10th_Graders_Honors_-_English_Assignment.pdf - Summer...

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Summer Reading List —English 10-Honors
Dear Rising Sophomore,
You finished your first year of high school—and now you embark on your second. You’re a pro at this already, so
you probably know what this letter entails: It’s your summer reading assignment for your Honors English class!
You likely already know that reading amounts to the best way to meet the rigor awaiting you next year. For that
reason, we have created a diverse list of British Literature pieces for the summer. For this Honors class, we expect
you to read a minimum of four books over the summer and among them involve a few specific pieces.
Please note that, because you enter Honors-English, your assignments may differ from English 2R classes, especially
since your summer tasks help prepare you for advanced work. On the following pages of this sheet, then, you should
see assignments. You will use them during the discussions that will take place in your English class in September.
Even if you have previously read these works, you should view them with a different lens through rereading them and
completing the assigned work. You must have the required readings with you throughout the first months of school,
but feel free to use the New York Public Library as a resource. For more information on SimplyE , the library’s free
version of Kindle, please access this link:
Combined with choices from a non-fiction and fiction list, your work this summer should prepare you to push
yourself above and beyond what you would expect.
If you should have any questions, feel free to email Ms. Esposito, the English Department Chairperson, at
[email protected]
Have a great summer and see you in September!
Sincerely,
The Sophomore-Level Faculty

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1.In order to prepare you for the upcoming year, you are required to complete the following:
Purchase and read The Once and Future King by T.H. White (ISBN 9780441627400), and Night by Elie Wiesel
(ISBN 9780374500016)
As stated on page one, feel free to use the New York Public Library’s free version of Kindle:
2. Type a response to the following prompts:
In The Once and Future King , Arthur attempts to govern England in a new way, under the philosophy of “Might does
not make right.” Find at least 3 examples in the novel of Arthur attempting to put this idea into practice. Find at least
3 examples of where he faces opposition to this idea.
For each example, use a direct quote from the novel, cite the page number, and explain how it demonstrates either
Arthur attempting to put “Might does not make right” into practice, or how it demonstrates others opposing the idea
of “Might does not make right.”
In Night, Eliezer is oppressed by others who use their “might” against him under the assumption that “might=right.”
In the novel, find at least 3 examples where Eliezer is subjected to the “might” of others, even though it is not
necessarily “right.” Follow the same format as for The Once and Future King with your quotes and examples.
In a concluding paragraph, explain whether or not you believe “Might does not make right” is a realistic philosophy
and why. Use evidence from both novels to support your claims.
3 . Read at least two more books. Choose one book that appeals to you from the fiction selections and one from
the non-fiction selections starting on this document’s page 3. You are expected to have completed all these
books by the first day of class in September. Read for understanding and enjoyment and to broaden your
cultural background. But be prepared to write knowledgeably about these books during the first week of
classes.

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