ENGLISH IV Summer Reading
BRITISH LITERATURE
Summer reading is an effective way to maintain your reading and thinking skills
as well give you the opportunity to excel next school year. You will develop
your reading comprehension, increase your vocabulary, and promote
intellectual growth.
Choose one of the following novels:
1. Tuesdays with Morrie by Mitch Albom
“Maybe it was a grandparent, or a teacher, or a colleague. Someone older, patient and wise, who
understood you when you were young and searching, helped you see the world as a more
profound place, gave you sound advice to help you make your way through it. For Mitch Albom,
that person was Morrie Schwartz, his college professor from nearly twenty years ago. . .” –
amazon.com
2. Angela’s Ashes by Frank McCourt
“ ‘When I look back on my childhood I wonder how I managed to survive at all. It was, of course, a
miserable childhood: the happy childhood is hardly worth your while. Worse than the ordinary
miserable childhood is the miserable Irish childhood, and worse yet is the miserable Irish Catholic
childhood.’”
So begins the luminous memoir of Frank McCourt, born in Depression-era Brooklyn to recent Irish
immigrants and raised in the slums of Limerick, Ireland. . . Angela’s Ashes, imbued on every page
with Frank McCourt’s astounding humor and compassion, is a glorious book that bears all the
marks of a classic.” – amazon.com
3. Jane Eyre by Charlotte Bronte
“An orphan girl's progress from the custody of cruel relatives to an oppressive boarding school
culminates in a troubled career as a governess. Jane's first assignment at Thornfield, where the
proud and cynical master harbors a scandalous secret, draws readers ever deeper into a
compelling exploration of the mysteries of the human heart.” – amazon.com
4. Pride and Prejudice by Jane Austen
“In one of the most universally loved and admired English novels, a country squire of no great
means must marry off his five vivacious daughters. Jane Austen's art transformed this effervescent
tale of rural romance into a witty, shrewdly observed satire of English country life.” – amazon.com
5. Wuthering Heights by Emily Bronte
“There are few more convincing, less sentimental accounts of passionate love than the story of the
tormented Heathcliff, who falls wildly in love with Catherine Earnshaw, the daughter of his
benefactor, and of the violence and misery that result from their thwarted longing for each other.” –
amazon.com
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6. The Kite Runner by Khaled Hosseini
"The unforgettable, heartbreaking story of the unlikely friendship between a wealthy boy and the
son of his father's servant, The Kite Runner is a beautifully crafted novel set in a country that is in the
process of being destroyed. It is about the power of reading, the price of betrayal, and the
possibility of redemption; and an exploration of the power of fathers over sons—their love, their
sacrifices, their lies." – amazon.com
7. Like Water For Chocolate by Laura Esquivel
"Like Water For Chocolate, a poignant love story told from a woman's point of view, takes place on
the De la Garza ranch in turn-of-the-century Mexico. Cooking and eating play a central role in the
tale. The heroine, Tita, a master chef, was literally born in the kitchen. Following tradition, her
tyrannical mother decrees that Tita as the youngest must not marry but must instead care for her
mother in old age. Unable to communicate freely, Tita concocts recipes so magically potent as to
convey her emotions to all who eat her creations- even the chickens-with often hilarious results."–
amazon.com
These books may be found at bookstores or online. You can even purchase and download these
titles to an e-reader or other electronic devices. Please remember that online novel guides and
summaries do not replace actual reading. Be prepared to be assessed on your reading selection
when you return in August.
Active reading strategies are outlined below:
1. Chapter summaries: Write a 2-3 sentence summary of the main plot events for that chapter.
2. Character notes: Underline/Highlight any descriptions or details that provide information
about characters. Pay attention to the following:
-Characters’ physical appearance
-Characters’ actions
-Characters’ thoughts
-What others say or think about each character
3. Important passages: Underline/Highlight any passages that strike you. Reasons for
highlighting a passage could be that it shows conflict, reveals something about the setting, is
an example of good writing, is funny, is thought-provoking, or is surprising.
4. Questions: Write any questions you have as you read.
Thank you. Have a safe and wonderful summer.
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