Download English 9 H Summer Reading Assignment

Summer Reading English 9 Honors
2015-2016
All incoming ninth grade honors students must read the book Mythology by Edith
Hamilton and Anansi Boys by Neil Gaiman before school commences in August.
We recommend that students read Mythology first and then Anansi Boys.
Edith Hamilton’s Mythology describes all of the characters and stories of
Greek mythology. You are expected to read the introduction, all portions of the
book that describe the Greek myths, as well as the Norse myths at the end of the
book, to familiarize yourself with these myths and mythological figures. However,
you will not be expected to commit it all to memory. The following is a list of
characters that you will be expected to study because they are the basis of
pieces of literature you will read in the honors/AP track of high school English
classes:
Zeus, Hera, Poseidon, Hades, Athena, Apollo, Artemis, Aphrodite, Hermes, Ares,
Hephaestus, Demeter, Persephone, Pandora, Prometheus and Io, Europa,
Narcissus, Adonis, Cupid and Psyche, Pyramus and Thisbe, Orpheus and
Eurydice, Daedalus, Hercules, Atalanta, Trojan War, Tantalus and Niobe,
Oedipus, Antigone, Midas, Pan, Triton, Leda, Castor, Pollux, Helen, Gorgon,
Furies, all of Norse mythology
Take notes on these characters/myths. The goal of the notes is only to
summarize the characters’ prominent qualities and significant experiences. Bring
these notes and the book to class on the first day of school.
After reading Anansi Boys by Neil Gaiman students should write a one page,
double-spaced, (12 point Times New Roman font) character analysis. In
your character analysis you should describe how one of Gaiman’s characters
compares and/or contrasts to one of the Norse mythology characters. This will be
collected on the first day of school.
On Wednesday, August 19th, you will be given a test on the myths and your
understanding and analysis of Anansi Boys. Make sure you are prepared and
have read and studied the material.
Have a wonderful summer. Happy reading!
Sincerely,
The 9th Grade Honors English Teachers