English II - American Literature

Mrs. Follis

During the upcoming summer, you will be required to read two novels in order to keep your brains from turning to mush! On the first day of school in August, I will expect you to have finished both books and be prepared to turn in two assignments. One letter grade will be docked for each day these projects are late, and they will not be accepted after the second time our class meets (i.e. the 3rd and 4th days of school respectively). I look forward to working with you next year!

Choose one book from this author:
Kurt Vonnegut

Choose one of the following books:
An American Childhood – Annie Dillard
The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn - Mark Twain

Choose one assignment to do for each novel you read:

1. Make a soundtrack with at least three songs that relate to the book. Include a paragraph for each song indicating why you felt it related, and use specific references to characters, scenes, and themes within the book. Please include copies of the lyrics, and make sure that the song is rated for radio play.
2. Write an essay describing how a major character changes through the course of the novel. Include factors that influenced the character’s development and support with specific scenes and quotations from the novel. It should be at least two pages in length.
3. Create a picture book for children, illustrate and describe a quintessential scene from the novel that reveals a significant theme from the book.
4. Write a letter to a movie producer explaining why this book contains a plot and characters that would make a great movie. Suggest a filming location, describe the set, and recommend actors to play the main characters, and be sure to support everything with specific examples from the book.

* You may not do the same project for both books.

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