PRINCE OF WALES LIBRARY: ENGLISH 
© 1996 -
Update: January 18, 2010
Google | Library Home Page
AUTHORS AND POETS
General Sites
Specific Authors
Atwood, Margaret:
Austen, Jane:
Birney, Earle:
Cohen, Leonard:
Dahl, Roald:
Davies, Robertson:
Dickens, Charles
Hemingway, Ernest:
Leacock, Stephen:
Lee, Harper:
Lewis, C.S.:
Major, Kevin:
Mitchell, W. O.
Orwell, George
Rowling, J.K.
Steinbeck, John
Top
Google | Library Home Page
Independent Reading Programme
Independent Reading book list
Why should I read books outside of school?
Reading outside of the classroom is a fantastic way to strengthen your reading ability, boost your vocabulary and improve your writing. Many schools have a school-wide independent reading programme, and this year the teachers in PW’s English Department have decided to start a school-wide programme to encourage PW students to read more books outside of school.
How will I be marked for just reading?
Each term, 10% of your term mark will come from independent reading. There are two parts to the evaluation, and you must do both parts to receive credit. You will be tested on each novel only for comprehension and each test takes no more than 15 minutes to complete. You must score a minimum of 15/20 on the test to receive credit for the book. If you do not score the minimum, you may take an alternate test; if you are still unsuccessful then you will have to choose another book to read. The tests are not difficult, but are designed to ensure that you have actually read the book and are not just guessing.
Each book you read will be worth a certain number of points. Easy novel are worth 1 point, moderate novels are worth 2 points and challenging ones are worth 3 points. You may read more than one novel, but you cannot receive more than 10% of your term marks for the assignment. In first term, you are expected to read 3 points’ worth of books, so that means either you read 3 easy ones, 1 moderate and 1 easy book, or 1 challenging book.
Your English teacher will tell you when you may write your test for each book. Your mark will be based on completion of the required points.
What books can I choose?
You are encouraged to read as many novels from the approved list as you like for the term. There are many from which to choose and the list will be continually updated. The list will be available online, in the library, and, if you ask very nicely from your English teacher (who will let you look at a class copy). The list indicates whether the book is easy, moderate or challenging so that you can plan your reading programme.
Please note that you may read any book from the list, regardless of your grade. Since your reading interests and abilities do not necessarily correspond to your grade level, you can choose what suits you best.
Where will I find these books? Do I have to buy them?
You should not need to buy any books. The PW library has many of these books in its collection, and multiple copies in some case. Otherwise, check out the Vancouver Public Library or share with friends. Talking about books is a great way to find out about books you and your friends have in common.
Can I take the test for a book that I read over the summer?
No! The tests are challenging enough that you need to have read the book quite recently or you may not pass. Also, the idea is to get you read more on an ongoing basis. So pick something new and see how you like it?
What if I have seen the movie of this book? Will that do instead?
Absolutely not! The idea is to read, not watch movies! Besides, books are often very different from movie versions and the tests are designed to test your understanding of the book, not the movie. You may embarrass yourself if you try to take the test and can’t answer any of the questions correctly.
How will I keep track of which books I have read?
Your English teacher will keep a tracking sheet that records the title and you score on the test? Your will have to choose your book early each term. This tracking sheet will be used by your English teachers throughout your years at PW and helps to ensure that you don’t simply re-read the same books year after year.
But I don’t have time to read! I have too much homework to do and I’m on a sports team!
Everyday at PW we have 20 minutes built into the schedule for Independent Reading (USR). Use USR wisely, and you shouldn’t have any difficulty in keeping up with your reading. Also take your book with you when you’re on the bus, or waiting for your orthodontist appointment. Learn to build some reading time into each day and you’ll be surprised at how easy it is to fit it in.
List of Books for the Independent Reading Programme
- Some books are out of print so the PW Library is unable to order additional copies.
- Check the PW catalogue regularly for new orders of titles.
- Fiction titles are filed by the author's last name (e.g. Atwood = ATW).
