Chelsea High Summer Reading

2010 Summer Reading Instructions and Details

You are expected to read at least two books during the summer and to write essays in response to your reading. Your essays are due no later than August 28 (the third day of school) and will be the first grade given in the new school year. In addition, you may be tested on the content of the required novel during the first week of school.

1. Read one required book for your grade. Please see the Summer Essay, Rubric, and Book List document for your grade's novel and complete details.
2. Choose one additional book from the list. (Honors students choose two.)
3. For each book you read, answer one of the writing prompts in a well-developed essay. Final drafts should be written neatly in blue or black ink or typed (typed is required for Honors students and preferred for all students). Turn in all evidence of planning and drafts with your final copy.

Special instructions for Honors and AP students: Grade 9 and 10 students must read the required book and two additional books from the list. Only one book may have an asterisk(*) by it. AP students will receive their summer reading assignments from their AP instructors.

Writing Instructions

For each of the novels that you read from the summer reading list, choose one of the following questions to answer in a well-developed essay. Your answer should be thoughtful, complete and well organized. It is very important that you provide enough information for your instructor to be sure that you have read the novel in its entirety, but do not just summarize. Please use the attached Chelsea High School Writing Rubric as a guideline in completing your work.

#1 – Determine the Lesson or Moral: What do you believe is the key lesson or moral that a reader can learn from this novel? Do you believe that the author intended to communicate this specific lesson? Which aspects of the novel lead you to your opinion? If the book you read is nonfiction, what do you think is the author’s purpose?

#2 – Describe a Character: Choose one character from the book and write a detailed description of him or her. Include as many aspects of him or her as possible, such as physical appearance, personality type, morals and values. Explain whether the character is dynamic (changes throughout the story) or static (does not change).

#3 – Evaluate the Conclusion: How satisfying was the conclusion of the book? For example, was the ending believable, predictable, or outrageous? Were you left hanging with unanswered questions? If fiction, do you think there is another ending that would have been more fitting, appropriate, or satisfying?