SUMMER READING - 2015
British Literature
10th Grade
In September we will delve into the following books – it will be part of your 1st quarter grade. If assignments are in late, you
will not receive full credit.
Required Reading (Please buy your three books – New/used paper copy or E reader is fine!)
1.
Jane Eyre – Charlotte Bronte
CHOOSE 2 of the 3 books below
2.
3.
4.
The Curious Incident of The Dog in The Night-Time – Mark Haddon
Angela's Ashes - Frank McCourt
I Capture the Castle – Dodie Smith
You should read approximately 20 pages a day and I suggest you read Jane Eyre first. It is a novel about love and a dark secret.
By reading at least 20 pages at a time, you will become more involved with the story (which will make you enjoy it more) and
you will also keep on track so that you don’t need to cram your summer reading in at the last moment. Don’t forget your
summer reading assignments will be a large percentage of your 1st quarter grade. They are due the first full period class in
September.
ASSIGNMENTS
Before you read Jane Eyre, please look up the following words and keep them handy: Your first vocab quiz will be on these
words.
1. Vocabulary: Write flashcards on index cards or on a device with a Flashcard App. Put the word on one side and the
definition with the part of speech on the other side.
piquant
insipid
supercilious
discord
sanguine
nonchalant
ire
virulent
salubrious
acumen
sagacious
doleful
soporific
pithy
resolute
While you read, use Post–it Notes/or highlight and make notes on your Ipad.
2. Use Post–It Notes as you are reading Jane Eyre. The post-it notes should help you remember details, about
characters and plot. It is also a way to help you read critically and keep you engaged with the book. You may want
to put post-it notes in your book or highlight when…






When a new character is introduced (ex. Aunt Reed – Jane’s Aunt – seems cruel)
When a character trait is shown due to action (John Reed (mean) hits Jane with a book)
When a major plot shift occurs (Ex. Jane is leaving her Gateshead)
When a new place is introduced (Lowood – a school)
When you don’t understand or want to discuss something (? with your thought or question)
When you are excited by something (I love them together! Or She is so funny!)

Do not get too carried away with this – you should read the book to enjoy it (not furiously stop constantly), but the
notes do seem to help people keep track of characters, plot points, etc. Different readers will use this technique to
varying degrees, but I do want you to use it.
**You will have to bring Jane Eyre to class with the post-it notes intact/or highlights on Ipad version, so that I can see that you
used this technique on the first full day of class.**
3. One Paragraph
“Great works are performed not by strength, but by perseverance.” -Samuel Johnson (1709-1784) British author.
After you have finished reading all three books—choose one of the three and write one paragraph on why this quote is true.
You should refer to the quote and the author of the quote, Samuel Johnson, in your topic sentence. Make sure you use one
character and use details from the book to show how that one character shows that “Great works are performed not by
strength, but by perseverance.”
When writing:
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
Do not use “I” or “My” in your paragraph
Don’t forget about writing a strong Topic Sentence.
Give specific details - don’t be vague (Saying “The character perseveres in so many ways throughout the novel.”
Doesn’t say anything!)
Remember to end your paragraph with a wrap up sentence. It should reiterate your topic sentence.
Remember to proofread and check your grammar.
All paragraphs must be typed and double-spaced. Remember to leave two spaces after a period when you type.
I will not accept handwritten or single spaced papers.
4. Literary Terms
Find 2 examples of literary terms being used in your TWO CHOICE novels (NOT Jane Eyre). Write the examples (Sentence or a
few sentences depending on the term) on loose-leaf and may be hand written. 4 literary terms total
This should be ready to hand in during the first day of class. Some examples of Literary Terms: similes, metaphors, point of
view, personification, imagery, tone - You may use these terms or others that you find. Only use a term once - so I see FOUR
different literary terms on the page.
Please write neatly, number each term and skip a line between terms.
5.Current Events – Pick one newspaper article that relates in some way to one of the stories. Perhaps it is about poverty or
restoration of a castle or a child that has persevered despite challenges. Write a one short paragraph summary of the article
and how it connects to one of the books you read this summer. Tape or glue the article on a page and write your paragraph
below it or on a page of loose-leaf and staple it to the article page. This may be handwritten.
Don’t forget--- Due the first full period English Class in September:





Vocabulary Flashcards
Jane Eyre w/ post-its or highlights on Ipad
One Paragraph – Quote connection
Literary Term page
Current Event paragraph with novel/memoir connection

Enjoy the summer and enjoy your reading!
-Ms. Halloran