The English 10 curriculum traces several universal themes and ideas throughout the year. Many of the texts we will read in class focus on the topics of 'loss of innocence' (when a child discovers unpleasant truths about the adult world and loses some of their childhood idealism or optimism) and 'coming of age' (when a child gains new experiences or responsibilities and becomes more like an adult). This assignment is designed to prepare you for thematic discussions and will be used as a basis for your first major assessment.

Directions

Please select a fictional novel with a young protagonist that explores the topic of 'loss of innocence' or 'coming of age.'

• You may choose whatever book you want for this assignment as long as it is fictional and it has NOT been made into a movie or a TV show!
• You are welcome to select one of the recommended titles listed below or another novel that you find on your own.,
• As your read, complete the attached chart independently without any help from others or the internet!

Bring the completed chart with you on the first day of school.

As you read your chosen novel, select six, pieces of evidence (direct quotations/ lines from the story in quotation marks) that relate to the topics of 'loss of innocence' or 'coming of age.' Be sure to record the page number as well as the quote. Then, write four to six sentences explaining how the quotation supports the chosen theme topic.

Remember

• 'Loss of innocence' is when a child (your protagonist) discovers unpleasant truths about the adult world and loses some of their childhood idealism or optimism
• 'Coming of age' is when a child (your protagonist) gains new experiences or responsibilities and becomes more independent like an adult

Rubric

Quotation Selection

• 5 - The evidence is thoughtfully chosen, reflects a deep understanding of the overall text, and clearly supports the topic of loss of innocence/coming of age.
• 4 - The evidence adequately supports the theme topic
• 3 - The evidence is generally on target, but a stronger selection may be available
• 2 - The chosen evidence is random or is irrelevant to the theme topic and/or the student may not have recorded a direct quotation.
• 1 - point for every piece of evidence that is missing a citation or page number.

Commentary

• 5- The discussion of the evidence is insightful and clearly explains how the quote relates to the theme topic of loss of innocence/coming of age. Minimal summary. Both the quotation and the theme topic are referenced explicitly.
• 4 - The discussion of the evidence explains how the evidence relates to the theme topic of loss of innocence/coming of age. Some good points but lacking in insight or original ideas.
• 3 - The discussion mostly relies on plot summary and needs more focus on the actual example. The theme topic of loss of innocence/coming of age is identified.
• 2 - The theme topic is identified, but the explanation may be vague, short, or unsubstantial. The response may reflect a misinterpretation or misunderstanding
• 1 - The theme topic is not identified nor is the quotation adequately explained. The response may reflect a misinterpretation or misunderstanding

Recommended Titles

Note: These are suggested titles. You may choose any book that interests you, provided it meets the criteria listed above.)

"Tell the Wolves I'm Home", by Carol Rifka Brunt:

1987. There's only one person who has ever truly understood fourteen-year-old June Elbus, and that's her uncle, the renowned painter Finn Weiss. So when he dies, far too young, of a mysterious illness her mother can barely speak about, June's world is turned upside down. But Finn's death brings a surprise acquaintance into June's life—someone who will help her to heal, and to question what she thinks she knows about Finn, her family, and even her own heart.

"Fat Angie", by Charlton-Trujillo:

Angie is broken - by her can't-be-bothered mother, by her high-school tormenters, and by being the only one who thinks her varsity-athlete-turned-war-hero sister is still alive. Hiding under a mountain of junk food hasn't kept the pain (or the shouts of "crazy mad cow!") away. But then, a girl arrives who is one hundred and ninety-nine percent wow! A girl who never sees her as Fat Angie, and who knows too well that the package doesn't always match what's inside.

"Bull", by David Elliot:

Much like Lin-Manuel Miranda did in Hamilton, ,the New York Times, best-selling author David Elliott turns a classic on its head in form and approach, updating the timeless story of Theseus and the Minotaur for a new generation. A rough, rowdy, and darkly comedic young adult retelling in verse, Bull ,will have readers reevaluating one of mythology's most infamous monsters.

"Looking for Alaska", by John Greene:

Miles Halter is fascinated by famous last words–and tired of his safe life at home. He leaves for boarding school to seek what the dying poet Francois Rabelais called the "Great Perhaps." Much awaits Miles at Culver Creek, including Alaska Young.

"Burn, Baby, Burn", by Meg Medina:

Nora Lopez is seventeen during the infamous year 1977 in New York. After a freezing winter, a boiling hot summer explodes with arson, a blackout, and a serial killer named Son of Sam, who is shooting young people on the streets seemingly at random.

"Yacqui Delgado Wants to Kick Your Ass", by Meg Medina:

A Latina teen is targeted by a bully at her new school — and must discover resources she never knew she had. One morning before school, some girl tells Piddy Sanchez that Yaqui Delgado hates her and wants to kick her ass.

"I'll Give You the Sun", by Jandy Nelson:

Jude and her twin brother, Noah, are incredibly close. At thirteen, isolated Noah draws constantly and is falling in love with the charismatic boy next door, while daredevil Jude cliff-dives and wears red-red lipstick and does the talking for both of them. But three years later, Jude and Noah are barely speaking. Something has happened to wreck the twins in different and dramatic ways. The early years are Noah's story to tell. The later years are Jude's. What the twins don't realize is that they each have only half the story, and if they could just find their way back to one another, they'd have a chance to remake their world.

"Eleanor and Park", by Rainbow Rowell:

Eleanor and Park are two sixteen-year-olds forced to sit together on a school bus in 1980s Omaha, Nebraska. The two could not be more different. Eleanor, the new girl in town, is heavier than average and struggles with a bad home life. Somehow, the two connect and form an unlikely and powerful bond.

"Scythe", by Neal Shusterman:

A world with no hunger, no disease, no war, no misery: humanity has conquered all those things, and has even conquered death. Now Scythes are the only ones who can end life—and they are commanded to do so, in order to keep the size of the population under control. Citra and Rowan are chosen to apprentice to a scythe—a role that neither wants. These teens must master the "art" of taking life, knowing that the consequence of failure could mean losing their own.

"The Hate U Give",by Angie Thomas:

Sixteen-year-old Starr Carter moves between two worlds: the poor neighborhood where she lives and the fancy suburban prep school she attends. The uneasy balance between these worlds is shattered when Starr witnesses the fatal shooting of her childhood best friend Khalil at the hands of a police officer. Khalil was unarmed. What everyone wants to know is: what really, went down that night?

"Goodbye Days", by Jeff Zentner:

Where are you guys? Text me back. That's the last message Carver Briggs will ever send his three best friends, Mars, Eli, and Blake. He never thought that it would lead to their death. Now Carver can't stop blaming himself for the accident and even worse, a powerful judge is pressuring the district attorney to open up a criminal investigation. Luckily, Carver has some unexpected allies: Eli's girlfriend, the only person to stand by him at school; Dr. Mendez, his new therapist; and Blake's grandmother, who asks Carver to spend a "goodbye day" together to share their memories and say a proper farewell. Soon the other families are asking for their own goodbye day with Carver--but he's unsure of their motives. Will they all be able to make peace with their losses, or will these goodbye days bring Carver one step closer to a complete breakdown or--even worse--prison?

"The Serpent King", by Jeff Zentner:

The son of a Pentecostal preacher faces his personal demons as he and his two outcast friends try to make it through their senior year of high school in rural Forrestville, Tennessee without letting the small-town culture destroy their creative spirits and sense of self.