1. Our goals

• To demonstrate how reading can provide enrichment, information , and serve as a tool for lifelong learning and enjoyment
• To encourage students to identify and compare their own experiences to those of others in situations, events, and cultures in the literary selections
• To challenge students to form opinions and make critical judgments about fiction and non-fiction
• To give our faculty and staff the opportunity to model the behavior of life-long readers

2. Who will participate? All students grades 9-12

3. How will it work?

• Members of the faculty and staff have selected a favorite book they will share in a discussion group with students.
• These books will be on display in the library.
• Sign up for your book choice in your English class the week second of April.
• Discussion group size is limited to 15. Sign up early to get your first choice.
• Read your book over the summer and be prepared to talk about it. We will have the book discussions at the beginning of the school year during a special schedule.
   

4. Where do you get the book?

• Libraries
• Bookstores (Barnes & Noble, Borders, etc.)
• Online (www.amazon.com , www.barnesandnoble.com, etc.)

5. How to prepare for the discussion

Choose a book that you would enjoy and read it carefully. Get ready to discuss it by doing the following:

• Select a passage (half to full page) that you found particularly striking, significant, moving or humorous. Photocopy the passage, type it out, or bring the book with the passage marked. Be prepared to share your insights into the passage and your reasons for choosing it.
• Prepare and write down 2 questions about the book that you would like to discuss.
• For fiction books: Select the character that made the strongest impression on you. Was this character easy to sympathize or identify with, easy to admire? Was the character particularly moving or irritating, mysterious or believable? Were you impressed by the character’s growth or uniqueness? Organize your ideas and insights so that you can share them with the group.
• For non-fiction books: Which chapter did you find most interesting and why? What new things did you learn? What is the significance of the title? If you could ask the author one question, what would it be?

6. What if you forget the book you’re supposed to read?

Email and tell us your name and grade.