1.      You must read three books from the selection.

2.      A reading journal or log of any two books has to be maintained and submitted on the first day of school in September.

3.      One book report has to be done on any one of the 3 books selected.

4.      Do not use any abridged version or printed notes for the book.  Please read the complete book, as tests will be given to you on the books you have read.  You will have to know the book in its entirety to be able to do well on your tests.  The test grades will be included in your first quarter.

5.      Journal Entry: 

·        Choose any type of small to medium sized book and enter your thoughts about each chapter that you read in the book.  There are no right or wrong entries, so be creative!

·        Use pen or pencil, date your journal entry and be authentic, insightful and thoughtful in the way you write your statements or questions.

·        Summarize ideas, new words and definitions (use your dictionaries and thesaurus while reading or after you complete each chapter).

·        Evaluate the different characters depending on their part in the story and how the story evolves around them.

·        Make a note of any quote or interesting point you would like to remember.

·        Write in the first person

·        At the end of reading each chapter you must write how it impressed you.  If it did not impress you then you can write why it failed to impress you, while giving suggestions of what you would have like to see happen in the chapter that would have impressed you.

·        Mention who the narrator of the story is or who the perceived narrator is.

·        You must make a note of when the story began to grip your interest.

·        Make a concluding response that may suggest a theme or a moral to the story read.

6.      Book Report:  Follow the guidelines on the next page.  Your report should be 2-3 pages typed (Times New Roman, 12 font).  Please do not write in the first person and you must have a title page.

Your book report is equal to one test grade, and your journals count as a quiz grade so make an effort to do your best!  They are all due on the first day of school.  On the second day you will be given a zero.  The value of reading is very important and cannot be stressed enough.  Do not try any short cut method because you will deprive yourself of a great opportunity in advancing your reading, writing and comprehension skills.

HOW TO WRITE A BOOK REPORT IN HIGH SCHOOL

I.                   Introduction Paragraph:  This should include the title of the book (underlined),

the author’s name, the type of book and a brief introduction to the book in general so as to grip the reader’s attention.  Once sentence called the thesis sentence should indicate the organization of your report.  Here is an example of a thesis sentence:

Mr. Noble tells of his surprising imprisonment, his long years of torture and his eventual release.  (In your Body, this sentence will be divided into three paragraphs).

II.                Body:  The body should have the same number of paragraphs as are indicated by the thesis sentence in the introduction.  You have to explain what the book is about and them write your opinion about the book and how successful it is.  Explain the author’s purpose on the main themes of the book.  DO NOT WRITE IN THE FIRST PERSON.

For Fiction:  Briefly describe the setting, the point of view and the main characters of the story.  If there is a specific mood or tone to the story then discuss that as well.  Give a plot summary along with a sequence of events that lead to the climax and resolution.  Mention the author’s use of literary techniques such as irony, imagery, foreshadowing, symbolism, etc.

For Non Fiction:  Give a general overview of the author’s topic, main points an arguments.  Write what the book is focusing on and the important conclusion.

III.             Analysis and Evaluation:  Analyze and critique (review and evaluate) the book.  Consider the following questions that will help in doing this:

For Fiction:

1.      Did the author achieve his or her purpose?

2.      Is the writing effective, powerful, difficult, beautiful, gripping?

3.      What are the strengths and weaknesses of the book?  (Style of writing, clear or confusing, order of events, depiction of characters, etc.)

For Non Fiction:

1.      What are the author’s qualifications to write about the subject?

2.      Do you agree with the author’s arguments and conclusions?

3.      Your overall response to the book (do not write in first person).  Did you find the book interesting, moving, dull…?

4.      Would you recommend it to others?  Why or why not?

IV.       Conclusion:  Briefly conclude by wrapping up your thoughts together.  You may say what an impression the book left with you, or emphasize what you want your reader to know about it.