- Non-fiction are located under the respective subject (e.g 921 Biographies - Diary of Anne Frank = 921 FRA)
- Check our READING page for latest in new titles and ask your English teacher if any of these are suitable for your independent read.
- Updated January 18, 2010
Key: C = Challenging M = Moderate E = Easy
| Author |
Title (click to check number of copies and status) |
Level |
|
|
|
|
|
| Allende, Isabel |
Daughter of Fortune |
C |
|
| Alvarez, Julia |
How the Garcia Girls Lost Their Accents |
M |
|
| Alvarez, Julia |
In the Time of the Butterflies |
M |
|
| Angelou, Maya |
I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings |
M |
|
| Atwood, Margaret |
The Handmaid's Tale |
C |
|
| Boukreev, Anatoli |
The Climb: Tragic Ambitions on Everest |
M |
|
| Carroll, Lewis |
Alice's Adventures In Wonderland |
E |
|
| Chang, Jung |
Wild Swans: Three daughters of China |
C |
|
| Coelho, Paulo |
The Alchemist |
E |
|
| Coelho, Paulo |
The Valkyries |
E |
|
| Coelho, Paulo |
Veronika Decides to Die |
E |
|
| Culleton, Beatrice |
In Search of April Raintree |
E |
|
| Davis, Kenneth C. |
Don't Know Much About Geography |
M |
available from other schools |
| Dumas, Alexandre |
The Count of Monte Cristo |
C |
|
| Fielding, Helen |
Bridget Jones's Diary |
M |
|
| Fitch, Janet |
White Oleander |
C |
|
| Flagg, Fannie |
Fried Green Tomatoes at the Whistle Stop Café |
M |
|
| Frank, Anne |
Anne Frank: The Diary of a Young Girl |
M |
|
| Garcia, Christina |
Dreaming in Cuban |
M |
|
| Gibbons, Kaye |
Ellen Foster |
E |
|
| Golden, Arthur |
Memoirs of a Geisha |
C |
|
| Greene, Bette |
The Summer of my German Soldier |
E |
|
| Grisham, John |
The Brethren |
M |
|
| Guevara, Ernesto "Che" |
The Motorcycle Diaries |
M |
|
| Haley, Alex |
Roots |
C |
|
| Hinton, S.E. |
Rumblefish |
E |
|
| Huxley, Aldous |
A Brave New World |
C |
|
| Irving, John |
A Widow for One Year |
C |
|
| Irving, John |
The World According to Garp |
C |
|
| Jones, Lloyd |
Mister Pip |
C |
|
| Kidd, Sue Monk |
The Secret Life of Bees |
M |
|
| King, Stephen |
Different Seasons (Rita Hayworth and Shawshank Redemption) |
E |
|
| Kingsolver, Barbara |
The Poisonwood Bible |
C |
|
| Kingsolver, Barbara |
Prodigal Summer |
C |
|
| Kinsella, W.P. |
Shoeless Joe |
M |
|
| Kogawa, Joy |
Obasan |
C |
|
| Krakauer, Jon |
Into Thin Air |
M |
|
| Laird, Elzabeth |
Kiss the Dust |
E |
|
| Laurence, Margaret |
The Stone Angel |
C |
|
| Lee, Harper |
To Kill a Mockingbird |
C |
|
| L'Engle, Madeleine |
The Moon by Night |
M |
|
| Lipsyte, Robert |
The Contender |
E |
|
| Mandela, Nelson |
A Long Walk to Freedom |
C |
|
| Marquez, Gabriel Garcia |
Love in the Time of the Cholera |
C |
|
| McCourt, Frank |
Angela's Ashes |
C |
|
| McMillan, Terry |
How Stella Got Her Groove Back |
M |
|
| Miklowitz, Gloria.D |
War Between the Classes |
E |
|
| Mitchell, W.O. |
Who Has Seen the Wind |
C |
|
| Montgomery, L.M. |
Anne of Green Gables |
E |
|
| Montgomery, L.M. |
Anne of Avonlea |
E |
|
| Pearson, Kit |
Awake and Dreaming |
E |
|
| Piccoult, Jodi |
My Sister's Keeper |
M |
|
| Redfield, James |
Celestine Prophecy |
M |
available from other schools |
| Rowling, J.K. |
Harry Potter & The Chamber of Secrets |
E |
|
| Rowling, J.K. |
Harry Potter & The Deathly Hallow |
