Summer Reading Assignment for Honors Enrichment English 10
In addition to the 10th grade Honors assignment for summer reading, students
in Honors Enrichment English 10 are required to read The Book Thief by
Marcus Zusak. The assignment for this book is described in detail below the
summary chart. The assignment for The Book Thief is due at Concord
by August 1st. Failure to turn in this assignment will result in an
automatic removal from the course.
Book Requirement
The Book Thief by Marcus Zusak
Assignment
Reader Response Assignment due August 1st.
Choose two of the following:
District assignment:
Reader Response Journal (format is indicated
on District Summer Reading sheet) due upon
return to school.
The Secret Life of Bees – Sue Monk Kid
The Greatest: Muhammed Ali – Walter Dean
Myers
Tuesdays with Morrie -Mitch Albom
The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-Time
– Mark Haddon
Reader Response Assignment for The Book Thief
Good readers read actively. They respond and ask questions as they read.
Part I: Reader Response Journal
A reader response journal is a notebook to explore your thoughts and feelings about what
you are reading. It also allows teachers to see how you think when you read and how you
approach the story.
What are the requirements of a reader response journal?
(1) Stop every 25-40 pages and write a response to what you have read. See
suggestions below to help you think about your responses.
(2) Before each entry, write the date and the page number where you stopped to
respond.
(3) Your response journal will NOT be graded for grammar or writing skills, but you
should make connections to specific aspects of the book.
(4) Entries should be ¾ to 1 full page of your writing (handwritten not typed).
(5) The responses should be “free” writing – not free of thought, but do not revise or
write final drafts – your initial response is what I want to see.
(6) There should be a minimum of 10 responses to the reading AND a FINAL
response.
(7) The FINAL response is a reflection on the book as a whole and its effect on you -not a “thumbs-up” or “thumbs-down.”
What can you write about in your journal?
Always write about anything you feel strongly about. Here are some other prompts to
think about or finish, but I encourage you to create original responses.
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This character has changed (how)… because…
This phrase or quote is interesting because….
I wonder what it means when....
I don’t understand….
This part is very believable (or unbelievable) because…
This section makes me question or think about…
This character reminds me of another character in (book or movie) because….
I love the way….
I noticed…
I wish…
It seems like…
I agree (or disagree) with __ because __
I wonder why…
AVOID LONG DIGRESSIONS THAT TAKE YOU AWAY FROM THE BOOK AND/OR DO NOT
EVIDENCE CLOSE READING.
Part Two: Interesting/Valuable Quotes with commentary
Find at least five significant quotes (no more than one in any chapter). Quotes can be
phrases, clauses, sentences, or passages that you feel represent some universal or
important statement that the novel makes. Include page numbers for all quotes, and
explain WHY you find the quotes interesting or valuable. Give extended
commentary/analysis of at least one developed paragraph for each quote, as opposed to a
few hastily written sentences.
Please remember to drop off your reader response assignment in the main office at
Concord by August 1st.
If you have any questions please feel free to contact me via e-mail at
leslie.wagner@bsd.k12.de.us
I look forward to working with you next school year!
Happy Reading!
Mrs. Wagner