GATE English I

Summer Reading Assignment

Dear Freshman GATE Student,
Congratulations on your decision to challenge yourself to work harder in order to become a
stronger student, which begins with your summer reading for GATE English I.
You are to read one of the novels listed on the next page and complete the assignment for it.
You may obtain the texts from the school library, your local library, or a bookstore. The
assignment is due August 15th, no exceptions.
The purpose of the summer assignment is to refine reading skills, which are often lost or
reduced over the summer months, and to encourage reading for pleasure. Reading closely and
analytically requires practice, so completing the summer reading assignment allows you to
maintain your level of excellence. I encourage you to read at least one additional book to the
summer assignment for your own benefit.
Please note: This summer assignment is not something you can put off until the last week of
summer, so get started as soon as possible. Taking good notes and marking the book as you go
will help you remember what you have read, even if you get your reading done in June.
Remember, you are making a commitment as an honors student to complete your work to the
best of your ability. I expect an honors/GATE performance. Please plan your time accordingly.
If you lose the summer reading assignment, please email me at or visit my class website listed
below.
I look forward to seeing you in class next fall, and we hope you are excited to begin your high
school experience. Should have any questions in the meantime, please email me.

Sincerely,
Mr. Williams

peter.williams@salinasuhsd.org

Ms. Newman

Hayley.newman@salinasuhsd.org

GATE ENGLISH 1-2 Summer Reading Assignment

Over the summer you will be reading a book of your choice that you have never
read before. The book should be appropriate for your reading level. There are sample
books to choose from below. You may choose something that is not on the list. Aside
from reading a novel, you will be responsible for completing the project explained below.
The project will be collected the first week of school so dont wait until the last
minute.
Sample Novels:
(*These are only recommendation and books marked with * must be approved by parents)
(CC= Common Core books)

*The Graveyard Book Neil Gaiman

*The Book Thief Marcus Zusak (CC)
*Their Eyes Were Watching God Hurston
*The Lovely Bones Alice Sebold
*Life of Pi Yann Martel
*A Boys Life: A Memoir Tobias Wolff
*Shooter Walter Dean Myers
The Secret Life of Bees Sue Mon Kidd
The Nose Nikolai Gogol (CC)
In the Time of Butterflies Julia Alvarez (CC)
Book Brochure- You will create a brochure for the book that you select to read.
Remember to be creative and have fun. It can be made using the following:
Folded Paper
Poster Board
Electronic (Web Page)
Your brochure must include the following:
Outside Brochure Front Cover- Title, Author, Book Cover (Not the one on the book), and Your
Name.
Back Cover- Short Summary (One paragraph about the plot), Critique (One
paragraph about what you liked and didnt like and whether or not you would
recommend this book to others)
Inside Brochure Four significant quotes from the book and explain why each quote is significant
Character Descriptions- (Choose 3 characters)
o How do they behave? What do they do? How do they look? Explain.
Setting- Where does the story take place? In what ways is the setting
important?
Learn Vocabulary Find ten vocabulary words that you would like to learn and
write the definition and page number.

 Create an alternate ending- Continue from the last chapter or the last page
(Minimum one page or four paragraphs typed).
You will be graded on presentation, creativity, grammar, spelling, and accuracy in using
information from the novel. The following is the presentation rubric that will be used.
Presentations will be held the second day of school.

Book Brochure Presentations

1. Start with introducing the book to the audience. Give its title, authors name, date of
publication, genre.
2. Introduce the main characters of the book. The following things about the characters
should be mentioned: name, gender, age, personality, relations between characters.
3. Now, provide details about the setting. Let me remind you that here you should tell
when and where the story described in the book takes place.
4. Explain the conflict of the book. What are major issues? How do characters change
throughout the story?
Tips on how to make a success presentation
You have to be sure in every word of what you are presenting. It is impossible if you
have not read the book or you do not get it.
Make note cards with the most important points to be included into your presentation.
However, do not read from these cards, just look up from time to time.
Try to illustrate your brochure. Find some pictures related to the book or, at least, the
writers portrait.