Summer Reading 2013
Honors English 9
Honors English 9
Summer Reading Assignment
The Summer Reading program, sponsored by the English Department at Padua Franciscan High School, is
designed to entice students to read and recognize notable contemporary literature. We wish to engage
student interest, encourage critical thinking, and challenge our students as readers. As such, some titles on
the list may contain sensitive material and deal with more mature themes than some students may have
encountered previously. The target audience of all the selected literature is young adults; moreover, the
title selections for the Honors English courses are chosen in accordance with the AP program. Students are
encouraged to find more information about all of the novels through the local library or through
amazon.com. Additionally, the English Department strongly encourages students and parents/guardians to
discuss the content, themes, and overall inherent literary value of the selected novels. Happy Reading!
For this class, you are expected to have read these books prior to the beginning of school.
01) The Book Thief
02) Night
by Markus Zusak
by Elie Wiesel
Fiction
Non-Fiction
115 pages
550 pages
Be aware that you will be tested on both of these works (with both an 80 question objective test and an in-
class essay) within the first days of school to evaluate your understanding of plot, characters, basic themes,
etc. In preparation for this task, you should respond to the following comprehension/discussion questions.
These questions will be collected (for homework credit) within the first few days of school as well. Please
type your responses and list each question’s sections (example A-E) as given.
Be aware that some of these questions may contain “spoilers” about the books, so do not read them until
you have completed your reading if you desire to be surprised. (Also, be sure you read the Preface,
Forward, and the Nobel Peace Prize Acceptance Speech that is contained in Night.) Because this is an
Honors class, keep in mind that these are higher level questions. For your own benefit in regard to
comprehension, it might be wise to keep a list of major plot happenings, characters, settings, etc. per
chapter. Enjoy the journey!
Summer Reading 2013
Honors English 9
Key Comprehension/Discussion Questions: The Book Thief - by Markus Zusak
01) In your personal opinion, what is the effect created by having Death serve as the narrator? In
your response, be sure to discuss the symbolism of having death as the omniscient narrator.
02) At one point in the novel, Death states, “I’m always finding humans at their best and worst. I see
their ugly and their beautiful, and I wonder how the same thing can be both.” Explain what you
feel is both ugly and beautiful about the following characters: (A) Liesel, (B) Rosa and Hans
Hubermann, (C) Max Vandenburg, (D) Rudy Steiner, and (E) Mrs. Hermann.
03) The Grave Digger’s Handbook is the first book that Liesel steals. Explain the following: (A) Why
did Liesel take the book? (B) What is significant about the titles of the books Liesel steals
(explain/give a couple specific examples)? (C) What does the act of book thievery teach Liesel
about life and death? (D) Explain how Liesel’s own attempt to write a book saves her life.
04) Explain the meaning of the word foreshadowing, and then explain whether or not Mark Zusak’s
use of this literary device in The Book Thief was effective. (Be sure to provide at least two
specific examples.)
05) In your opinion, what is the significance of colors in the book (provide examples to support your
ideas)?
06) In the novel, Death describes Liesel as a girl “with a mountain to climb.” In detail, explain the
meaning of this statement.
07) In this novel, there are many instances of courage. Choose one act of courage by one character
that you feel best illustrates the true definition of courage…and be sure to support your response
in detail.
08) In the novel, words have the power to both destroy and save lives. Explain and support this
statement.
09) In detail, explain two of the major themes of this novel. (Be sure you know the meaning of a
“theme”.)
10) Offer a detailed reaction to the ending of the novel (consider the following: did it surprise
you?…were you disappointed or did you think it was necessary?...did you think it should have
been different?...etc.)
Summer Reading 2013
Key Comprehension/Discussion Questions: Night - by Elie Wiesel
Honors English 9
01) Consider Eliezer’s feelings for his family, especially his father. What about his father’s character or
place in the Jewish community commands Eliezer’s respect or admiration? Describe the relationships.
02) Consider the manner in which Moishe is treated by the Jews of Sighet after he has escaped capture.
Discuss whether or not the people are happy to see him, and if he himself is happy to be alive.
Also explain why Moishe has returned to the village and why the Jewish townspeople don’t believe
the horrible news he brings back to them.
03) Time and time again, the people of Sighet doubt the advance of the German army. Psychologically
analyze what might be the reasons for the townspeople’s widespread denial of the evidence in front
of them.
04) Not long after arriving at Birkenau, Eliezer and his father experience the horrors of the crematory
first-hand, and they are nearly killed themselves. Discuss all aspects of Eliezer’s reactions (physical,
mental, and emotional) to this hellish and inexplicable experience. Explain how the story of Night
changes at this point as well as how Wiesel himself changes.
05) Consider the inscription that appears above the entrance to Auschwitz. What is it supposed to mean,
and what has this slogan come to mean to Eliezer?
06) Explain Eliezer’s ongoing crisis of faith throughout the memoir. If you do not already know about the
character of Job in the bible, do some research, and then explain how Eliezer feels connected to Job.
How do Eliezer’s thoughts and feelings change once he has identified with Job while in Auschwitz?
From this analysis, discuss the relationship that Wiesel has with God throughout Night.
07) As the memoir progresses, we witness instances where the Jews have been reduced to acting like
animals - and even treating their fellow prisoners like animals. Explain two of the horrific acts that
occur to support this statement. Explain and analyze what you feel leads people to such horrific
behavior. Do you feel such behavior is inevitable under such circumstances?
08) In the concluding pages of Night, Eliezer’s father is dying a slow, painful death in Buchenwald. Does
Eliezer see his father as a burden by this point…or…does he feel only pity and sorrow for him?
Compare and contrast the father-son relationship you see at the end of the memoir with the one you
saw at the beginning.
09) Based on the Preface, Forward, and Nobel Peace Prize Acceptance Speech, Elie Wiesel explains why he
chose to write Night. After reading these three sections and the actual account of Night, explain Elie
Wiesel’s agenda (specific goal and purpose) in writing this piece of non-fiction. Support your
opinion.
10) Some readers debate whether or not this non-fiction is an emotionally gripping account. Provide a
detailed response on your opinion as to how the book affected you. Consider some of the following:
Did Wiesel’s writing style pull you in and hold you as a reader? Were you emotionally affected by
this book? Will its memory stay with you? Would you tell others to read it? How did the ending affect
you? Etc.
Summer Reading 2013
Honors English 9
A Helpful Note To Help You Get the Best Grade Possible on This (40 point) Assignment:
 Be sure you read well. Plan out when you will read. You are being asked to answer comprehension
questions, so you want to make sure you can remember the information in the books, but you also
want to make sure you have enough time to read both books based on your reading ability and
speed.
 Be sure to carefully read and follow the directions as given at the beginning of this handout.
 Keep in mind that this is an HONORS level class. I am hopeful that you will venture beyond the
obvious details and attempt some critical thinking; therefore, in order to get the best grade possible
on these questions, do not provide only surface opinion responses. Provide some analysis and offer
examples to support how you arrived at your opinions. SUPPORT your ideas. In order to get full
credit for your responses, you must demonstrate a level of depth to your thinking. Stretch those
minds and go for it!!!