I have created an extensive unit of study for Paulo Coelho's The Alchemist 
for my ninth grade team. I don't know if you are familiar with it, but it is
a wonderful allegory that it is very accessible even to the weaker reader 
because of its linguistic simplicity, shorter length and familiar themes. 
The allegorical elements, though, give it enough complexity for an A.P. 
class. We assigned the novel for summer reading, and needed a common 
approach....this unit is the result! With the exception of questions 17 and 
18 (which are taken from the questions at the back of the Harper Collins 
edition), this unit and all the preliminary notes, vocabulary lists and 
assignments are original. The notes about Coelho's interview and his tips 
for finding one's Personal Legend have been adapted from an online interview
I found. Teachers may or may not want to include it, but it might be helpful
in providing a glimpse of the author's philosophy of life.
A note of clarification: In one of the post-study activities, I make 
reference to a "shapescape" option. The shapescape option is not my own 
idea, but I have found it an excellent, adaptable tool for coaxing analysis 
from learners who benefit from a more visual approach.It requires them to 
interpret a part of the story,a relationship or a theme solely in terms 
of geometric shapes. They may manipulate shape, size, color, position, 
background and even texture to create a shapescape which visually represents
the literary element they have chosen. A familiar example might be the 
relationship between Gene and Finny from A Separate Peace. Finny could 
be represented as a larger, more irregular shape, colored pink to show 
his spontaneity and nonconformity. Gene might be a darker, angular shape 
in the background, near a tree, etc... to show his darkness and concern for 
rules, etc...the sky is the limit, and kids love this assignment. I require
them to include a written explanation of the elements they've featured 
and why.