Pre-AP Literature Summer Reading Assignment
Part I: Analyzing Character and Point of View
Unbroken: A World War II Story of Survival, Resilience, and Redemption by
Laura Hillenbrand
1. Read Unbroken. Annotate passages that touch on the subjects below. It is a
lengthy book, so I do not expect it filled with your annotations; however,
marking these passages is essential. These subjects will help you develop a
characterization of Louie Zamperini.
 perseverance/determination
 loyalty
 vengeance
 family
 luck
TASK: Complete a dialectic journal with one quote for each
subject. Each quote should be the best piece of textual evidence. It is
about quality. You are looking for the quote that makes you stop
reading for a moment. It is the quote that you share when someone
asks you about the book.
Here is a sample:
Textual Evidence (in MLA format)
Analysis
SUCCESS: “If we choose to stand in the right
place, God creates a community of resistance
without our even realizing it” (Boyle 177).
This is where you analyze the
quote. Explain why this quote embodies
this subject. Why is it the best quote?
*My subject is SUCCESS.
Click here for the Google Doc for Part 1: Unbroken
2. Randomhouse.com complied a list of rave reviews for Hillenbrand’s
Unbroken. Without a doubt, the art of storytelling is integral to the success of
this piece of narrative nonfiction. In addition, Louie Zamperini and David
Rensin wrote the former’s autobiography Devil at My Heels.
Random House on Laura Hillenbrand's Unbroken
Praise for Louis Zamperini's Devil at My Heels
a.
b.
Read these reviews: Unbroken and Devil at My Heels
Read the excerpts from Louie Zamperini’s autobiography Devil at My Heels.
i.
Read the Afterword first.
ii.
Read Chapter 1: "That Tough Kid Down the Street"
iii.
Read Chapter 13: "A Second Chance" (I included the last page of Chapter
12 because I thought it was a nice lead-in to the “A Second Chance.”
i.
ii.
iii.
iv.
c. TASK: Compare Hillenbrand’s biographical account to Zamperini’s
autobiographical one. Write a well-written response that discusses the
impact point of view has on the storytelling.
Underline topic sentence.
Use textual evidence with MLA citations.
Do not use first person.
Single-space your response.
Click here for Google Doc for Part 1
Part II: Analyzing Theme
Tattoos on the Heart by Gregory Boyle
After reading Laura Hillenbrand’s Unbroken, view 2015 10th Pre-AP Literature
Summer Reading Unbroken Notable Quotes. These are powerful quotes from
Unbroken. Your task is to make a thematic connection between Unbroken and
Tattoos on the Heart.
1. Select two quotes from the list of quotes. They should be different themes.
Write a theme statement for each. I would refer to the Theme Handout #1 and
Theme Handout #2 for a quick review on theme.
2.
As you read, keep these themes in mind. They will serve as the focus of your
annotations.
Annotating a Book
Highlight and take notes in the margins. Highlighting without note-taking is
insufficient. If you have a library book, use Post-it Notes.
Here are some suggestions:
 Words, sentences, or ideas that seem interesting, strange, meaningful, and/or
important
 Words, phrases, or passages that are confusing
 Parts that contribute to characterization, setting, conflict, and/or theme**This
is very important.
 Literary devices such as symbolism and imagery.
 Passages that remind you of something else you have read
 Word, sentences, or ideas that you strongly like or dislike
3. TASK: Complete a Dialectic Journal. You are following two themes. Each
theme should have six pieces of textual evidence.
Click here for Google Doc Part 2
Here is a sample entry:
Textual Evidence (in MLA format)
Analysis
“If we choose to stand in the right
place, God creates a community of
This is where I analyze the text in terms of how
it applies to the theme I selected. Write a well-
resistance without our even realizing it”
(Boyle 177).
written response. Your response should be at
least forty words.
Helpful Hints:
1. Don’t wait until the final days of the summer break to begin reading your novel
selections. I chose the books because they inspired me. I want Louie
Zamperini and Father Boyle to invoke an emotion. Dread at not making the
assignment deadline is not the emotion I wish to invoke. Therefore, don’t
begin on August 15th. You will be shortchanging yourself.
2. If you have any questions about the assignment, please contact me via
email. My email is [email protected]
3. Deadlines are important. The due date for this assignment is August 16th at
11:59PM.
4. Plagiarism is not accepted. This will result in a zero for the assignment. A
second opportunity will not be offered.
5. If you do not have a computer/Internet connection at home, you can go to the
public library for computer use and Internet connection.
Turning in Your Work
1. Go to Google Classroom.
2. The code to join the Pre-AP Summer Reading is xuthhy
3. All work should be done in Google Docs. Do not submit a PDF, ODT,
RTF, or DOC document. You will able to make a copy of the Google Doc
that is the template.
4. Even though I linked each document to this document, you can open them
under the individual assignments on the Google Classroom. When you are
done with the assignment, submit it. Google Classroom will mark it as
submitted. If for any reason you want to alter your document, you must
unsubmit. Once you have made any changes, submit your work again.