EIGHTH GRADE SUMMER READING PROGRAM
Dear Prospective Eighth Grade English Student,
I hope this packet finds you getting ready for your much deserved summer vacation. But as you pack your bags for the
beach or pool, don’t forget to bring along your summer reading book. During the summer all students taking eighth grade
English at Tahanto Regional Middle/High School are required to read one book from the list below. Do not wait to pick up
your summer reading book. Hardcopies may be in short supply and may need to be ordered.
The Closer: My Story by Mariano Rivera
The Eighty-Dollar Champion: Snowman, the Horse that Inspired a Nation by Elizabeth Letts
Until Tuesday by Luis Carlos Montalvan
In Harm’s Way: The Sinking of the U.S.S. Indianapolis and the Extraordinary Tale of Its Survivors by Doug Stanton
I am Malala: The Girl Who Stood Up for Education and Was Shot by the Taliban by Malala Yousafzai
A Long Way Gone: Memoirs of a Boy Soldier by Ishmael Beah
Airman by Eoin Colfer
Matched by Ally Condie
Crossed by Ally Condie (book 2 of the Matched trilogy)
Reached by Ally Condie (book 3 of the Matched trilogy)
Death on the Nile by Agatha Christie
Paper Towns by John Green (contains some inappropriate language)
Regine’s Book: A Teen Girl’s Last Words by Regine Stokke
Reckless: The Racehorse Who Became a Marine Corps Hero By Tom Clavin (contains some culturally insensitive
language)
A Mango-Shaped Space by Wendy Mass
After reading a book from the list above, you need to create a project (information is attached) that demonstrates your
comprehension and understanding of the book you chose. The project, in conjunction with a brief oral presentation
summarizing your book selection and project, will be given/turned in the second day of school. Your project and oral
presentation will be assessed and weighted as one test grade for the first marking term in your English class.
The following pages give you a synopsis of each book on the list, directions on how to complete the summer reading
project, and the grading sheet I (your English teacher) will follow when critiquing your summer reading project.
Good luck with your summer reading project and enjoy your summer vacation. I look forward to seeing you in August.
Sincerely,
Mrs. Kim Wells-Dufresne
Eighth Grade English Teacher
Book Synopses:
The Closer: My Story 1010L
This memoir covers the life and career of New York Yankee relief pitcher Mariano Rivera. Included in this memoir are
details about Mariano Rivera’s humble beginnings in Panama through his career as the greatest relief pitcher in Major
League Baseball.
The Eighty-Dollar Champion: Snowman, the Horse that Inspired a Nation
When Harry de Leyer first spotted Snowman, Snowman was a scarred plow-horse headed to the slaughterhouse. But, Harry
felt there was something special about Snowman and decided to buy him for eighty dollars. Under Harry’s care and
training Snowman went on to become a Steeple Chase Champion.
Until Tuesday: A Wounded Warrior and the Golden Retriever Who Saved Him
After two tours of duty in Iraq, former U.S. Army Captain Luis Carlos Montalvan's physical injuries and post-traumatic
stress disorder (PTSD) turn his life into a nightmare. This is his story of dealing with PTSD as well as the story of Tuesday,
the intelligent, extensively trained but heartbroken golden retriever, who is chosen to become his service dog and constant
companion.
In Harm’s Way: The Sinking of the U.S.S. Indianapolis and the Extraordinary
Tale of Its Survivors
1110L
On July 30, 1945, the U.S.S. Indianapolis was torpedoed by a Japanese ship. Three hundred U.S. sailors were killed
instantly and over 900 were cast into the Pacific Ocean with no help in sight. After four days in shark infested waters, only
317 sailors survived to be rescued. This book tells the harrowing ordeal of the sinking of the U.S.S. Indianapolis through
recollections of three survivors, a marine, the captain and the ship’s doctor.
I am Malala: The Girl Who Stood Up for Education and Was Shot by the Taliban
1000L
On October 9, 2012, Pakistani school girl Malala Yousafzai was shot in the head at point blank range by the Taliban while
riding the bus home from school. This story addresses Malala’s ordeal and recovery as well as her plight for girls to have
the right to an education. This book covers Malala’s life before, during, and after the attempt on her life.
A Long Way Gone: Memoirs of a Boy Soldier 920L
Ishmael Beah was only twelve years-old when war broke out in his native country, Sierra Leone. Separated from his
family, Ishmael’s only way to survive was to become a child soldier and face the horrors of war first hand.
Airman
800L
In the late nineteenth century, when Conor Broekhart discovers a conspiracy to overthrow the king, he is branded a traitor,
imprisoned, and forced to mine for diamonds under brutal conditions. Conor plans a daring escape from Little Saltee
prison by way of a flying machine that he must design, build, and, hardest of all, trust to carry him to safety.
Matched
680L
Cassia has always trusted the Society to make the right choices for her: what to read, what to watch, what to believe. So
when Xander's face appears on-screen at her Matching ceremony, Cassia knows he is her ideal mate . . . until she sees Ky
Markham's face flash for an instant before the screen fades to black. The Society tells her it's a glitch, a rare malfunction,
and that she should focus on the happy life she's destined to lead with Xander. But Cassia can't stop thinking about Ky, and
must choose between Xander and Ky, between the only life she's known and a path that no one else has dared to follow.
Crossed
630L
In the sequel to Matched, Cassia makes her way to the Outer Provinces only to find that Ky has escaped into the majestic,
but treacherous, canyons. On this wild frontier are glimmers of a different life and the enthralling promise of rebellion. But
even as Cassia sacrifices everything to reunite with Ky, ingenious surprises from Xander may change the game. On the
edge of Society, nothing is as expected, and crosses and double crosses make Cassia's path more twisted than ever.
