SUMMER READING AND WRITING
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SIXTH GRADE READING AND WRITING ASSIGNMENT:
You will be reading two wonderful novels for your summer reading/writing task. As you read each novel, it is suggested that you keep a piece of paper and pencil with you so that you can take notes about what happens in each chapter directly after you read it. This will help you later on when you need to answer questions.
Please write or type the answers to all of the questions below. Unless otherwise specified, they should each be a PARAGRAPH in length.
I. Read A Long Way from Chicago by Richard Peck.
A. Before you read this book write a paragraph
answering the following question:
1. What is one event you did not want to attend
but ended up enjoying ? Give specific details as to
why you did not want to attend and why you
ended up having a good time.
B. After you read, answer the following questions:
1. Which of Joey and Mary Alice’s adventures
would you like to be a part of? Why?
2. Which character in the book do you think is most
like you? Why?
3. Write a letter to your family asking to join Joey
and Mary Alice on their next visit to see
Grandma Dowdel. Give at least three reasons why
you should be allowed to go. This letter should
be at least TWO paragraphs long.
II. Read a Newbery Medal Winner of your choice, except for the titles that are crossed out on the list provided. Also, make sure it is one that you have not read . Scroll down to find a list of (A) Newbery Medal Winners.
A. Write the title and author of the novel at the top of the page.
B. Before you read, answer the following questions:
1. Why did you choose this novel?
2. What about the description/title appealed to you?
C. After you read, please write answers to the following:
1. Write a summary of the events of the novel.
2. What is your favorite part of the novel? Why is this your favorite part.
3. In paragraph form, give at least three reasons why you would or would not recommend this book.
SEVENTH GRADE READING AND WRITING ASSIGNMENT:
You will be reading two wonderful novels for your summer reading/writing task. As you read each novel, it is suggested that you keep a piece of paper and pencil with you so that you can take notes about what happens in each chapter directly after you read it. This will help you later on when you need to answer questions.
Please write or type the answers to all of the questions below. Unless otherwise specified, they should each be a PARAGRAPH in length.
I. Read Hoot by Carl Hiaasen.
- Before you read this book write a paragraph answering the following questions:
1. What is a hero? Describe some people who you believe are heroes? Tell me about part of the world that needs help. This can be an environmental issue, political issue or anything that affects the world.
B. After you read, answer the following questions
1. Would you consider Roy and Mullet Fingers to
be heroes? Why?
2. Which character in the book do you think is
most like you? Why?
3. Would you have gone to the same lengths to
save the owls? Why?
II. Read a Newbery Medal Winner of your choice…except for the titles that are crossed out on the list provided. Also, make sure it is one that you have not read. Scroll down to find a list of (A) Newbery Medal Winners.
A. Write the title and author of the novel at the top of the page.
B. Before you read, answer the following questions: Why did you choose this novel? What about the description/title appealed to you?
C. After you read, please write answers to the following :
1. Write a summary of the events of the novel.
2. What is your favorite part of the novel? Why is this your favorite part?
3. In paragraph form, give at least three reasons why you would or would not recommend
this book.
EIGHTH GRADE READING AND WRITING ASSIGNMENT:
You will be reading three wonderful novels for your summer reading/writing task. As you read each novel, it is suggested that you keep a piece of paper and pencil with you so that you can take notes about what happens in each chapter directly after you read it. This will help you later when you are writing your Book Review. All eighth grade written work must be typed according to the following format: Times New Roman, 12 pt font, 1” margins.
Required reading:
1. Speak—Laurie Halse Anderson Write a 5-7 paragraph book review for the novel Speak. Please scroll down to find the attached (B) Book Review Rubric and Directions.
2. To Kill A Mockingbird – Harper Lee Choose one of the questions below and write at least a two paragraph answer.
a. Did the ending of the novel surprise you? Think of a different conclusion and write a new ending for the story.
b. Describe on paper an everyday situation in which one person might judge another incorrectly.
c. What happens to Scout and Jem on the way home from the school pageant?
