Summer Reading Assignment ~ Expository Writing If you will be in 9th grade the Fall of 2017, you will be taking Expository Writing. For your Summer Reading Assignment, you will be reading the novel, The Secret Life of Bees by Sue Monk Kidd. As you read this novel, pay close attention to the details and take some notes. What kind of notes? Think about the themes, characters, setting, conflict and overall plot of the novel. So, for your assignment. There will be two (2) parts to your Summer Reading Assignment that are due the first day of classes - Monday, August 28th: Part One: Book Jacket; Part Two: A Typed Reflection
Part One – Book Jacket After reading the novel, you will design an original book jacket for The Secret Life of Bees. Just a note: any information that is simply copied and pasted from the internet will receive no credit. **Grading will be based on originality, completeness, spelling, grammar – and effort! ** Here are the directions you are to follow:
On the Front Cover
The author’s name and illustrator’s name (you are the illustrator)
The title of book
An artistic depiction of an important aspect of the novel - symbol, character, scene, etc. You will be graded on your creativity, not on your artistic ability.
Inside Left Flap
Write a one to two paragraph overview of the novel without giving away too much information - your goal is to entice prospective readers to read the book. Your overview should include a quote that you find significant in the novel. Everything but the quote should be in your own words.
Inside Right Flap
A one paragraph biography about the author . You should not copy the author’s biography from a web-site, but rather read a few on-line bio’s and then write one yourself.
A one paragraph biography about the illustrator (you). Have fun with this - you can write about who you are right now, or you can imagine yourself in the future.
Consider including a picture of each of you
Back Cover
One quote from a book review from leading literary sources like The New Yorker, or NPR
A one paragraph book review by you (imagine that you have graduated from college and that you are working for a prestigious magazine as a book editor). Discuss things like character and plot and tell readers what you think. I am looking for originality here.
ISBN and barcode
One the Spine
Title of the book
The author’s name and illustrator’s name
Optional: an illustration or symbol
Part Two - A Typed Reflection
I want to hear what you think about the novel! Respond to the following questions – choosing either #1 or #2 - in paragraph format, reflecting on the novel:
Describe your favorite element about the book. What is a plot twist? Was it the amazingly developed character(s)? Was it the way the author wrote the novel? Why is it your favorite?
Did a character steal your heart? Did you grow to love/hate/fear/worry about/etc. a character? What was the situation? The circumstances? How did it all play out? Would you have done anything differently if you were the character?
Remember, organization, spelling and grammar count! Yes, you can write in first person (using I), but be sure to keep all your writing in the present tense. Your response for Part Two should be approximately one-typed page: double-spaced, 12 point type. Yes, it must be typed! No hand written papers will be accepted.