TENTH GRADE: 2013-2014
Excel version of Book of Choice List:
2013 Alpha List of book of Choice May 20.xlsx
PDF version of Book of Choice List:
2013 Alpha List of book of Choice May 20.pdf
Returning students only are required to read a book of choice. If you cannot find your name on the list above, contact peggy.mcnash@woodward.edu.
Brief notes on each work and study questions on the required works are also on this page. Teachers have selected particular editions (as designated by ISBN numbers). Digital copies that match those ISBN numbers are acceptable for summer-reading assignments. Here is the English Department statement on digital copies for summer reading assignments.
Since students will be discussing and writing with the summer reading texts, it is beneficial if students purchase the edition noted by ISBN numbers. The campus store carries these books; students will purchase them from the store during the last weeks of May. For optional books, any unabridged edition is acceptable. Note, there is new nomenclature for class levels at Woodward.
The English department approves use of iPads.pdf
After school ends, here will be the excel file listing all 9-11 students and their book of choice. Do not attempt to alter this list or to switch books. This popular program can continue only if students cooperate by reading the book to which they are assigned in May. Should any problems arise with locating the book or with the difficulty of the book over the summer, students should contact Mrs. McNash.
Required for ALL Honors College Prep (HP) Students:
New to Woodward in the fall of 2013 10th graders are not required to select a book of choice.
- Fitzgerald, The Great Gatsby (ISBN 13: 9780743273565l)
- Hansberry, A Raisin in the Sun (ISBN 13: 9780679755333)
- Potok The Chosen (ISBN 13: 9780449213445)
- One selection from the Book Discussion list
Required for ALL Enriched College Preparatory (EP) Students:
New to Woodward in the fall of 2013 10th graders are not required to select a book of choice.
- Bradbury Fahrenheit 451, (ISBN 13: 9780345342966 OR 9781451673319)
- Lee, To Kill a Mockingbird (ISBN 13: 9780446310789)
- One selection from the Book Discussion list
Required for ALL College Prep (CP) Students:
New to Woodward in the fall of 2013 10th graders are not required to select a book of choice.
- Krakauer, Into the Wild (ISBN 13: 9780307387172 OR 9780385486804)
- Lee, To Kill a Mockingbird (ISBN 13: 9780446310789)
- One selection from the Book Discussion list.
Brief Notes About Summer Reading Books for Tenth Grade
Bradbury, Fahrenheit 451 (ISBN 13:9780345342966 OR 9781451673319) A science-fiction work, the novel takes the reader to a time in the future when firemen set fire to books rather than put out fires. But one fireman starts to question the society that bans literature; he starts to read these dangerous works of writers of ages past. This work is a serious example of the science-fiction genre, a work some students find more difficult than they had imagined.
(Required for EP)
Fitzgerald, The Great Gatsby (ISBN 13: 9780743273565l) Considered by many to be the great American novel as it critiques the American Dream, this work traces one man’s friendship with a mysterious neighbor as he learns about the romantic dream of the title character. (Required for HP)
Hansberry, A Raisin in the Sun (ISBN 13: 9780679755333) This play discusses the conflict between a mother and a son, between blacks and whites, in an inner-city setting. (Required for HP)
Krakauer, Into the Wild (ISBN 13: 9780307387172 OR 9780385486804) The story of Christopher Johnson McCandless, an Emory graduate, is a non-fiction account of one young man’s mistaken decision to “live off the land” in Alaska. (Required for CP)
Lee, To Kill a Mickingbird (ISBN 13: 9780446310789) The novel tells the story of young Scout Finch, who learns a lesson about life as she sees the racial injustice and prejudice of her home town for the first time. (Required for CP and EP)
Potok, The Chosen (ISBN 13: 9780449213445)The novel follows the lives of Danny and Reuven, both Orthodox Jewish boys, during the critical time of World War II. Conflicts with parents, with friends, and with political ideas make the novel interesting. (Required for HP)
Study Sheet for Tenth Grade - Required Books
While no student is required to complete these questions, the English Department provides them for only required books for those students who like to reinforce independent reading with notes to study prior to taking the fall assessment. Into the Wild (CP), Fahrenheit 451 (EP), To Kill A Mockingbird (CP and EP), The Great Gatsby (HP), The Chosen (HP), and A Raisin in the Sun (HP) all have questions provided.
