SUMMER READING ASSIGNMENT for English 12AP Students

The purpose of this summer reading assignment is to introduce you to two literary works that can be used and referenced on the Advanced Placement Examination in Literature and Composition. The two works you will read are Wuthering Heights and Sula. Both of these novels can be used to respond to question number three on the AP Literature and Composition exam in May. It is extremely important that you read the complete novels and NOT depend on Cliff's Notes, Barron's Notes, or any other short note source. You should also have the novel in your hand and not read it off the Internet as you may miss something, want to read a section again, take notes, etc. If you choose not to read the complete novel, it will be obvious and will be reflected in your grade. During the upcoming school year in the AP Literature and Composition course, you will be asked to complete many different readings and to analyze and discuss each one. You should, therefore, prepare yourself for this task during the summer months while you have some leisure time. These two books can and should be read and enjoyed on the beach! On the first two days of the 2008-2009 school year, you will complete two essays, one on each of the novels that you read. You should bring the novels with you to class so that you can reference them as you write. You should get the novels from Mrs. Schneider or Mr. Adams before the 2007-2008 school year ends. If you do not get them from Mrs. Schneider or Mr. Adams, you can go online to www.bccls.org and get them from the public library. Type in the titles of the books and the site will give you a list of libraries where the book can be found. You should also check the BELS catalog on the BCCLS site to find out if the book is available in the Bergenfield High School library. If the book is not held at the Bergenfield Free Public Library or the Bergenfield High School Library, you may order the book through this website using the numbers on the back of your library card. No excuses will be accepted for not obtaining your summer reading books. If you do not have a library card, you should get one at your earliest convenience by visiting the Bergenfield Free Public Library and applying for one. If you have any questions about this summer reading assignment, please see Mrs. Schneider or e-mail her at tschneider@bergenfield.org as soon as possible. *** It is very important that you retain the information in these novels and remember your responses to these novels so that you will be able to write about each novel at the beginning of the 2007-2008 school year. I suggest you keep a reading journal not only to review facts but also to recall reactions to your reading. Please do not feel that forgetting what you read because you read the book early in the summer is a valid excuse for not writing a strong essay in class. It is your responsibility to be able to write about these novels when school begins - if you need to reread in order to write, please make sure you do so. If you submit a reading journal to me in the fall, I will give you credit toward your first marking period average. ***