What does the incident reveal about Boo
Radley?
3. The last book read should be chosen from the following list: (C) Recommendations for incoming 6th, 7th, and 8th graders.
No summer written work is required for this novel. Students will have an opportunity during the first two weeks of school to talk about this novel to their classmates during English class.
(A) Newbery Medal Winners
2008: Good Masters! Sweet Ladies! … from a Medieval Village Schlitz
2007: The Higher Power of Lucky by Susan Patron,
2006: Criss Cross by Lynne Rae Perkins
2005: Kira-Kira by Cynthia Kadohata
2004: The Tale of Despereaux
2003: Crispin: The Cross of Lead by Avi
2002: A Single Shard by Linda Sue Park
2001: A Year Down Yonder by Richard Peck
2000: Bud, Not Buddy by Christopher Paul Curtis
1999: Holes by Louis Sachar
1998: Out of the Dust by Karen Hesse
1997: The View from Saturday E.L. Konigsburg
1996: The Midwife's Apprentice Karen Cushman
1995: Walk Two Moons by Sharon Creech
1994: The Giver by Lois Lowry
1993: Missing May by Cynthia Rylant
1992: Shiloh by Phyllis Reynolds Naylor
1991: Maniac Magee by Jerry Spinelli
1990: Number the Stars by Lois Lowry
1989: Joyful Noise: Poems for Two Voices Fleischman
1988: Lincoln: A Photobiography by Russell Freedman
1987: The Whipping Boy by Sid Fleischman
1986: Sarah, Plain and Tall by Patricia MacLachlan
1985: The Hero and the Crown by Robin McKinley
1984: Dear Mr. Henshaw by Beverly Cleary
1983: Dicey's Song by Cynthia Voigt
1982: A Visit to William Blake's Inn by Nancy Willard
1981: Jacob Have I Loved by Katherine Paterson
1980: A Gathering of Days: A … Girl's Journal,1830-1832. Blos
1979: The Westing Game by Ellen Raskin
1978: Bridge to Terabithia by Katherine Paterson
1977: Roll of Thunder, Hear My Cry by Mildred D. Taylor
1976: The Grey King by Susan Cooper
1975: M. C. Higgins, the Great by Virginia Hamilton
1974: The Slave Dancer by Paula Fox
1973: Julie of the Wolves by Jean Craighead George
1972: Mrs. Frisby and the Rats of NIMH. O'Brien
1971: Summer of the Swans by Betsy Byars
1970: Sounder by William H. Armstrong
1969: The High King by Lloyd Alexander
1968: From the Mixed-Up Files of Mrs. …Frankweiler Konigsburg
1967: Up a Road Slowly by Irene Hunt
1966: I, Juan de Pareja by Elizabeth de Trevino
1965: Shadow of a Bull Wojciechowska
1964: It's Like This, Cat by Emily Neville
1963: A Wrinkle in Time by Madeleine L'Engle
1962: The Bronze Bow Speare
1961: Island of the Blue Dolphins by Scott O'Dell
1960: Onion John by Joseph Krumgold
1959: The Witch of Blackbird Pond by Speare
1958: Rifles for Watie by Harold Keith
1957: Miracles on Maple Hill Sorenson
1956: Carry On, Mr. Bowditch Latham
1955: The Wheel on the School DeJong
1954: ...And Now Miguel by Joseph Krumgold
1953: Secret of the Andes by Ann Nolan Clark
1952: Ginger Pye by Eleanor Estes
1951: Amos Fortune, Free Man Yates
1950: The Door in the Wall de Angeli
1949: King of the Wind by Marguerite Henry
1948: The Twenty-One Balloons Pène du Bois
1947: Miss Hickory by Carolyn Sherwin Bailey
1946: Strawberry Girl by Lois Lenski
1945: Rabbit Hill by Robert Lawson
1944: Johnny Tremain by Esther Forbes
1943: Adam of the Road by Elizabeth Janet Gray
1942: The Matchlock Gun by Walter Edmonds
1941: Call It Courage by Armstrong Sperry
1940: Daniel Boone by James Daugherty
1939: Thimble Summer by Elizabeth Enright
1938: The White Stag by Kate Seredy
1937: Roller Skates by Ruth Sawyer
1936: Caddie Woodlawn by Carol Ryrie Brink
1935: Dobry by Monica Shannon
1934: Invincible Louisa: The Story of .. Little Women Meigs
1933: Young Fu of the Upper Yangtze Lewis
1932: Waterless Mountain Armer
1931: The Cat Who Went to Heaven Coatsworth