E |
|
| Rowling, J.K. |
Harry Potter & The Goblet of Fire |
E |
|
| Rowling, J.K. |
Harry Potter & The Half Blood Prince |
E |
|
| Rowling, J.K. |
Harry Potter & The Philosopher's Stone |
E |
|
| Rowling, J.K. |
Harry Potter & The Prisoner of Azkaban |
E |
|
| Rozan, S.J. |
China Trade |
M |
available from other schools |
| Saramago, Jose |
Blindness |
M |
|
| Saul, John |
The God Project |
M |
|
| Saul, John |
The Presence |
M |
|
| Schlink, Bernhard |
The Reader |
M |
|
| Shipley, Jocelyn |
Seraphina's Circle |
E |
|
| Slipperjack, Ruby |
Honour the Sun |
C |
|
| Sleator, William |
Singularity |
E |
|
| Slovo, Gillian |
Every Secret Thing, My family, My Country |
C |
|
| Sparks, Nicholas |
A Walk to Remember |
E |
|
| Steinbeck, John |
East of Eden |
C |
|
| Steinbeck, John |
The Grapes of Wrath |
C |
|
| Steinbeck, John |
The Pearl |
E |
|
| Tan, Amy |
The Joy Luck Club |
M |
|
| Ten Boom, Corrie |
The Hiding Place |
M |
|
| Verne, Jules |
Journey to the Centre of the Earth |
M |
|
| Walker, Alice |
The Color Purple |
M |
|
Google | Library Home Page
STUDENT ASSIGNMENTS
Grade 8
Acts of Exclusion
American Civil Rights Movement
Apartheid
Chinese Head Tax
See Also:VPL Research Guide. This guide has a wealth of information on Chinese Canadian history.
First Nations Reservations and Residential Schools
Holocaust
See Also:VPL Research Guide. This guide has a wealth of information on the Holocaust.
Rwanda
Access news sources from the News Page
Slavery and Abolition in America
Former Yugoslavia: Ethnic Cleansing
Includes Albania, Serbia, and Bosnia-Herzegovina.
Top
Vivisimo | Yahoo Canada |
Library Home Page
Potlatch and Totem Poles 
Potlatch
- See the library collection of books on this topic. Use the indexes to find the information that you need.
- Potlatch: Then and Now
A good basic site from the Canadian Museum of Civilization.
- Bentwood Boxes
This page provides diagrams and information on how the boxes were made.
- Chiefly Possessions
Look here for items of ceremonial dress including Button Blankets.
- Gifting and Feasting in the Northwest Coast Potlatch
Find out about the social structures of the Potlatch as well as food and gifts. Note the NEXT buttons at the bottom of each page.
- Haida
Use the index located at the bottom of the page for a list of topics.
- The Story of The Masks
This site provides information on the Kwakwaka'wakw (Kwakiutl) Potlatch. The section on masks explains the use of the masks, the regalia worn for the dance, and the dance.
Totem Poles
- See the library collection of books on thi topic. Use the indexes to find the information that you need.
- Totem Poles
The site design is not good, but there is useful information on this site. Use the navigation buttons to access different topics.
- Totem Poles
There is a good section that explains the different elements of the totem pole.
- Totem Poles
Some basic information on the types of poles and their significance.
I Heard the Owl Call My Name
The Anglican Church
- There is a selection of books for you on reserve on the windowsill. Be sure that you take note of the point of view of the author. Several books contain accounts from the point of view of the clergy of the time. Others have the point of view of the First Nations peoples.