Reached
670L
In the final book of the Matched trilogy, Cassia has raged against those who threaten to keep away what matters most—
family, love, choice. Her quiet revolution is about to explode into full-scale rebellion. This conclusion to the Matched
trilogy returns Cassia, Ky, and Xander to the Society to save the one thing they have been denied for so long, the power to
choose.
Death on the Nile
660L
Aboard a cruise on the Nile, internationally renowned detective Hercule Poirot meets Linnet Doyle, a woman who appears
to have everything: youth, beauty, wealth, and a loving husband. When Linnet is shot through the head during her
honeymoon cruise, Poirot must solve the case despite everyone seeming to have airtight alibis on the boat.
Paper Towns
850L
When Margo Roth Spiegelman beckons Quentin Jacobsen in the middle of the night—dressed like a ninja and plotting an
ingenious campaign of revenge—he follows her. Margo’s always planned extravagantly, and, until now, she’s always
planned solo. After a lifetime of loving Margo from afar, things are finally looking up for Q . . . until day breaks and she
has vanished. Always an enigma, Margo has now become a mystery. But there are clues. And they’re for Q. This book
contains some profanity.
Regine’s Book: A Teen Girl’s Last Words
810L
After being diagnosed with an aggressive form of leukemia in 2008, Norwegian teen Regina Stokke blogged about her life
experiences, including the physical and emotional struggles she endured fighting leukemia for 15 months. This book is a
collection of Regine’s blogs, Regine’s photography, letters from friends and loved ones, and comments from Regine’s
family.
Reckless: The Racehorse Who Became a Marine Corps Hero
When war broke out in Korea, four-year-old racehorse Ah-Chim-Hai was sold to an American soldier who wanted a horse
to carry loads of ammunition up and down steep hills while under enemy fire. Ah-Chim-Hai’s bravery and drive was an
inspiration for the marines who rename her Reckless and consider her a hero and a marine. This book contains some
culturally insensitive words.
A Mango-Shaped Space
770L
Protagonist Mia suffers from synesthesia, a real-life condition in which a person can see sounds, smell colors, and taste
shapes. When she begins to struggle academically, Mia is forced to reveal her condition to others and develop an
understanding and appreciation of living with synesthesia.
SUMMER READING PROJECT DESCRIPTION:
Your job is to create a reader’s reflection journal with the following criteria.
Cover:
On a piece of paper (8 ½ x 11”) create a cover for your summer reading project. Your cover should not be a
copy of the cover of the book you read. Instead, create an original cover that fills the entire page with color, the
book’s characters and their traits, major events, items of value to major characters, and themes found in the book
you read. Your cover may be hand drawn, created on a computer, or a collage.
On the cover be sure to also include:
 Title of the book read (in large, bold letters)
 Your name
 English Class ____________(insert the period when your English class meets)
 The genre of the book you read
Reader’s Reflection:
On standard 8 ½ x 11” paper, answer the following questions. Make sure to answer the questions in complete
sentences and to answer every part of the question if there is more than one part. Please NEATLY handwrite or
type your responses. If typing, please use Times New Roman 12 pt. font.
1. Plot is the series of events in the story. What was the plot of the story you read? Briefly (1 paragraph
limit) summarize the plot of the story including only the major events and characters.
2. What is the setting (time and place) for your summer reading book? (Remember, the author might not
state the setting. You might have to look at clues in how characters dress, talk, travel, etc.).
3. Characters are people, animals, or things that participate in the story’s action. Who were the major
characters in the book you read? Name and describe each major character.
4. What problem or conflict did the protagonist (main character) face? How did the protagonist deal with
the problem or conflict? In your opinion, did the protagonist handle the situation correctly?
5. Who was your favorite character? Explain why you would/would not want that character as a friend.
6. How do you connect to the story’s plot, setting, character, or author?
7. How would the story be different if told through a different point of view? Choose a specific character
from the story to be the narrator in your response.
8. What questions did you develop as you read the book (specific vocabulary, content, etc.)? Provide at
least two questions in your response.
9. What was your favorite part of the book? Why is it your favorite part? Please note the page(s) number
and incorporate at least one line of text in your response.
10. What did you learn from the book that you are not likely to forget in the near future? Why do you think
your selection was so memorable?
SUMMER READING GRADING SHEET
Name: __________________________________________________________________________
Period: __________________________________________________________________________
Book Title: _______________________________________________________________________
COVER ASSESSMENT
The components of your cover will be graded according to the following scale:
5=excellent, 4=very good, 3=good, 2=satisfactory, 1=unsatisfactory, 0=not observed/completed.
Visual Appeal: Neatness, color, great first impression
5 pts. _________
Creativity/Originality: Concepts creatively presented
5 pts. _________
Effort: Obvious time and effort spent on project
5 pts. _________
Content of Project: Shows clear understanding of the book and project
5 pts. _________
READER RESPONSE ASSESSMENT
Responses demonstrate an understanding of the book in complete sentences
(Prompts in the reader’s response are worth 6 pts. each).
60 pts. ________
ORAL PRESENTATION ASSESSMENT
Your oral presentation and conduct during other presentations will be graded according to the following scale:
5=excellent, 4=very good, 3=good, 2=satisfactory, 1=unsatisfactory, 0=not observed/completed.
Book Summary: Synopsis provides clear understanding of the book
5 pts. _________
Presentation: Is well-planned and coherent
5 pts. _________
Conduct as Presenter: Is engaging, courteous, and respectful
5 pts. _________
Conduct as Audience Member: is attentive, respectful, and supportive
5 pts. _________
OVERALL GRADE: _____________
TOTAL PTS. EARNED: __________