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Summer Reading 2017

Information to guide you in your 2017 Summer Reading

Why Choose This Book?

Fahrenheit 451,

by Ray Bradbury (1953)

Guy Montag is a fireman in a world that burns books and is very totalitarian in its society.  He is pressured to burn books by Beatty, but also has a curiosity about what is in the books.  His wife follows the rules and social pressures of the society.  Clarisse is a free spirit who encourages Montag’s curiosity.  Faber is an old man who Montag meets who tells him about the past when people read books.  Ultimately, Montag must make his own choice.

What to Know About the Book Before You Read It.

Ironically, this book about censorship has been the target of frequent challenges, and itself been subject to censorship and expurgation.

Important Note:  Farenheit 451 is required summer reading for students in Honors English I (9th-grade). Honors I students will also select an additional book from the list.

 

SEE BELOW for more background, relevance, etc.

More About the Book

The Author - Ray Bradbury

Nazi Book Burning

 

Books still get censored...

banned, challenged, expurgated, etc.  

[this section is for stuff that lets someone who wants to read more or go deeper into aspects of the book]

 

[for fun stuff about the book -- pop culture references, parodies, other cool things]

Things to Think About While You Read

Why are books burned?

How does Mildred refer to the people she interacts with on her Telescreens?

What technology is used in the advertising that comes through the telescreens?

What strategy is used to preserve the information that was formerly in physical books?

Theme-based Guided Questions for all Books

Consider these questions as you are reading your book. Having answers to them, with quotations from the book (cite page number) as supporting evidence will be very helpful when it is time to discuss and assess your reading.

1. When was your book written? When does it take place? How does that compare to 2017?

2. Who holds power or authority in your book?  

  • What role does technology play in creating or maintaining that authority?  
  • What role does communication or language play in creating or maintaining that authority?

3. How does technology affect the daily lives of the characters in your book?

  • What role does technology play in communication between characters?
  • Who has access to technology?
  • How does the technology compare to today's technology?

4. What kinds of information or media is communicated in your book? -- News? Advertising? Entertainment? Education? Propaganda? etc?

  • Who creates it, and for what purpose?
  • Who controls it, and for what purpose?
  • Who consumes it, and for what purpose?

Gale - Opposing Viewpoints

Links to topics in  GALE Opposing Viewpoints in Context, including essays, periodicals, and more

Reminder:  Passwords for Library Databases are on Canvas > RamsCentral > Library

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