Stupid Fast – Geoff Herbach. While working as lab partners, sparks fly between
studious. Brittany Ellis and gang member Alex Fuentes. Brittany struggles with ...
12th CCP English Course #143 Summer Reading Assignment 2013 Due: Tuesday, September 3, 2013
You must select one of the four options from this list of contemporary American literature. Please read the summaries of each option. The writing styles of each book are very different, so we recommend reading excerpts of each book before making your selection. Be prepared to complete an in class writing assignment based on your book selection the week of September 3, 2013 by taking notes on the graphic organizer below.
Perfect Chemistry – Simone Elkeles While working as lab partners, sparks fly between studious Brittany Ellis and gang member Alex Fuentes. Brittany struggles with her feelings for someone she knows is totally wrong for her. Meanwhile, Alex reconsiders a bet he made with his friends after his emotions for Brittany become more real once he knows the truth about Brittany's family problems. This realistic, gritty urban romance won the Pennsylvania Readers’ Choice Award in 2011. It’s that good! To learn more about Simone Elkeles and her books for teens, visit www.simoneelkeles.net.
Stupid Fast – Geoff Herbach Felton Reinstein has never had much going for him. His father committed suicide when Felton was just a boy. His younger brother, Andrew, is a socially awkward piano prodigy. Did I mention that Felton’s nickname is “Squirrel Nut”? And now his only real friend, Gus, is going to Venezuela for the summer. Felton has to take over Gus’s paper route, which he despises. But suddenly, things start to look up. Felton has an unexpected growth spurt, becomes “stupid fast” on the track, and goes from a hometown zero to a football team hero. His paper route even helps him to meet Aleah, the gorgeous girl whose family is renting Gus’s house for the summer. But just as life starts improving in a major way, Felton’s mother seals herself away in her bedroom and leaves Felton and Andrew to fend for themselves. Felton tries to deliver those newspapers on time, put food on the table, and make a strong showing at football practice, but it just keeps getting harder. When he realizes that his mom has a serious mental illness, he knows that he can’t do it all on his own. But where can he turn for help? Stupid Fast by Geoff Herbach is a laugh-out-loud coming-of-age novel with a football twist. Revised 4/2012
12th CCP English Course #143 Summer Reading Assignment 2013 Due: Tuesday, September 3, 2013
Life in Prison – Stanley “Tookie” Williams This memoir is about life in prison, but it’s so much more! Stanley “Tookie” Williams spent over fifteen years on death row in San Quentin Prison in California, where he was eventually executed for committing murder. Before that, he was an original co-founder of the Crips gang. This book is Williams’ message to the world. He tells it like it is, debunking current myths about prison life. He writes in a straightforward, honest style that challenges young people to choose the right path. If you’ve ever thought that life in prison might not be so bad, this is a must-read!
This Boy’s Life: A Memoir – Tobias Wolff When Tobias Wolff was a teenager, his moved with his divorced mother from Florida to Utah to Washington State to escape her violent boyfriend. When she remarried, Wolff found himself in a bitter battle of wills with his abusive stepfather. This book covers the strange and memorable events of Wolff’s coming-of-age. It’s candid and fast-paced, with lots of dark humor. Wolff’s life of juvenile crime adds to the drama: he cuts class, edits his own report card, steals money from his paper route customers, and takes the family car for midnight joy rides. How did Wolff make the journey from adolescent delinquent to highly respected author and professor? Well, you won’t find out in this book – this one’s all about those teen years!
Revised 4/2012
12th CCP English Course #143 Summer Reading Assignment 2013 Due: Tuesday, September 3, 2013
PURPOSE OF SUMMER READING: To keep your mind active during the long, hot summer To encourage you to enjoy reading good books To make you think about what you have read and then share ideas
ASSIGNMENT and READING: Select ONE of the FOUR options to read. Your options are:
Stupid Fast by Geoff Herbach Perfect Chemistry by Simone Elkeles Life in Prison by Stanley Williams This Boy’s Life by Tobias Wolff DIRECTIONS: While you are reading, you are to do the following: 1) You are to complete the chart provided on the next page. You will be responsible for handing in this completed graphic organizer on the first full day of school. 2) You will also be given an assessment on the book you selected on the first full day of school.
Revised 4/2012
12th CCP English Course #143 Summer Reading Assignment 2013 Due: Tuesday, September 3, 2013 Name _________________________________ Title of Book: ___________________________ Author: ________________________________ Summer Reading Chart – Be sure to fill out as you are reading. Setting
Main characters with a brief description
Conflicts/Problems
Revised 4/2012
12th CCP English Course #143 Summer Reading Assignment 2013 Due: Tuesday, September 3, 2013
10 Key Events of Your Book (Include beginning, middle, and end of the book)
Revised 4/2012
12th CCP English Course #143 Summer Reading Assignment 2013 Due: Tuesday, September 3, 2013 Author’s Messages or Lessons to the Reader (Big Idea)
Reaction/Feelings about the Book
Revised 4/2012
