Summer Assignments | Business of Sports School

For all BOSS students:

Dear BOSS Scholar:

The curriculum for English begins this summer with a required reading assignment. You must select and read two books from the lists below. You must also have a reading log for one selected book. All reading logs will be collected by your English teacher at the start of the 2020-21 academic school year. Late work will receive half credit ONLY.

For each book you choose you must keep a record, also known as a log, of your reading. Neatly record all log entries on loose-leaf, in a composition notebook, or if you prefer, it may be typed. Clearly label the title of each book; include the author’s name and range of pages. Below, there is an example of how you should format each log. In this log, you will choose a significant passage, quote, or dialogue, then write a response.

READING LOG INSTRUCTIONS:

For each book, you must complete the following:

1. Choose SIX (6) passages or quotes. Be sure to include TWO (2) entries for the beginning, TWO (2) for the middle, and TWO (2) for the end.

2. Copy each passage or quote on blank white paper and write the page number. On that same blank page, select and respond to at least ONE (1) of the following reading prompts for EACH passage or quote. Copy the selected reading prompt. Each response must consist of at least 4-5 sentences

PLEASE NOTE: A sample of the reading log for each literary work is below.

READING PROMPTS

Who is speaking? Where does this particular scene take place (setting)? Explain the character’s thoughts, motives, and actions (i.e. What does the person mean?).
What does this passage reveal about the character(s) or ideas in this book? What is your opinion of the character(s)? Use textual evidence to support your response.
What literary device/technique (i.e. symbolism, flashback, irony, metaphor, simile, personification, hyperbole, etc.) does the author use to express meaning?
I agree/disagree with the idea/statement that…..
I think the message the author is trying to express is…..
If I were (include the character’s name), …..OR: If I were (specify the situation/ dilemma, etc.), I would have said/done…..

(Sample of a STRONG Response)

READING LOG FOR FICTION

Book Title: 1984

Author: George Orwell

Page Range: 1-73

Entry #1: “The frightening thing, he reflected for the ten thousandth time as he forced his shoulders painfully backward… If the Party could thrust its hand into the past and say of this or that event, it never happened—that, surely, was more terrifying than mere torture and death” (Orwell 34).

Reading Prompt: Question #2: How would you summarize the idea expressed here?

Winston is participating in routine exercise in this part of the book. Everyone has to do it and if you don’t you can get in trouble. As he is doing the exercise, his mind wanders. He begins to think that his government is too controlling and gets off track. The woman in the Telescreen yells at him and he gets back to exercising correctly. He thinks that the control the Party has over people and history is worse than death or torture.

SUGGESTED BOOK TITLES: these titles are available at NYC Public Libraries both in print, eBook format, and audiobook.

If you need a New York Public Library Card, apply here. You may also apply for a Brooklyn Public Library Card, apply here. (You only need to live in New York State to apply for a card.)

You will need to download the Libby app. Click on the title of the book to learn more about the book and to check them out from the library. If you need help, please email Southwell@nycboss.org. Visit the Graphic Arts Campus Library website for more recommendations.

Title Author Genre Lexile Level

Tears of a Tiger Sharon Draper YA 700

First They Killed My Father Luong Ung Memoir 920

The House on Mango Street Sandra Cisneros Coming of Age 860

In the Time of the Butterflies Julia Alvarez Historical Fiction 910

Down These Mean Streets Piri Thomas Memoir 820

The Big O: My Life, My Times, My Game Oscar Roberston Autobiography

Always Running: La Vida Loca, Gang Days in L.A. Luis J. Rodriguez Autobiography

Jaws Peter Benchley Adventure

Christine Stephen King Horror 840

The Count of Monte Cristo Alexandre Dumas Adventure 1080

I Am Malala Malala Yousafzai Memoir 1000