A Word About Your Summer Reading
 

Summer reading is a standard part of the AP (Advanced Placement) course experience. AP students across the country have been assigned thousands of pages of reading to help them prepare themselves for the AP English Literature test. The Honors English summer reading list is considerably shorter than most AP summer reading lists because instead of a full AP level course, FVL offers Honors English as a college prep honors course that can be used by motivated students to prepare them for the rigorous AP exam.

Your summer reading is an important part of your preparation for the class. It is designed to help you grow as a reader and thinker.  These readings will challenge you to think and grapple with ideas.  Don't simply read for content -- that is not a good use of your time as you prepare for college. These readings are critically-acclaimed adult literature typical of material you will be reading in college. They are controversial in their own ways. They have ideas that you may radically disagree with. That's okay. You will find that often in your college classroom. The key to your success will be to analyze and dissect these readings clearly and intelligently.

I strongly suggest that you purchase these three summer books. If you don't purchase them, be sure to take "good" notes so you are prepared to discuss them and write about them during the first couple weeks of the school year.  If you do buy the books, highlight key passages and mark them up. Write in definitions for vocab words you don't know. Jot notes and personal observations in the text so it makes it easier for you to review when we come back to school in late August. This is what you will be doing often in college. Get used to the process now and practice it. It will help you tremendously in college.

Finding these books should not be difficult -- all three are classics. You can certainly get them from local libraries.  Most likely the libraries will have multiple copies. You might benefit from buying a student version which will have helps for you built in. There are also many book stores or thrift shops in the area that sell used books.  Try Goodwill, St. Vincent de Paul, and rummage sales.  If all else fails, you can purchase them new at almost any bookstore - Barnes & Noble, Waldenbooks, Mediaplay, etc. You can also order them on the internet from Barnes & Noble, Amazon, E-bay, and more. Chances are if you hunt a little you can purchase them all for under $10. The three copies I purchased from thrift shops cost me a total of $2.20. 

Happy hunting!