Pre-DP 10 Summer Reading Assignment 2008
Students will turn in index card assignments and be tested on these books according to the following
schedule:
A Separate Peace by John Knowles due August 18, 2008
The Hobbit – J.R.R. Tolkein due August 19, 2008
Rocket Boys – Homer Hickam due August 20, 2008
NO ASSIGNMENTS WILL BE ACCEPTED LATE. In addition to the index cards and tests, students
will write in-class essays on each work during the first six weeks of school. This summer reading is a
major portion of the student’s grade for the first six weeks.
While reading each work, the student must complete the study items listed below on spiral bound 4 x 6
ruled index cards. More than one spiral bound set will be necessary. Each spiral bound set must be
labeled with the student’s name and the name of the work(s) and author(s) included within. Cards will be
turned in on the test day and kept in the classroom. They will be used for essay writing and will be
expanded upon throughout the year with subsequent readings.
WARNING – Do NOT complete your cards by using Cliff Notes, Spark Notes, Pink Monkey, or
similar sources. Do this assignment from your own knowledge and observations without consulting
any other source or person.
A Separate Peace – August 18 (minimum of 15 4x6 index cards)
Number each section as follows:
1. Title (correctly punctuated)
Author:
2. Summary: (three-five sentences)
3. Setting: Be as specific as possible in describing the time and place. Include specific locations at
the school as well as other minor settings. Also, note the background events of the war. Please
note how the setting acts as a catalyst for some specific actions in the story and note their
significance.
4. Main Characters: Give a physical description and the defining characteristics for each character
as well as major events that affect him. Also, identify the protagonist and antagonist(s). Use one
card for EACH main character – 1) Gene 2) Finny 3) Brinker 4) Leper 5) Chet 6) Dr. Stanpole 7)
Ludsbury 8) Patchwithers
5. Major events in the plot: Include specific conflicts-especially involving the protagonist and
antagonist, climax, and resolution.
6. Quotes: Identify at least FIVE quotes that you feel are significant to the story and briefly explain
why. You must identify the page numbers.
7. Consider this novel as a “Coming of Age” or “Rite of Passage” story. (See definition attached.)
Briefly explain how this idea is essential to the novel. Whose transformation takes place in the
story? (There may be more than one.) What brings about this transformation?
8. In what ways is life at Devon School a reflection of the world war taking place? In what ways
does life in the novel reflect what is happening in the nation at the time during which the novel is
set?
The Hobbit – August 19 (minimum of 25 cards)
Number each section as follows:
1. Title: (correctly punctuated)
Author:
2. Summary: (three-five sentences)
3. Setting: Be as specific as possible in describing the time and place. Include specific locations of
significance in the journey. Briefly describe each.
4. Main Characters: Give a physical description and the defining characteristics for each character
as well, as major events that affect him. Also, identify the protagonist and antagonist(s). Use one
card for EACH main character – 1) Bilbo 2) Bolg 3) Boern 4) Bombur 6) Dain 7) Elrond 8)
Gandalf 9) Gollom 10) Thorin 11) Smaug 12) Trolls 13) Hobbits 14) Wargs 15) any others
5. Major events in the plot: include conflicts, climax, and resolution
6. Quotes: Identify at least FIVE quotes that you feel are significant to the story and briefly describe
why. You must identify the page numbers.
7. Consider this novel as a “Coming of Age” or “Rite of Passage” story. (See definition attached.)
Briefly explain how this idea is essential to the novel. Whose transformation takes place in the
story? (There may be more than one.) What brings about this transformation?
Rocket Boys – August 20 (minimum of 25 cards)
Number as follows:
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
7.
8.
9.
Title: (correctly punctuated)
Author:
Summary: (three-five sentences)
Setting: Be as specific as possible in describing the time and place. Include specific locations of
significance in the journey. Briefly describe each.
Main Characters: Give a physical description and the defining characteristics for each character
as well, as major events that affect him. Also, identify the protagonist and antagonist(s). Use one
card for EACH main character – 1) Sonny 2) John Eye Blevins 3) Ike Bykovski 4) Valentine
Carmina 5) George Carter 6) John Dubonnet 7) Tag Farmer 8) Elsie Hickam 9) Jim Hickam 10)
Jack Martin 11) Jake Mosby 12) O’Dell 13) Dorothy Plunk 14) Miss Riley 15) Roy Lee 16) Ed
Johnson 17) Sherman 18) Pooky Suggs 19) others
Major events in the plot: include conflicts, climax, and resolution
Quotes: Identify at least FIVE quotes that you feel are significant to the story and briefly describe
why. You must identify the page numbers.
Consider this novel as a “Coming of Age” or “Rite of Passage” story. (See definition attached.)
Briefly explain how this idea is essential to the novel. Whose transformation takes place in the
story? (There may be more than one.) What brings about this transformation?
Identify the following providing information about their significance in the story (may put several
on one card) 1) AUKI 2) Big Creek 3) BCMA 4) Von Braun 5) Geneva Eggers 6) R.L. Turner 7)
“Little Richard” 8) the Great Six 9) John F. Kennedy 10) Newton’s Third Law 11) Olga Coal
Company 12) rocket candy 13) Sputnik 14) Theodolite 15) Zincoshine
What historical events are noted in the novel which reflect what is happening in history at the time
the story takes place?