The last summer of us

• Engels
• Middelbare school
• havo
• Leerjaar 2

SUMMER

Epigraph 

In literature, an epigraph is usually placed at the beginning of a novel. It is a short quotation that is related to the rest of the novel. Sometimes it is related to the theme of the novel, but it can also serve as a summary of the rest of the story. An epigraph can be used as an introduction and set the mood or tone of the following work. It can be presented in the form of a poem, a quote from a famous person or a sentence.

In Maggie Harcourt’s book, the end of summer means the end of things, but this does not only mean the end of material things, like eating ice cream or the growing of the grass. What else do you think is coming to an end?

Maggie Harcourts epigraph

The air smells of hot, dry grass trampled underfoot.

It smells of diesel, of cider and cigarettes and burgers

and ice cream and the end of things.

The end of summer.

The end of us: of Steffan and Jared and me.

Many different smells play an important role in this epigraph. Based on these smells, what kind of summer are the ‘us’ having, do you think? Describe this summer, using a few keywords.

Does reading the epigraph make you enthusiastic about reading this book?

1. Yes
2. No
3. A little bit
4. I need to read a bit more to know

Let's read page 80

Where are the three friends sitting?

1. against the ruins of a concrete bunker
2. in a deserted church
3. on top of an old watchtower

What has just happened to Becca?

1. Becca has been hit in the face very hard.
2. Becca has broken some bones in her hand.
3. Becca has received several blows to her stomach

During the Second World War the fort was used as a ...

1. farm for Italian soldiers.
2. prison for Italian soldiers.
3. shelter for Italian soldiers.

Write your own epigraph about the summer of 2024.

And now?

Stel je voor dat je langs het gevangenkamp rijdt. Schrijf nu je eigen fantasieverhaal dat in het kamp plaatsvindt: science fiction, spookverhaal, sprookje, een detective.. Schrijf 100 woorden (dat zijn ongeveer 10 zinnen) en deel met mij: ik lees er een/twee voor.