DOWNINGTOWN HIGH SCHOOL

Summer Reading Assignment 2008

For Students Entering Grade 9 Levels 1, 2 and Honors

 

Choose one of the following texts.  You will receive the assignment when you return to school in the fall.

 

For Honors and Level 1-

Twisted - Laurie Halse Anderson
A rambunctious high school boy gets in trouble with the law and finds himself accused of a crime involving his cell phone and pictures on the Internet.

 

Dairy Queen - Catherine Murdock
After her father injures himself, 15-year-old DJ Schwenk must do the farm work almost single-handedly, including milking the cows. When she becomes a personal trainer for the quarterback of her high school’s rival, she finds herself falling in love with him and the idea of playing football.

 

Deadline-  Chris Crutcher

After being diagnosed with cancer, an 18-year old elects to forgo treatment and keep his illness secret from his family and friends in an attempt to have a "normal" senior year.

 

The Road to Memphis Mildred Taylor

Set in Mississippi in 1941, the third novel in the series that began with Roll of Thunder Hear My Cry describes three days in the life of an African-American high school girl, Cassie Logan, and her family.  

The Hobbit -  J.R.R. Tolkien
The prequel to the Lord of the Rings trilogy, a dwarf-like creature embarks on a journey filled with magical creatures and adventure. 

And

 

Go to http://www.poemhunter.com/billy-collins/ and read Introduction to Poetry and three other poems of your choosing (print out copies of the poems read).

                  
For Level 2-

Any of the above OR:

Blood Kin- A Savannah Story -  Robert Mickles

Set during the Civil War era, two young boys, one black and one white, develop a lasting friendship on a Savannah plantation.

Born to Rock - Gordon Korman 

A boy discovers that the man he calls "Dad" is not his real father, and that his real father is a famous singer.

The Christopher Killer: A Forensic Mystery - Alane Ferguson

When an aspiring forensic pathologist convinces her father, the county coroner, to hire her as his assistant, she has no idea that one of the first serial deaths she will investigate will be that of her friend.

 

Behind You Jacqueline Woodson

An interracial teenage couple (black boy, white girl) suffers serious trouble due to their relationship.

 

And Read Selected Poetry   

 

Teachers will distribute packets of poetry including biographical information and  response sheets for students.   Read Introduction to Poetry and three other poems of your choosing and complete the four response sheets included in the packet.  For additional information go to: http://www.poemhunter.com/billy-collins/