media Book Projects
Podcast: Create a podcast for your book. Your podcast must be at least 7
minutes. Your podcast must give a synopsis of the book, as well as discuss the
main themes, plot, characters, setting, action, conflict, & climax of the book.
You podcast must also provide an accurate summary of the book. Your podcast
must have a theme, such as conducting your podcast like a talk show, radio show,
interview, etc. For example: you could conduct a mock interview with one of the
main characters asking & answering questions based on the book’s plot.
There are numerous free programs to download that allow you to create
podcasts. Audacity is a great, free, & simple program you can download & use to
create quick & easy podcasts.
Book Trailer: Create a trailer for your book. Your book trailer will mimic movie
trailers in style. Your trailer must be at least 4 minutes & must contain images
& text. You must include a synopsis of the book, as well as details regarding the
main themes, plot, characters, setting, action, conflict, & climax of the book. Be
sure that the images you select are relevant to the characters, setting, etc.
Your text must also provide an accurate summary of the book’s main events.
Soundtrack: You are going to create a soundtrack for your book. You will select
at least 10 songs that are meaningful to the book & create a CD soundtrack.
Your songs must be relevant to the book & describe/symbolize the main
characters, themes, conflicts, action, setting, climax, & major events/turning
points in the book. Along with the CD you must provide the lyrics to each song
(classroom/school appropriate). You must also write a brief explanation (3-5
sentences per song) of the significance of each song. Be sure to explain your
reasoning for selecting each song & its relation & relevance to the book.
Written/Visual Book Projects
Diary: Create a diary for one of the main characters in the book. You must
include at least 12 entries. Each entry must be at least 1 paragraph. Each entry
must chronicle a significant event in the book. You must create entries
discussing other characters, conflicts, the action, setting, & climax for the
book. Your entries must be detailed & descriptive. You are writing the entries
as if you are the character for which you are creating the diary, thus you will be
writing in first person. Do not simply staple notebook pages together. If
possible type your entries. You should bind your entries in a decorated binder,
folder, or an actual journal/diary.
Scrapbook: You are going to create a scrapbook for the book. Your scrapbook
must include images & text. You must create at least 10 pages. Your scrapbook
must include descriptions (3-5 sentences each) of the main characters, the plot,
setting, conflicts, climax, action, & theme. Your images & scrapbook must be
significant to the book & characters. For example: don’t select scrapbook paper
or images with pictures of New York City skyscrapers when the book takes
place on a ranch in Texas. You must include detailed text with each picture.
Your text must describe the actions, characters, conflicts, & major events of
the book. Do not simply staple notebook pages together. If possible type your
descriptions & use scrapbook/colored paper. You should bind your entries in a
decorated binder or an actual scrapbook/album.
Movie Poster Collage: You are creating a movie poster collage for your book.
Your poster must be created on poster board & use images that represent the
book’s theme, action, conflicts, main characters, plot, setting, & climax. You
must briefly (3-5 sentences each) describe the significance of each image. You
must also create a tagline for the book based on important quotes & themes
throughout the book. Your poster must be neat & organized.
Comic Strip: You are going to create a comic strip for the climax of your book.
Your comic strip must be at least 8 frames, each frame must have text, & you
must include at least 1 onomatopoeia. Your comic strip must be created on
extra long (legal size) paper & it must be colored. Your comic strip must include
text & images, & must describe the book’s climax, main conflict, or one of the
main events. Your comic strip must be neat & organized.
Setting the Scene: You are going to build a miniature stage setting of an
important locale in the book. The miniature stage can be an important place in
the book (a house, school, office, etc.) or an important scene, including
characters. Your model must follow the book’s description of the setting/event
(i.e. color, appearance, details, etc.) Stay as true to the book as possible. You
must also include a written explanation of the setting/scene & why it is
significant to the book. This explanation must be at least 2 paragraphs.
Life Chart: You are going to create a life chart for one of the main characters.
Your life chart must contain text & images. You must include at least 10
different events listed on your character’s life chart with a brief explanation
(3-5 sentences) of the importance of each event upon the character & his/her
life, as well as the impact each event has upon the book’s plot. You must have at
least 1 relevant image per event, & your events should span the character’s
entire lifetime/book.
In addition to each project you are required to give the book a rating (out of 5 stars)
& give a 3 paragraph rationale. In your rationale you will review the book like a true
book critic. You will explain your rating in detail citing specific examples from the
text, & using direct quotes when necessary. You need to explain why you did/did not
like the book, if you would recommend it to others, & your overall reaction to the plot,
characters, conflicts, writing style, etc.
You have ample time to complete this project. Thus, your projects must be neat,
organized, typed, all images must be colored, & your descriptions/explanations
must be detailed, concrete, & thorough. Effort matters!