1930: Hitty, Her First Hundred Years by Rachel Field
1929: The Trumpeter of Krakow by Eric P. Kelly
1928: Gay Neck, the Story of a Pigeon by Dhan Gopal Mukerji
1927: Smoky, the Cowhorse by Will James
1926: Shen of the Sea by Arthur Bowie Chrisman
1925: Tales from Silver Lands by Charles Finger
1924: The Dark Frigate by Charles Hawes
1923: The Voyages of Doctor Dolittle by Hugh Lofting
1922: The Story of Mankind by Hendrik Willem van Loon
(B) BOOK REVIEW RUBRIC AND DIRECTIONS for SPEAK BY LAURIE ALSE ANDERSON
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Requirements |
Points |
Points earned |
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Format:
Paper must be:
Typed,
12pt. Times NewRoman, double-spaced
Heading – Name and Grade |
Typed = 5 pts.
12 pt., TNR font, double-spaced = 3 pts.
Correct heading = 2 pts.
*Total = 10 pts |
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Basic Components:
Paper must have:
Complete title of novel in italics,
Author’s full name and
Name and brief description of each of the main characters |
Complete title = 2 pts.
Author’s full name = 2 pts.
Main characters and descriptions 6 pts.
*Total = 10 pts. |
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Setting:
In a paragraph of at least 3 sentences:
Describe the setting of your novel in detail. |
.
*Total = 10 pts |
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Plot summary: In a paragraph of at least 5 sentences:
Summarize the important events of the novel in chronological order. Be specific!
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Events (main events only!) 10pts
Chronological order 10 pts
*Total = 20 pts. |
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Conflict/Climax:
In a paragraph of at least 5 sentences:
Explain the conflict, any form of opposition (internal or external) that faces the main character
Explain the climax, the turning point and point of highest excitement in detail.
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Conflict = 10 pts
Climax = 10 pts.
*Total = 20 pts. |
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Critique:
In a paragraph of at least 5 sentences:
Explain how you felt about the novel
What you liked and disliked
What you would change to make it better if you were the author.
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Felt= 5 pts.
Liked= 5 pts.
Disliked= 5 pts.
Would change= 5 pts.
*Total = 20 pts |
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Grammar and Spelling:
Student must have:
Fewer than 5 spelling and/or grammar errors . |
* Total =10 pts |
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(C) Recommendations for incoming 6th, 7th, and 8th graders
Anthony– A Spell for Chameleon: Exiled from the land of Xanth, 25 year old Bink must prove to his people that he holds magical powers.
Avi – Nothing But the Truth: A ninth-grader's suspension for singing "The Star-Spangled Banner" during homeroom becomes a national news story, and leads to him and his teacher both leaving the school.
Avi – The Fighting Ground: A 13-year-old boy's dream of fighting in the American Revolution becomes a reality in this exciting adventure tale.
Avi – The True Confessions of Charlotte Doyle: Thirteen-year-old Charlotte Doyle, the only passenger aboard a seedy ship on a transatlantic voyage from England to America in 1832, becomes caught up in a feud between the murderous captain and his mutinous crew.
Blackwood, Gary - The Shakespeare Stealer: A young orphan boy is ordered by his master to infiltrate Shakespeare's acting troupe in order to steal the script of "Hamlet," but he discovers instead the meaning of friendship and loyalty.
