Advanced Placement Literature and Composition (155)
Summer Reading List
kgburke@rdhs.org

 

In order to share a common frame of reference when discussing literature, it is necessary that all of you have read the same novels. If you have not recently read any of the novels listed below, please do so over the summer.  All of these authors have been listed as subjects for the 2009 Advanced Placement Examination:

 

Dorris, Michael. Yellow Raft in Blue Water

Ishiguro, Kazuo, Never Let Me Go

Irving, John,  A Prayer for Owen Meany

Kingsolver, Barbara, The Poisonwood Bible

            Smiley, Jane, A Thousand Acres

 

You will take a DETAILED, OBJECTIVE test on the above novels Tuesday, August 26.

 

During the year, we will also cover selections which in past years, were part of the summer reading assignment. These may include:

 

McCullers, Carson, Ballad of the Sad Café    

Oates, Joyce Carol, Black Water       

Woolf, Virginia.  To the Lighthouse

 

Use the reflective journal worksheet to respond subjectively to the novels as you work through them. Once you have conducted thoughtful dialogue with the characters or authors or both, you may then examine the more technical aspects of the novels. For this purpose I distributed The Guide to the Novel in June. I will supply historical and biographical background on the authors. You are responsible for covering other areas.

 

As stated above, I will test on the summer assignments soon after we return in August. I will also hold individual journal conferences with each student.

Reflective Journal

As you read through each assignment, reflect on the following. In an ongoing journal, enter the thoughts you have on the following:

·        What are my experiences with _______________?

·        What feelings did I have as I read about _______________?

·        What did reading about _____________add to myself?

 

            The core of your work for our discussions and papers next year will be composed in your reading journals.  A separate spiral notebook works best for this purpose. Choose one that feels good to you, that makes you want to write in it.

 

Questions? Contact Dr. Burke: kgburke1@juno.com; kgburke@rdhs.org