Hanover High School Summer Reading
Summer 2015-16: Grade 10
Lord Acton once said, “Power tends to corrupt, and absolute power corrupts absolutely.” In keeping with the spirit of these famous words, the overall sophomore curriculum entails the study of man’s inhumanity towards man. In order to live more fulfilling lives, we must sometimes look to the past to avoid the same pitfalls in the future. Learning about the Holocaust of World War II is one of the primary goals of the sophomore curriculum and, to that end, we have put together a list of books from which to choose for your summer reading selection. The books represent a range of reading levels; hopefully you will find something that is well­suited to your talent and ability level, as well as interest. Choose one of the following titles: Between Shades of Grey​
by Ruta Sepetys Once We Were Brothers​
by Ronald H. Balson The Book Thief​
by Markus Zusak The Devil’s Arithmetic​
by Jane Yolen Boy 30529​
by Felix Weinberg The Boy in the Striped Pajamas​
by John Boyne Write a 2­page reflection on your reading experience. Consider the life lessons you can take away from their experience. What can you apply to your own life? How has this reading experience changed or challenged your own thinking? What did you learn that you were not aware of prior to this reading? What were some of the major events? What were some of the obstacles? What major conflicts occurred in their lives? How did they triumph over adversity? Your reflection should include your thoughts and insights on the text, not merely a summary of what you have read. OR Choose a summer reading project from the attached list of ideas. Bring your written reflections OR your projects with you on the Friday of our first full week of school. This day will be our summer reading day, a day to reflect on what we read and learned about over the summer. We will be eagerly waiting to learn about your summer reading experiences. It is expected that all students take advantage of this opportunity; therefore, once assignments are reviewed, all reflections and projects will be factored into your Term 1 grade in English. (If for any reason you find a written reflection or creative project to be an obstacle to your reading enjoyment, please contact the school to make other arrangements.) With best wishes for a happy, restful, and safe summer, Hanover High School English Department Please direct any questions or concerns to the following contact: Hanover High School Main Office (781) 878 – 5450 Summer Reading Project Ideas:
Newspaper​
: Create and write a newspaper, including multiple pages, detailing the various subjects explored in your book. You must include five to ten articles having to do with your story. Remember, there is no “white space” in a newspaper. The layout of your newspaper should cover every available space. Cartoons, classifieds, advertisements, pictures, and editorials are examples of what you can add to your newspaper to make it more interesting and creative. Remember that every part of the newspaper needs to relate to the events in your book. CD:​
Imagine that you have been hired to develop a soundtrack to your book. Find at least ten songs that showcase the book’s themes, settings, emotions, characters, etc. You must include the following with your project: a CD with the songs (if possible), a CD jacket including lyrics and illustrations, and, for each song an explanation of your song choice and how the song relates to your book. You must also include song lyrics in your explanation. Piece of Artistic Expression:​
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If you are artistic or good with your hands, create a painting, sculpture, diorama, or other visual media object connected to your book. You’ll need to write a summary of the book and an explanation of the object and how it connects to the book you just read. Comic Book:​
Create a comic book using the plot of the book you just read. You don’t need to include every little detail, but all the main events and main characters should be covered. The project should include at least fifteen different frames. Your comic book should be illustrated in color. Character Journal:​
Choose one character from your book and write five to ten journal entries from his or her point of view. Detail the thoughts and feelings of this character as he or she experiences the plot of your novel. Each entry should be one page in length, typed, double­spaced. Getting Into Character​
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If you consider yourself an actor or an actress, you might like to take on the persona of a character from your book. Prepare a presentation in which YOU are that character and tell the story of your book from the character’s point of view. Your presentation should be well­prepared and you should plan to dress up or include props to enhance your performance. Poetry Journal​
: If you enjoy writing poetry, you can write a collection of poems that chronicle your novel. You need to write five to ten poems that correspond to characters, themes, events, or other elements seen throughout your novel. Along with each poem, your collection should include some kind of illustration or image to go along with each poem. Movie Trailer:​
If you think the book you just read would make a great movie, create a movie trailer to show to the class. It should be 2­5 minutes in length and you should be able to show the final product to the class. If you choose this project, please be sure that your technology matches the technology we have here at HHS. Check before the day you present that your trailer is all set to be viewed either in the library or in the classroom on a DVD. Other:​
You may propose an alternative idea, but either your English teacher or the Main Office must approve the project. ENJOY!!!