June 2011
Summer Reading
Dear Incoming 9th Grade Students,
We are eager to meet you next year in your English class at Culver City High
School. Before you join us in the fall, please read one of the novels below that we
have chosen for your enjoyment. As you read, consider annotating the novel
using the Annotation Guide below. Complete the 9th Grade Summer Reading
Assignment titled “Elements of a Story,” also below. Bring your book and your
completed Summer Reading Assignment on the first day of class.
Your Summer Reading Assignment will be your first major grade for the first
quarter.
If you are going into English 9 choose from this list:
Nothing but the Truth by Avi
Make Lemonade by Virginia Euwer Wolff
Staying Fat for Sarah Byrnes by Christopher Crutcher
Breathing Underwater by Alex Flinn
Big Mouth and Ugly Girl by Joyce Carol Oats
The Pigman by Paul Zindel
If you are going into English 9 Honors choose from this list:
The Book Thief by Markus Zusak
Twisted by Laurie Halse Anderson
The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Nighttime by Mark Haddon
House of Spirits by Isabel Allende
Wuthering Heights by Emily Bronte
Native Son by Richard Wright
All of these titles are available for less than $10 on Amazon.com. They are also
available at most libraries; however, the annotations would need to be done on
sticky notes for borrowed books (see Annotation Guide below).
Enjoy your summer and your reading!
Sincerely,
CCHS Freshmen English Teachers
Annotation Guide
An important first step in analyzing literature is annotating the text. Basically,
annotation is taking notes in your text as you read to help you keep track of your
thinking. If you borrow a book from the library, you will need to take your notes on
Post-Its or the like. If you purchase your own copy of the book, you can take your
notes directly in the margin of the book. These books can be purchased for under
$10 online and at bookstores as well. We highly encourage you to look into
purchasing an inexpensive copy of the book so that you can bring your annotated
text with you in September. If you borrow the book, you will need to buy sticky
notes and keep track of library due dates to avoid late fees. It may be cheaper in
the long run to buy the book!
Please annotate your book using the following method.
 Highlight key words, phrases, or sentences. Write what you find significant
about this part of the text in the margin. Anything you highlight with a
highlighter marker is not considered annotation unless you also write out
in the margin why you highlighted that part of the text.
 Write questions, comments and connections (within the text and with other
texts you’ve read) in the margins.
 Summarize events every few pages.
 Highlight the actions and reactions of characters that seem especially
revealing. Write out to the side what character traits are being revealed.
 Draw a square around words for which you don’t yet know the definition.
 Circle words you find especially powerful. These words should bring to
mind an image or emotion.
Annotation is a skill that will be reinforced each year in your English classes at
Culver City High School. Learning to annotate effectively will serve you well in
the future as you read and analyze challenging works of literature.
9th Grade Summer Reading Assignment
This will be collected by your 9th Grade English teacher on THE FIRST DAY OF
SCHOOL and it will be your first major assignment grade of the semester!
Definitions to Know: (You need these to complete the summer work
assignment.)
Exposition/Basic Situation – This introduces the characters, gives the setting,
the mood, and sets the tone of the novel.
Rising Action- The plot thickens, suspense builds, and the conflict/complications
are shown in the novel.
Goal – What the main character is trying to achieve.
Conflict – The thing that is getting in the way of what the main character wants.
Climax – This is the turning point and determines if the goal of the novel will be
achieved. It is the highest point in the novel.
Falling Action – These are the events that occur after the climax; these events
help to lead to the resolution.
Resolution/Denouement – The conflict is resolved, the loose ends that were
unraveled are tied up, and the goal is gained or lost.
Theme – The overall idea of what the author is attempting to teach the reader
about some aspect of life or human nature.
Directions:
1.)
Read one of the novels from the summer reading (above) by the first
day of school.
2.)
Using the definitions above, complete the following worksheet on “The
Elements of a Story,” by describing each element as it pertains to your
chosen novel. (This will be collected on THE FIRST DAY OF
SCHOOL!)
3.)
Be prepared to discuss your novel with the class.
“Elements of a Story” Worksheet
~This is what you will turn in on the first day of school.~
Name _________________________________________
Novel _________________________________________
Explain each of the elements below as they pertain to your chosen novel. Please
type 5 to 8 well-constructed sentences for each element.
*Plagiarism will not be tolerated and will result in a “0” on the assignment
and referral to your counselor.*
Exposition/Basic Situation -
Rising Action -
Goal -
Conflict -
Climax -
Falling Action -
Resolution/Denouement -
Theme -