. All Honors English III and AP English IV students for 2016-2017 will be completing Summer Reading and Writing this year, per guidelines of the English Department honors program.
Click on the links below for more information.
Honors English Application Packet: See your current English teacher for the application packet and for more information. This application is REQUIRED before enrolling in an honors or AP English course. NHS Course Descriptions for AP and Honors English courses:
Books to Read: 1) your choice of The Things They Carried or The Help: . The Things They Carried by Tim O'Brien
from Houghton Mifflin Harcourt's website: "The powerful and enduring work of fiction about men and war—now with more than two million copies in print. They carried malaria tablets, love letters, 28-pound mine detectors, dope, illustrated Bibles, each other. And if they made it home alive, they carried unrelenting images of a nightmarish war that history is only beginning to absorb. Since its first publication, The Things They Carried has become an unparalleled Vietnam testament, a classic work of American literature, and a profound study of men at war that illumniates the capacity, and the limits, of the human heart and soul."
from Miss Bergman: The Things They Carried was selected as the Kansas BIG READ book of 2011 and is frequently taught in honors English courses across the country. In class, we will discuss how Tim O'Brien blurs the division between fiction and non-fiction and address the power of a story as a means of understanding the truth. As a book about war, it does contain strong language and violent images of war. Please keep this in mind as you choose your book to read.
The Help by Kathryn Stockett
from Penguin Group's website: "The wildly popular New York Times bestseller and reading group favorite. Aibileen is a black maid in 1962 Jackson, Mississippi, who's always taken orders quietly, but lately she's unable to hold her bitterness back. Her friend Minny has never held her tongue but now must somehow keep secrets about her employer that leave her speechless. White socialite Skeeter just graduated college. She's full of ambition, but without a husband, she's considered a failure. Together, these seemingly different women join together to write a tell-all book about work as a black maid in the South, that could forever alter their destinies and the life of a small town..."
from Miss Bergman: The Help was the buzz of the literary community in 2009 and has continued in popularity through today. The 2011 film adaptation has garnered high praise for the lead actresses' performances. The book is not without controversy, however, and in class we will discuss the novel's depiction of the Civil Rights era and what some readers find offensive about the book. The novel includes examples of 1960s violence and racial slurs, which some readers may find offensive. Please keep this in mind as you choose your book to read.
2) Into the Wild by Jon Kraukauer
from Random House's website: "In April 1992 a young man from a well-to-do family hitchhiked to Alaska and walked alone into the wilderness north of Mt. McKinley. His name was Christopher Johnson McCandless. He had given $25,000 in savings to charity, abandoned his car and most of his possessions, burned all the cash in his wallet, and invented a new life for himself. Four months later, his decomposed body was found by a moose hunter. How McCandless came to die is the unforgettable story of Into the Wild....Digging deeply, [Jon Kraukauer] takes an inherently compelling mystery and unravels the larger riddles it holds: the profound pull of the American wilderness on our imagination; the allure of high-risk activities to young men of a certain cast of mind; the complex, charged bond between fathers and sons....Mesmerizing, heartbreaking, Into the Wild is a tour de force. The power and luminosity of Jon Krakauer's stoytelling blaze through every page."
from Miss Bergman: Into the Wild is a new challenge for Honors English III students because it is a book-length work of non-fiction, something we don't often read in high school English. Though we know the outcome--Chris's death--from the start of the book, the story is still fascinating as we try to discover the answer to two mysteries: How did Chris die? and What drove Chris to abandon his entire family and venture off on his own? Throughout the school year, we will draw parallels between Chris's ideals and actions and those of the Transcendentalists (such as Thoreau and Emerson) and the Naturalists (such as Jack London).
AP ENGLISH IV SUMMER READING
AP English IV Summer Reading Letter: the books you need to read and the project and presentation that are due the first week of school:
1) How to Read Literature Like a Professor by Thomas C. Foster
from HarperCollins's website: "What does it mean when a fictional hero takes a journey?. Shares a meal? Gets drenched in a sudden rain shower? Often, there is much more going on in a novel or poem than is readily visible on the surface—a symbol, maybe, that remains elusive, or an unexpected twist on a character—and there's that sneaking suspicion that the deeper meaning of a literary text keeps escaping you. In this practical and amusing guide to literature, Thomas C. Foster shows how easy and gratifying it is to unlock those hidden truths, and to discover a world where a road leads to a quest; a shared meal may signify a communion; and rain, whether cleansing or destructive, is never just rain. Ranging from major themes to literary models, narrative devices, and form, How to Read Literature Like a Professor is the perfect companion for making your reading experience more enriching, satisfying, and fun."
