8th Grade Pre-AP
Summer Reading Project
8th grade Pre-AP / Language Arts Student,
Over the summer you should read as many books as you have time and interest to read. Reading experts note that
most young readers suffer a decrease in reading skills during the summer. Research shows that a consistent amount
of reading each day (30-45 minutes) will increase reading and comprehension skills and benefit you in every subject,
even math. Reading is a wonderful way to escape a hot, humid summer afternoon and to travel anywhere a good
author can take you. It will also keep your mind sharp and prepare you for the rigors of 8th grade Pre-AP classes.
ASSIGNMENT INFORMATION
1. You are required to read two books. Treasure Island by Robert Louis Stevenson and The Seven Habits of
Highly Effective Teens by Sean Covey.
2. For Treasure Island, all Pre AP students must complete a 1) Vocabulary Activity, 2) Reading Response,
and a 3) Project.
3. For The Seven Habits of Highly Effective Teens, students must write a description of each of the habits
and describe why it is important to develop the habit. Also, students will describe how they will use this
habit to be a successful Pre AP student.
4. All assignments are due to your Pre-AP Language Arts teacher on the first day of school.
Treasure Island Novel Project Choices
Choose one project to complete after you have read your novel.
Movie Poster – Make a movie poster advertisement for your book. You must create an appealing poster so someone
will want to read the novel. Include the title, author, one or more illustrations, and a description of the novel. Your
illustrations should depict characters from scenes of the book. Choose actors and actresses to star as your main
characters.
Series of Trading Cards – Use characters or places in the novel and draw a picture of each character/place on a
separate 3 x 5 card. On the back of the cards write important information about the character or place. Include the
character’s name, age, and purpose in the novel. Relationship to other characters, what happens to the character, what
happens in the scene, and why that scene is important? Each trading card must be colorful. Minimum of 8 trading cards.
Newspaper page or a news report – create a newspaper page write a script for a news report. Summarize the
plot in one of your articles. Cover the weather that was happening in your story with a weather report. Include an
editorial from you about the theme of the novel. Include a collection of ads that the main character would be
interested in reading. Include a comic strip. Include picture of the character in action with a caption that describes
action in the story.
Comic Book – Cover the plot of the story in a comic book form. Include the exposition, rising action, climax, falling
action, and resolution. Make a cover for your comic book and an original title.
Please print out the assignment sheets below. The assignment can be typed or written. If the assignment is typed,
students must create the charts in their text.
When you return to school in August your responses will be collected and evaluated by your Pre-AP teacher. We look
forward to meeting you and sharing your summer reading experiences.
8th Grade Pre-AP Language Arts Teachers
Vocabulary Activity
Complete the Vocabulary Chart using the novel you chose from the Treasure Island.
Find a total of 10 vocabulary words in the novel.
These words should be significant words that you are not familiar with.
Write in complete sentences.
Do not include proper nouns or terms that are specific only to science fiction.
Page
Number
the
vocabulary
word is
found on.
Original sentence from the
novel
Underline the vocabulary
word.
Definition
Use a dictionary to define
the word. Use the same
meaning that is used in the
text.
Original Sentence.
You must compose an
original sentence using
the same meaning as the
vocabulary word in the
novel.
Reading Response Activity
This evaluation must be filled out for the novel Treasure Island.
Title of Book ______________________ Author’s Name _____________________________
Directions: Answer all parts of the following worksheets with complete sentences. Use
correct grammar, spelling, capitalization, and punctuation.
A theme is the message or insight about life or human nature that a writer presents to the reader.
Although some works are written purely for entertainment and don’t have a clear-cut theme, in these
books, the writers make at least one point about life or the human condition. The theme is usually not
stated directly, and therefore, you will have to make an inference. One way to discover the theme of a
work is to consider what you can learn from the main character. The importance of that event, stated in
terms that apply to all human beings, is the theme.
List three themes found within your book. Support each theme with specific evidence from the text.
Give two examples from your book (quote and page number) to support each of the themes you
have listed. List an instance or character that explains your theme. Be as specific as possible.
Themes from the book:
Specific Evidence/Quotes and Page # to support
each theme:
Answer each of these questions about the setting. What is the setting of your book? What year(s) do
the events take place? What is the season? Where does most of the action take place? What are the
economic conditions? What are the customs unique to this novel? Describe the setting of the novel.
Remember to include the historical context and customs in your description. You may have to research
the time period unique to the novel.
Name three conflicts (problems) in your book. Briefly explain the circumstances surrounding each
conflict. Specify what kinds of conflicts are taking place (man vs. man, man vs. self, man vs. society, man
vs. nature, man vs. fate). One conflict should be man vs. man, another should be man vs. self,
and another man vs. nature. Give a detailed explanation of each conflict.
Conflict
Type
Detailed Description
Refer back to the three conflicts you have already listed. How are each of these conflicts resolved? Be
as specific as possible including character names and types of conflict.
Conflict
Resolution – how the problem was solved
What is the climax or point of highest tension? When do things begin to change? Explain in detail
how this changes the outcome of the novel.
Characterization: This is the method used by the writer to develop a character. A character can be
developed in four ways:
1. Physical description – What does the character look like?
2. What other characters say about a specific character
3. What the character says (dialogue) and how the character acts
2. What the narrator says about the character
Identify the main characters and their roles in the novel. Describe their personalities, and provide
specific examples from the text to support the character traits you have listed.
Main Characters
Who are they? What
role do they play in the
story?
Detailed physical
description
Detailed Personality
Traits – be specific; use
evidence from the text
(specific quotes or
events) to support your
description
The Seven Habits of Highly Effective Teens
by Sean Covey
Name of Habit and Description
Response Sheet
Why is this habit important? Use
specific details and/or quotes
from the book. Include page
number
How will you use this habit to be
a successful Pre AP student? Be
specific.