Entering 9th Grade Summer Reading: 2017

Freshman English is a genre based literature study. The summer reading list represents novels from a variety of genres as well as novels chosen to meet a variety of reading levels. Many of these books are available in audio form on sites such as www.Librivox.com and on Learning Ally. Information on accessing Learning Ally is found in the introductory letter attached to this document. We encourage students to use Internet resources for general information on character, plot, setting, etc. before making a final decision. We strongly advise that parents be a part of the selection process and give approval to book selections. Instructions: 1. Select any two books from the list that follows and complete one of the projects listed for each of the books. 2. Read the assignments/projects carefully to understand exactly what is required. 3. Type and edit your work. Check for spelling, capitalizations, complete sentences and periods at the ends of sentences. Books: Choose 2 Love, Stargirl by Jerry Spinelli The Merchant of Death by D. J. MacHale Artemis Fowl: The Eternity Code by Eoin Colfer Coraline by Neil Gaiman The Hours of the Bees by Lindsay Eagar Out of Abaton by John Claude Bemes Shadow of the Dragon by Sherry Garland (advanced) Homeless Bird by Gloria Whelan The House of Scorpion by Nancy Farmer

Required projects: Choose one for each book. After you have read each book, complete one of the projects below. You will do a total of two assignments. 1. Design and make a new book jacket for the novel. It should include an attractive picture or cover design, which reflects themes of the novel, an original summary of the book, information on the author and illustrator, and information about other books by the author. 2. Design and create a model of a set for this novel. Imagine that the novel was being made into a movie and create a set that would be appropriate for this story. 3. Write a short paper explaining why you would or would not like to change places with one of the characters in the novel. 4. Be an artist. Using various mediums, create a collage that illustrates particular themes or issues in the novel. 5. Write a short play based on some character or event in the novel. Be sure to provide dialogue as well as accurate and interesting stage directions. 6. Choose a scene from the novel in which you disagreed with how a character handled a situation/another character and rewrite it in the way you think it should have happened. 7. Select two of your favorite scenes from the novel. Write a poem in response to each of the scenes for a total of two poems. Your poems should illustrate subject matter, plot, themes, and characters in the scene. The poems should each be a minimum of ten lines.

May 2017 Dear Students and Parents:

The Briarwood Middle-Upper School requires that all students read TWO BOOKS and COMPLETE an ASSIGNMENT FOR EACH OF THOSE BOOKS OVER THE SUMMER. Specific information for this assignment from your grade-level English teacher is contained in this packet, which will be distributed to students through English classes and emailed to parents.

As you help your student select books, please consider his/ her comprehension test scores as well as his/her interests, age, and maturity level. Also, remember that forcing your son or daughter to read material that is too challenging will create frustration, an experience that is counter-productive to learning to read and to enjoying reading.

All the books on the reading list should be available at local bookstores, libraries, or online through Learning Ally. Learning Ally information is attached to this letter. If your student takes advantage of audio editions of books on the list, encourage him/her to follow along with a script copy, again available on Learning Ally, in order to mesh auditory and visual skills and enhance comprehension, fluency, and decoding skills.

If your student wishes to read additional books this summer, you may wish to consult the nationally recognized HAISLN web site for recommendations and appropriateness.

ON THE FIRST DAY OF CLASSES IN AUGUST, EACH STUDENT WILL TURN IN THE WRITTEN ASSIGNMENTS DEMONSTRATING THAT HE/SHE HAS COMPLETED THE READING REQUIREMENT.

In fairness to all students, there will be no extension of time on this assignment, and your student’s grade for the first quarter will decrease by 10% if he/she does not have the assignment completed and turned in on the first day of school. Out goal is always is to help your student become a fluent, sophisticated, ready reader. Please email me if you have any questions. Have an enjoyable summer. Sincerely, Orlean Anderson English department chairperson orlean.anderson@icloud.com 281 814 7774 ***Houston Area Independent School Librarians’ Network (HAISLN): www.haisln.org