MIDDLE SCHOOL SUMMER READING 2016-2017
7 TH GRADE ENGLISH
This summer all students will read two novels from the reading list below. Freak
the Mighty by Rodman Philbrick has been assigned to your class, and the second
novel is your choice from the two selected books below.
REQUIRED READING ASSIGNMENTS:
Directions: Please read Freak the Mighty by Rodman Philbrick and complete the guided
reading questions for each chapter (see attached). After finishing the book, please select a
project from the following page to complete and submit upon return to school.
Freak the Mighty by Rodman Philbrick – A wonderful story of triumph over
imperfection, shame, and loss. Large, awkward, learning-disabled Maxwell
Kane, and crippled, undersized Kevin are both mocked by their peers; the cruel
taunting they endure is all too realistic and believable. The boys establish a
friendship-and a partnership. Kevin defends them with his intelligence, while
Max is his friend's "legs," affording him a chance to participate in the larger
world. Inspired by tales of King Arthur, they become knights fighting for good
and true causes. But Kevin's illness progresses, and when he dies, Max is left
with the memories of an extraordinary relationship and, perhaps, the insight to
think positively about himself and his future.
Directions: Please choose one of the following novels to read. Be prepared to complete an
in-class writing assignment to be given upon return to school.
Auggie & Me by R.J. Palacio – These stories are an extra peek at Auggie before he
started at Beecher Prep and during his first year there. Readers get to see him through
the eyes of Julian, the bully; Christopher, Auggie’s oldest friend; and Charlotte, Auggie’s
new friend at school. Together, these three stories are a treasure for readers who don’t
want to leave Auggie behind when they finish Wonder.
Drums, Girls, and Dangerous Pie by Jordan Sonnenblick – Thirteen-year-old Steven
has a totally normal life: he plays drums in the All-Star Jazz band, has a crush on the
hottest girl in the school, and is constantly annoyed by his five-year-old brother,
Jeffrey. But when Jeffrey is diagnosed with leukemia, Steven's world is turned upside
down. He is forced to deal with his brother's illness and his parents' attempts to keep
the family in one piece.
Directions: Choose one project from the grid below to complete this summer and submit upon
return to school. All students will complete the blue box in the center.
MOVIE PITCH
CREATIVE WRITING
ARTWORK
Write a one-page movie “pitch”
to a producer explaining why the
story would make a great movie.
Write a long poem, song, or rap
about the book. The words
should be typed. You are
encouraged to enhance your
project with images and music.
At least 25 lines or more.
Create a series of five
drawings depicting major
events in the story. Each
drawing must be
accompanied by a thorough
explanation of what is
happening in your drawing
At least 50 words need to be
included per drawing. Only
neat, industrious work will be
accepted.
COLLAGE
MANDATORY JOURNAL
CREATE A NEWSPAPER
Do a collage that represents the
theme or plot of your novel. You
may create your collage by using
poster paper, scissors, glue,
magazine pictures, newspaper,
etc., or you may do your collage
digitally using your computer.
CHARACTER
INTRODUCTIONS
If you could introduce one
character from your book to your
family, who would it be? Why?
Which character would you not
want to introduce to your family?
Why? (Your written explanations
must be typed; at least 100
words per character and specific
examples from the book should
be used).
All students will keep a typed
journal while reading Freak the
Mighty. Upon completion of
reading each chapter, students
will answer critical thinking
questions and reflect on their
reading. Refer to the specific
questions on the following page.
AUDIO INTERVIEW
Record an (audio) interview with
one of the characters in the book
you read. Pretend that this
character is being interviewed by
a magazine or newspaper
reporter. Write a script before
taping (you might want to ask
the assistance of a parent or
sibling).
Create a newspaper for your
story. Summarize the plot in
one of your articles. Cover
the weather in another.
Include an editorial (how you
feel about something that
occurred in the book) and a
collection of advertisements
that would be pertinent to
the story. (Maybe you want
to advertise a trip to the
setting or an item used in the
book). Be creative and make
sure it is clear that you have
read the book. Use Microsoft
Publisher. It must be at least
2 pages.
CHARACTER JOURNAL
Write a character diary,
writing at least 5 journal
entries. Each entry should be
1 page (typed, doublespaced).
GUIDED READING QUESTIONS FOR READING JOURNAL
FREAK THE MIGHTY
Directions: Please type your responses for the guided reading questions below.
Chapters 1-4
1) Why is Max given the nickname of Kicker while in day care?
2) What opinion do you think Max has of himself as the story begins?
3) Whom does Max live with? Why?
4) What is Max’s impression of Kevin after their first encounter in front of the duplex?
5) Why is Kevin so interested in King Arthur and the Knights of the Round Table?
Chapters 5-8
1) What is it about Max that startles Gwen when she first sees him?
2) Why does Max feel that everyone thinks it’s a big deal the he looks like his farther?
3) Why is this July 4th special for Max?
4) How do Grim and Gram react to Max’s adventure?
5) How does Kevin change Max’s summer routine?
Chapters 9-12
1) What is the purpose of the next quest for Freak the Mighty?
2) In what way is this quest different from others?
3) What does Freak the Mighty retrieve from the storm drain?
4) What does Kevin explain to Max about quests and a promise?
5) What do Kevin and Max each gain by being Freak the Mighty?
Chapters 13-16
1) By October, how are things going at school for Kevin and Max?
2) How is Max doing with his writing?
3) What is the shape of the box that Kevin has made for Max’s gift? What is the gift?
4) What happens during the night while Grim, Gram and Max are sleeping?
5) Is Max surprised to see his farther?
Chapters 17-20
1) What are Killer Kane’s plans for the future?
2) When Iggy comes the apartment, what does he report to Killer Kane?
3) What does Killer Kane need from Iggy?
4) Why do Max and his father leave the apartment?
5) How does Kevin come to Max’s rescue?
Chapters 21-25
1) Is school different for Freak the Mighty after Christmas vacation?
2) Does Max have to testify in court? Why or why not?
3) How does Kevin define remembering?
4) What does Kevin want Max to do with the book of blank pages?
5) How does Max react to the terrible news?
6) Why does Max finally start to write the story of Freak the Mighty?