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Summer Reading

English I (Academic & Honors) Summer Reading Assignment

 
Text Needed – A Thousand Ships by Natalie Haynes
ISBN: 9780063065406
 
As you read, you are asked to annotate your books to show your thinking. Your annotations can include parts of the text that you have underlined, starred, circled, or even highlighted. Everyone will have their own system for annotation. There is no one correct way.
 
Prior to reading A Thousand Ships, it would be helpful to familiarize yourself with the stories of The Iliad. You can find summaries online and even some good animated summaries on YouTube.  
 
For ease of A Thousand Ships, it's important to understand the definition of an "Epic." The definition of an "Epic" is: a long poem typically one derived from ancient oral tradition, narrating the deeds and adventures of heroic or legendary figures or the history of a nation (Oxford Languages).
 
Assignment: As you read, create a brief character summary (2-3 sentences) for the following characters. You may type this or write this by hand.
  • 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 (some examples of themes: good will always triumph evil, bravery can be found in the most unsuspecting people, etc.)
 
I want to stress how important reading and annotating are for your success here 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: Mrs. Langenwalter slangenwalter@rosaryacademy.org.
 
 

Additional book for Honors only: Summer Reading Assignment Part 2

Text Needed – Gods of Jade and Shadow by Silvia Moreno Garcia.
ISBN: 978-1529402643
 
Assignment: As you read, create a brief character summary (4-5 sentences) for each of the following characters. This can be handwritten or typed.
  • 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 (7-10 complete sentence responses for each question). Please type your responses.
 
  1. Is Casiopea an epic hero? Why or why not?
  2. What is one attribute of an epic hero Casiopea does not have? Does this affect her ability to be considered a hero? Why or why not?
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 not 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 worldwide, 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.
 
If you have any questions while doing the reading or working on this assignment, please do not hesitate to reach out to me: Mrs. Langenwalter slangenwalter@rosaryacademy.org.