2015 English II Summer Reading - NOMMA
Why summer reading?
Reading is a skill that only improves with practice—not to mention it is fun! Summer reading is
meant not only to promote the enjoyment of reading, but also to prepare you for the challenges of
literary analysis you will encounter later in high school and college.
Summer reading grades will be your first English grades of the year, so make a good impression
and start the academic year off right with grades you can be proud of! If you have any questions
or concerns about the summer reading, please email the English department chair at
jdotson@nomma.net
What do I have to do?
This summer, you are required to read two books: (book descriptions taken from
barnesandnoble.com)
Anthem by Ayn Rand
Equality 7-2521 lived in the dark ages of the future. In a loveless world, he dared
to fall in love. In an age that had lost all trace of science and civilization, he had
the courage to seek and find knowledge. But these were not the crimes for which
he would be hunted. He was marked for death because he had committed the
unpardonable sin: standing out from the mindless human herd.
Link to Online Book:
http://www.anderson5.net/cms/lib02/SC01001931/Centricity/Domain/222/
Anthem%20by%20Ayn%20Rand.pdf
The Warrior Ethos by Steven Pressfield
We are all warriors. Each of us struggles every day to define and defend our sense
of purpose and integrity, to justify our existence on the planet and to understand,
if only within our own hearts, who we are and what we believe in. Do we fight by
a code? If so, what is it? What is the Warrior Ethos?...The book examines the
evolution of the warrior code of honor and "mental toughness." It goes back to the
ancient Spartans and Athenians, to Caesar's Romans, Alexander's Macedonians
and the Persians of Cyrus the Great.
Link to Online Book: http://www.stevenpressfield.com/the-warrior-ethos/
For each book, complete a Great Works Reader’s Journal (attached). These two reader’s journals
will be due the first full week of school. Be prepared for a test and/or essay assignment based on
your summer reading after the school year begins.
Where do I get the books?
Go to your local library and check out the books, or borrow them from someone who read them
last year. Order them early on amazon or another website. Check used bookstores in your area.
Both of these books are available online for free.
Page 1 of 8
Name: __________________________________________
Great Works Reader’s Journal – Anthem by Ayn Rand
Title:
Biographical Information About the Author:
Author:
Date of Publication:
Genre: Fiction
Historical Information About the Period of Publication:
Plot Summary:
Write in complete sentences. Include all important parts of the plot.
Page 2 of 8
Characters:
Character Name
Role
Significance
Description
Page 3 of 8
Theme:
What is the central message of the novel? This should be a universal life-lesson and written as a
complete sentence.
How is the Theme Developed?
In this section, cite two specific plot points in the novel that support your chosen theme.
Text: (summarize an important part of the novel that develops the theme)
Quote: (write a verbatim quote from this part of the book that deals with the theme – include the page
number of the quote)
Critical, Analytical Response
(How does this part support the theme?)
Personal Response
(What was your personal reaction to this part of
the book?)
Page 4 of 8
Text: (summarize an important part of the novel that develops the theme)
Quote: (write a verbatim quote from this part of the book that deals with the theme – include the page
number of the quote)
Critical, Analytical Response
(How does this part support the theme?)
Personal Response
(What was your personal reaction to this part of
the book?)
What did you like about his book? What didn’t you like?
Page 5 of 8
Name: __________________________________________
Great Works Reader’s Journal – The Warrior Ethos by Steven Pressfield
Title:
Biographical Information About the Author:
Author:
Date of Publication:
Genre: Nonfiction
Historical Information About the Period of Publication:
Plot Summary:
Write in complete sentences. Include all important parts of the plot.
Page 6 of 8
Central Ideas
(What are four main ideas you took from the book? For each one, include one quote or
summary from the novel that develops that idea)
Statement of Ideas
Textual Support (include page number)
Page 7 of 8
Author Credibility
Credibility refers to if you believe and trust the person who is speaking to you. Is the author of
this book credible? Do you believe and trust in what he is saying to you? Why or why not?
Connection to Today
How can you apply this book to your life? Mention something specific from the book that
connects to something specific your life.
Personal Reaction
What did you like about his book? What didn’t you like?
Page 8 of 8