May,2010

Dear Future Freshman English students,

Welcome to the high school and best wishes for an exciting and rewarding year with us. Since readingprovides immeasurable pleasure, assists students in all their studies, and improves scores in standardizedtesting, we urge you to read widely over the summer, To prepare you for the specific demands ofFreshman English and Western civilization, we require you to read two books.

Requirement #1:

THE ALCHEMIST: A Fable about Following your Dreams by paulo coelho

As you read this short novel, we ask that you choose 3 golden lines, lines that inspire you or strikeyou as significant, and write these down. In addition, when you finish the novel, make a list of elementsin the story that strike you as typical of myth, fairy-tale, or story-telling in general. For example, theHarry Potter series showcases the classic conflict between good versus evil, a wise old man, and the heroon a ouest.

Bring your lines and list to class the first week of school.

Requirement #2:

Read ONE other book from the following list on the back of this page. Some books relate to topicswe will cover during freshman year (such as the Holocaust, the Middle Ages, myth, Classical Greece), butyou may choose anything from the list.

Be prepared to write about your second book during the first week of school.

We encourage you to challenge yourself. Consider reading more than one book from the list!

Sincerely,

Wilton High School English Department

m Until I feared I would lose it, I never loved to read. One does not love breathing. -Harper Lee

m Outside of a dog, a book is man's best friend. Inside of a dog, it's too dark to read. -Groucho Marx

m Books can be dangerous. The best ones should be labeled "This could change your life." -Helen Exley

The Red Tent+ Diamant The Year of LivingBiblicallv+

Jacobs

The Girl with thePearl Earcing+

Chevalier Shakespeare: TheWorld as Stase+

Bryson

Year of Wonders* Brooks Sailing the Wine-DarkSea+

Cahill

East of Eden+ Steinbeck Mysteries of theMiddle Asest

Cahill

The Bull from theSea+

Reanault stiff Roach

The Crvstal Cave+ Stewart Blink GladwellThe Sword and theStone+

White Freakonomics orSuperfreakonomics

Levitt

The GoldenCompass*+

Pullman Into Thin Air Krakauer

The Wove*+ Strasser Marley and Me* GroganThe Book Thief+ Zusak The Radioactive Boy

Scout*Silverstein

Pillars of the Earth+ Follett A Walk in theWoods*

Bryson

The DaVinci Code+ Brown The Boy WhoHarnessed the Wind

Kamkqamba andMealer

Ender's Game Card Three Cups of Tea MortensonA Tree Grows inBrooklyn

Smith

The Bell Jar PlathPersepolis (graphicnovel)

Satrapi

The Kite Runner HosseiniThe Absolutely TrueDiary of a Part-TimeIndian*

Alexie

Twisted* AndersonWintersirls AndersonThirteen Reasonswhv*

Asher

The Good Thief TintiThe First Part Last JohnsonThe Hunger Games CollinsI Kill Giants Kelly

FICTIOI{ NONFICTION

*Represents books that are quick reads.*Represents books that relate to the Freshman English/Westem Civilization Curriculum.

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Hello, 2010-2011 Humanities student!

Many students (and their parents!) want to know how Humanities differs from courses that thev have encounteredin earlier years. Excellent question!

This class will ask you to think in abstract terms as well as concrete ones. You already have sharp comprehensionskills; when you read a book now, you not only know who lives or dies, but whether or not the butler did it.Furthermore, you have begun to work with interpreting themes, deciding what the author says by having the butlerdo it. We will go deeper into theme with an examination of style, deciding what the author was doing wittr tone anddiction and figurative laneuage while the butler was doing it.

To prepare for the course, read a newspaper on a regular basis, if you do not do so already. The New york Times ishighly recommended, despite its lack of daily comics. Periodicals like The New Yorker and, The Atlantic also offermuch to you' As you read, notice how the same event may be interpreted and reported differently by varioussources. why? can we apply this line of questioning to fiction as well? (yes!)

