Tuesday, December 11, 2007

Winter Break Assignment

due: Friday, January 4th, 2008

Choose one of the following three books to read:

A Prayer for Owen Meany by John Irving. This is a wonderful read and great for winter break, especially living here in New England. There are moments that I actually laughed out loud when reading this book. It is long, but goes quickly. I can provide you with a copy of this book before you leave for break if this is what you choose.



Charlie Wilson's War, by George Crile. One of the most amazing books I've ever read. A non-fiction book (though it's hard to believe at times since the story is so captivating, intense, literally unbelievable at times, and well written), I was blown away to see that it is coming out as a movie over break. Anyway, if you have any interest in journalistic books, history (especially of the Middle East or American politics), the CIA, the 1980s, or just love reading a great story--you'll want to get yourself a copy. I will not be able to provide you with one.




A Thousand Splendid Suns, by Khaled Hosseini. Yes, it is as good as The Kite Runner, (enough said) though much different. It is only out in hardback, but is worth it. You will need to find your own copy.


You will have an in-class writing assignment on January 4th. You will need to know the book inside-an-out to complete assignment effectively. I will have a separate writing prompt, probably based on an important passage in the last third of the book, that asks you to write about the passage's significance to the rest of the work. You will be able to use your book and any notes or post-its the day of the writing assignment.


If anyone wants to, you have the option to replace the fourth vocab quiz with reading two of the three choices. I will just ask that you have a conversation with me about the extra book to make sure you read it. (No writing assignment needed.)
Please post your choice in the comment stream before break so I know what to prepare for. Thank you.

51 comments:

Kevin Tang said...
This comment has been removed by the author.
Kevin Tang said...

I will be reading A Thousand Splendid Suns. Since there are over 188 people in queue to get the book from the Metro Boston Library Network, I guess I'll be buying it.

Amy H 6 said...

I choose to read A Thousand Splendid Suns. I already have the book.... so I won't need to buy it. :).

Chrizzy Teeny said...

A Thousand Splendid Suns by Khaled Hosseini

Meaghan S6 said...

Since I already read A Thousand Splendid Suns (which to all of you who are reading it, it's awesome!), I'm going to read A Prayer for Owen Meany, which I already have a copy of. I think I'm also going to read Charlie Wilson's War in place of that Vocab Quiz. Reading is much better than memorizing!

Angela S5 said...
This comment has been removed by the author.
Angela S5 said...

I am going to read A Thousand Splendid Suns.

baoxer said...

I'm going to read A Prayer for Owen Meany and probably Charlie Wilson's War as well.

Ricki said...

I'm going to read A Thousand Splendid Suns.

Thespina says: said...

Alright people, I'm going to read A Thousand Splendid Suns by Khaled Hosseini because The Kite Runner just made my summer and something's gotta make my winter, right?

Kathleen D5 said...

I am going to read A A Thousand Splendid Suns by Khaled Hosseini and in place of the fourth vocab quiz I'm going to read A Prayer for Owen Meany by John Irving

R. Gallagher said...

It took me five hours to drive home today after school. That is an average of about 4.25 miles per hour. Had to get that off my chest. Okay. Oh, I saw on t.v. last night (or the night before) that one of Ray Allen's (Celtics if you didn't know) favorite books was A Thousand Splendid Suns.

Unknown said...

Faedhra W. 6
I am going to read A Prayer for Owen Meany by John Irving

Jessica F. 6 said...

A Thousand Splendid Suns by Khaled Hosseini.

Kristin D. 5 said...

I want to be unique and not a follower. I want to read A Thousand Spendid Suns. =] I walked home I think I had more snow in my boots then there was on the ground.

Alexander A.6 said...

I plan on reading A Thousand Splendid Suns and likely A Prayer for Owen Meany instead of the vocab test.

Jessica S. 6 said...

I'm in for A Thousand Splendid Suns...wondering if you could provide us with the book if you have it??

Doris T5 said...

I plan on reading A Thousand Splendid Suns. It seems interesting it goes with my theme for the year.

michelle p said...

