8th Grade
Students must read 2 nonfiction
and 2 fiction titles (pick from the list below)
Students must complete the book reports
for the appropriate title.
Nonfiction
Fiction
The Rescuers: Kids Who Risked
Everything to Save Others
B Allan Zull
Zach's Lie
By Roland Smith
The
Rescuers
Harriet Tubman, Secret Agent: How Daring
Slaves and Free Blacks Spied for the Union
During the Civil War
By Thomas B. Allen
Shooting Kabul
By N.H. Senzai
KABUL
Harriet Tullman
SECRET AGENT
0.11.M0 lL/1.1t
AND 1, 11•111 BLACKS
11.11 /Ca T. 101101011
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AND
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T,t,A411
w?-fir,trk- .34
Guts
By Gary Paulsen
White Fang
By Jack London
Guilty by a Hair: Real-Life DNA Matches!
By Anna Prokos
Pictures of Hollis Woods
By Patricia Reilly Giff
Et
TelEnt KRIM TR( StEllES
FORENSICS
GUILTY
HAIR!
Real-11'e DNA Yutches!
TRUE-UFECASES!
Emma"
1110SCHOLASTIC
ER
SREADMIG
U M MJOURNAL
Name:
My
0
K
WELCOME!
You've just received a packet of books chosen for you by
your school. These books are yours to add to your home
library. Read and enjoy them over the summer. You'll be
amazed at how time spent reading and writing adds up
and zips by.
Summer reading and writing matter. Here's why:
• Reading is the best way to avoid sliding backward over
the summer—and the best way to keep up your literacy
skills is to read often.
• Reading different books for different purposes keeps
your brain sharp—and it's more interesting than
reading the same kinds of stuff all the time.
• Expanding your vocabulary can expand your mind.
And it can help you understand the world in more
detail.
• Literacy is more than just being able to read and
write—it also means being able to share and write
about what you know.
• Students with strong reading and writing skills are
much more likely to have success in life and work.
They also have more fun.
m31.1 OMB
The Rescuers: Kids Who Risked Everything to Save Others
By Adam Zullo
In "The White Death," Wyatt told Danny two important avalanche survival tips. List them below.
In "Tower of Terror," what did Brooke remember from her science class about electricity that was important in
rescuing Corey from the Electrical Transmission Tower? List at least three things.
In "On Thin Ice," Bebe thought of ideas that helped her rescue Calvin and Laurie after they fell through the ice. List
at least three ideas Bebe used in the rescue.
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In "The Ball of Fire," Chad and his best friend Davey had very different responses to the truck accident. Citing details
from the story, explain how their reponses were different.
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The Rescuers: Kids Who Risked Everything to Save Others
By Allan Zullo
All of the young heroes in this book exhibited positive
character traits.
Select four traits from the list to the right. Identify
one or more rescuers from the book who demonstrated
that trait. Explain how their actions exhibited the trait.
••
•
••
••
••
Courageous
Forgiving
Unselfish
Understanding
Problem Solver
Confident
Intelligent
Funny
Generous
Caring
Follow the example below.
Traits
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Caring
Character's Name and Title of Chapter
Brooke Bailey/Tower of Terror
Actions That Exhibit Trait
Brooke helps boy out of tree
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Harriet Tubman, Secret Agent: How Daring Slaves
and Free Blacks Spied for the Union During the Civil War
by Thomas B. Allen
Answer these questions before you read the book.
What do you know about Harriet Tubman? Write down anything that you know.
What do you know about spies? Write down anything you know about how spies help their country or side
in a war.
Respond to these questions after you read the book. Cite text evidence in your responses.
What new information did you learn about Harriet Tubman from this book? Was everything you wrote
above correct?
What new information did you learn about spies from this book? Was everything you wrote above correct?
Based on what you read, how did African-American spies influence or change the course of the Civil War?
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You may respond on a separate sheet of paper if you need more space.
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Harriet Tubman, Secret Agent: How Daring Slaves
and Free Blacks Spied for the Union During the Civil War
by Thomas B. Allen
Interview
Choose one person from this book whom you'd like to meet. Write five interview questions you would ask him
or her. Then use information and examples from the text to write a possible response to each question.
Person:
Q:
A:
Q:
A:
Q:
A:
Q:
A:
Q:
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A:
Essay
Henry Brown shipped himself to freedom in a box. (See page 26.) Was the risk to himself and his helpers
worth it? Why or why not? Explain your opinion, using text evidence for support. Use a separate sheet of paper
if you need more space to write.
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Guts
by Gary Paulsen
All About Guts
Write 1-2 paragraphs to respond to each question below. Use a separate sheet of paper if you need more
space to write.
1. Why do you think this book is titled Guts? Could the title have more than one meaning? Use text evidence to
support your thoughts.
2. Which story in this book took the most guts to survive? Why do you think so? Use text evidence to support
your opinion.
Tweet It
Imagine you are traveling with Gary Paulsen on an adventure. It is your job to manage his Twitter account.
Choose a story from the book. List 5-7 tweets you would send as the adventure unfolds. Limit each tweet to
140 characters (letters and punctuation marks). Think carefully about how to send messages that are short
but exciting and informative!