Brashares – The Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants (and others in the series): Carmen decides to discard an old pair of jeans, but Tibby, Lena, and Bridget think they are great and decide that whoever the pants fit best will get them. When the jeans fit everyone perfectly, a sisterhood and a memorable summer begin.
Carbone – Storm Warriors: In 1895, after his mother's death, 12 year old Nathan moves with his father and grandfather to Pea Island off the coast of North Carolina, where he hopes to join the all-black crew at the nearby lifesaving station, despite his father's objections.
Choldenko - Al Capone Does My Shirts: 12 year old Moose moves to Alcatraz in 1935 so his father can work as a prison guard and his younger, autistic sister, Natalie, can attend a special school in San Francisco.
Cleary – Dear Mr. Henshaw and Strider: In his letters to his favorite author, a 5th grade boy reveals his problems in coping with his parents' divorce, being the new boy in school, and generally finding his own place in the world.
Colfer – Artemis Fowl: When a twelve-year-old evil genius tries to restore his family fortune by capturing a fairy and demanding a ransom in gold, the fairies fight back with magic, technology, and a particularly nasty troll.
Cooney – The Face on the Milk Carton: A photograph of a missing girl on a milk carton leads Janie on a search for her real identity.
Cooper – The Boggart: After visiting the castle in Scotland which her family has inherited and returning home to Canada, 12 year old Emily finds that she has accidentally brought back with her a boggart, an invisible and mischievous spirit with a fondness for practical jokes.
Creech, Sharon – Walk Two Moons: While traveling from Ohio to Idaho with her eccentric grandparents to try to find her mother, who left the year before, 13 year old Salamanca Hiddle entertains them with stories.
Duncan – Killing Mr. Griffin: A teenager casually suggests playing a cruel trick on the English teacher, but did he intend it to end with murder?
Farmer – The Ear, the Eye, and the Arm: In futuristic Zimbabwe, General Matsika's three children are kidnapped and put to work in a plastic mine, while three mutant detectives use their special powers to search for them.
Feiffer – The Man In the Ceiling:Jimmy Jibbitt is a disappointment to his father. He is a daydreamer in class and a failure in sports but he is convinced that he will become a great cartoonist.
Fox – The Slave Dancer: Kidnapped by the crew of an Africa-bound ship, a 13 year old boy discovers to his horror that he is on a slave ship and his job is to play music for the exercise periods of the human cargo.
Funke – Dragon Rider: After learning that humans are headed toward his hidden home, Firedrake, a silver dragon, is joined by a brownie and an orphan boy in a quest to find the legendary valley known as the Rim of Heaven, encountering friendly and unfriendly creatures along the way.
Funke - Inkheart, Inkspell: Twelve-year-old Meggie learns that her father, who repairs and binds books for a living, can "read" fictional characters to life when one of those characters abducts them and tries to force him into service.
Gaiman – Coraline: Looking for excitement, Coraline ventures through a mysterious door into a world that is similar, yet disturbingly different from her own, where she must challenge a gruesome entity in order to save herself, her parents, and the souls of three others.
Haddix- Running Out of Time: The gripping story of a young girl's efforts to save her family and friends from a deadly disease. Jessie Keyser, 13, believes that the year is 1840. In truth, she and her family, along with a small group of others, live in a reconstructed village viewed by unseen modern tourists and used as an experimental site by unethical scientists. (time-travel)
Herriott – All Creatures Great and Small a classic animal story
Hewitt – Dancer: 16 year old Stephanie struggles to perfect her ballet dancing as her classes are complicated by the introduction of a new male dancer.
Hobbs – Ghost Canoe: In 1874, on Washington's rugged Olympic peninsula, Nathan, at 14, tries to unravel the mystery of a shipwreck and the captain's murder.
Horvath – Everything On a Waffle: 11 year old Primrose living in a small fishing village in British Columbia recounts her life experiences and the unpredictability of life in the months after her parents are lost at sea.