- The Anglican Church of Canada
For the Residential Schools question select Residential Schools.
See also: The Anglican Council of Indigenous Peoples.
- For information about the beliefs, ceremonies and rituals select Resources.
First Nations Art and Culture
- The library has a large collection of books on First Nations art and culture. The books are on reserve on the windowsill.
- Civilization.ca
This is the Canadian Museum of Man. Look at the Haida Site. Be sure to also look at the "see also" links at the bottom of the page.
Mortal and Heroes: Acting Out (Mr. D. Long)
- Find three different version of one myth using three different types of resources (e.g. web, print & on-line subscriptions)
- Write a synopsis of the myth
- Answer three questions about your myth and be prepared to explaine your answers to the class
- Develop a play to tell the story of the myth which includes dialogue, script action & distributed roles. Consider having a narrator while others act the play out.
- Create costumes and props for your play
- Submit a WORKS CITED list
- Evaluation: 5/ Efffort, 5/Acting & Presentation, 5/Props and Costumes, 10/Content, 5/Discussion = 30 marks
List of mortal and Heroes: Phaethon, Orpheus, Adonis, Mida Echo and Narcissus, Hero and Leander, Psyche, Daedelus and Icarus, Perseus and Medusa, Bellerophone, Theseus and the Minotaur, and Hercules
- Mythweb– good comprehensive site for students and teachers (Phaethon, Adonis, Hero and Leander, Psyche not found)
- Encyclopedia Mythica– includes all myths including Norse, Roman Greek etc. (Orpheus, Hero and Leader, Daedelus, Icarus, Perseus, Bellerphon, Theseus, Heracles not found)
- World Book Online – basic information available on all greek myths
- Myths and Legends- many other links to myth websites
Top
Google | Library Home Page
Grade 9
Poetry: the Beat Generation
See also:Poetry on this page and
Decades Study on the Social Studies Page
When searching in Vivisimo
use "quotation marks" when looking for a phrase. Vivisimo will cluster results for you.
Top
Google | Library Home Page
Grade 9
In the Heat of the Night
The following sites will provide you with background information for your study of In the Heat of the Night. Be sure to use the books and encyclopedias avaiable in the library.
Top
Google | Library Home Page
Grade 9
Wolves: Lupine Project
The library has a large collection of books which will be useful for this project. The books have been placed on reserve and are located on the window sill. For articles about the wolf use InfoTrac News Index. Be sure to select the full text option. The login is posted in the library. At home access the EBSCO News Index from the Vancouver Public Library web site.
Because this is a controversial topic, verify your information and consider the authority of the author.
World Wide Web Sites
Top
Google | Library Home Page
English 9: Twentieth Century Poetry
You will find many appropriate books in the poetry section of the library. American poets are located in 811. Canadian poets are located in 819.1. British poets are located in 821. Remember that you are looking for poets from the twentieth century. The list of poets that you have been provided with is not exhaustive. Browse the shelves. If you find another poet who interests you, get approval from your teacher.
Refer to the Poetry section of this page for general poetry links.
Columbia Granger World of Poetry
- This is an online not-for-free database to which the school subscribes. Password is required.
It contains over 180,000 poems in full text as well as anthology locators for many more poems.
- The database also contains poet biographies and some critical analysis.
- Bartleby.com:Verse
Look here for a wide selection of poems.
- Voices and Visions
Resources, including audio and some video clips on American poets.
Links by Poet
The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-Time: Autism.
Be sure to check the authority of the information that you find.
Top
Google | Library Home Page
Myth, Legend, Fairy Tales, and Folk Tales.
Aesop's Fables
Aztec Mythology
Bulfinch's Mythology
- A classic text in classical mythology. Go to volume one and use the table of contents.
Chinese Legends and Gods
Chinese Mythology
- Note the link to creation myths at the bottom of the page.
Cinderella
Various versions of Cinderella from many cultures.
Constellation Mythology
Encyclopedia Mythica
Mythology, folklore, and legend from different cultures.
Folklore, Myths, and Legends
An excellent collection of annotated links for folkand fairy tales, myths, and legends from the Children's Literature Web Guide
Folktexts: Electronic Library of Folklore and Mythology Texts
Grimms Fairy Tales
The source of the english translations is not know, but this is a fairly complete collection.
Grimms Fairy Tales
Look here for more graphically elegant tales.
Hans Christian Andersen Fairy Tales and Stories
Many of the tales are online.
Mythology Web
- Note the section "Compare Myths by Theme."
Mythweb
Norse Mythology
- Includes creation myths and the Gods.
Myths and Fables from Around the World
Tales of Wonder: Folk and Fairy Tales from Around the World
A large collection of Tales organized by region.
Windows on the Universe
- Mythology of the stars and other celestial bodies.
Google Directory: Myths
- Myths organized by culture.
Yahoo Directory of Mythology
For Teachers: Myths, Folktales, and Fairy Tales
From Scholastic, activities for teachers.
Top
Google | Library Home Page
Student Assignments: Grade 10/11
Freedom to Read (Ms. Thomson, Mr. Wong)
Note: Whenever you have a controversial issue, it is important to consider the
authority of the author(s).
The library has some books that may be useful for this project. If you have chosen the book review option, use the Online catalogue to locate your book. If we do not have the book, check the Vancouver Public Library. You can access the VPL catalogue through the
Library Home Page.
- From the Database Tab of the library catalogue select EBSCO: Research Databases and then EBSCOhost to find news articles.
Username and password are required for school and home use.
- PEN Canada
Pen Canada is part of an international organization of writers. Canadian members include Margaret Atwood. Note the mandate of the group in the profile section of the site. You will find some information on books seized by Customs Canada.
- Electronic Frontier Canada
Books, literature, and other forms of publication are moving online. The same censorship issues surface in the electronic environment.
- American Library Association
Go to the Divisions, Units, and Governance section for censorship information. Be sure to have a look at the Library Bill of Rights.
- Canada Border Services Agency (formerly Canada Customs)
If you have chosen to look at Canada Customs, you might also want to search for information about the Little Sisters Book Store court case.
- Canada: Censorship Resources
Use this site for the history of censorship in Canada, for information on elctronic censorship, and for information on banned books.
- Banned Books
This is an annotated list of books that have been banned by legal authorities.
Top
Google | Library Home Page
Grade 10 Assignments
Poet Biographies (MiEn 10 Mr. Shields - Ms. Philips)
General sites for poets (John Ashbery, Ted Berrigan, Robert Blaser, Hilda Doolittle, Robert Duncan, T.S. Eliot, Denise Levetov, Jack Spicer)
Top
Google | Library Home Page
MIEN 10 HUMAN RIGHTS (Ms. Phillips)
Top
Google | Library Home Page
.
Grade 11
.
All Quiet on the Western Front
Use the World War I and 20th Century Encyclopedias and
Books. The library has a large collection of WWI books.
Search Hint: "trench warfare" If you are searching for a phrase use
"quotation marks".
See aslo: Social Studies 11: Canada: WWI
John Steinbeck: The Grapes of Wrath
In Vivisimo
search: "Great Depression" or "Dirty Thirties" or "Dust Bowl".
.
James Joyce: The Dubliners
The following general links will give you a starting point for your research.
Lord of the Flies (Mrs. Thomson MIEN11)
The following general links will give you a starting point for your research.
Of Mice and Men
The library has a collection of books which will be useful for your topics.
1. Steinbeck's Life and Times
.
.
.
.
The Sixties
The library has a collection of books on reserve for your use.
The following web sites are all comprehensive sites with links to other resources. See also: In the Heat of the Night resources for Civil Rights Information.
.
Top
Google | Library Home Page
Grade 12
Geoffrey Chaucer
The following is a list of metapages - pages that provide navigation to other sites.
Existentialism
.
The Watch That Ends the Night
.
Top
Google | Library Home Page
DRAMA
Top
Google | Library Home Page
LITERATURE
- See also: Literature Links on the Teacher-Librarian Page of the Library Web Site. These are links specifically for teen literature.
- See also: The Reading Page of the Library Web Site for annotated lists of current teen fiction.
-
American Literature On the Web
- American Literature Resources
- Booklists for Young Adults on the Web
- This index was compiled from the many YA-related web pages created by librarians, educators and others serving young
adults. It is an extensive listing of websites organized by topic.
- BookSpot
- An extensive site devoted to recommended reads for teens and other related teen sites.
-
British Literature Online
- Links to British Literature from the Anglo-Saxons to the Victorians.
-
British Literature Resources
- British Literature resources from the Middle Ages to the 20th Century.
-
The Canadian Literature Archive
-
Children's Literature Web Guide Dr. Gerald Brown, University of Calgary.
-
Electronic Text Center
- The University of Virginia has an extensive collection of electronic books.
Fairy Tales, Folktales, Myths, Legends
Aesop's Fables
Cinderella
Various versions of Cinderella from many cultures.
Encyclopedia Mythica
Mythology, Folklore, and Legend.
Folklore, Myths, and Legends
An excellent collection of annotated links for folkand fairy tales, myths, and legends from the Children's Literature Web Guide
Grimms Fairy Tales
The source of the english translations is not know, but this is a fairly complete collection.
Grimms Fairy Tales
Look here for more graphically elegant tales.
Hans Christian Andersen Fairy Tales and Stories
Many of the tales are online.
Mythweb: Gods and Heroes of Greek Mythology
Myths and Fables from Around the World
Tales of Wonder: Folk and Fairy Tales from Around the World
A large collection of Tales organized by region.
For Teachers: Myths, Folktales, and Fairy Tales
From Scholastic, activities for teachers.
- Internet Public Library Online Literary Criticism
- Kay E. Vandergrift's Young Adult
Literature Page
- Hailing from Rutgers University, Kay E. Vandergrift is an acknowledged specialist in the field of services to youth. This page includes theoretical information as well as a series of
bibliographies.
- Literary Resources on the Net
- This site contains links to literary resources organized by time period and theme.
- National Library of Canada:
Canadian Literature Service
- This site contains a well annotated list of links to Canadian Literature Resources.
- Nursery Rhymes
- Online Literature Library
- Try looking here for hard to find titles. You can't remember how a
particular Aesop fable ends? You will find the answer here. The goal of
this site is to bring classic literature to a wider audience.
- Pilot Literary Search Engine
- You may search or use the directory which includes anthologies, authors, artwork and artists, awards, book collecting, ournalism, libraries, literary agents, literary sites for children, and literature.
- Reading Rants!
- Visit this site for out-of-the-ordinary teen booklists. The list is arranged by theme.
- Score Cyberguides
- The To Kill a Mockingbird Student Survival Guide
This guide provides chapter summaries, vocabulary help, and information on allusions and idioms. Related links are also included.
-
Victorian Web Page
-
Victoriana
- Extensive links on Victorian Era.
-
World Literature Resources
- This index provides links from Ancient to Modern Literature.
-
Yahoo: Canadian Literature Directory
- Yahoo Literature
Directories
-
Zuzu's Petals Literary Resources
- 1,500 plus links to resources for writers, artists, researchers.
Top
Google | Library Home Page
POETRY
Columbia Granger World of Poetry
- This is an online not-for-free database to which the school subscribes. Password is required.
- It contains over 180,000 poems in full text as well as anthology locators for many more poems.
- The database also contains poet biographies and some critical analysis.
- Poetry Archive
A wealth of information. Includes poems, poets, readings, and teacher resources.
Top
Google | Library Home Page
PROFESSIONAL
Top
Google | Library Home Page
REFERENCE
Top
Google | Library Home Page
WRITING
Top
Google | Library Home Page