The initial discussions, assessments, and writing for class will be based on the titles below, all readily available atthe library and your local book stores. Purchase them if possible, as we will re-visit them throughouithe year.

L Sailing the Wine-Dark Sea: Wy the Greel<s Matter, Thomas Cahill

2. How to Read Literature Like a Professor, Thomas C. Foster

3. Either The Once and Future King,by T.H. White, or Girl with the Pearl Earring, by Tracy Chevalier

You will now have raw material; we will see what your gifted and talented minds do with it when school begins. Itmakes sense that you would take some notes rather than rely on memory. As you decide what point or points theauthors make (and how you know), make some observations about their style, and record some of you" ownresponses to these works. What else caflyou say about them or do with them?

We look forward to meeting you and exploring Humanities with you!

Mr. Sheridan and Mrs. Foley

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Summer Reading for Studerrts E4tering 1Otr erade. 20l Q-201 1

You are required to read two books this summer, one fiction and one non-fiction toprepare for the sophomore English course, American Experience. These texts addressimportant topics that appear in this year-long course's curriculum but are also excitinsnew books that teil provocative stories.

While you will not be required to take notes, the questions below should guide yourreading. You will be writing about these books when you return to school, so piease readthese books as thoroughly as possible.

Rick Bragg's All Over But the Shoutin,Tracy Kidder's Mountains Beyond Mountains

Choose one of Lhese two fiction books:

Lany Watson's Montana I94BSue Monk Kidd's The Secret Life of Bees

o What are your thoughts and questions about this story? You might reflect on thecharacters, their problems, the author's use of symbolism, the tiile, or other ideasin the story.

o Describe how the main character has changed through the story. Support yourthinking with details from the story.

o What does this book say about people or life in general (theme)? In what waysdoes it remind you of people you have known or experiences you have had? youmay also write about stories or books you have read, or movies, works of art, orTV programs you have seen.

o How successful was the author in creating a good piece of literature?

Enjoy your summer and your summer reading. We look forward to your ideas about thesebooks!

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summer Reading for AP Language and composition students

Dear Future AP Language Students,

Next year you will be taking two semesters of our high honors courses that together earn you ApLanguage and Composition credit: English Novel, Selected English Authors, Selected American Authors,Modem European Authors. These courses offer you the opportunity to experience the richness of classicand modem literature as well as non-fiction. You can expect a rigorous coilege-level approach to readingand writing, and a chance to practice rhetorical analysis which will prepare you for taking the ApLanguage and Composition Exam. You can also expect lively discussion, good reads, and thought-provoking assignments.

In order to prepare for the challenges ahead, you are required to complete the following and bring finishedwork to your English class the first week of school.

1. Read the following essays and complete the attached questions.

"On Listening" by Eudora Welty"Mother Tongue" by Amy Tan

2. Read The Autobiography of Frederick Douglas and be prepared for follow-up assignments.

3. R:ead The Collector by John Fowles and be prepared for follow-up assignments.

4. Read The Assault by Harry Mulisch and be prepared for follow-up assignments.

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June 2010

To A.P. Students 20l0l20ll :

Many of you have expressed a desire for suggested readings to do before the course begins and a list ofbooks that we will read next year. The following list contains books and plays that you should have readbefore coming intoA. P. All of these works are taught at WHS.Lord of the Flies-Golding 'F*{'{'*an absolute mustThe Tempe st-Shakesp eareOthello-ShakespeareMacbeth--ShakespeareRomeo and Juliet--ShakespeareA Farewell to Arms--HemingwayLieht in August--FaulknerCatch 22--HellerGlass Menagerie--WilliamsDeath of a Salesman--MillerPride and Prejudice--AustenTess of the D'Urbervilles-HardyToo Late the Phalarope-PattonFrench Lieutenant's Woman-Fowles

