Springton Lake Middle School
1900 N. Providence Road
Media, Pennsylvania 19063-2493
Telephone 610.627.6500
www.rtmsd.org
James M. Wigo, Sr.
Superintendent of Schools
Robert Salladino, Jr., Ed.D.,
Principal
Donald J. DiPaulo, M.A.
Assistant Principal
Michelle C. Britton, M.Ed.
Assistant Principal
Spring 2017
Dear SLMS Students and Parents:
As the end of the school year draws closer, we hope you’re making plans to enjoy your summer. Our SLMS
Summer Reading List has been designed to help students do all of this, as well as increase the amount of reading
they do in their free time and provide a number of common texts for students and teachers to refer to as mentor texts
throughout next year. Springton Lake’s reading list is not optional: it is required. Activities and lessons will reference
these books, their characters and themes, throughout the school year.
The eighth grade teachers are excited to offer Code Talker, by Joseph Bruchac, as our 8th grade allclass read. This book is a required read for all entering eighth grade students. This book introduces students to
historical fiction through the eyes of unsung heroes during World War II.
In addition, all students are required to read a second book of an appropriate reading level. This book
can be a book of the student’s choosing. The SLMS library website provides a comprehensive list of appropriate
titles for students.
ELA students are also expected to read a third book, The Book Thief, by Markus Zusak, a novel that
centers on the life of Liesel Meminger, a ten to fourteen-year-old in Germany during World War II. Liesel's
experiences are narrated by Death, who describes both the beauty and destruction of life in this era.
Local bookstores will stock copies of each title, and the Middletown and Media-Upper Providence Libraries
will make additional copies of the books available for your use. Families can find an additional suggested list of titles
by genre on the SLMS Library webpage. These are being provided to offer a variety of titles that may be of interest
to students who are looking for additional ideas for other good reads. Should parents prefer that their child not read a
particular title for his/her grade level, parents may opt to have their child read from the additional titles shared on the
website. Parents will need to contact their child’s eighth grade teacher in September, should they choose this option.
At the back of this packet, you will find a summer reading contract. We ask that both students and parents
read the contract, sign it, and return it to your seventh grade language arts teachers by Friday, June 2nd.
REMEMBER:
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Read, sign, and return your summer reading contract by Friday, June 2, 2017.
Read Code Talker and complete a Reader’s Notebook.
Read a second, self-selected and grade-level appropriate title, and complete a Literary
Text Analysis for that title.
ELA students read an additional book and complete a Literary Text Analysis as well.
Enjoy your summer, relax, and READ!
Sincerely,
SLMS Language Arts Department
DedicatedtoExcellence
Grade 8 Summer Reading List 2017
Springton Lake Middle School
Directions:
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Every 8th grader will read the required text, as well as a second, grade-appropriate, selfselected title. ELA students must also read a third book, listed below.
While reading each book, use your note-taking strategies to Stop & Jot.
For Code Talkers, you must keep a reading journal. Track your notes in a notebook
divided into three sections, one for each writing prompt (see attached). You be required
to write about these topics when you arrive in 8th grade.
For all other books, you should complete a Literary Text Analysis Form (see attached).
If your parent/guardian also reads a book, record their reactions on the parent interview
form.
An optional list is also provided with many suggestions for exciting summer reading in a
variety of genres.
Students entering Enhanced Language Arts are strongly encouraged to select a work
from one of the authors on the list following the required titles.
All Incoming Eighth Graders MUST Read the Following Title:
Bruchac, Joseph. Code Talkers. New York: Penguin, 2005.
Throughout World War II, in the conflict fought against Japan, Navajo code talkers were a crucial
part of the U.S. effort, sending messages back and forth in an unbreakable code that used their
native language. They braved some of the heaviest fighting of the war, and with their code, they
saved countless American lives. Yet their story remained classified for more than twenty years.
But now Joseph Bruchac brings their stories to life for young adults through the riveting fictional
tale of Ned Begay, a sixteen-year-old Navajo boy who becomes a code talker. His grueling journey
is eye-opening and inspiring. This deeply affecting novel honors all of those young men, like Ned,
who dared to serve, and it honors the culture and language of the Navajo.
All Incoming ELA 8th Graders
Must ALSO Read the Following Title:
Zusak, Markus. The Book Thief. New York: Alfred A. Knopf, 2007.
After her brother's death, Liesel arrives in a distraught state at the home of her new foster
parents, Hans and Rosa Hubermann. During her time there, she is exposed to the horror of the
Nazi regime and struggles to find a way to the innocence of her childhood in the midst of her
destructive surroundings. As the political situation in Germany deteriorates, her foster parents
hide a Jewish man, named Max, putting the family in danger. Hans, who has developed a close
relationship with Liesel, teaches her to read in secret. Recognizing the power of writing and
sharing the written word, Liesel begins to not only steal books the Nazi party is looking to
destroy, but also write her own stories and share the power of language with Max.
DedicatedtoExcellence
Suggested Authors for Self-Selected Summer Reading:
Students seeking a more challenging reading may select a title from one of these authors. While
these authors’ works are considered classics in English and American literature, care should be
used when selecting titles from this list, as some of the works are intended for an older audience.
The student will need to fill out a Literary Text Analysis worksheet for this title as well.
Jack London
John Steinbeck
Mark Twain
Zane Grey
Maya Angelou
Ernest Hemingway
Amy Tan
Richard Wright
Barbara Kingsolver
Robert Heinlein
Isaac Asimov
Ray Bradbury
Edgar Rice Burroughs
Joseph Conrad
Charles Dickens
Juan Ramon Jimenez
H.G. Wells
Agatha Christie
Robert Louis Stevenson
DedicatedtoExcellence
Code Talkers Writing Prompts
Directions: While reading Code Talkers, track information related to each of the writing
prompts below in your notebook. Be prepared to answer all three questions. Divide your
notebook into three sections, one for each question. Be sure to use the note-taking strategy you
learned last year of “stopping and jotting” as you read. Specifically, gather textual evidence to
support your answer to each question. You will be able to use these notes to answer these
questions on a writing assessment when you return to school in September.
