Summer Reading Assignment
Mrs. Farmer – English 4 HL2 (farmerm@svusd.org)
Mrs. Francis – English 4AP (francisc@svusd.org)
“O wonder!
How many goodly creatures are there here!
How beauteous mankind is! O brave new world,
That has such people in't!”
(Brave New World by Aldous Huxley)
English 4 HL2 and English 4 AP prepare students for college-level assessments with a strong
emphasis on critical reading and analytical writing. Successful completion of these examinations will
prepare students for success at the college level. These advanced level English courses emphasize
the elements of language and how they operate in fiction, non-fiction, poetry, and drama. The
summer reading assignment is mandatory and is the first step into the fundamental study of
literature and language.
Students must read one novel: Brave New World, by Aldous Huxley.
Students will be tested on the novel during the first week of the 2013 – 2014 school year to
demonstrate thorough reading and study of the novel.
Students will also respond to the novel in an essay, scheduled during the first week of school,
that coherently analyzes the major ideas of the novel.
-----------------------------------------------------------Tips for Success on This Summer Reading Assignment:
Both courses will require the close reading of texts throughout your senior year. It is imperative,
therefore, that you begin to practice this skill with Brave New World.
Highlight, underline, and annotate the novel as you read, looking for the following:
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meaningful lines/language
allusions
images
character and/or plot developments
theme(s)
motifs
questions you may have
societal issues relevant to 2013-make connections between the novel’s ideas and
contemporary society
DO NOT rely on outside sources (e.g. Spark notes, Cliff notes, Pink Monkey notes, Shmoop) and/or
any other outside resource to replace your thorough and independent reading of the text, itself. Both
the exam and the essay given the first week of school will require close, careful reading of the
TEXT.
Read with your imagination and be open to multiple interpretations, questions, and arguments.
Start Early! Set reading goals! Do not procrastinate!
Email Mrs. Farmer or Mrs. Francis if you have questions.