The following is apartial list of works that we will cover in A. P. next year. Please, consider buying thenovels so that you can mark your copy as you read.Hamlet-ShakespeareMacbeth-ShakespeareOthello--ShakespeareA Doll's House--Ibsen"No Exit"--SartreLong Day's Journey into Night--ONeillBeowulf--AnonymousGrendel--Gardner" Everyman " --Anonymous

Paradise Lost-MiltonThe Road-McCarthyThe Sound and the Furv-FaulknerStreetcar Named Desire--WilliamsMetamorphosis--KafkaHeart of Darkness--ConradPortrait of the Artist as a Young Man--JoyceMrs. Dalloway--WoolfThe Great Gatsby-F itzgeraldThe Things They Canied-O'Brien

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You Can't Go Home Agaln-WolfeC{ime and Punishment--Dostevsky

The following list contains your summer reading. Please read in the order given. After readingFranke{rstein, peruse the chapters in the Ha+dbook gf Critical Approaches tq I.iterature paying specialattention to the essays on Frankenstein. We will use various methods of criticism throughout the courseThese critical approaches to literature will also help with your summer reading.

After reading the above, read these works in the order given:

A Room of One's Own-WoolfThe Awakening-ChopinA Doll House-IbsenMrs. Dalloway-WoolfSula -MorrisonThe Handmaid's Tale----AtwellSummer reading will be tested during the first week of class. These works will also serve as discussionmaterial during the first weeks of class.

Summer writing assignments: Keep a journal as you read so that you will be able to engage in thoughtfuldiscussion as we begin class. Keep a list of topics for discussion and analysis.

We look forward to our course next year.

Have a great summer!!

Ms. Henry and Dr. Vogel

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Sumrner Reading for llth eg l2'h Graders

As rising ju,niors and seniors, you are required to read two books (from the following lists) over rhesummer and to be prepared to write about them during the first week of schooi nextTail. i.ryo.r" rakinganHonorsEnglkh course next year is required to read three books. Research has shown that reading overthe summer helps ensure your academic success. And, of course, it's a great pleasure to read as well. Wehave listed quite a few books in many categories, and we hope you finisome books you will

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Classics to ConsiderAnna Karenina Leo TolstoyEast of Eden ]ohn SteinbeckThe Count of Monte Cristo or The ManlilFlronMask

A-lexandre Dumas

On the Road fack KerouakSense and Sensibility fane AustenJane Eyre Charlorte BronteRebecca Daphene du MaurierTender is the Nieht F. Scott FitzgeraldThe Trial Franz KafkaCry the Beloved Country AIan PatonHard Times Charles DickensAn American Tragedy Theodore DreiserBeloved Toni Morrison

Contem >orary l-Iction to Contempl.The Blind Assassin Marqaret AtwoodThe Kite Runner Khaled HosseiniExtremely Loud, Incredibly Close fonathan Safran FoerA Prayer for Owen Meany fohn IwingCat's Cradle Kurt VonnezutCold Mountain Charles FrazierThe House Gun Nadine GordimerTsotsi Athol FugardGoing After Cacciaro Tim O'BrienWater Bapsi Sidhwa4!gl9 rf Repose Wailace StegnerA Thousand Acres ]ane SmileyA Lesson Before Dying Ernest GainesHow the Garcia Girls Losr Their Accenr |ulia AlvarezThe Hour I First Believed Waliy LambAll the Pretrv Horses Cormac McCarthvWe Were the Mulvaneys |oyce Carol Oates

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The Shipping News E. Annie ProulxThe Sweet Hereafter Russell BanksSophie's Choice William SwronPIot Against America Philip RorhWhite Noise Don DelillioSarurdav Ian McEwanBeI Canto Ann PachettHouse of Sand and Fog Andre Dubos IIiThe Lone RangeJ and Tonro Fistfighr in Heaven ShermanAlexieLove in the Time of Cholera Gabriel Garcia MarquezEllen Foster Kave GibbonsEmnire Falls Richard RussoThe Reader Bernhard SchlinkDracula Bram StokerThe Color Pumle Alice Walker