Into the Wild
(Required Reading for College Prep)
(From http://www.newrambler.net/lisdom/155)
- Did you find the book suspenseful? Why or why not?
- Krakauer’s original article for Outside was called “Death of an Innocent.” He introduced Chapter 12, which includes Chris McCandless’s discovery of his father’s infidelity, with a quotation from GK Chesterton: “For children are innocent and love justice, while most of us are wicked and naturally prefer mercy.” Who is guilty in this story, if anyone? Do they deserve justice or mercy?
- What do you think about
--Chris’s relationship with his father?
-- the female characters in the book? (Carine, Billie, Jan Burres [p. 30, 41-46], Gail Borah [p. 63, Wayne Westerberg’s girlfriend]
--the other adventerurers/explorers/crazy people? (Gene Rosellini [p. 73, attempted Stone Age living], John Waterman [p. 75, climber who went crazy], Carl McCunn [p. 80, guy who forgot to arrange plane to take him out], Everett Ruess [p. 87, Utah explorer], Papar monks [p. 97])
--the structure of the book and its chronology? How does Krakauer go about telling Chris’s story? - Sherry Simpson writes: “Jon Krakauer made up a story about him, by way of telling his own, and every pilgrim since his death has shaped him into something different as well. I’m doing it right now, too.” How much of the story is McCandless’s, and how much is Krakauer’s?
- Krakauer called his book Into the Wild, which, among other things, sounds a lot like Jack London’s Call of the Wild, one of McCandless’s favorite books. Thoreau noted that “in wildness is the preservation of the world.” What is “the wild”? Is it the same as wilderness?
- Krakauer describes Chris as living in a “monkish room” but as wanting to feel the “raw throb of existence” and “wallow in unfiltered experience.” What do you make of that contrast?
- The American Alpine Club estimates that there are about 250,000 climbers and 10-40 climbing fatalities in the US each year. Krakauer’s book Into Thin Air is an account of the deaths of 9 people on Mount Everest. What is it about extreme adventure that draws some people in? Is the pursuit of such extremes selfish or admirable?
Fahrenheit 451
(Required Reading for Enriched College Prep)
From Sundance Publishers
Part I:
1. What is the name of the main character? What does he do for a living?
2. Whom does Montag meet on his way home? What do they talk about? What does Montag think about the conversation?
3. What does Montag find when he walks into the house? Who responds to his call for help?
4. What kind of girl is Clarisse?
5. What is the Mechanical Hound? What does Montag suspect is the reason for the Hound’s attack on him at the firehouse? Why are the fireman called to the old lady’s house?
6. What does the old lady do after the firemen douse her books with kerosene? What does Montag think about this?
7. How does Beatty describe the society in which they live?
8. What does Mildred find under Montag’s pillow while he and Beatty are talking?
9. What does Montag do after Beatty leaves? What is Mildred’s reaction?
10. How have Montag’s opinions changed by the end of the first part of the novel?
11. Why was this section called “The Hearth and the Salamander”?
Part II:
1. Instead of going to work, where does Montag go?
2. What do Faber and Montag talk about? According to Faber, what three things are missing from society?
3. What does Faber give Montag so that the two can continue to communicate?
4. What does Montag do to Mildred’s friends? How do those friends react?
5. When Montag arrives at the firehouse, what do he and Beatty talk about?
6. How does Beatty attack and argue with Montag? What is Montag’s reaction?
7. Where does Montag go on their next fire call?
8. Why was this section entitled “The Sieve and the Sand”?
Part III:
1. What does Montag do to his house? Why?
2. Then what does he do? Where does he run?
3. What happens as Montag crosses the boulevard?
4. Who is chasing Montag and why?
5. How does Faber help Montag?
6. How does Montag escape from the Hound? Where does he hide?
7. Whom does Montag meet while walking on the railroad tracks? What do they talk about?
8. What is happening in the city? Whom do the police catch?
9. How was the city destroyed?
10. Granger says their main job is remembering. Why?
11. Why does Granger want to build a mirror factory? What is the double meaning of “Burning Bright”?
To Kill A Mockingbird
(Required Reading for College Prep and Enriched College Prep)
