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Summer Reading

English I Summer Reading Assignment

 
Text Needed – A Thousand Ships by Natalie Haynes
ISBN: 9780063078215
 
Before you read A Thousand Ships, define the following terms and fill out the notes below.
Define the following term. Feel free to find the definition online.
Epic
 
If you are not already, familiarize yourself with the stories of The Iliad. You can find summaries online and even some good animated summaries on YouTube.  Provide a brief summary The Iliad:
 
As you read, create a brief character summary (2-3 sentences) for the following characters: 
  • Odysseus
  • Achilles
  • Penelope
  • Clytemnestra
  • Helen of Sparta
  • Thetis
  • Paris
  • Hecabe
  • Calliope
  • Eris
  • Themis
  • Gaia
Read A Thousand Ships and annotate for the following:
Character: Values, beliefs, biases, and cultural norms represented by characters.
Setting: Setting can depict time place, and values associated with a location.
Structure: Sequence and arrangement can contribute to interpretation and understanding.
Narration: Narrator’s perspective controls details and emphasizes reader’s experience.
Figurative Language: Look out for all important, meaningful, or repeated literary devices.
Literary Argumentation: Major themes!!!
 
I know this is a lot to do, but I want to stress how important reading and annotating will be for your success at Rosary. If you have any questions while doing the reading or working on this assignment, please do not hesitate to reach out to me: rbevins@rosaryacademy.org.
 
 

Honors English I Summer Reading Assignment

Summer Reading Assignment – Part I:

Text Needed – A Thousand Ships by Natalie Haynes
ISBN: 9780063078215
 
Before you read A Thousand Ships, define the following terms and fill out the notes below.
Define the following term. Feel free to find the definition online.
Epic
 
If you are not already, familiarize yourself with the stories of The Iliad. You can find summaries online and even some good animated summaries on YouTube.  Provide a brief summary The Iliad:
 
As you read, create a brief character summary (2-3 sentences) for the following characters:
Odysseus
  • Achilles
  • Penelope
  • Clytemnestra
  • Helen of Sparta
  • Thetis
  • Paris
  • Hecabe
  • Calliope
  • Eris
  • Themis
  • Gaia 
Read A Thousand Ships and annotate for the following:
Character: Values, beliefs, biases, and cultural norms represented by characters.
Setting: Setting can depict time place, and values associated with a location.
Structure: Sequence and arrangement can contribute to interpretation and understanding.
Narration: Narrator’s perspective controls details and emphasizes reader’s experience.
Figurative Language: Look out for all important, meaningful, or repeated literary devices.
Literary Argumentation: Major themes!!!
 

Summer Reading Assignment – Part II:

Text Needed – Gods of Jade and Shadow by Silvia Moreno Garcia.
ISBN: 978-1529402643
 
As you read, create a brief character summary (2-3 sentences) for each of the following characters.
  • Casiopea
  • MartIn
  • Hun-Kame
  • Vucub-Kame
 
Once you have finished reading Gods of Jade and Shadow, look over the following characteristics of an epic hero. Then answer the following questions (2-3 complete sentence responses for each question).
 
Is Casiopea an epic hero?
 
What is one attribute of an epic hero Casiopea does not have? Does this affect her ability to be considered a hero?
 
Characteristics of Epic Heroes
Trait 1: A Noble Birth
Most epic heroes will have an above average station in life. They will be kings, princes, or nobles of some sort. Commoners usually do no become epic heroes.
 
Trait 2: Capable of deeds of great strength and courage
Basically, this means the hero has the potential for great deeds.
 
Trait 3: Great Warrior
Before the hero of an epic does his business in the epic, he has usually established himself in combat during a war.
 
Trait 4: Travels Over a Vast Setting
Simply put, you cannot be an epic hero if you stay in your village your whole life. The more countries or areas traveled to, the better. The farther away from your own country, the better.
 
Trait 5: National Heroism
Before a hero can be celebrated by countries the world over, he must first be recognized in his home country as a great and heroic person.
 
Trait 6: Humility
Even as the rest of the world recognizes the great deeds of the hero, he is never a braggart or even willing to take applause.
 
Trait 7: Faces Supernatural Foes and/or Receives Supernatural Help
Most epic heroes either receive aid from a god or goddess or battle some superhuman enemy.
 
I know this is a lot to do, but I want to stress how important reading and annotating will be for your success at Rosary.  If you have any questions while doing the reading or working on this assignment, please do not hesitate to reach out to me: rbevins@rosaryacademy.org.