Fiction to PonderThe Absolutely True Story of a part-Time Indi:an Sherman AlexieWintergirls Laurie Halse AndersonThe Hunger Games Suzanne CollinsThe DaVinci Code Dan BrownY"lqgrtv Dean KoontzThe Bourne ldentiw Robert LudlumBlankets Craig ThompsonPersepolis Marjane SatrapiEnder's Game Orson Scott CardNineteen Minutes fodi PicoultThe Good Thief Hannah TintiThe Help Kathnm StockettCarrie Stephen KingSunrise Over Falluiah Walter Dean MversLoving lrank Nancv HoranThe Divine Secrers of the Ya-Ya Sisterhood Rebecca WellsPillars of the Earth Ken FollettGone Michael Grant

Memoir/A to ReIIectBeautiful Bov David SheffTweak Nic SheffLone Survivor: The Eyewitness Account ofOperation Redwing and rhe Losr Heroes of SEALTeam 10

Marcus Luttreil

When I Was Puerto Rican Esmeralda SantiagoGhosts of War: The lh:e Ston'of a ig-Yeal{ld GI Ryan Smithson

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Autobioqraphy of Malcolm X Alex HailevRunninsWith Scissors Auzusten BurrouehsThe Boy Who Harnessed the Wind: C.reatingCurrents ol Electricitv anclHone

\A/il liam Kiunl<g'irn:bir and Brryzrn iv'l eal er:

Autobioqraphv of a Face Lucy GrealvYankee Years Ioe Torre and Tom VerducciPlanetWalker Tohn FrancisLeBron's Dream Team: How Five Friends MadeHistory

LeBronJames and Buzz Bissinger

The Diving Bell and the Butterfly: A Memoir of Lifein Death

I s4n - Don:ri n i qu e Fl aub),,'

Kaffir Boy Mark MathabaneLiving at the Edge of the World: r\ Teenager'sSun'ival in the Tunnel-s of Grand Central Station by

Tina S.

infidel Avaan Hirsi Aii

Nonfiction to MuII OverWar Sebastian IunserInto Thin Air Ton KrakauerThe Omnivore's Dilemma Michael PollanThe Tippine Point Malcolm GladwellFreakonomics or Superfreakonimics Stephen D. Levitt and Stephen T. DubnerGreasy Rider: fu'o L)uclcs, One Fly-OiI-llor;r'ereclCar, and a Ci:oss-Country Search fbr: zr 6reenerFuftrre

Greg Melville

Stiff: The Curious Life of Human Cadavers M"ry Roach

Radioactive Boy Scout:The Frightening True Storyof a Whiz Kid and His Homemade Nuclear Reactor

Ken Silverstein

A Perfect Storm SebastianJunger

Devil in the White City Erik Larson

Kabul Beauty School: An American Woman GoesBehind the Veil

Deborah Rodrizuez and Kristin Ohlson

Three Cups of Tea: One Man's Mission to PromotePeace One School at a Time

Greg Mortenson and David Oliver Relin

Candyfreak AJourney Through the CholcolateUnderbellv of America

Steve Almond

Nickeled and Dimed: On (Not) Getting By inAmerica

Barbara Ehrenreich

Rescue Warriors: The U. S. Coastguard, America'sForgotten Heroes

David Helvarg

The Blindside Michael Lewis

The Hot Zone Richard Preston

AmaztngGrace: The Loves of Children and theConscience of a Nation

Jonathon Kozol

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Newjack Guarding Sing Sing Ted ConoverSongbook Nick HornbyMidnight in the Garden of Good and Evil John BerendtSupercrunchers : Why Thinking-By-Numbers is theNewWayto Be Smart

Ian Ayres

The Devil'sTeeth: ATrue Story oMSurvival Among America's Great White Sharks

Susan Casey

The Lost Ciry of Z: ATaIe of Deadly Obsession inthe Amazon

David Grann

The Big Short: Inside the DoomsdayMiffie Michael Lewis

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