Chapters 1-6
1. When does Jem think that the events that led up to his broken arm really began?
2. Briefly identify the four members of the Finch household.
3. What habits of the Radleys made them aliens to the town of Maycomb?
4. For what two reasons does Scout get off to a bad start in the first grade?
5. What agreement does she make with her father about school?
6. What is the Boo Radley game? What is Atticus’ reaction to it?
Chapters 7-11
1. What does Jem tell Scout about the pants he retrieved?
2. List four items that the children find in the knothole. Who has left these items for the children?
3. What does Boo Radley do for Scout during the fire?
4. Two children taunt Scout in similar ways. Who are they, and for what reason do they taunt Scout?
5. What does Scout overhear her father telling Uncle Jack about the trial?
6. What does Atticus do that surprises his children in Chapter 10? Why are they surprised?
7. What makes Jem angry at Mrs. Dubose? What is Atticus’ real reason for making Jem read to her?
Chapters 12-15
1. In what ways is First Purchase different from the churches Scout is used to?
2. Why has Aunt Alexandra come to stay with the Finches? How does she
explain the peculiar behavior of various citizens of Maycomb?
3. What concern does Scout express to Atticus after his speech about “gentle breeding”?
4. How does Jem respond to Dill’s unexpected arrival?
5. Why do the children follow Atticus when he goes out in the car? Why does he go?
6. What does Atticus try to make Jem to outside the jail? What happens when one of the men grab Jem? What does Scout talk about to Mr. Cunningham?
Chapters 16-21
1. Where in the courtroom do the children sit?
2. What two matters does Atticus take pains to clarify during Sheriff Tate’s testimony?
3. What does Bob Ewell reveal when he signs his name?
4. What discovery does Scout make when Tom Robinson stands up?
5. When does Atticus think that Mayella screamed?
6. What is Tom Robinson’s version of the incident?
7. According to Atticus’ summation to the jury, what institution must treat all people as equals?
8. What is the jury’s verdict? What happens in the balcony as Atticus walks down the aisle?
Chapters 22-31
1. How does Jem react to the verdict in the Robinson case?
2. Which juror does Atticus think held out for acquittal?
3. Explain how Tom Robinson dies. What happens to Judge Taylor and Helen Robinson?
4. What does Bob Ewell try to do to Jem and Scout after the Halloween
pageant? What happens to each child? Who rescues the children?
5. Relate Sheriff Tate’s account of Ewell’s death. What does Scout say to
her father when she tells him that Sheriff Tate is right?
6. Describe Scout’s first and last encounter with Boo Radley.
The Great Gatsby
(Required for Honors Prep)
1. When did Nick graduate from college? From what college? When did he come East to live?
2. Where are the twin villages of East and West Egg located? What large city are they near?
3. Nick’s story begins when he drives to East Egg one night to have dinner with three people. Who are these people, and what relationship does he have to each?
4. What were Tom Buchanan’s two claims to fame while in college? Give at least three adjectives that tell what Nick thinks about Tom.
5. Besides her personal beauty, what is it about Daisy that most attracts attention?
6. What private information about Tom does Jordan Baker reveal to Nick at the dinner party?
7. Whom does Nick see on the darkened lawn when he gets home at the end
of Chapter I, and what is that person doing?
8. What is painted on a large signboard above the “valley of ashes”?
9. Why does Tom pull Nick off the train at the beginning of Chapter II?
10. What does Catherine tell Nick about Tom and Myrtle? With what act of violence does the party end?
11. List three examples of Gatsby’s elaborate, expensive preparations for the party in Chapter III.
12. What fact makes Nick unusual among the many guests at the party?
13. What does the drunken man discover about the books in Gatsby’s library?
14. What does Nick realize about Jordan’s character during Chapter III? In contrast, how does he describe himself in the last sentence of the chapter?
15. What are three rumors about Gatsby that Nick mentions at the start of Chapter IV?
16. Driving into the city, Gatsby tells Nick about himself. Where does he claim to have gotten his money? to have been educated?
17. Whom does Nick meet at lunch with Gatsby? What remarkable fact does Nick learn about this man?
18. Jordan tells Nick important information about Daisy’s past with Gatsby and with Nick. List four key pieces of that information.
19. What favor does Gatsby want from Nick?
20. In Chapter V what special preparations does Gatsby make for having tea with Daisy at Nick’s house? Give details about Gatsby’s appearance and behavior that show how nervous he is while waiting.
