Grade 9
All students in Grade 9: The Alchemist by Paulo Coelho (also see additional assignments by level below)
Where does the path of self-discovery begin?
In the novel, Santiago sets out to learn many things, most importantly about himself. On his journey of self-discovery,
there are significant moments and experiences that are important. These moments might include people Santiago meets,
moments of doubt or courage, or times he learns something about himself. Citing three or more events from the text,
articulate why you think the events are important to Santiago’s journey of self-discovery.
In response to reading the assigned literature, students will write a 500 word essay addressing the prompt.
This essay is due on September 13 and must be submitted to TurnItIn.com. Students who do not already
have an account must sign up for a student account first and then join the class using the
Class ID: 44217258 and Password: GRADEWIDE9. Further information about grading for this assignment will
be available on TurnItIn.com, once you have signed up.
Use a personal e-mail account - DO NOT use the QPS e-mail (studentID#@ quincypublicschools.com)
For a short tutorial about using TurnItIn, students should visit this link: Student quick start guide
In addition, the following link will give a quick overview of what plagiarism is and how to avoid it: What is Plagiarism?
Grade 9 - Choose your title(s) according to your level
An assessment on the following reading assignments will be administered in English class at the beginning of the school year.
Advanced: Edith Hamilton, Mythology: Timeless Tales of Gods and Heroes and one additional title from the list below
Honors: Two titles from the list below
CCP: One title from the list below
Agatha Christie, Murder on the Orient Express
James Dashner, The Maze Runner
John Green, An Abundance of Katherines
Ji-liJiang, Red Scarf Girl
Ben Mikaelsen, Touching Spirit Bear
Adeline Yen Mah, Chinese Cinderella
Ransom Riggs, Miss Peregrine’s Home for Peculiar Children
Betty Smith, A Tree Grows in Brooklyn
Grade 10
Grade 10 - Choose your title(s) according to your level
An assessment on the following reading assignments will be administered in English class at the beginning of the school year.
Advanced: Malcolm Gladwell, Outliers
Marcus Zusak, The Book Thief
Honors: Two titles from the list below
CCP: One title from the list below
Mitch Albom, Tuesdays with Morrie
John Green, Paper Towns
Patrick Jones, Nailed
Walter Dean Myers, Monster
Garth Stein, The Art of Racing in the Rain
Gail Tsukiyama, The Samurai's Garden
Grade 11
Grade 11 - Choose your title(s) according to your level
An assessment on the following reading assignments will be administered in English class at the beginning of the school year.
AP: F. Scott Fitzgerald, The Great Gatsby
John Steinbeck, The Grapes of Wrath
Honors: Two titles from the list below
CCP: One title from the list below
Mark Haddon, The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Nighttime
Barbara Kingsolver, The Bean Trees
Robert B. Parker, Early Autumn
Ron Suskind, A Hope in the Unseen
John Green, Turtles All the Way Down
Grade 12
Grade 12 - Choose your title(s) according to your level
An assessment on the following reading assignments will be administered in English class at the beginning of the school year.
AP: Khaled Hosseini, The Kite Runner
Ayn Rand, The Fountainhead
Honors: Two titles from the list below
CCP: One title from the list below
Mitch Albom, The Five People You Meet in Heaven
John Green, Looking for Alaska
Robert Parker, Mortal Stakes
Alice Sebold, The Lovely Bones
Amy Tan, The Joy Luck Club