District of South Orange and Maplewood
English Language Arts Department
2011 Summer Reading Initiative for Grades 9-12
May 26, 2011
Dear Parent/Guardian,
The English Language Arts Department is excited to announce a revised Summer Reading Initiative for all
students entering Columbia High School next year based upon feedback from students, teachers, and
parents.
Summer Reading Initiative for incoming Grades 9 and 10:
• Students will be required to read at least two books. One book must be non-fiction, while the
second book may be a book-of-choice (any genre, any book).
• We have provided six different assignments. Students must complete one assignment for each
of the two summer reading books. Students should be prepared to share and submit their
assignments when they return to class in September.
Summer Reading Initiative for incoming Grades 11 and 12 (new):
• To enhance students’ ability to compare, contrast, and synthesize information, students will be
required to read at least two books by the same author, or on the same topic, or in the same
genre.
• Students must write a one-two page reflective journal response that compares and contrasts
the ideas in the two texts. Students should be prepared to share and submit their assignments
when they return to class in September.
Please note: Incoming Advanced Placement (AP) English students are not required to complete
this assignment; the AP summer assignment meets this summer reading requirement.
Whether students purchase or borrow summer reading books, the Maplewood and South Orange Public
Libraries have been briefed on the assignments and are interested in assisting with the book selection
process. In addition, the summer reading initiative has been discussed in class by your child’s current
English teacher; to that end, current English teachers may assist in recommending books. The summer
reading assignment and book recommendations are available on the Language Arts Department web
site: http://www.somsd.k12.nj.us/18961032213370230/site/default.asp.
By affording students the choice in their book selections and keeping the assignment short and
meaningful, we hope that students find their reading pleasurable while staying connected with reading
processes and behaviors. We hope this initiative will broaden your child’s love of literature and increase
his/her interest in the art of reading. Please contact me if you have any questions or concerns.
Thank you,
Gary Pankiewicz
Supervisor of Secondary English Language Arts
[email protected]
Incoming freshmen and sophomore students, must complete two assignments (one
for each book).
The following assignments have been modified slightly from the original work created by Barnstable High School, in
Barnstable, Massachusetts (http://www.barnstable.k12.ma.us/bhs/Library/Sixteenresponses.htm). We are referencing
BHS’s successful summer reading initiative with permission.
1. Librarian - Pretend that you are the librarian; write an explanation of why you chose this book for the
school library.
• Provides a minimum of 3 reasons with evidence (be specific).
• Demonstrates an effective persuasive argument.
• Appropriate use of grammar and mechanics.
2. Newspaper - Compose two articles for a newspaper published in the time period of your book. Each
article will relate an event from the book.
• Create an appropriate headline for both articles.
• Articles relate to two different events from the book.
• Appropriate use of grammar and mechanics.
3. Photo Album - Find photographs/pictures and make a photo album that depicts the experiences of a
character.
• Includes a minimum of 10 original photographs.
• Photos include captions that indicate relevance to book.
• Illustrates creative and appropriate presentation (order of photos, cover, title of album, quality of
album).
• Appropriate use of grammar and mechanics.
4. Map - Draw a map of the main setting of the book. Thoroughly label important events and provide a
key.
• All graphics/elements are clearly labeled and related to the book.
• At least 7 accurate facts/elements are displayed.
• The map is creative and attractive in terms of design, layout and neatness.
• Appropriate use of grammar and mechanics.
5. Book vs. Movie - Compare the book to its movie version. Did the movie do justice to the book. Did the
movie provide the visual detail that the book did? Did the movie stay true to the book etc.?
• Demonstrates at least 3 points of comparison to the movie.
• Includes an evaluation of book vs. movie (which did you like better and why).
• Appropriate use of grammar and mechanics.
6. Discussion Questions - Create 10 discussion questions with detailed answers that would provide an indepth study into the various aspects of the book. (plot, characters, themes etc.)
• Demonstrates variety in style of questions.
• Shows depth of thought of questions (questions should facilitate thought, be analytical, not just
refer to plot).
• Appropriate use of grammar and mechanics.
Incoming junior and senior students must write one reflective journal entry that
compares and contrasts their two summer reading books.
•
A writing rubric is available to students at:
http://www.readwritethink.org/files/resources/lesson-docs/CompareAndContrastMapRubric.pdf
Columbia High School English Language Arts 2011
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Book Suggestions
Multiple copies of the following non-fiction books have been purchased through a 2009 SOMEF Grant.
They make great suggestions for summer reading. The books may be borrowed from the public libraries
over the summer months. They are housed in CHS classroom libraries during the school year. Students
may borrow then at any time.
Incoming Grade 9 Selections:
Bury My Heart at Wounded Knee by Dee Brown
Close to Shore: a true story of terror in an age of innocence by Michael Capuzzo
In My Hands: memories of a Holocaust rescuer by Irene Gut Opdyke
Funny in Farsi: a memoir of growing up in America by Dumas Firoozeh
The Jump: Sebastian Telfair and the high stakes business of high school ball by Ian O’Connor
Once Upon a Quinceanera: coming of age in the USA by Julia Alvarez
Shadow Divers: the true adventure of two Americans who risked everything to solve one of
the last mysteries of World War II by Robert Kurson
7 Habits of Highly Effective Teens by Sean Covey
Incoming Grade 10 selections:
The Glass Castle: a memoir by Jeannette Walls
Dreams from My Father: a story of race and inheritance by Barack Obama
Tuesdays with Morrie: an old man, a young man, and life’s greatest lesson by Mitch Albom
One Writer’s Beginnings by Eudora Welty
Angela’s Ashes by Frank McCourt
*A detailed review of these books can be found on the Language Arts Department link on the district web site:
http://www.somsd.k12.nj.us/18961012181173773/lib/18961012181173773/Summer_Reading_Selections_b
est_copy.pdf
Columbia High School English Language Arts 2011
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