21. During the tour of Gatsby’s house, at what point does Daisy seem most affected? How does she express these emotions?
22. In Chapter VI readers learn the truth about Gatsby’s origins. Where did he come from? Who were his parents? What was his real name? What was he doing when he met Dan Cody?
23. What is the source of Cody’s money? How long did Gatsby work for Cody? What jobs did he do? How much money did Cody leave Gatsby? Who actually received the money?
24. Who comes to Gatsby’s next party with Daisy?
25. What does Gatsby want Daisy to tell Tom? Does Gatsby hear or understand Nick’s warnings to him?
26. In Chapter VII why does Gatsby replace all his servants?
27. What is the weather like on the day of the luncheon at the Buchanans’?
28. What exactly does Daisy say that makes Tom realize she loves Gatsby?
29. On the way into New York, who drives Gatsby’s car? Who rides with Gatsby in the other car?
30. Why does Tom stop at Wilson’s garage? What has Wilson discovered about his wife?
31. What hotel do the foursome go to? How does Gatsby describe Daisy’s feelings for Tom?
32. How does Daisy react to Tom’s information about Gatsby’s shady activities?
33. Describe the details of the accident on the way home from New York.
34. Who watches all night outside Daisy’s house? Why?
35. Where was Gatsby when Daisy married Tom? Where did Gatsby go when he returned to the US?
36. Why does Nick not want to meet with Jordan on that afternoon?
37. The next-to-last paragraph of Chapter VIII speaks of “the laden mattress.” Where is it found? What is its load? Whose body is found nearby in the grass? How did this person die?
38. Who is responsible for Gatsby’s funeral arrangements? Besides Nick, the minister, the postman, and some servants, who comes to the funeral?
39. What are Nick’s closing assessments of Tom, Daisy, and Jordan? What is his closing assessment of Gatsby?
The Chosen
(Required for Honors Prep)
As you read Potok’s novel, identify these terms and characters:
apikorsim
Billy Merrit
challah
D Day
Dov Shlomowitz
gematriya
Hasidic Jews
Hirsch College
Kaddish
Manya
Mr. Savo
Mr. Galanter
pilpul
Rav Gershenson
Schwartz
Shabbat
Talmud
Tefillin
two blatt
tzaddik
Tzitzit
Yeshiva
Zionism
A Raisin in the Sun
(Required for Honors Prep)
1. In the beginning of Act I, what conflict between Ruth and Walter Lee emerges?
2. What is Walter Lee’s complaint about Beneatha?
3. Mama, when she is first introduced, acts like a mother. Provide examples.
4. Big Walker is dead. What do we learn about him from Mama and Ruth?
5. How does Mama respond to Beneatha’s conclusion, “There simply is no blasted God”?
6. Why does so much conflict exist within the Younger family early in the play?
7. Provide examples of how Ruth mediates the family conflicts.
8. What does Mama’s comment, “I don’t think I never met no African before,” reveal about her?
9. When Asagai arrives and asks what is wrong, Beneatha responds: ”. . . .we’ve all got acute ghetto-itus.” Explain. Provide examples.
10. Explain Joseph Asagai’s comment to Beneatha: “Assimilationism is so popular in your country.”
11. What is Walter Lee’s job? How does he feel about it? What does Mama fail to understand about Walker Lee?
12. Walter Lee and George converse while George waits for Beneatha to change clothes. What is the source of tension between the two? How do they differ?
13. Identify the various reactions to Mama’s news that she bought a house. What reasons does Mama state for buying the house?
14. Where does Walker Lee go when he skips works for three days? What happens when he tells Mama and Ruth what he has been doing?
15. Mama gives Walter Lee the management of the balance of the insurance money. Summarize his response. What dreams unfold for him?
16. Who is Karl Linder? What is his mission? Explain how his words and his mission differ.
17. What mistake does Walter Lee make with Willy?
18. Describe the mood as Act III opens.
19. What does the conversation between Beneatha and Asagai contribute to the idea of dreams and what happens to a dreamed deferred?
20. What effect does Mama’s dream deferred have upon her?
21. How does Walter Lee plan to make up for losing the family money? Why does he alter his plan at the end?
22. Describe the mood of the family at the end of the play. What has created such a dramatic change from the beginning of Act III?