To: All Rising Sophomores

From: The CCHS English Department

Date: 2008-2009

The CCHS English Department firmly believes summer reading complements our curriculum and benefits our students by providing challenging, interesting literature that stimulates the intellect and the imagination. Like athletes training in the off-season, students continue reading to exercise the skills required for doing their best.  Further, these selections provide common bases for diagnostic assessments of student performance, from basic reading comprehension to the identification and application of literary terms to the more formal analysis of imagery, themes, and genres.  By providing engaging, provocative stories, summer reading books set the academic tone and expectations for the upcoming school year. 

Assignment for all 10^th grade English students

The Book Thief by Markus Zusak (ISBN: 0375842209)

Trying to make sense of the horrors of World War II, Death narrates the story of Liesel Meminger, a nine-year-old German girl whose book stealing and story telling talents help sustain her family and the Jewish man they are hiding in their basement.  Ultimately the novel proves the redemptive power of words and reading and is a story of friendship, love, survival, grief, and death.

• For this novel, at www.gocougars.org, print “How to Annotate”and proceed accordingly.  Please note that your annotated books will be checked for thorough and complete interaction.
• Also for this novel at the same website, print “Study Questions” and proceed accordingly

All work must be typed, double spaced, Times New Roman, 12 font and must include an MLA format for heading and header.  You must pledge your honor.

Bring completed assignments and your novel the second day of class.