Mount Mercy Academy
Summer Reading 2007 Projects
For ALL students: You must read all of the assigned books for your grade! All
teachers will give an extensive test during the first week of classes. We encourage you
to take notes while reading to prepare for this.
Study guides – such as Sparknotes, Cliffnotes, Monkeynotes, Bookrags, etc. – are NEVER a substitute
for reading the books. We expect you to ONLY use these “study guides” as just that – a helpful guide
for studying after you’ve done the reading.
Your written projects must also be in your own words and be your own ideas. Copying and/or
“borrowing” ideas from these study guides will be considered plagiarism if you do not properly cite
your source! If you’re unsure, don’t use it.
Make sure to follow all directions for your grade level!
9th Grade
10th Grade
11th Grade
12th Grade
English I
English II
English III
English IV
OR
OR
OR
Pre-AP English
AP Language & Composition
AP Literature
English I
Classic
To Kill A Mockingbird by Harper Lee
Modern
Speak by Laurie Halse Anderson
Multicultural
Things Fall Apart by Chinua Achebe
Directions: Write a two-page essay on one of the following topics. Essays should be typed, doublespaced, 11 or 12 font, with Times New Roman lettering. They are due the first day of class.
1) Discuss the roles of masculinity and femininity in the tribal culture presented in Things Fall
Apart. What qualities and types of behavior are associated with masculinity and femininity? In
what ways does the quest to become masculine dominate Okonkwo's life and how does this
outlook on life lead to his eventual downfall?
2) The title of To Kill a Mockingbird refers to many of the significant characters in the novel.
Choose three characters from the book and discuss how the title pertains to each. (You will
need to look carefully at Miss Maudie's advice to the children in chapter 10.)
3) Explain whether Speak is about friendships, cliques, or both. Who are Melinda’s friends?
How do her friendships change? Why do they change?
English II
Classic
All Quiet on the Western Front by Erich Maria Remarque
Modern
Bean Trees by Barbara Kingsolver
Multicultural
Black Like Me by John Howard Griffin
Using what you have learned about writing a critical lens essay, discuss the following quote and its
meaning in terms of two (2) of the three Summer Reading novels. Be sure to provide an
interpretation of the quote, show whether you agree or disagree with the quote, and prove how your
ideas of the quote are shown in the novel. Use specific references to the novels, including quotations,
plot details, character development and/or literary techniques, to prove your ideas. Avoid plot
summary.
“I may not have gone where I intended to go, but I think I have ended up where I intended to
be.”
~Douglas Adams
Pre-AP English:
Classic
Jane Eyre by Charlotte Bronte
Modern
Bean Trees by Barbara Kingsolver
Multicultural
Joy Luck Club by Amy Tan
Recurring objects or images are usually symbolic in works of literature. In a well-developed essay,
discuss the significance of one of the following recurring objects and how it develops in meaning
during the course of the novel. Choose only one book on which to focus, and avoid plot summary.
Instead, use quotations, specific details, and literary techniques used by the author to prove your
ideas.
Joy Luck Club
Recurring Object/Image – Faces
Jane Eyre
Recurring Object/Image – Clothing
The Bean Trees
Recurring Object/Image – the Landscape
English III
Classic
Ethan Frome by Edith Wharton
Modern
Separate Peace by John Knowles
Multicultural
Hiroshima by John Hersey
Select one of the characters from each of the novels whom you feel you are most like OR most unlike
(it must be the same one for all three novels). Be sure to identify the character and the ways that you
are like (or unlike) this character. Be sure to provide details from the novel to support your opinion,
and avoid plot summary. There must be at least three specific references to each novel. NOTE: This
is one (1) essay that happens to be about all three (3) books. This is NOT 3 essays.
AP Language & Composition
Narrative of the Life of Frederick Douglass by Frederick Douglass
My Antonia by Willa Cather
The Story of My Life by Helen Keller
The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn by Mark Twain
You must do a total of three (3) essays.
Answer each of the following questions in a separate essay of 250-350 words, using 12 point Times
Roman type.
Narrative of the Life of Frederick Douglass
What is Douglass’ intended effect on the reader and how does he recreate his experiences as a
slave? Consider such elements as diction (word choice), selection of detail (what he chooses to
include), imagery and tone.
The Story of My Life
Helen Keller took to heart the words of the wise Roman who said: “To be banished from Rome
is but to live outside Rome.” Interpret this quote and give examples from the book that show
Helen Keller truly exemplified this quote in her life.
Choose one (1) of the following two questions.
The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn
Compare and contrast Huck’s attitude toward Jim in chapter X to his attitude toward Jim in
chapter XXXI. What does this change in attitude tell the reader about Huck?
My Antonia
Compare and contrast Antonia with her parents. What character traits does she inherit from
each? Which parent affects her life the most?
English IV
Classic
Lord of the Flies by William Golding
Modern
City of Light by Lauren Belfer
Multicultural
CHOOSE ONE –
When I Was Puerto Rican by Esmerelda Santiago
The Color of Water by James McBride
All But My Life by Gerda Weissman Klein
Your summer reading project is to write a two to three page (typed, double spaced, one inch margins,
Times New Roman, 12 pt. font) personal response to one of the novels. A personal response should
explore an issue, character, memorable scene, meaningful quote or overall message from one the
books. You may make connections to real life or other books you have read. You should make several
references to the novel using quotes. This should not be plot summary! I read the book – I know the
story; I want to know what was significant to you. If you have questions- ASK! You may email me over
the summer at agambino@mtmercy.org.
AP Literature
Multicultural
Bless Me, Ultima by Rudolfo Anaya
Classic
Medea by Euripedes
Modern
Cat's Eye by Margaret Atwood
Intro to British Lit.
1984 by George Orwell
PLUS—
One analytical scholarly article about any of the four above novels. You can find these at a local library
or through the use of online databases available through Mount Mercy’s library or the public libraries.
Mount Mercy’s databases are available on the LMC website at
http://www.myteacherpages.com/webpages/mkujawinski/databases.cfm
and the Buffalo & Erie County Public Library’s databases are accessible at Buffalo and Erie County
Public Library Databases.
Directions: Choose two of the following four essays on which to write a two page analytical paper. If
you use outside sources for ideas and information, you need to cite according to MLA format. All
papers should be 11-12 letter size, double-spaced, with a normal (Times New Roman or Arial) font.
1) Discuss Antonio’s struggle for identity in Bless me, Ultima. How do the opposing faiths of
Antonio’s parents factor into his struggle? Is the struggle finally resolved? Why or why not?
2) In Cat’s Eye, what is Atwood’s commentary on men and women and the relationships that exist
between them? What particular parts of the novel lead you to this conclusion? Then do the
same for Euripides’ play, Medea. In what ways are the commentaries similar and how are they
different?
3) In 1984 Orwell is making a commentary on how states act when power becomes overlyconsolidated, and paints a rather bleak picture of the future of civilization. Although Orwell is
here writing science-fiction, discuss how some of the events that he warns about eerily parallel
real events of the past fifty years.
4) Discuss the difference between your original understanding of one of the summer reading
books, compared to your enhanced understanding after digesting an analytical essay on that
book. How did your perspective of the book change? Did the analytical work clarify some major
aspects of the book, or did it simply confuse you? In what ways did the analytical work give you
a deeper appreciation for the book?