Story Title:
Tweets:
1.
2.
3.
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4.
5.
6.
7.
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Guts
by Gary Paulsen
Write a News Article or Broadcast
Guts is an example of autobiographical writing. That means that the author, Gary Paulsen, wrote true stories
about his own life. Reinvent one story from Guts as a newspaper article or the script for a TV news broadcast.
First, answer each question below with the most important details from the text. Then, use your answers and
other text evidence to craft your report.
Who did this story happen to?
Where did it happen?
When did it happen?
What is the main or most important thing that happened?
Why or how did it happen?
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My news article or broadcast script:
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Lie
My
Guilty by a Hair: Real-Life DNA Matches!
By Anna Prokos
TV crime dramas draw ideas and information from real-life forensic investigations, like the three in this book.
Describe one scene from a new TV crime show of your imagination.
In your scene, the characters should participate in one of the three main steps of a forensic investigation
(p. 14). Your scene should also involve DNA evidence in some way. Make sure to use details and facts from the
text to make your scene authentic. Use a separate sheet of paper if you need more space.
Three Steps in an Investigation
1) Identify the main questions that must be answered.
2) Gather and analyze evidence.
3) Test theories against the evidence, and reach a conclusion.
Possible Characters
forensic team (see list on other side), investigators/detectives/police, perpetrators/suspects, victims,
attorney/ judge/jury
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Possible Settings
crime scene (before or after the crime), crime lab, courtroom, police station, jail
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Guilty by a Hair: Real-Life DNA Matches!
By Anna Prokos
From the three main steps investigators take, to the specialized vocabulary they use to describe
their work, this book details the painstaking process that DNA specialists go through to collect
evidence and uncover the truth about a case. Using the dictionary in the back of the book (p. 59)
as a word bank, complete this summary of the process:
trained in the field of
Crime solving is a complex process. Investigators and
science must start by reviewing the crime scene and asking questions. From
(materials, facts, and details). When they
there, they gather and analyze the
" it, or place it in a special container to help
find something promising they "
that could make the evidence unfit for use.
prevent
Samples of DNA are gathered from the evidence or suspects with a cotton swab called a
. Special care is taken to keep the samples from sunlight, humidity, or any
other condition that might cause the DNA to
, or break down and become
unusable. Everyone who handles the evidence must sign a
which can be
used in court to prove the evidence wasn't tampered with.
DNA samples then go through a rigorous process. First, chemicals are used to
the DNA from everything around it. Then the DNA is placed in a thermocycler, a specialized
machine that uses a process called
to duplicate small smounts of DNA. An
image is then made of each sample so that they can be compared to other samples. This process
is called
At this point, investigators are ready to find out to whom the DNA belongs. Sometimes they can
find an answer in the state's
database that can lead to a conviction. Groups
like the Innocence Project hope that the evidence will help
innocent people
who have been unjustly charged with a crime.
Finally, the investigators are ready to finalize their theories and present an evidence-based
conclusion to a judge and the people on the
, who are responsible for
returning a
of guilty or innocent.
Who would have thought that so much could be done with such a tiny thing like
?!
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There are many different specialists* on a forensic team. Based
on what you read, which would you prefer to be? Why? Be sure
to explain your answer. If needed, continue your answer on
a separate sheet of paper.
- forensic DNA analysts
- trace evidence specialists
- fingerprint specialists
- forensic anthropologists
- medical examiners
- detectives or agents
*see p. 12 for descriptions of each job
1
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Zach's Lie
by Roland Smith
Truth & Lies
Zach wrote in his journal, "If you take the 'v' out of lives, what do you get?' The answer, of course, is lies.
Are the following sentences the truth (T) or are they lies (L)? Write T or L for each. Correct the statements
that are lies.
1)
Zach's sister gets cast in the "High School Musical" because she has such a beautiful voice.
2)
Zach and Darrell become friends because Darrell also likes reading and writing in his journal.
3)
Catalin and Zach like each other and enjoy spending time together.
4)
In Elko, the "three E's" stand for: "Eventually, Everyone knows Everything."
5)
Zach's dad is the co-pilot on the plane that the family takes out of Elko.
Zach's Journal
Zach discovers two important things before he leaves the hospital: reading novels and journal
writing. Why are these acitivities so important to Zach? What problems does his journal writing
TM 0& © 2013 Sc ho last ic Inc. A ll r ig hts reserve d.
eventually cause? Cite examples from the text in your response. Use a separate sheet of paper if
you need more space.
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Zach's Lie
by Roland Smith
Cause and Effect
On the chart below, fill in each missing cause and each missing effect from the story. An example is
provided. Some causes may have more than one effect.
r
EFFECT
CAUSE
- Jack, his mom, and his sister
have to change their names and
move to Elko, NV.
- They don't see his dad until the
end of the book
Jack's dad is taken into
Federal custody.
r
4■
41111111111
Zach gives Peter a black eye.
Peter writes messages on the
classroom chalkboard.
Zach goes to Benat's mountain
camp with Catalin and Sam.
Alonzo finds the postcard
Zach's mom sent to June
Saunders.
