English I Honors Summer Assignment
English 1 Honors
Reading & Assignment Guide
These novels feature characters whose attempts to go along with the status quo carry negative and even dangerous consequences. From succumbing to society’s control to getting caught up in mass hysteria to simply ignoring one’s true identity, these novels illustrate the value of independent thoughts and actions. Choose one novel below to read independently prior to English 1 Honors and then complete the one-pager as outlined on pages 2-3. Rubric and examples can be found on pages 4-7.
Novel Selection
All American Boys by Jason Reynolds
(Available in WCHS Library)
All Rashad wanted was a bag of chips, but instead he was accused of shoplifting and, after being pummeled against the pavement by a police officer, of resisting arrest. Quinn Collins saw the whole thing, but he can’t bring himself to speak out against the cop, Paul, because Paul has raised Quinn as his own son. Pretty soon the town starts taking sides, and Rashad and Quinn are forced to face decisions and consequences they had never anticipated.
(mature readers - parent/guardian approval requested)
The Chocolate War by Robert Cormier
(Available in WCHS Library)
All-male Trinity High School is run by Archie Costello and his group of teenage followers, known as the Vigils. Archie maintains his power by making other kids carry out “assignments” for him, tasks which tend to harm a person’s body and spirit. When Archie gives Jerry Renault an assignment, Jerry refuses to take it on, calling the power dynamics of the school into question.
(mature readers - parent/guardian approval requested)
Conversion by Katherine Howe
(Available in WCHS Library)
It’s a seemingly normal senior year at St. Joan’s Academy until Colleen Rowley and her friends start experiencing strange, uncontrollable tics. The scary episodes begin to spread to more and more students, and serious symptoms follow. Nobody can figure out the cause, until Colleen finds a clue in an extra credit assignment.
(mature readers - parent/guardian approval requested)
Divergent by Veronica Roth
(Available in WCHS Library)
Beatrice Prior (Tris) is forced to choose which community faction she wants to join. Should she choose Abnegation — the selfless — like the rest of her family, or should she choose one of the other four: Candor (the honest), Dauntless (the brave), Amity (the peaceful), and Erudite (the intelligent)? Tris makes a surprising choice in an effort to cover up a secret that, if revealed, would make her a dangerous outsider.
Feed by M.T. Anderson
(Available in WCHS Library)
In a future world where everyone is addicted to their internet feeds, Titus and his carefree friends are no different. When hackers send the group of friends to the hospital by taking their feeds offline, Titus meets Violet, who has a plan to fight the feed.
One Carefree Day by Whitney Amazeen
(Available in WCHS Library)
Willow Bates struggles to keep her anxiety and OCD under wraps without taking medication, but it isn’t always possible. When her mother gives her a final warning, Willow must decide between taking her meds or moving out and supporting herself. Then Theo Tate moves in next door and presents an alternative way of coping and a new kind of hope.
Simon vs. the Homo Sapiens Agenda
by Becky Albertalli | (Available in WCHS Library)
Simon Spier is sixteen and not openly gay. When someone threatens to reveal the contents of Simon’s personal emails, his secret is no longer safe. It’s up to Simon to be the first to come to terms with—and share—his true identity.
(mature readers - parent/guardian approval requested)
Who Put this Song On? by Morgan Parker
(Available in WCHS Library)
Morgan is struggling with depression and anxiety that are exacerbated by her feeling like an outsider: she’s a young, Black woman in a mostly-white suburb. She feels like the only people who understand her struggles are the musicians who write the dark music she listens to. It’s up to Morgan to determine how to love herself and take her mental health seriously, even if it means standing out.
(mature readers - parent/guardian approval requested)
One-Pager Project Requirements
A one-pager is an analytical, creative, and written response to a novel that completely fills one side of a piece of paper. For your one-pager, you’ll want to focus on the big ideas from the novel, including theme, symbolism, conflict, tone, motif, and literary devices and elements.
Element Selection Grid: Connect Four
Connect four boxes vertically, horizontally, or diagonally to select your other four required elements.
One-Pager Brainstorming Checklist
Use this paper as a checklist to make sure you have every element complete. Complete the entire chart before planning and designing your one-pager.
- ☐ The entire page is filled with color, images, or text
- ☐ Every element is clearly and neatly labeled
- ☐ My one-pager includes the title, author, and genre
- ☐ All of my quotes are properly cited in MLA Format. “quote” (Author last name pg. no).
- ☐ I included, cited, and thoroughly explained 3 quotes
- ☐ I included 3 big-picture questions that ask how or why questions. I thoroughly answered each with a quote.
- ☐ I included and labeled three illustrations that connect to the book.
- ☐ I included my figurative language, setting, timeline, song element.
- ☐ My handwriting is neat and legible
One-Pager Rubric
| Requirements | Advanced | Proficient | Almost | Needs Improvement |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Title, Author, Genre (5) | 5: All present, correct, and creative. | 4: All present and correct. | 3: One missing or incorrect. | 0-2: Multiple errors or not present. |
| Quotes (30) | 30: Insightful, MLA format, critical part, thorough explanation. | 24: Insightful, MLA format, critical part, simplistic explanation. | 18: Three quotes. Citing may be off, simplistic, not critical. | 0-12: Basic or missing. MLA errors. Simple/not in-depth. |
| Questions (30) | 30: Higher-level thinking/analysis. Answer includes a quote. | 24: Some higher-level thinking. Answer includes a quote. | 18: All three present. Answer includes a quote. | 0-12: Basic or missing. No quote in answer. |
| Images (15) | 15: Labeled, detailed, thorough, relate to novel. | 12: Labeled, detailed, relate to novel. | 9: Labeled, relate to novel. | 0-6: No images or not related. |
| 4th Element (20) | 20: Analysis, creativity, & insight. | 16: All elements present. | 12: Missing one or two things. | 0-8: Not present. |
| Assignment Requirements (20) | 20: All labeled. No white space. | 16: All labeled. No excess white space. | 12: Missing labels. Some white space. | 0-8: Lots of white space. Project seems rushed. |
| Mechanics (20) | 20: No grammar, spelling, or convention errors. | 16: 1-2 minor errors. | 12: Several errors. | 0-8: Errors detract from project. |
| Creativity and Effort (10) | 10: Superb! | 8: Above average. | 6: Adequate. | 0-4: Needs improvement. |
Wilkes Central English Department | 2026-2027