I plan to read A Prayer For Owen Meany. :)

Mario R. 5 said...

i chose a prayer for owen meany. i chosse this book because i like to laugh

Stephanie P. 5 said...

I am going to read A Thousand Splendid Suns.

Chrizzy Teeny said...

May I borrow a copy of A Prayer For Owen Meany for my vocab replacement book?

Kenneth M5 said...

I'd like to read A prayer for owen meany, I'd also like to borrow it from you.

Rodney B5 said...

I am going to read A Prayer for Owen Meany.

William C5 said...

I'll be reading A Prayer for Owen Meany, since I already borrowed it from the library.

Emily said...

I'm going to read A Thousand Splendid Suns.

Natalia Amorim said...

I chose A Thousand Splendid Suns to read. I'll be buying the book.

ashley S5 said...

i did a lot of research wih Ms. Musilii and i have decided to read A Thousand Splendid Suns.

ashley S5 said...

i did a lot of research wih Ms. Musilii and i have decided to read A Thousand Splendid Suns.

Erika R. 6 said...

I'm going to read A Thousand Splendid Suns, and I don't want to take the vocab quiz, so I'll be reading A Prayer for Owen Meany instead of taking the quiz...

Brian said...

Hey Mr.G I was wondering if you could let me borrow A Prayer for Owen Meany,and then I was going to get Charlie Wilson's war in lieu of that dreaded vocab test.

Shaun N 5 said...

I just the bought the book two days ago, so I'm going to be reading CHARLIE WILSON'S WAR.

Anonymous said...

I got A Thousand Splendid Suns on sale today at Borders for $15 so I'll be reading it.

Elina R 6 said...

Hi Mr. G

I choose A Thousand Splendid Suns and A Prayer for Owen Meany

Mark D5 said...

A prayer for owen meany

ashley S5 said...

i have reconsider and i am reading the A Prayer for Owen Meany

Derek D5 said...

Considering that Mr. g has told me repeatedly that it would go very well with my theme for the year, I will be reading Charlie Wilsons War. And I'd like to wish everyone a safe and merry Christmas/holidays.

Shuyi G 6 said...

I will be reading A Thousand Splendid Suns by Khaled Hosseini.

Wendy C.5 said...

I will read A Thousand Splendid Suns because it goes along with my topic.

Michael R. 6 said...

I will be reading Charlie Wilson's War because it seems interesting and talks about a lot of what I like learn about.

Son N6 said...

I will read A Prayer For Owen Meany, it seem's interesting and also seems to talk about foreign policy that includes Vietnam.

Janelle C. 5 said...

I would like to read A Prayer for Owen Meany, and if there are any copies left, then I would love borrow one from you Mr. Gallgher. But if you don't have any more, as I see a lot of people are reading this book, then I'll have no problem getting it myself. Thanks.

Ronald d5 said...

I would liek to read charlie wilson's War. This book seems to interest me most.

Eddie said...

I will be reading A Thousand Splendid Suns, by Khaled Hosseini because I have a copy and I was going to read it for my independent reading until I found out it didn't meet the requirements for independent reading books.

Laurie's MY name said...

i'm reading A Prayer for Own Meany
:)

baoxer said...

Chances are, I'm not going to be able to read Charlie Wilson's War over vacation. As of now, I'll be taking vocab test. I'll post another comment if I somehow do find the time to read it.

Quan T 6 said...

Thousand Splendid Suns and I'll probably take the vocabulary test unless I can find the time to read another book.

Ping L 6 said...

I will be reading A Thousand Splendid Suns by Khaled Hosseini. I already have a copy of the book so I do not have to buy it like many people are going to. If I have time, I might read another book to replace the vocabulary test.

sarah c 6 said...

I have decided to read A Thousand Splendid Suns, by Khaled Housseini. I think I will like this book very much because I love Housseini's other book, "The Kite Runner". But as tempting as it sounds, I will not be reading another book to substitute my vocab test, one good book is enough for me.

Emily R 6 said...

I will be reading a Prayer for Owen Meany

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