Incoming IB Sophomores

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Wichita East
Pre-IB English 2
Summer Reading 2025

Your summer reading book will be used to ground our study of literature in the first weeks of school, and we will start with it on the first day. While you read this book, you should do the following:

• Track one of the book’s themes in the form of a D/E Journal,
• Choose one passage to write an analysis over,
• More on both of these assignments below.

Read thoughtfully and reread when you need to. As you read, make sure you take a few moments to look up any terms, names, ideas you aren’t familiar with. You’re reading both to jumpstart your literary criticism skills after the summer and to think about the novel as a carefully constructed artwork with something to say to its readers.

Pay particularly close attention to these ideas; you might consider either keeping some notes or annotating the book, or both:

• SETTING: What is the setting of book? We can summarize this as time and place the novel is set, but we want you to go beyond the obvious. What is the actual geography like and the scenery? What is the general manner of the people of this time and place? What are the various social constructions of this setting, the history of the place, the season(s) of the year, the overall social and emotional conditions, etc.
• POINT OF VIEW / NARRATION: Is the point of view 1^st person, 3^rd person limited, 3^rd person omniscient? A mix? Why might the author have chosen the POV that they did and how does the very nature of the POV help provide meaning? If it is 1^st person or 3^rd limited is the POV from the main character or a minor character? You can look at narration a little differently. Is the story told chronologically? Are there flashbacks? Two or more timelines? Are there cliffhangers? Narration relates to the overall manner in which a story is told.
• CONFLICT / SHIFTS / RESOLUTION: All literature anchors on conflict and resolution. Along the way there will be various shifts—in tone, understanding, plot, etc. Often times we can uncover a book’s themes by evaluating the various conflicts and how they are (or perhaps are not) resolved. EXAMPLE: if Harry Potter had destroyed all the horcruxes and Voldemort alone, the series would be akin to a lone superhero who alone can save the world. Instead, Rowling chose to have numerous people destroy horcruxes, which therefore helps to illuminate one of the themes: strength through love and friendship.
• FIGURATIVE LANGUAGE: Figurative language in its most basic form is a catch-all term for language that his not literal—though love can be compared to a rose, it is clearly not literally a rose. The most common types of figurative language are the following: metaphors, similes, personification, and hyperbole. To what extent does the author utilize figurative language? What overall tone and mood does their figurative language create?
• CHARACTERS / CHARACTERIZATION: A well-crafted novel will lead us to forget that the characters are not actually real people but created by the right words on the page. Pay close attention to how an author creates their characters and what that says about them. Especially pay attention when a character is introduced for the first time. Additionally, how do the characters interact with one another? Are there foil characters or characters that complement one another in some fashion. NOTE: Characterization is established by what the narrator says about a character, what a character says and does and what other characters say about them.

 

Content Warning: Please research your book and discuss your options with your parents or guardians. There may be material in these books that are difficult to process.

Summer Reading Assignment Details

Assignment 1: While you read, you will keep a double-entry journal where you will copy and respond (analytically) to passages that help support a theme of your choice. You should do this over six different quotes, preferably from throughout the entire book, not just a chapter or two. Reference the example below for more details.

Assignment 2: Choose ONE passage, approximately one-two pages in length and do the following:

• Take notes over important aspects of the passage: characterization, use of figurative language, language that helps develop theme, etc.
• Type (MLA Format) a well-written paragraph explaining the following about the passage you chose:
  • The passage’s primary meaning and significance—that is, an interpretation, not just a retelling or paraphrase of what happens. What does the passage imply that it doesn’t directly say that requires your interpretation?
  • Quoted text that includes language that conveys the meaning and significance of the passage.
  • Explanation of how authorial choices (literary elements) in the passage contribute to your interpretation.
  • By “well-written paragraph” above, we are suggesting that your ideas should be integrated and coherent as a prose paragraph, following standard English conventions.

Assignment 3 (after you return): There will be an objective test over the book in the first week of school. If you’ve read it with reasonable care and have done some reflection on it, you will be fine.

• There will be additional writing assignments and activities upon your return to school that depend upon you reading the book and completing the assignment above—so failure to do it will hurt you doubly when you return.

PLEASE do not hesitate to email us with questions. We are happy to help: rcompton@usd259.net or ksosa@usd259.net

About acquiring your books:

Watermark Books & Café will have all next year’s books on hand over the summer. Apart from your summer read, you might want to get Slaughterhouse Five and Hamlet to prevent having to make multiple trips. You can also order from Watermark online at their website:

https://www.watermarkbooks.com/summer-reading-ib-sophomore

If household finances make buying the books difficult for you, please call the IB office (316-973-7289) or send Ms. Tanner an email etanner1@usd259.net )

D/E Journal Example:

 

Book Selection:
Read the book descriptions below to decide on a potential book option for your summer reading assignment. When ready, scan the QR Code below and enter the order of your book preferences. Read the instructions of the survey carefully before submitting your choices.

You will receive an email from ksosa@usd259.net with your assigned novel on Sunday, April 20^th.

• Deadline to submit selections: Sunday, April 13^th
• Failure to submit selections will result in a book being chosen for you.

PIB English 2 – Summer Reading Options:

Before the Coffee Gets Cold by Toshikazu Kawaguchi
In a tiny Tokyo café, customers can travel back in time—but only under strict rules, including returning before their coffee gets cold. As different visitors take this chance, their heartfelt stories unfold, exploring themes of regret, love, and second chances. A quietly magical, thought-provoking novel about what we might change if given the opportunity.

The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-Time by Mark Haddon
Fifteen-year-old Christopher Boone, a brilliant yet socially unique boy, sets out to solve the mystery of a neighbor’s dead dog. His investigation leads him into an unexpected journey that challenges his understanding of family, truth, and the world around him. A gripping, heartfelt story told through an unforgettable perspective.

The Alchemist by Paulo Coelho
Santiago, a young shepherd, dreams of a hidden treasure and embarks on a journey across the desert to fulfill his “Personal Legend.” Along the way, he encounters a cast of wise and mystical figures who teach him about destiny, perseverance, and the soul of the world. A timeless fable about following one’s dreams and the magic of the universe.

NOTE: If you are currently in IB, you have already chosen your book. We include the book descriptions here for students who may be joining our classes late.

If you do not recall which book you chose, please reach out to Mr. Compton or Ms. Sosa.