English Department Summer Assignment - 2019 

 Course: Literary Genres Level: 1 Grade: 9  Instructor: Miss Janey Joiner 

Course Description: Students are introduced to a variety of genres including mythology, classic and contemporary fiction and nonfiction, and Shakespearean drama. Students learn to identify literary elements and appreciate the written word, while gaining proficiency in reading skills, improving comprehension, and building vocabulary. This course is aligned with the English department writing sequence. Students learn to write a thesis statement, support a topic, incorporate transitions, and use MLA formatting in multi- paragraph essays and a short research paper. Students engage in journaling and use technology to create and communicate. Grammar, punctuation, and usage are reviewed as needed. Research, classroom discussion, group projects, and oral presentations enhance the learning experience.  What to Read: You will choose one book from the following list to read this summer. I have included a list of books to choose from with information about each book to help you make your decision. Choose a book based on your interests, but please stick to the list.   

1. Dear Martin by Nic Stone Justyce McAllister is a good kid, an honor student, and always there to help a friend. Then comes the day Justyce goes driving with his best friend, Manny, windows rolled down, music turned up—way up, sparking the fury of a white off-duty cop beside them. Words fly. Shots are fired. Justyce and Manny are caught in the crosshairs. In the media fallout, it's Justyce who is under attack.  

2. Words in Deep Blue by Cath Crowley Years ago, Rachel had a crush on Henry Jones. The day before she moved away, she tucked a love letter into his favorite book in his family’s bookshop. She waited. But Henry never came. Now Rachel has returned to the city—and to the bookshop—to work alongside the boy she’d rather not see, if at all possible, for the rest of her life. But Rachel needs the distraction. Her brother drowned months ago, and she can’t feel anything anymore. As Henry and Rachel work side by side—surrounded by books, watching love stories unfold, exchanging letters between the pages—they find hope in each other. Because life may be uncontrollable, even unbearable sometimes. But it’s possible that words, and love, and second chances are enough.  

3. Only Child by Rhiannon Navin Squeezed into a coat closet with his classmates and teacher, first grader Zach Taylor can hear gunshots ringing through the halls of his school. A gunman has entered the building, taking nineteen lives and changing the very fabric of this close-knit community. While Zach's mother pursues a quest for justice against the shooter's parents, holding them responsible for their son's actions, Zach retreats into his super-secret hideout and loses himself in a world of books and art. Armed with the optimism and stubbornness only a child could have, Zach sets out on a captivating journey towards healing and forgiveness, determined to help the adults in his life rediscover the universal truths of love and compassion needed to pull them through their darkest hours. 

 4. Long Way Down by Jason Reynolds 

This is National Book Award finalist and New York Times bestseller Jason Reynolds’s fiercely stunning novel that takes place in sixty potent seconds—the time it takes a kid to decide whether or not he’s going to murder the guy who killed his brother.  

Assignment: 1. Choose a book.  

 2. Actively read (highlight and annotate) the text. 

 3. Create a One-Pager Book Analysis for your book. 

 What is a One-Pager? It is a single-page response to your reading that connects the ideas in the book to your thoughts                                           in a creative way. You will create your One-Pager so your audience will understand the big ideas, themes, or                                     connections within the book you read. A sample is included on the last page of this document.   What materials can I use? All of this must be done on an 8 ½ by 11 blank piece of computer paper. You should use                                                 pens, colored pencils, and markers (not pencil) to create your one-pager.  Your One-Pager MUST include:  

1. Title  ○ Write the title of the book and author’s name somewhere on the page (this can be done creatively!). 

2. Two meaningful questions ○ Write two meaningful questions about the book (NOT YES or NO questions). (Example: What does it 

mean when Carl refuses Anthony’s friendship?) ○ Answer your two questions with complete sentences. (Example: Carl refuses Anthony’s friendship 

because he wants to be independent.) 3. Drawn images  

○ Draw THREE images that represent themes, characters, conflict, or the setting of the book. ○ These should be strongly connected to the book and should stand out. 

4. Interesting quotes  ○ Find two interesting quotes from the novel.  

■ Include quotation marks and a citation (Author Pg#). ○ Explain in 1-3 sentences why this quote was important to the story or why you liked it 

5. Text opinion (on the back)  ○ In five to seven sentences add what your overall opinion of the novel is and what you would say when 

you recommend the book. ○ This, along with your name, is the ONLY aspect to go on the back of your paper.  

6. Grammar, spelling, and mechanics  ○ There is little to no problems with grammar, spelling, mechanics.  

7. Be colorful and neat. ○ Your entire page should be filled with these elements. ○ If you find you have extra room, repeat any of the above steps/ elements.  ○ No space should be blank. THERE SHOULD BE NO WHITE SPACE ○ Nothing should be left in pencil.  ○ Your name and text opinion should be on the BACK of the one-pager.  

  You MUST also pick 2 from the following list to include on your One-Pager:  

1. Poem  ○ Write a poem about a part of the novel (such as a character, conflict, theme, etc.). If you struggle with 

writing poetry, consider an acrostic poem – each letter represents a word.  

2. Personal statement  ○ Write THREE personal statements or connections about what you’ve read (these are not simple 

opinions).  ○ EX: “I could relate to the main character feeling lost in the book because it reminded me of when I got 

to high school and didn’t know anyone.”  

3. Song ○ Find two songs that represents a theme of the novel. Include the song title, singer/ band, and an 

explanation (at least 3 sentences) of how the lyrics connect to the book.  4. Connections  

○ What connections can you make between what you read today and the world outside of the story? There may be a connection to happenings at school, the community or the world, to similar events at other times or places, to other people or problems that you are reminded of, or to other stories/books that you have read.  

○ Write three insightful, descriptive connections between you and the reading.  Due Date: The completed assignment is due in class on Tuesday, August 20, 2019. The assignment will be submitted in print format.   Assessment: This is assignment is worth 100 points and will count as a test grade.                                    

 Samples: