Orange’s debut novel offers a kaleidoscopic look at Native American life in Oakland, California, through the experiences and perspectives of 12 characters. ... In this vivid and moving book, Orange articulates the challenges and complexities not only of Native Americans, but also of America itself. Kirkus Book Review
You don't have to be a Christian to hear the power of those words—simple in vocabulary, cosmic in scale, stately in their rhythms, deeply emotional in their impact. Most of us might think we have forgotten its words, but the King James Bible has sewn itself into the fabric of the language.
From the National Geographic 2011 article on the 400th anniversary of the publication of the King James Version of the Holy Bible
From the National Geographic 2011 article on the 400th anniversary of the publication of the King James Version of the Holy Bible
Mr. Mahoney's Advanced Placement English Literature and Composition Class Summer Reading for 2019AP English Literature and Composition Summer Reading 2019
Michael Mahoney
email: [email protected]
website: rioape.weebly.com
Rio Americano High School
4540 American River Drive
Sacramento CA 95864
Handout
A printer-friendly two page handout on summer reading is available here. There is some extra information on this page that might help with the reading, but the handout has everything that matters.
Note on the class:
AP English Literature and Composition is a college level class in which we explore great and challenging books, poetry, essays and related informational texts. Students must be ready to read deeply and extensively. Expect to read 20-30 pages a night and write a total of least 20 pages per semester of formal essays, plus journals and in-class essays. This is a rewarding class in which we explore together ideas and great writing, and work hard to improve your own reading and writing skills. You must be prepared for the challenge. Students who do not read or who do not work hard to improve their writing will see their grade suffer. Because this is a college level class, you are responsible for your learning—not me and not your parents. A C is a good grade for students who challenge themselves and a fair (even generous) grade for high-level students who slack off. It is not a reason for me to have a conference with your parents. I look forward to our year together. It begins this summer.
AP Lit Summer Reading
Before the start of school, all students must read and complete required assignments for:
Expect quizzes on the Bible and There There in the first week of school. We will discuss both books at the start of the school year and write on There There at the end of the first week or beginning of the second. The essay may cover how a theme is developed throughout the book, or how a character is developed on a single page or so. You would pick the character and passage, so I recommend looking for a passage. (Note: Grades AP English are based heavily on writing in-class essays. Although much of the class will focus on improving your writing, you are expected to be proficient writers before entering the class; grades on the summer-reading essay will reflect this.)
Students must write me an informal, one-page letter attesting that they read There There and discussing briefly what they thought about it. They must have their parent write and sign a note at the bottom of the letter attesting that you did the reading. Students must lightly annotate the book. This can be done by writing in the margins, or by using post-it notes. Your annotations should note literary elements, such as: motifs, characterization, symbols, diction, notable writing style, key times when point of view influences reading. You don't have to over do it. Use abbreviations and shorthand, and mark here and there; don’t let annotating get in the way of experiencing. As an alternative you may keep a reading journal of about eight double-entry pages (Cornell note style: quote or summary on one side; your thoughts on the other.) Enjoy the book, and be ready to discuss.
All students must do the summer reading. Transfer students will have until the end of the semester to make this up. Students who were at Rio in the spring must have completed the assignment before the first day of school. Failure to do so will likely result in transfer from the class, if space is available in another non-AP Lit class. If no space is available the student will receive a zero on the assignment with no chance for make up. This applies equally to students who decide to take AP Lit over the summer. The assignment will count for approximately five percent of your final grade, and will be the basis for further assessments. (We can work around this for transfer students.) If you decide not to do the summer reading, you should see a counselor about a schedule change as soon as possible.
Bible as Literature and Biblical Allusions
AP English Literature and Composition (12)
Mr. Mahoney ([email protected])
The Kings James Bible (1611) is considered a great work of literature in its own right, and it has influenced countless Western literary works, including many novels and poems that we will read in AP English. Thus, you are required this summer to read key books of the Bible and become familiar with common biblical allusions. Below is a short list of quotations, places, names, phrases, etc. Many of these will be found in Genesis, Exodus, Matthew, and Luke. You must read these four books carefully and in their entirety. Read Numbers Ch. 31, Deuteronomy 34, Psalms 8, 22 and 23. You will need to look in some of the other books for some other items. You will be quizzed the four books and on these items (know the book and context for each item.) and key points of required books during the first week of school. Expect also a short essay test on some literary aspect of one of the four required reading books (Gen., Ex., Mat., Luke) There is no written part of this assignment to be done over the summer, but I suggest taking notes. (You will receive no points from me for taking notes.) HINT: Books and chapters are provided for you. You have to match them.
Adam's Rib
Alpha and Omega
Am I my brother's Keeper?
Ark of the Covenant
Ashes to ashes, dust to dust
Babel
Be fruitful and multiply
Break bread
Burning bush
By their fruits shall ye know them
Camel through the eye of a needle
Cast the first stone
Water into wine
Chariot of fire
Consider the lilies of the field
Crown the thorns
David and Goliath
Daniel and the Lion's den
Doubting Thomas
Eye for eye, tooth for tooth
Forty days and forty nights
Four horsemen of the Apocalypse
Gain the whole world but lose your own soul
Gold, Frankincense, and myrrh
Golden calf
Golden rule
Good Samaritan
Harden your heart
Jonah and the whale
Lamb of the slaughter
Let my people go
Loaves and fishes
Manna from Heaven
Mark of Cain
Methuselah
Midianites (connection to Moses)
Noah's Ark
Out of the mouth of babes
Parting of the waters
Prodigal son
Seven Pillars of Wisdom
Sodom and Gomorrah
Sufficient unto the day is the evil thereof
Thirty pieces of silver
This my body
Tree of Knowledge
Turn the other cheek
Valley of the shadow of death
Voice crying in the wilderness
Way of all flesh
Who lives by the sword shall die by the sword
Wisdom of Solomon
Words made flesh
BIBLICAL REFERENCES MADE ABOVE (or just google them)
Genesis: 1:22-23; 2:9, 16-18; 2:21-22; 3:17-19; 4:9-10; 4:15-16; 5:25-27; 6:13-16; 7:12-14; 11:8-9; 18:20-21
Exodus: 3:1-2; 4:21; 5:1; 14:15-17; 16:14-15; 21:23-25; 25:10; 32:4 Numbers 31:10-18; 1 Samuel 17:4, 8-9; Isaiah 40:1-3; Daniel 6:16; Proverbs 9:1; Joshua 23:14; 1 Kings 3:16-28 Mathew 2:11, 6:26-34, 7:12-16, 16:24-36, 19:23-25, 26:14-15, 26:26-29, 26:49-54, 27:27-29
Luke 6:29, 10:30-34, 15:11-15; Revelation 1:7-8, 11, 5:1-10, 6 2 Kings 2:9-12; Jonah 1:2; Psalms Nos. 8, 22, 23
Also read:
“What Did Jesus Do? Reading and Unreading the Gospels” a New Yorker book review by Adam Gopnik
http://www.newyorker.com/magazine/2010/05/24/what-did-jesus-do
and
“The King James Bible” a National Geographic article on the the 400th anniversary of the book http://ngm.nationalgeographic.com/2011/12/king-james-bible/nicolson-text
Got room on your schedule? Looking for something new? Join yearbook. We have openings. We work, but it’s not stressful. You can use great cameras. Collaborate with friends. Eat lots of pizza (compliments of yearbook). And make something that your classmates will keep for the rest of their lives. Remember, your senior yearbook will only be as good as you make it.
Michael Mahoney
email: [email protected]
website: rioape.weebly.com
Rio Americano High School
4540 American River Drive
Sacramento CA 95864
Handout
A printer-friendly two page handout on summer reading is available here. There is some extra information on this page that might help with the reading, but the handout has everything that matters.
Note on the class:
AP English Literature and Composition is a college level class in which we explore great and challenging books, poetry, essays and related informational texts. Students must be ready to read deeply and extensively. Expect to read 20-30 pages a night and write a total of least 20 pages per semester of formal essays, plus journals and in-class essays. This is a rewarding class in which we explore together ideas and great writing, and work hard to improve your own reading and writing skills. You must be prepared for the challenge. Students who do not read or who do not work hard to improve their writing will see their grade suffer. Because this is a college level class, you are responsible for your learning—not me and not your parents. A C is a good grade for students who challenge themselves and a fair (even generous) grade for high-level students who slack off. It is not a reason for me to have a conference with your parents. I look forward to our year together. It begins this summer.
AP Lit Summer Reading
Before the start of school, all students must read and complete required assignments for:
- Selected passages from the King James Bible (You may substitute a more accurately translated and accessible version for the four main books, but you’ll need the King James for the allusions. I recommend the KJV because of the beauty of the language and because that is the version that writers in English have referred to for hundreds of years). I also recommend two articles on the Bible as literature: New Yorker article on the Gospels, “What Did Jesus Do? Reading and Unreading the Gospels’” by Adam Gopnik, and a National Geographic article on the King James Bible ( http://ngm.nationalgeographic.com/2011/12/king-james-bible/nicolson-text) Most of you are aware of the Bible as a religious text, but it is also widely recognized as a great work of literature and one of the key foundation texts for much of Western literature. The assignment is explained on a separate sheet.
- There There.
- "Orange’s debut novel offers a kaleidoscopic look at Native American life in Oakland, California, through the experiences and perspectives of 12 characters. ... In this vivid and moving book, Orange articulates the challenges and complexities not only of Native Americans, but also of America itself."
- The book is told through interconnected stories, each focusing on a different character, all heading toward the Big Oakland Powwow. Sometimes the connections between stories get confusing. The book definitely repays a second read. And a little struggle with the first read is a good thing. However, you a book blogger in Kentucky has some help keeping track of characters without giving too much away.
- Write me an informal one-page letter before the to turn in on the first Friday of school, attesting that you read the book and what you thought about it.
- A New York Times profile of Tommy Orange is worth reading.
- Here are questions we will consider as we discuss the book.
-
- If you have not already read The Great Gatsby, read it. No notes or other writing required. We will use the book for a writing exercise early in the year. The exercise does not weigh heavily on the grade, but we will use the assignment to understand scoring on AP essays and prepare to score in class essays.
Expect quizzes on the Bible and There There in the first week of school. We will discuss both books at the start of the school year and write on There There at the end of the first week or beginning of the second. The essay may cover how a theme is developed throughout the book, or how a character is developed on a single page or so. You would pick the character and passage, so I recommend looking for a passage. (Note: Grades AP English are based heavily on writing in-class essays. Although much of the class will focus on improving your writing, you are expected to be proficient writers before entering the class; grades on the summer-reading essay will reflect this.)
Students must write me an informal, one-page letter attesting that they read There There and discussing briefly what they thought about it. They must have their parent write and sign a note at the bottom of the letter attesting that you did the reading. Students must lightly annotate the book. This can be done by writing in the margins, or by using post-it notes. Your annotations should note literary elements, such as: motifs, characterization, symbols, diction, notable writing style, key times when point of view influences reading. You don't have to over do it. Use abbreviations and shorthand, and mark here and there; don’t let annotating get in the way of experiencing. As an alternative you may keep a reading journal of about eight double-entry pages (Cornell note style: quote or summary on one side; your thoughts on the other.) Enjoy the book, and be ready to discuss.
All students must do the summer reading. Transfer students will have until the end of the semester to make this up. Students who were at Rio in the spring must have completed the assignment before the first day of school. Failure to do so will likely result in transfer from the class, if space is available in another non-AP Lit class. If no space is available the student will receive a zero on the assignment with no chance for make up. This applies equally to students who decide to take AP Lit over the summer. The assignment will count for approximately five percent of your final grade, and will be the basis for further assessments. (We can work around this for transfer students.) If you decide not to do the summer reading, you should see a counselor about a schedule change as soon as possible.
Bible as Literature and Biblical Allusions
AP English Literature and Composition (12)
Mr. Mahoney ([email protected])
The Kings James Bible (1611) is considered a great work of literature in its own right, and it has influenced countless Western literary works, including many novels and poems that we will read in AP English. Thus, you are required this summer to read key books of the Bible and become familiar with common biblical allusions. Below is a short list of quotations, places, names, phrases, etc. Many of these will be found in Genesis, Exodus, Matthew, and Luke. You must read these four books carefully and in their entirety. Read Numbers Ch. 31, Deuteronomy 34, Psalms 8, 22 and 23. You will need to look in some of the other books for some other items. You will be quizzed the four books and on these items (know the book and context for each item.) and key points of required books during the first week of school. Expect also a short essay test on some literary aspect of one of the four required reading books (Gen., Ex., Mat., Luke) There is no written part of this assignment to be done over the summer, but I suggest taking notes. (You will receive no points from me for taking notes.) HINT: Books and chapters are provided for you. You have to match them.
Adam's Rib
Alpha and Omega
Am I my brother's Keeper?
Ark of the Covenant
Ashes to ashes, dust to dust
Babel
Be fruitful and multiply
Break bread
Burning bush
By their fruits shall ye know them
Camel through the eye of a needle
Cast the first stone
Water into wine
Chariot of fire
Consider the lilies of the field
Crown the thorns
David and Goliath
Daniel and the Lion's den
Doubting Thomas
Eye for eye, tooth for tooth
Forty days and forty nights
Four horsemen of the Apocalypse
Gain the whole world but lose your own soul
Gold, Frankincense, and myrrh
Golden calf
Golden rule
Good Samaritan
Harden your heart
Jonah and the whale
Lamb of the slaughter
Let my people go
Loaves and fishes
Manna from Heaven
Mark of Cain
Methuselah
Midianites (connection to Moses)
Noah's Ark
Out of the mouth of babes
Parting of the waters
Prodigal son
Seven Pillars of Wisdom
Sodom and Gomorrah
Sufficient unto the day is the evil thereof
Thirty pieces of silver
This my body
Tree of Knowledge
Turn the other cheek
Valley of the shadow of death
Voice crying in the wilderness
Way of all flesh
Who lives by the sword shall die by the sword
Wisdom of Solomon
Words made flesh
BIBLICAL REFERENCES MADE ABOVE (or just google them)
Genesis: 1:22-23; 2:9, 16-18; 2:21-22; 3:17-19; 4:9-10; 4:15-16; 5:25-27; 6:13-16; 7:12-14; 11:8-9; 18:20-21
Exodus: 3:1-2; 4:21; 5:1; 14:15-17; 16:14-15; 21:23-25; 25:10; 32:4 Numbers 31:10-18; 1 Samuel 17:4, 8-9; Isaiah 40:1-3; Daniel 6:16; Proverbs 9:1; Joshua 23:14; 1 Kings 3:16-28 Mathew 2:11, 6:26-34, 7:12-16, 16:24-36, 19:23-25, 26:14-15, 26:26-29, 26:49-54, 27:27-29
Luke 6:29, 10:30-34, 15:11-15; Revelation 1:7-8, 11, 5:1-10, 6 2 Kings 2:9-12; Jonah 1:2; Psalms Nos. 8, 22, 23
Also read:
“What Did Jesus Do? Reading and Unreading the Gospels” a New Yorker book review by Adam Gopnik
http://www.newyorker.com/magazine/2010/05/24/what-did-jesus-do
and
“The King James Bible” a National Geographic article on the the 400th anniversary of the book http://ngm.nationalgeographic.com/2011/12/king-james-bible/nicolson-text
Got room on your schedule? Looking for something new? Join yearbook. We have openings. We work, but it’s not stressful. You can use great cameras. Collaborate with friends. Eat lots of pizza (compliments of yearbook). And make something that your classmates will keep for the rest of their lives. Remember, your senior yearbook will only be as good as you make it.