from Miss Bergman: HTRLLAP, as it's known among AP students, has become a staple of AP English courses across the world. Foster, in clear language, points out many of the most commonly used symbols and metaphors in literature. We will use Foster's ideas as we examine literature throughout the school year. . 2) Pride and Prejudiceby Charlotte Bronte from Penguin Group's website: "Austen’s most popular novel, the unforgettable story of Elizabeth Bennet and Mr. Darcy. Few have failed to be charmed by the witty and independent spirit of Elizabeth Bennet in Austen’s beloved classic Pride and Prejudice. When Elizabeth Bennet first meets eligible bachelor Fitzwilliam Darcy, she thinks him arrogant and conceited; he is indifferent to her good looks and lively mind. When she later discovers that Darcy has involved himself in the troubled relationship between his friend Bingley and her beloved sister Jane, she is determined to dislike him more than ever. In the sparkling comedy of manners that follows, Jane Austen shows us the folly of judging by first impressions and superbly evokes the friendships, gossip and snobberies of provincial middle-class life."
from Miss Bergman: Pride and Prejudice holds the distinction of being one of the few novels we will study in AP English that doesn't end with the death of nearly every major character! :) Of course, the focus of much of the novel is the possible romance between many characters, but don't dismiss this novel as "Romance Novel" or "A Girls' Book." Austen's novel is an often biting critique of the very culture she is describing. As she describes ridiculous characters, her sharp sense of humor comes clearly through. Pride and Prejudice is a classic AP text; it has appeared at least 7 times on the AP Literature exam.
3) The Kite Runner by Khaled Hosseini
from Penguin Group's website: "The unforgettable, heartbreaking story of the unlikely friendship between a wealthy boy and the son of his father's servant, The Kite Runner is a beautifully crafted novel set in a country that is in the process of being destroyed. It is about the power of reading, the price of betrayal, and the possibility of redemption, and it is also about the power of fathers over sons—their love, their sacrifices, their lies. The first Afghan novel to be written in English, The Kite Runner tells a sweeping story of family, love, and friendship against a backdrop of history that has not been told in fiction before, bringing to mind the large canvases of the Russian writers of the nineteenth century. But just as it is old-fashioned in its narration, it is contemporary in its subject—the devastating history of Afghanistan over the last thirty years. As emotionally gripping as it is tender, The Kite Runner is an unusual and powerful debut."
from Miss Bergman: The Kite Runner gives us a fascinating look at pre-war Afghanistan, a world I believe most Americans have trouble picturing. Past AP students and NHS graduates have loved this book and strongly recommended that it stay in the AP curriculum. The Kite Runner is considered a "modern classic" by most AP teachers. It has appeared on the AP Literature exam three of the last five years. The story does include a disturbing rape scene; any students or parents concerned about this aspect of the novel should contact Miss Bergman.
.
.
PLEASE SEE MISS BERGMAN IF YOU REQUIRE MORE INFORMATION ON ANY OF THESE BOOKS. HAPPY READING!!
.
.
.
.
All Honors English III and AP English IV students for 2016-2017 will be completing Summer Reading and Writing this year, per guidelines of the English Department honors program.
Click on the links below for more information.
Honors English Application Packet: See your current English teacher for the application packet and for more information. This application is REQUIRED before enrolling in an honors or AP English course.
NHS Course Descriptions for AP and Honors English courses:
HONORS ENGLISH III SUMMER READING
Honors English III Summer Reading Letter: the books you need to read and the project and presentation that are due the first week of school:Books to Read:
1) your choice of The Things They Carried or The Help:
.
The Things They Carried by Tim O'Brien
from Houghton Mifflin Harcourt's website: "The powerful and enduring work of fiction about men and war—now with more than two million copies in print. They carried malaria tablets, love letters, 28-pound mine detectors, dope, illustrated Bibles, each other. And if they made it home alive, they carried unrelenting images of a nightmarish war that history is only beginning to absorb. Since its first publication, The Things They Carried has become an unparalleled Vietnam testament, a classic work of American literature, and a profound study of men at war that illumniates the capacity, and the limits, of the human heart and soul."
from Miss Bergman: The Things They Carried was selected as the Kansas BIG READ book of 2011 and is frequently taught in honors English courses across the country. In class, we will discuss how Tim O'Brien blurs the division between fiction and non-fiction and address the power of a story as a means of understanding the truth. As a book about war, it does contain strong language and violent images of war. Please keep this in mind as you choose your book to read.
The Help by Kathryn Stockett
from Penguin Group's website: "The wildly popular New York Times bestseller and reading group favorite. Aibileen is a black maid in 1962 Jackson, Mississippi, who's always taken orders quietly, but lately she's unable to hold her bitterness back. Her friend Minny has never held her tongue but now must somehow keep secrets about her employer that leave her speechless. White socialite Skeeter just graduated college. She's full of ambition, but without a husband, she's considered a failure. Together, these seemingly different women join together to write a tell-all book about work as a black maid in the South, that could forever alter their destinies and the life of a small town..."
from Miss Bergman: The Help was the buzz of the literary community in 2009 and has continued in popularity through today. The 2011 film adaptation has garnered high praise for the lead actresses' performances. The book is not without controversy, however, and in class we will discuss the novel's depiction of the Civil Rights era and what some readers find offensive about the book. The novel includes examples of 1960s violence and racial slurs, which some readers may find offensive. Please keep this in mind as you choose your book to read.
