10th Grade Advanced English Letter Home



Dear Parents and Students,

The focus of the junior English program is the study of American Literature and its historical, philosophical, and theological context. The goal of the summer reading program is to allow an opportunity for students to read significant literary works at a leisurely pace. They must read two novels for this assignment. The selections are as follows.

Mandatory novel for all juniors entering college preparatory American Literature:

Anthem Ayn Rand

Choose a second novel from the following list:

Catcher in the Rye JD Salinger

Cannery Row John Steinbeck

Ethan Frome Edith Wharton

Winesburg, Ohio Sherwood Anderson

It is expected that each student comes to class the first day of school ready to share their response to both pieces. It is suggested that students annotate the novel or take notes as they read for their interpretation, significance of the passages chosen, etcetera. These notes may be used during the first week of school during responses, assessments and class discussions.

Library or Bookstore? The age old question! Buying books means you are able to highlight important passages as they read during the summer to prepare for discussions and presentations later in the year. I personally feel that being able to mark up a text and “dog-ear” the pages helps in developing a “relationship” with the text. It also cuts down on late fees at your local library. The selections are considered major texts and may be found at any bookstore.

Be sure to keep and refer to this letter as a guide. Some other helpful hints: Read and highlight, note, or question as you go; it helps to keep up on your response journal to track your reactions after a day’s reading. (You may find it difficult to go back after you have read the novel). Two novels over the period of the summer is a reasonable goal, especially when you consider the wonderful places these novels may take them.

I look forward to an enlightening and exciting year as we explore literature together.

I may be contacted at the following email address over the summer should there be any questions or concerns: mwenger@ or aschramm@

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