American Lit Summer Reading

Read
1. Reading the Bible daily is our first encouragement! Be sure to read Philippians.
2. Read The Old Man and the Sea by Ernest Hemingway.
3. Read Taliesin by Stephen Lawhead.
4. Read one missionary biography. Here are some suggestions:

• Peace Child, by Don Richardson
• Hudson Taylor’s Spiritual Secret, by Dr. & Mrs. Howard Taylor
• Columba, by Nigel Tranter (note: this is actually a novelization)
• Through the Gates of Splendor, by Elisabeth Elliot
• Miss Terri! The Story of Maude Cary, by Evelyn Stenbock
• Other missionaries to consider: William Carey, Adoniram Judson, John Paton, Lottie Moon, John Birch, Henry Martyn, Amy Carmichael, others…

Respond
1. Sign – and get your parents to sign – the form stating that you did all the reading. (Download printable PDF)
2. Complete the book review form for each of the novels.
3. Write a 2-3 page critical essay about one of the novels. The essay should be a character analysis or theme(s) analysis, NOT a plot summary.(typed, double spaced)
4. As an alternative to the essay, you may do one of the creative projects listed below. Note that if you choose the project option, you still must write the book reviews. So in other words, you must do three book reviews and then for ONE of the novels, do EITHER an essay OR a project.

The reading and reviews will count as a test grade, and the essay or project will count as another test grade, so do a good job!

A note on obtaining the books: You may borrow them from the CMC Public Library, buy them from a book store (new or used), or (for many of them) obtain them for free on-line. Try Gutenberg.org for starters. If you are the kind of person who prefers listening to reading, many of these novels are also available in audio format for purchase, rental or even free download.

Have a blessed summer, and happy reading!
Mr. Westbrook

Creative projects for Summer Reading
Choose one of the following options. See the notes and instructions at the end of the list.

a. Cartoon – Create a series of 10 cartoon drawings in a sequence of squares that each show a significant event in the novel. Under each cartoon, write a few lines of explanation. Drawings must be in a polished form (no erasure marks, spears, cross-outs, wrinkles, etc.), each approximately 5” x 5” square on sturdy plain white paper. If you color your drawings (optional), use only colored pencils or crayons – no markers. Be prepared to defend your choices of events in terms of the significance to the overall work.

b. Timeline – Make a creative timeline of major events in the novel. Be sure that the divisions on the timeline reflect the sequence of events in the plot. Be clever as you illustrate the ways subplots weave in and out of the main plot. Use drawings. magazine cutouts or clip-art to illustrate events along the timeline. Include a written explanation of each event. Be prepared to explain why you chose the events on your timeline. Be thorough. This project should reflect the same time and effort as the others.

c. Website – Select five characters and design a home page (real websites or just on Word or Power Point, etc.) for each character. Pick out appropriate backgrounds, pictures and text that would tell a viewer about the character. Also create imaginary links to at least five different web sites for each character that would interest him or her. Be prepared to defend your choices during a short presentation.

d. Letter – Write a letter to the author of the novel in which you make specific compliments on some aspects of the work (style, characterization, use of symbolism, etc.) Include another section in the letter in which you raise specific questions and/or ask for clarification on some point. Finally, tell the author your overall reaction to the work. Be prepared to explain and defend your choices in a short presentation.

e. Power point presentation – Create a power point presentation which provides a mini-lesson on the novel. It should include more than just the information on the book review form; incorporate brief background info about the author, setting (time AND place), backgrounds and explanations of a few key events in the novel. Be sure to explain briefly the themes of the novel. Include pictures, maps and charts as appropriate. You will present your power point lesson to the class.

f. Scrapbook – Create a scrapbook for one of the characters in the novel. Think about what newspaper clippings, magazine articles, ticket stubs, photographs and other memorabilia the character would collect if he were to make a scrapbook. Your final product must include 10 substantial items and written explanations of each. Be prepared to defend your choices during a short presentation.

g. Critical Movie Review – After you read the novel, watch the movie adaptation of the book. Do a creative project (such as the ones on this list) or write a short essay (2 full pages, typed, double spaced) comparing and contrasting the novel and the movie. You will present your project as described in the other options on this page.

h. Theatrical adaptation – Take one scene from the novel and adapt it for a dramatic performance (stage or screenplay). It must accurately represent the novel (take less “artistic license” than Hollywood directors do when they adapt a novel). It should include dialogue and stage directions (instructions for actions). It should be a scene that would take about 5-10 minutes to perform. Choose wisely – make sure it is a scene that is very significant to the novel. Although you may use direct quotes from the novel, your script MUST NOT be just a copy of text from the novel; in other words, choose a scene that would both lend itself well to performance AND that allows you to adapt it from narrative form to script form. Your presentation will involve you directing some of your classmates in a performance or dramatic reading of the script.

i. For the artistic – If you have talent in creative writing, visual or performing arts, demonstrate your ability to think and create big ideas symbolically. In a poem, song, drawing, painting, sculpture or acted performance, illustrate important themes from novel. Be prepared to explain your work.

Notes

• Note: All text must be typed!
• Note that there is no collage or poster project on this list. That means: don’t do one! ☺
• You must be ready to present and submit your work by the second week of class in the fall.
• Anyone who enrolls for RCS late will have one month from the date of enrollment to complete the work.