Jones, D.W. – Castle in the Air: Having long indulged himself in daydreams more exciting than his mundane life as a carpet merchant, Abdullah unexpectedly purchases a magic carpet and his life changes dramatically as his daydreams come true and dangerous adventures become daily fare.
Kincaid – Annie John: the story of a young girl growing up in Antigua.
Klages – The Green Glass Sea: It's 1943, and Dewey is going to visit her mathemetician dad, who is working at Los Alamos-"the Hill"-with hundreds of other scientists and their families.
Konigsburg – The Second Mrs. Giaconda: Relates, from the point of view of his servant Salai, how Leonardo da Vinci came to paint the Mona Lisa. (for the golden ratio fans)
Lawrence – The Wreckers: Shipwrecked after a vicious storm, 14 year old John Spencer attempts to save his father and himself while also dealing with an evil secret about the Cornish coastal town where they are stranded.
Lipsyte - The Contender, The Boxer, and The Chief: three of several gritty books about Sonny Bear, a Native American, who trains and competes as a boxer in Harlem.
McCaffrey – Dragonsong and others: (Prequel to Dragonsinger)Forbidden by her father to indulge in music in any way, a girl on the planet Pern runs away, taking shelter with the planet's fire lizards who, along with her music, open a new life for her.
Myers – Fallen Angels: 17 year old Richie Perry, just out of his Harlem high school, enlists in the Army in the summer of 1967 and spends a devastating year on active duty in Vietnam.
Myers – Mouse Rap: During an eventful summer in Harlem, 14 year old Mouse and his friends fall in and out of love and search for a hidden treasure from the days of Al Capone.
O’Dell – The Serpent Never Sleeps: A Novel of Jamestown and Pocahontas: In the early 17th century, Serena Lynn, determined to be with the man she has loved since childhood, travels to the New World where she meets John Smith.
Patron – The Higher Power of Lucky: Lucky, age 10, lives in tiny Hard Pan, California (population 43), with her dog and the young French woman who is her guardian. This year’s Newbery winner!
Philbrick – The Young Man and the Sea
Pullman - The Golden Compass (and others)Accompanied by her “daemon”, Lyra Belacqua sets out to prevent her best friend and other kidnapped children from becoming the subject of gruesome experiments in the Far North.
Rawls – Where the Red Fern Grows (if you haven’t read this, don’t miss it!)
Sachar – Holes: Thanks perhaps to a curse from a distant relative, Stanley Yelnats is sent to a hellish correctional camp in the Texas desert where he finds his first real friend, a treasure, and a new sense of himself.
Selznick - The Invention of Hugo Cabret New Caldecott winner!
Shaara – The Killer Angels: A fictional account of four days in July, 1863 at the Battle of Gettysburg discussing tactics, plans, and preparations for battle from both the Northern and Southern points of view.
Speare – The Witch of Blackbird Pond: In 1687 in Connecticut, Kit Tyler, feeling out of place in the Puritan household of her aunt, befriends an old woman considered a witch by the community and suddenly finds herself standing trial for witchcraft.
Spinelli- Loser, Wringer
Tillage – Leon’s Story: The son of a North Carolina sharecropper recalls the hard times faced by his family and other African Americans in the first half of the 20th Century and the changes that the civil rights movement helped bring about. This local author is on the staff at The Park School.
Turner – The Thief: Gen the thief is released from prison in the imaginary medieval land of Sounis by the king's magus, on the condition that he join an expedition to recover the legendary Hamiathes's Gift Stone, said to be hidden in an elaborate maze underneath a river.
Voigt – Dicey’s Song: (Sequel to: Homecoming) Now that the four abandoned children are settled on the Chesapeake Bay with their grandmother, Dicey finds that her new beginnings require love, trust, humor, and courage.
Woodson – Miracle’s Boys: 12 year old Lafayette's close relationship with his older brother Charlie changes after Charlie is released from a detention home and blames Lafayette for the death of their mother.
Zusak – The Book Thief: Trying to make sense of the horrors of World War II, this is the story of Liesel--a young German girl whose book-stealing
