Allatoona High School Summer Reading 2017‐2018 On‐Level American Literature The books on this list have been chosen to complement the novels, themes, and essential questions that we will cover in American Literature. The following themes of “uniquely American traits” will be discussed throughout the year. This summer, as you read, make notes as to how these themes connect to your reading.  “Uniquely American Traits” o spirit of independence o the idea of the self‐made man o the pursuit of the American Dream o the quest for adventure and exploring new frontiers o self‐reliance o optimism in the face of adversity NOTE TO PARENTS: Before selecting a book, please review it with your child to determine if it is appropriate for your child. Several websites, including commonsensemedia.org and Amazon.com, offer reviews of literature to help parents and students make the right selection for them. Should you have any questions about the books or the assignment, please feel free to contact Erik Fridborg [email protected]. A Tree Grows In Brooklyn by Betty Smith A Tree Grows in Brooklyn is a 1943 novel written by Betty Smith. The story focuses on an impoverished but aspirational, second‐generation Irish‐American, adolescent girl and her family in Williamsburg, Brooklyn, New York City, during the first two decades of the 20th century. Fiction. The Glass Castle by Jeanette Wells Jeannette Walls grew up with parents whose ideals and stubborn nonconformity were both their curse and their salvation. Rex and Rose Mary Walls had four children. In the beginning, they lived like nomads, moving among Southwest desert towns, camping in the mountains. As the dysfunction of the family escalated, Jeannette and her brother and sisters had to fend for themselves, supporting one another as they weathered their parents' betrayals and, finally, found the resources and will to leave home. The Pearl by John Steinbeck Like his father and grandfather before him, Kino is a poor diver, gathering pearls from the gulf beds that once brought great wealth to the Kings of Spain and now provide Kino, Juana, and their infant son with meager subsistence. Then, on a day like any other, Kino emerges from the sea with a pearl as large as a sea gull's egg, as "perfect as the moon." With the pearl comes hope, the promise of comfort and of security....A story of classic simplicity, based on a Mexican folk tale, The Pearl explores the secrets of man's nature, the darkest depths of evil, and the luminous possibilities of love. Fiction. Allatoona High School Summer Reading 2017‐2018 On‐Level American Literature Journaling Topics
For each journal entry, you will need to write a 7-9 sentence paragraph response. Be prepared to turn
the journal entries in on the first day of the semester.
A Tree Grows in Brooklyn
Journal Entry #1 - Poverty
Poverty is an everyday fact for many millions of Americans today. What does it mean to be poor? How do
the main characters of A Tree Grows In Brooklyn respond the poverty they experience? Why?
Journal Entry #2 - Education
Education can be formal, as in school, or informal, as in learning important things from friends and family
members. How do you define education? What does it mean to you? How have you experienced education in
your own life? How do the main characters of A Tree Grows in Brooklyn experience education? Why?
Journal Entry #3 - Gender
What differences to you notice between men and women? How do you think gender affects one's experiences
in life? How do the genders of the main characters in A Tree Grows in Brooklyn affect their life experiences?
Why?
Journal Entry #4 - Perseverance
Perseverance means doing and working to accomplish something despite difficulties. Is perseverance an
important quality in your life? Why or why not? Do you consider yourself a perseverant person? Why or why
not? What examples of perseverance have you found in the A Tree Grows in Brooklyn?
Journal Entry #5 - The American Dream
What does the American Dream mean to you? What do you think most Americans dream about achieving in
their lives? What do you dream about achieving in your life? What is the American Dream for the main
characters of A Tree Grows in Brooklyn? Why?
Journal Entry #6 - Theme
The theme of a novel is the message that the author is trying to send by writing that novel. What do you think
Betty Smith is trying to say in her novel A Tree Grows in Brooklyn? What does she say about poverty,
education, gender, perseverance or the American Dream?
The Glass Castle Journal Entry #1 - Poverty
Poverty is an everyday fact for many millions of Americans today. What does it mean to be poor? How do
the main characters of The Glass Castle respond the poverty they experience? Why?
Journal Entry #2 - Education
Education can be formal, as in school, or informal, as in learning important things from friends and family
members. How do you define education? What does it mean to you? How have you experienced education in
your own life? How do the main characters of The Glass Castle experience education? Why?
Journal Entry #3 - Gender
What differences to you notice between men and women? How do you think gender affects one's experiences
in life? How do the genders of the main characters in The Glass Castle affect their life experiences? Why?
Journal Entry #4 - Perseverance
Perseverance means doing and working to accomplish something despite difficulties. Is perseverance an
important quality in your life? Why or why not? Do you consider yourself a perseverant person? Why or why
not? What examples of perseverance have you found in the The Glass Castle?
Journal Entry #5 - The American Dream
What does the American Dream mean to you? What do you think most Americans dream about achieving in
their lives? What do you dream about achieving in your life? What is the American Dream for the main
characters of The Glass Castle? Why?
Journal Entry #6 - Theme
Allatoona High School Summer Reading 2017‐2018 On‐Level American Literature The theme of a novel is the message that the author is trying to send by writing that novel. What do you think
Betty Smith is trying to say in her novel The Glass Castle? What does she say about poverty, education,
gender, perseverance or the American Dream?
The Pearl Journal Entry #1 – Chapter 1
What emotions and values are symbolized by Kino’s song of the family? How does the song of evil threaten
those values? Which song seems to be more powerful? Give examples to support your opinion.
Journal Entry #2 – Chapter 2
Historically, what has been the relationship between Kino’s people and the doctor’s people? What are their
current attitudes toward one another as revealed by the interaction between Kino and the doctor?
Journal Entry #3 – Chapter 3
How do the townsfolk react to the news of Kino’s pearl? What generalization about human nature can you
draw from their reaction? Do you believe this generalization is true for the most part in real life? Why or why
not?
Journal Entry #4 – Chapter 4
How would you react if someone tried to cheat you? Would protesting be brave and wise if you knew the
reaction might:
- put your life in danger?
- put loved ones at risk?
- disrupt an entire community
Journal Entry #5 – Chapter 5
Steinbeck defines the nature of men and the nature of women. Given those definitions, explain why it is
natural that Juana wants to get rid of the pearl and natural for Kino to fight to retain it.
Journal Entry #6 – Chapter 6
Explain how the setting in the final chapter reflects the predicament and mood of the characters.