1. Ned survives both the hardship of boarding school and the trauma of war. How is Ned
able to get through these difficulties? Which of his personal qualities do you think help
him most during these hard times?
2. In Code Talkers, the character Ned Begay is telling his grandchildren the story of his time
spent as a Marine in WWII. How do you think Ned’s grandchildren would feel about
their grandfather after hearing about his experiences? What do you think is the most
important lesson that Ned’s grandchildren might learn from his story?
3. Ned carries a pouch of corn pollen with him. What does this pouch mean to Ned, and
how does he use it? Why is it important?
DedicatedtoExcellence
Literary Text Analysis For__________________
Title of Book:____________________________________
Name______________________________________
Author:_________________________# of pages:______
Point of View Story is told from 1st, 2nd, or 3rd.
Protagonist:_____________________________________
Antagonist:_________________________________
How does the setting impact the story:_______________________________________________________________
Author’s Purpose: Let’s think about what the author intended when writing this
novel. The categories below will assist you with this task.
CONFLICT: Name the type and describe in no more than 5 sentences the major conflict that the protagonist
faces. How does the antagonist complicate the conflict with the protagonist?
CHARACTER GROWTH: What changes in character did the protagonist go through? Antagonist? Explain
what they were like at the beginning of the novel and how they changed by the end. Give specific text
evidence from the story to support how the characters grew from the beginning to the end of the book.
THEME: Identify the theme of the story. (What was the message or lesson the author wanted to convey?)
How does the author show the development of the theme? Give text evidence from the beginning, middle and
end.
Theme:________________________________________________________________________________________________
Beginning:___________________________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________________________________
Middle:______________________________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________________________________
End:_________________________________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________________________________
DedicatedtoExcellence
FIGURATIVE LANGUAGE: Give an example of figurative language used in the novel (simile,
metaphor, hyperbole, personification, alliteration, onomatopoeia). You could also give an example
of imagery. Detail how the use of figurative language or imagery enhances the reader’s
understanding of the novel.
_____________________________________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________________________________
My Reaction: How was the author able to connect to me as a
reader? The categories below will assist you with this task.
Personal Connection: The connection I made with this novel is: text to self, world, text, or media.
Give specific details on your connection in about 5 sentences.
_____________________________________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________________________________
RATING: Rate this book on a scale of 1 to 10. What qualities of a good book does this novel
demonstrate or not demonstrate? Why did you give this rating? Who would enjoy this book?
_____________________________________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________________________________
DedicatedtoExcellence
Literary Text Analysis For__________________
Title of Book:____________________________________
Name______________________________________
Author:_________________________# of pages:______
Point of View Story is told from 1st, 2nd, or 3rd.
Protagonist:_____________________________________
Antagonist:_________________________________
How does the setting impact the story:_______________________________________________________________
Author’s Purpose: Let’s think about what the author intended when writing this
novel. The categories below will assist you with this task.
CONFLICT: Name the type and describe in no more than 5 sentences the major conflict that the protagonist
faces. How does the antagonist complicate the conflict with the protagonist?
CHARACTER GROWTH: What changes in character did the protagonist go through? Antagonist? Explain
what they were like at the beginning of the novel and how they changed by the end. Give specific text
evidence from the story to support how the characters grew from the beginning to the end of the book.
THEME: Identify the theme of the story. (What was the message or lesson the author wanted to convey?)
How does the author show the development of the theme? Give text evidence from the beginning, middle and
end.
Theme:________________________________________________________________________________________________
Beginning:___________________________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________________________________
Middle:______________________________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________________________________
End:_________________________________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________________________________
DedicatedtoExcellence
FIGURATIVE LANGUAGE: Give an example of figurative language used in the novel (simile,
metaphor, hyperbole, personification, alliteration, onomatopoeia). You could also give an example
of imagery. Detail how the use of figurative language or imagery enhances the reader’s
understanding of the novel.
_____________________________________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________________________________
My Reaction: How was the author able to connect to me as a
reader? The categories below will assist you with this task.
Personal Connection: The connection I made with this novel is: text to self, world, text, or media.
Give specific details on your connection in about 5 sentences.
_____________________________________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________________________________
RATING: Rate this book on a scale of 1 to 10. What qualities of a good book does this novel
demonstrate or not demonstrate? Why did you give this rating? Who would enjoy this book?
_____________________________________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________________________________
DedicatedtoExcellence
Summer Reading Contract - 2017
Grade 8
I have read the summer reading letter and understand that I am expected to:
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•
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•
•
Read the required titles.
Complete a Reader’s Notebook for the required text.
Read a second, grade-level-appropriate self-selected title.
Complete a Literary Text Analysis for the second title.
ELA students should read an additional required text and complete a Literary Text Analysis.
____________________________
(Student Signature)
____________________________
(Student Name Printed)
I have read the summer reading letter and understand that my child is responsible for
completing the following for the Summer Reading Program at Springton Lake Middle
School:
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•
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Read the required titles.
Complete a Reader’s Notebook for the required text.
Read a second, grade-level-appropriate self-selected title.
Complete a Literary Text Analysis for the second title.
ELA students should read an additional required text and complete a Literary Text Analysis.
____________________________
(Parent Signature)
____________________________
(Parent Name Printed)
Please return this summer reading contract to your
Language Arts Teacher
by Friday, June 2, 2017
DedicatedtoExcellence