The major project of the second semester is an author study or an immersion in and analysis of the writing of a self-selected author. Over Christmas, each of you will carefully peruse the "American Authors 2007-2008" list, read about the works of those writers who appeal to you (Amazon’s and Barnes and Noble’s websites offer summary information), and select five writers who interest you most. Beginning no earlier than 8:00 AM on January 1, you may email your teacher, indicating in numerical order (1 through 5) the full names of the writers whom you would like to study. If you do not email your list, you must bring a hard copy to your teacher the day you return to school. Your teachers will then work together to assign writers to each of you (in order of receipt of the choices list), taking special care to honor your choices as closely as possible.