Summer Reading
AP Humanities
The Poisonwood Bible – Barbara Kingsolver . Reading and assignment due 9/4
Their Eyes Were Watching God – Zora Neale Hurston. Reading and assignment due 9/28
A Thousand Splendid Suns – Khaled Housseini. Reading and assignment due 10/20
Assignment- Read the books. Take handwritten notes on lined paper while reading. Complete the
following specific assignments for each book. All quotes must be cited using MLA format and
marked in the book with a post it note. Do not refer to study guides or other sources for
information on any of the novels. Do not share your work with any other students. The
Poisonwood Bible work should be completed and available on the first full day of school in
September. Each novel should be a separate document. Your work will be collected and graded
on the last seminar day for that book.
The Poisonwood Bible. Find a description in the novel that you feel clearly shows the character/
personality of each of the following characters: Orleanna Price, Rachael Price, Ruth May Price,
Adah Price, Leah Price and Nathan Price. That’s one cited handwritten quote for each character.
(6 quotes) Mark the page in the book for each quote with a post it note. For each quote/ character
briefly explain why and how the words you chose captures the character (handwritten on lined
paper). Do not merely paraphrase the quote. At the end of the novel, briefly describe the change
or lack of change in each of the six characters that were caused by the events described in the
novel. (6 characters)
While reading Poisonwood, find 5 specific episodes spaced throughout the book that describe
change in the areas of American Identity, Religion, Colonialism, Politics, Tribal Beliefs and/ or
Historical Allusions. When finished, you should have labeled a total of 5 episodes, from any
three to five categories. Mark each of these episodes with a post it note in the book that explains
the change. (Total – 11 post it notes for the book).
Their Eyes Were Watching God Who is Janie Crawford? Consider this “greater meaning of the
text” question as you follow Janie’s growth through the book. While reading the novel, find a
quote which describes who Janie is as a young girl. Handwrite each quote on lined paper with an
MLA citation. As you read, find a quote for every time Janie undergoes an important change in
her life. You should have at least five cited quotes by the end of the novel. Mark each quote’s
location with a post it note. For each quote/ change explain why and how the words you chose
captures that change on lined paper. Do not merely paraphrase the quote. At the end of the novel,
chose one of these changes and briefly reflect on its importance in Janie’s growth as a person and
who she has become during the course of the story.
A Thousand Splendid Suns As you read, identify the episodes that are major turning points for
Mariam and Laila. Find three or four turning points for each woman. Find and cite a quote which
explains the effect of these turning points on each of these characters. Mark each quote’s location
with a post it note. Explain on a separate piece of lined paper how the incident clarifies each
character’s reaction to the events. At the end of the novel, choose one of the characters and
briefly explain how the turning point earlier in the book has played out in that woman’s life.