In this class we’ll be reading a variety of literary classics that will enthrall and entertain you, as you encounter one of the most famous detectives in all of literature, follow two amazing coming of age stories, and enter the realm of fantasy where good and evil wage a gripping battle. Come join me as we experience these fascinating characters in tales of mystery, folly, hard-earned wisdom, and fun.

Our reading list:

Robert Louis Stevenson’s Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde. This classic tale of good and evil is spooky enough that you might want to only read it during daylight hours : ) The handsome Dr. Jekyll has a secret—and it’s one you’ll never forget! A beautifully written and absolutely haunting tale.

Sir Arthur Conan Doyle’s classic tale: The Hound of the Baskervilles. Our summer fun continues with a scary mystery set on the moors of Devon in Southwestern England, where a huge hound has been sighted, reviving an old haunted tale, as a young man’s life is threatened. Not to worry: Sherlock Holmes, detective extraordinaire, is on the case!

Charlotte Bronte’s Jane Eyre: Then, still in England, we’ll venture into the 19th century Victorian era as we read Charlotte Bronte’s famous novel, Jane Eyre. We’ll immerse ourselves in the coming of age story of young Jane, a rebellious orphan girl who winds up in the home of a mysterious fellow with a dark secret. Find out how this friendless orphan finds a pathway to independence, self-sufficiency and true happiness.

Margaret Mitchell’s Gone with the Wind: For our last, and arguably most thrilling adventure, we’ll plunge into the Civil War in America, where we’ll meet the bold and dashing blockade runner Rhett Butler, and the feisty and alluring Scarlett O’Hara. We’ll follow their quest for survival and happiness in the aftermath of the Civil War, as we read Margaret Mitchell’s enduring classic Gone with the Wind. This American epic depicts the Antebellum Southern society, the onset of the Civil War and the period of Reconstruction as experienced by powerfully drawn characters who live through this momentous history, and it’s even better than the movie :  )

Assignments:

You’ll be reading all of these literary classics so you’ll need to give yourself plenty of time to relax with each book. Allow extra time if you read slowly so you can enjoy the stories without having to rush. 

For each literary work, you will write a paper on assigned topics or a topic of your choice. One of your essays will be corrected/edited and returned to you with the teacher’s comments. And we’ll discuss at least 2 of your written assignments in class.

Schedule:

Class size: 10-15 students (8th graders and above perferred)

Class Time: 7:30-9:00 on Sundays

Class Dates: 12 Weeks

Teacher: Coach Cherie (MA in English from Stanford with decades of teaching experiences)

Homework: Around 30-60 mins of homework time each week

To register, join us on WhatsApp for English Q&A or WeChat for Chinese Q&A

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