Summer Reading - Assumption High School

Name________________Mrs. WatsonCP EnglishDate__________Summer ReadingFor summer reading this year, you will be reading two novels. Huzzah! I will assign thefirst novel, but you may choose the second. Because the theme this year is “Identity,”both novels should tie into this theme and, consequently, each other.Class Novel1. You will need to read Evelyn Waugh’s Vile Bodies along with the supplement thatgoes with it. You will need to annotate (take margin notes) the novel and the supplement.See the directions below for more information on annotation for the novel. I will explainhow to annotate the supplement during our first meeting this spring.2. You need to pick up the Back Bay Books edition. The cover looks like this:Notes on Annotation:Annotating will not only help you interact more closely with the text, but it will alsoallow you to remember the novel when we discuss them in August. During the firstweek of school, I will be checking your annotations for points.Your notes should include the following:1. Chapter summaries: On the last page of each chapter, write a 3-4 sentence summaryof the main plot events for that chapter. Please write directly on the page or use Post-It notes. (I recommend writing directly on the text)

2. Characters: Underline/Highlight in yellow any descriptions or details that provideinformation about characters. Pay attention to the following:• Characters’ physical appearance• Characters’ actions• Characters’ thoughts• What others say or think about each character3. Important passages: Underline/Highlight in pink any passages that strike you.Reasons for highlighting a passage could be that it displays conflict, revealssomething about the setting, is an example of good writing, is thought-provoking, oris surprising. Please write your reason for highlighting these passages in the margins.4. Theme notes: Underline/Highlight in blue any passages related to the theme ofIdentity. There are a variety of themes in this novel, but the central one we will focuson concerns identity (use of, misuse of, loss of, etc.). Please write your reason forhighlighting these passages in the margins.5. Questions: In the margins, write any questions you have as you read.When you return to class in the fall, you will complete a writing assignment detailinghow the theme of identity is woven through the novel and what the author is saying aboutthis theme. This will lead into our first class seminar.Individual Novel1. You will also need to select a book of your own choosing that deals with thetheme of identity (loss of, misappropriation of, discovery, etc.). Keep in mind thatthe book you select must be appropriate in terms on content (I have highlyvirginal ears) and level (this is a college level course). Please send me a line overthe summer clearing the book you are reading with me. It can be something like,“Dear Mrs. Watson, I am sitting in a field of strawberries reading Heart ofDarkness, and it makes me tingle with glee”. If, upon returning to school in thefall, I see that you have selected an inappropriate book, you will not receive creditfor this assignment. This book cannot be something you have read before.2. You also need to have a parent sign the permission slip for the individual novelyou are reading.For this book you should design a PowerPoint presentation that highlights thefollowing:• The general plot of the book• The main characters and how they aid in the plot development• 5 images that represent the main conflicts in the book• How the theme of identity is developed in this book• How this book connects to the ideas which are explored in Vile Bodies.

Suggestions for individual novel• Orlando- Woolf• The Awakening- Chopin• Heart of Darkness- Conrad• Twelfth Night- Shakespeare• The Return of the Soldier- West• To the Lighthouse- Woolf• Invisible Man- Ellis• Autobiography of a Face- Grealy (I have not read this one)• Wise Blood- O’Connor• Their Eyes Were Watching God- Hurston• The Thirteenth Tale- Setterfield• Crime and Punishment- Dostoyevsky• The Handmaid's Tale- Atwood• Portrait of the Artist as a Young Man- Joyce (Some sexual content)• Never Let Me Go- Ishiguro (Some sexual content)• Molloy- Beckett (If you are particularly bent on driving yourself crazy thissummer...but still an awesome read...perhaps for the fact that you will feel likeyou are going insane)** You may NOT read anything that you have already read for a class**

Permission slip for individual novelI understand that my daughter, __________________________, is reading_______________________ for her summer individual novel. I am aware of the contentof this book and approve of her choice. I am also aware that my daughter will bediscussing this book in a mature fashion with the class, and that I can contact Mrs.Watson with any comments or concerns about this bookParent signature__________________________________Date______________________________*Please hand this in to Mrs. Watson on the first day of school*