2) Into the Wild by Jon Kraukauer
from Random House's website: "In April 1992 a young man from a well-to-do family hitchhiked to Alaska and walked alone into the wilderness north of Mt. McKinley. His name was Christopher Johnson McCandless. He had given $25,000 in savings to charity, abandoned his car and most of his possessions, burned all the cash in his wallet, and invented a new life for himself. Four months later, his decomposed body was found by a moose hunter. How McCandless came to die is the unforgettable story of Into the Wild....Digging deeply, [Jon Kraukauer] takes an inherently compelling mystery and unravels the larger riddles it holds: the profound pull of the American wilderness on our imagination; the allure of high-risk activities to young men of a certain cast of mind; the complex, charged bond between fathers and sons....Mesmerizing, heartbreaking, Into the Wild is a tour de force. The power and luminosity of Jon Krakauer's stoytelling blaze through every page."
from Miss Bergman: Into the Wild is a new challenge for Honors English III students because it is a book-length work of non-fiction, something we don't often read in high school English. Though we know the outcome--Chris's death--from the start of the book, the story is still fascinating as we try to discover the answer to two mysteries: How did Chris die? and What drove Chris to abandon his entire family and venture off on his own? Throughout the school year, we will draw parallels between Chris's ideals and actions and those of the Transcendentalists (such as Thoreau and Emerson) and the Naturalists (such as Jack London).
AP ENGLISH IV SUMMER READING
AP English IV Summer Reading Letter: the books you need to read and the project and presentation that are due the first week of school:Books to Read:
1) How to Read Literature Like a Professor by Thomas C. Foster
from HarperCollins's website: "What does it mean when a fictional hero takes a journey?. Shares a meal? Gets drenched in a sudden rain shower? Often, there is much more going on in a novel or poem than is readily visible on the surface—a symbol, maybe, that remains elusive, or an unexpected twist on a character—and there's that sneaking suspicion that the deeper meaning of a literary text keeps escaping you. In this practical and amusing guide to literature, Thomas C. Foster shows how easy and gratifying it is to unlock those hidden truths, and to discover a world where a road leads to a quest; a shared meal may signify a communion; and rain, whether cleansing or destructive, is never just rain. Ranging from major themes to literary models, narrative devices, and form, How to Read Literature Like a Professor is the perfect companion for making your reading experience more enriching, satisfying, and fun."
from Miss Bergman: HTRLLAP, as it's known among AP students, has become a staple of AP English courses across the world. Foster, in clear language, points out many of the most commonly used symbols and metaphors in literature. We will use Foster's ideas as we examine literature throughout the school year.
.
2) Pride and Prejudice by Charlotte Bronte
from Penguin Group's website: "Austen’s most popular novel, the unforgettable story of Elizabeth Bennet and Mr. Darcy. Few have failed to be charmed by the witty and independent spirit of Elizabeth Bennet in Austen’s beloved classic Pride and Prejudice. When Elizabeth Bennet first meets eligible bachelor Fitzwilliam Darcy, she thinks him arrogant and conceited; he is indifferent to her good looks and lively mind. When she later discovers that Darcy has involved himself in the troubled relationship between his friend Bingley and her beloved sister Jane, she is determined to dislike him more than ever. In the sparkling comedy of manners that follows, Jane Austen shows us the folly of judging by first impressions and superbly evokes the friendships, gossip and snobberies of provincial middle-class life."
from Miss Bergman: Pride and Prejudice holds the distinction of being one of the few novels we will study in AP English that doesn't end with the death of nearly every major character! :) Of course, the focus of much of the novel is the possible romance between many characters, but don't dismiss this novel as "Romance Novel" or "A Girls' Book." Austen's novel is an often biting critique of the very culture she is describing. As she describes ridiculous characters, her sharp sense of humor comes clearly through. Pride and Prejudice is a classic AP text; it has appeared at least 7 times on the AP Literature exam.
3) The Kite Runner by Khaled Hosseini
from Penguin Group's website: "The unforgettable, heartbreaking story of the unlikely friendship between a wealthy boy and the son of his father's servant, The Kite Runner is a beautifully crafted novel set in a country that is in the process of being destroyed. It is about the power of reading, the price of betrayal, and the possibility of redemption, and it is also about the power of fathers over sons—their love, their sacrifices, their lies. The first Afghan novel to be written in English, The Kite Runner tells a sweeping story of family, love, and friendship against a backdrop of history that has not been told in fiction before, bringing to mind the large canvases of the Russian writers of the nineteenth century. But just as it is old-fashioned in its narration, it is contemporary in its subject—the devastating history of Afghanistan over the last thirty years. As emotionally gripping as it is tender, The Kite Runner is an unusual and powerful debut."
from Miss Bergman: The Kite Runner gives us a fascinating look at pre-war Afghanistan, a world I believe most Americans have trouble picturing. Past AP students and NHS graduates have loved this book and strongly recommended that it stay in the AP curriculum. The Kite Runner is considered a "modern classic" by most AP teachers. It has appeared on the AP Literature exam three of the last five years. The story does include a disturbing rape scene; any students or parents concerned about this aspect of the novel should contact Miss Bergman.
.
.
PLEASE SEE MISS BERGMAN IF YOU REQUIRE MORE INFORMATION ON ANY OF THESE BOOKS. HAPPY READING!!