Sam tells Zach to remember
the number eight.
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Shooting Kabul
By N. H. Senzai
Write a blog post from Fadi's point of view. Describe a time when you (Fadi) were a victim of
stereotyping. Stereotyping is applying (real or unfounded) characteristics or behaviors of a few
people to an entire group with which they are associated. Use details from the text in the post.
TM 0 Et 0 2013Sc holas tic I
r
1
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Shooting Kabul
By N. H. Senzai
N. H. Senzai uses Arabic, Puhkto, Persian, and Farsi words to lend authenticity to the narrative.
Choose eight words from the glossary on pages 254-255. Write the meaning of each word.
Then use it in a sentence about the book.
1)
Word:
Meaning:
Sentence:
2)
Word:
Meaning:
Sentence:
3)
Word:
Meaning:
Sentence:
4)
Word:
Meaning:
Sentence:
5)
Word:
Meaning:
Sentence:
6)
Word:
Meaning:
Sentence:
7)
Word:
TM.0 ft © 2013 Sc holastic Inc. All rig hts rese rve d.
Meaning:
Sentence:
8)
Word:
Meaning:
Sentence:
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White Fang
by Jack London
Exploring Theme
The theme of a novel is its message about life, people, nature, and human society. Most of the time, authors
do not state their themes directly. Instead, readers must figure out the theme(s) by examining characters, plot,
and setting.
White Fang is a complex novel with many possible themes. Explore the themes of this book by writing three or
more paragraphs in response to each of the following questions. Cite evidence and examples from the text in
each response. Use separate sheets of paper if you need more room.
1. White Fang is a hybrid wolf-dog. How does his status as part-wild (wolf) and part-domesticated
(dog) affect and shape his life?
2. The author, Jack London, and many others have called White Fang a story about "survival of the fittest." How
is the idea that only the strongest, toughest, and fiercest will survive reflected in the events of the novel?
TM 0 & 0 2013 Sc holastic Inc. A ll rights reserved.
3. Many critics have said that White Fang is really about humankind's progression from nature and the wild to
civilization and living in societies. How does White Fang's life story represent and reflect the progression from
the wild to civilization?
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White Fang
by jack London
From Page to Screen
White Fang has been made into a movie several times. Plan the latest adaptation. Complete the chart below
to decide who you will cast as each main (human) character and why. Then choose an exciting scene and
plan the setting and action.
I. Cast of Characters
Main Character
Brief Bio
Possible Actor(s)
Why?
II. Scene
Setting:
TM®Et © 2013Sc hola
Action:
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Pictures of Hollis Woods
By Patricia Reilly Giff
Use details from the text to respond to the questions below. Use separate sheets of paper if you need
TM(:) Et © 2 013 Sc ho lastic Inc. A l
more space to write.
1)
In your own words, describe the "W" picture that Hollis created from magazine pictures when she
was six years old. What did the "W" stand for?
2)
Hollis thinks that she might be the reason Steven and the Old Man argue. Do you agree? Explain
why or why not, citing evidence from the text.
3)
What does Hollis suddenly see in a picture of the Regans? (pp. 149-150) What do the details help
her realize about the true relationship between Steven and his father?
4)
How do Hollis's feelings about Josie change over time?
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Pictures of Hollis Woods
By Patricia Reilly Giff
Who's Who? Fill in the correct name to complete each sentence below.
Steven
Josie
Hollis
Old Man
Izzy
Beatrice
mustard woman
Christina
Henry
Eleanor
had a pointy little chin and hated sleet.
was going to have lunch with Hollis and the mustard lady.
had a great face to draw and eyes the color of cinnamon toast.
looks quiet and content in the picture, sucking on her thumb.
couldn't stay alone. She might not remember when it was supper.
wanted a baby for each corner of her house.
said, "Sometimes we learn from our own drawings; things
are there that we thought we didn't know."
was splitting the candy bar, and he gave Hollis the bigger piece
but did it quickly. She wasn't supposed to know.
decided to climb that mountain, get to the top, and shout to
9)
the whole world, "I have a family, I belong."
rolled down the window and said, "Why aren't you in school?"
10)
Circle or highlight the correct answer.
A) Josie carved figures out of
1. tree branches
2. marble
3. ice
D) Hollis had a gift for
B) After the accident with the truck, Steven
E) Hollis left the Regan home because
1. she thought she had "messed up
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1. died
1. writing poetry
2. drawing
3. singing
2. had broken ribs and arms
the family"
3. lost his memory
2. they told her to leave
3. she wanted to live by the ocean
C) Hollis got her name from
1. a type of holly bush
2. a painting
3. the place where she was found as a
baby
F)
Beatrice told Hollis, "You have to keep
looking to..."
1. find the truth
2. find the cat
3. find the mountain
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SUMMER HMG LOG
Use this reading log to keep track of the books you read this summer.
Fill in the stars to rate each book.
Title
Rating
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IZ' AZT(
1
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ITIT' A,T1
Iir15"'
Secondary
mY CI Ciral
ISBN-13 978-0-545-56528 - 8
ISBN-10 0-545-56528-6
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9 780545
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