Name: _______________________
Summer Reading Project: English 10
What am I reading this summer?
You will be reading The Perks of Being a Wallflower by Stephen Chbosky. This coming-of-age novel written in an
epistolary format (letters). The main character, Charlie, writes to an unknown recipient about his life and experiences
during his first year of high school. The novel explores a variety of social issues such as domestic violence, drug use,
homophobia, sexuality, belonging, alienation, and rites of passage.
Why, Ms. Gandhi, Why do I need to do this?
The goal of this Summer Reading Project is to keep your brain muscle working! Also, this helps you get prepared for
10th grade English, it’s going to get much more challenging and intense!
When is this due?
The Summer Reading Project is due the first day you have English class, which will either be August 6 or August 7.
Late work will not be accepted, at all.
What if I have a question or need help over the summer?
You can contact me through e-mail at mgandhi@laalliance.org.
What are the steps I need to take to do this assignment well?
1. Read the novel Perks of Being a Wallflower by Stephen Chbosky.
2. Complete six letters to Charlie.
3. Complete Vocabulary Worksheets for fifteen vocabulary words.
4. Character Chart for Charlie (re-create the character chart on a separate sheet of paper)
How will Ms. Gandhi know I’ve read the book?
Good question! You’ll have a quiz the first day you return. I can tell if you’ve done your work if you did your summer
assignment well. Also, our first unit will be exploring various themes from the novel. You will also be writing a response
to literature essay within the first couple of weeks of school.
What materials do I need for the first day of class?
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
Spiral Notebook: 3-5 subject notebook preferred (Target has pretty good sales)
Pen/Pencil (bring at least two)
If you have a regular pencil, bring a sharpener (don’t ask others for you!)
Glue-stick (buy a multi-pack, it’s more cost-effective)
A good attitude! :)
Letters to Charlie
Throughout the novel, there are certain letters from Charlie that stand out to each of us differently. What if you could
write back to Charlie? What if you could let him know that you’re reading and understanding his journey and his life?
Here’s your opportunity! You will be writing six letters back to Charlie. Use the format below. Make sure you include
the date of the letter you are responding to and a quote from the letter with a page number. Each letter should be at
least one page long. Ensure you adhere to the letter format.
Dear Charlie,
The letter you wrote on ____(insert date here)___________
caught my interest because I (related to it/it’s different than
anything I’ve ever experienced/it was shocking/etc). I enjoyed
reading this letter because……………
I especially appreciated the part when you wrote, “insert
quote here,” because …..
Sincerely/With Love/Smiles,
Your Name
Vocabulary Worksheets
You will complete Vocabulary Worksheets for fifteen words from the novel, Perks of Being a Wallflower. Each part
of the Vocabulary Box is explained below and I have given you an example as well. If you need more Vocabulary
Worksheets, they will be available on my website at www.gertzresslerhigh.org.
Word: Write the vocabulary word (spelling counts!)
Part of Speech: Is the word a noun? Adjective? Verb?
Definition(s): The dictionary definition (denotation) of the word. If there are more than one definitions of the word,
either write them out or combine them if they are similar in meaning.
Variations: A word that is formed using the same root word; for instance, happiness and happily are variations of
the word happy.
Synonym: Words that have the same meaning as the vocabulary word. Write at least one, if it is possible (do NOT
give up on this one! Search if you need to!)
Antonym: Words that have the opposite meaning than the vocabulary word. Write at least one, if it is possible (do
NOT give up on this one! Search if you need to!)
Sentence: Write a sentence using the vocabulary word in context, meaning that I can figure out what the
vocabulary word means based on the rest of the sentence.
Visual Representation/picture/icon/symbol: Draw a picture that shows your understanding of the word.
Connotation: What feeling does the word convey? Is it a positive or negative feeling? For instance, the word
gloomy generally has a negative connotation. On the other hand, the word victory has a positive connotation. If
a word is neither positive or negative, it is neutral. For example, the words chair or airplane are not really positive
or negative. Write the correct connotation.
Word:
Part of Speech:
Definition(s):
Connotation:
Positive
Synonym:
Antonym:
Sentence:
Visual Representation:
Perks of Being a Wallflower vocabulary words:
Variations:
negative
neutral
You will need to complete a vocabulary box on your vocabulary sheet for each of these words. These
words will be represented on your quiz on the first day of school.
1. Corpulent
2. Pragmatic
3. Affirmation
4. Stern
5. Paranoia
6. Unconventional
7. Coax
8. Nostalgic
9. Denounce
10. Auspicious
11. Morbid
12. Mercilessly
13. Flaunt
14. Adroit
15. Retribution
16. Courteous
Word:
Part of Speech:
Definition(s):
Connotation:
Positive
Synonym:
Antonym:
Variations:
negative
neutral
Sentence:
Visual Representation:
17.
Word:
Part of Speech:
Definition(s):
Connotation:
Positive
Synonym:
Antonym:
negative
neutral
negative
neutral
Variations:
Sentence:
Visual Representation:
Word:
Part of Speech:
Definition(s):
Connotation:
Positive
Synonym:
Sentence:
Visual Representation:
Antonym:
Variations:
Word:
Part of Speech:
Definition(s):
Connotation:
Positive
Synonym:
Antonym:
negative
neutral
negative
neutral
negative
neutral
Variations:
Sentence:
Visual Representation:
Word:
Part of Speech:
Definition(s):
Connotation:
Positive
Synonym:
Antonym:
Variations:
Sentence:
Visual Representation:
Word:
Part of Speech:
Definition(s):
Connotation:
Positive
Synonym:
Antonym:
Variations:
Sentence:
Visual Representation:
Word:
Part of Speech:
Definition(s):
Connotation:
Positive
Synonym:
Antonym:
negative
neutral
negative
neutral
Variations:
Sentence:
Visual Representation:
Word:
Part of Speech:
Definition(s):
Connotation:
Positive
Synonym:
Sentence:
Visual Representation:
Antonym:
Variations:
Word:
Part of Speech:
Definition(s):
Connotation:
Positive
Synonym:
Antonym:
negative
neutral
negative
neutral
negative
neutral
Variations:
Sentence:
Visual Representation:
Word:
Part of Speech:
Definition(s):
Connotation:
Positive
Synonym:
Antonym:
Variations:
Sentence:
Visual Representation:
Word:
Part of Speech:
Definition(s):
Connotation:
Positive
Synonym:
Antonym:
Variations:
Sentence:
Visual Representation:
Word:
Part of Speech:
Definition(s):
Connotation:
Positive
Synonym:
Antonym:
negative
neutral
negative
neutral
Variations:
Sentence:
Visual Representation:
Word:
Part of Speech:
Definition(s):
Connotation:
Positive
Synonym:
Sentence:
Visual Representation:
Antonym:
Variations:
Word:
Part of Speech:
Definition(s):
Connotation:
Positive
Synonym:
Antonym:
negative
neutral
negative
neutral
Variations:
Sentence:
Visual Representation:
Word:
Part of Speech:
Definition(s):
Connotation:
Positive
Synonym:
Sentence:
Visual Representation:
Antonym:
Variations: