Haroun and the Sea of Stories, by Salman Rushdie, is our second read aloud novel of the year. Although the novel was published in 1991, everyone seems to be reading it now, even the characters on LOST.

Assignment #7 (due: Tuesday 12/7): Read Free Speech is Life Itself, an interview with Salman Rushdie from 1991, when he was in hiding. Using what you know about Haroun and the Sea of Stories, and what you know about Salman Rushdie from what you have read and conversations we have had, write down three questions you might ask him during his visit on Wednesday. Only one of the three questions should be about his life in hiding. Try to think beyond that to his books, his writing style, etc. Please do this work on a separate sheet of paper, not in the comment section!

Assignment #6 (due: Thursday 12/2): Read An Interview with Sir Salman Rushdie from the Wall Street Journal, an article that Alexis, our dean, shared with me. Although you do not have to write anything in response, please make sure you read the interview carefully. It will help prepare you to ask educated questions when Rushdie visits next Wednesday.

Assignment #5 (due: Wednesday 12/1): Finish reading chapter 9 (The Dark Ship). Then, in a juicy, well-written paragraph, describe Khattam-Shud. Explain who he is, what he looks like, and what he believes.

Assignment #4 (due: Monday 11/29): Read chapters 6 and 7. 

Assignment #3 (due: Wednesday 11/24): Read the section of the novel that was handed out in school (the rest of chapter 5 {About Guppees and Chupwalas}). The assignment is written on the last page of the packet and below:

1. List all the new characters we've met in this chapter an explain who they are.
2. Read Haroun's line from the bottom of page 84 to the top of page 85 out loud. Get it?

Assignment #2 (due: Monday 11/22): Read the section of the novel that was handed out in school. Early on in the novel, Haroun asks with great frustration, "What's the use of stories that aren't even true?" On a separate sheet of paper, write or type a juicy, thoughtful, proofread paragraph that answers Haroun's question. Please make sure your answer is thoughtful and has been proofread for CPSS.

Assignment #1 (due: Friday 11/19): Read the biography of Salman Rushdie and complete the corresponding assignment.