The Bean Trees:



Mount Mercy Academy Summer Reading 2007 Projects

For ALL students: You must read all of the assigned books for your grade! All teachers will give an extensive test during the first week of classes. We encourage you to take notes while reading to prepare for this.

Study guides – such as Sparknotes, Cliffnotes, Monkeynotes, Bookrags, etc. – are NEVER a substitute for reading the books. We expect you to ONLY use these “study guides” as just that – a helpful guide for studying after you’ve done the reading.

Your written projects must also be in your own words and be your own ideas. Copying and/or “borrowing” ideas from these study guides will be considered plagiarism if you do not properly cite your source! If you’re unsure, don’t use it.

Make sure to follow all directions for your grade level!

9th Grade English I

10th Grade English II OR Pre-AP English

11th Grade English III OR AP Language & Composition

12th Grade English IV OR AP Literature

English I

Classic To Kill A Mockingbird by Harper Lee

Modern Speak by Laurie Halse Anderson

Multicultural Things Fall Apart by Chinua Achebe

Directions: Write a two-page essay on one of the following topics. Essays should be typed, double-spaced, 11 or 12 font, with Times New Roman lettering. They are due the first day of class.

1) Discuss the roles of masculinity and femininity in the tribal culture presented in Things Fall Apart. What qualities and types of behavior are associated with masculinity and femininity? In what ways does the quest to become masculine dominate Okonkwo's life and how does this outlook on life lead to his eventual downfall?

2) The title of To Kill a Mockingbird refers to many of the significant characters in the novel. Choose three characters from the book and discuss how the title pertains to each. (You will need to look carefully at Miss Maudie's advice to the children in chapter 10.)

3) Explain whether Speak is about friendships, cliques, or both. Who are Melinda’s friends? How do her friendships change?  Why do they change?

English II

Classic All Quiet on the Western Front by Erich Maria Remarque

Modern Bean Trees by Barbara Kingsolver

Multicultural Black Like Me by John Howard Griffin

Using what you have learned about writing a critical lens essay, discuss the following quote and its meaning in terms of two (2) of the three Summer Reading novels. Be sure to provide an interpretation of the quote, show whether you agree or disagree with the quote, and prove how your ideas of the quote are shown in the novel. Use specific references to the novels, including quotations, plot details, character development and/or literary techniques, to prove your ideas. Avoid plot summary.

“I may not have gone where I intended to go, but I think I have ended up where I intended to be.”  ~Douglas Adams

Pre-AP English:

Classic Jane Eyre by Charlotte Bronte

Modern Bean Trees by Barbara Kingsolver

Multicultural Joy Luck Club by Amy Tan

Recurring objects or images are usually symbolic in works of literature. In a well-developed essay, discuss the significance of one of the following recurring objects and how it develops in meaning during the course of the novel. Choose only one book on which to focus, and avoid plot summary. Instead, use quotations, specific details, and literary techniques used by the author to prove your ideas.

Joy Luck Club Recurring Object/Image – Faces

Jane Eyre Recurring Object/Image – Clothing

The Bean Trees Recurring Object/Image – the Landscape

English III

Classic Ethan Frome by Edith Wharton

Modern Separate Peace by John Knowles

Multicultural Hiroshima by John Hersey

Select one of the characters from each of the novels whom you feel you are most like OR most unlike (it must be the same one for all three novels). Be sure to identify the character and the ways that you are like (or unlike) this character. Be sure to provide details from the novel to support your opinion, and avoid plot summary. There must be at least three specific references to each novel. NOTE: This is one (1) essay that happens to be about all three (3) books. This is NOT 3 essays.

AP Language & Composition

Narrative of the Life of Frederick Douglass by Frederick Douglass

My Antonia by Willa Cather

The Story of My Life by Helen Keller

The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn by Mark Twain

You must do a total of three (3) essays.

Answer each of the following questions in a separate essay of 250-350 words, using 12 point Times Roman type.

 

 

Narrative of the Life of Frederick Douglass

What is Douglass’ intended effect on the reader and how does he recreate his experiences as a slave?  Consider such elements as diction (word choice), selection of detail (what he chooses to include), imagery and tone.

 

The Story of My Life

Helen Keller took to heart the words of the wise Roman who said:  “To be banished from Rome is but to live outside Rome.”  Interpret this quote and give examples from the book that show Helen Keller truly exemplified this quote in her life.

Choose one (1) of the following two questions.

The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn

Compare and contrast Huck’s attitude toward Jim in chapter X to his attitude toward Jim in chapter XXXI.  What does this change in attitude tell the reader about Huck?

My Antonia

Compare and contrast Antonia with her parents.  What character traits does she inherit from each?  Which parent affects her life the most?

English IV

Classic Lord of the Flies by William Golding

Modern City of Light by Lauren Belfer

Multicultural CHOOSE ONE –

When I Was Puerto Rican by Esmerelda Santiago

The Color of Water by James McBride

All But My Life by Gerda Weissman Klein

Your summer reading project is to write a two to three page (typed, double spaced, one inch margins, Times New Roman, 12 pt. font) personal response to one of the novels. A personal response should explore an issue, character, memorable scene, meaningful quote or overall message from one the books. You may make connections to real life or other books you have read. You should make several references to the novel using quotes. This should not be plot summary! I read the book – I know the story; I want to know what was significant to you. If you have questions- ASK! You may email me over the summer at agambino@.

AP Literature

Multicultural Bless Me, Ultima by Rudolfo Anaya

Classic Medea by Euripedes

Modern Cat's Eye by Margaret Atwood

Intro to British Lit. 1984 by George Orwell

PLUS—                         

One analytical scholarly article about any of the four above novels. You can find these at a local library or through the use of online databases available through Mount Mercy’s library or the public libraries. Mount Mercy’s databases are available on the LMC website at

and the Buffalo & Erie County Public Library’s databases are accessible at Buffalo and Erie County Public Library Databases.

Directions: Choose two of the following four essays on which to write a two page analytical paper. If you use outside sources for ideas and information, you need to cite according to MLA format. All papers should be 11-12 letter size, double-spaced, with a normal (Times New Roman or Arial) font.

1) Discuss Antonio’s struggle for identity in Bless me, Ultima. How do the opposing faiths of Antonio’s parents factor into his struggle? Is the struggle finally resolved? Why or why not?

2) In Cat’s Eye, what is Atwood’s commentary on men and women and the relationships that exist between them? What particular parts of the novel lead you to this conclusion? Then do the same for Euripides’ play, Medea. In what ways are the commentaries similar and how are they different?

3) In 1984 Orwell is making a commentary on how states act when power becomes overly-consolidated, and paints a rather bleak picture of the future of civilization. Although Orwell is here writing science-fiction, discuss how some of the events that he warns about eerily parallel real events of the past fifty years.

4) Discuss the difference between your original understanding of one of the summer reading books, compared to your enhanced understanding after digesting an analytical essay on that book. How did your perspective of the book change? Did the analytical work clarify some major aspects of the book, or did it simply confuse you? In what ways did the analytical work give you a deeper appreciation for the book?

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