May 2016
Dear You!
I am excited to have you in class next year!
This summer, I hope you read for the sheer fun of it, wandering the library to see what “finds
you.” For your summer reading assignment, please do the following:
Choose One:
1a. Read a book of your own choosing, and keep a reading journal, jotting down notes
about scenes, quotes, characters, words you find interesting and why. (See attached guide
sheet.) You must make fifteen entries, and the pages to which you are responding must span
the entire book. Respond every ten pages or so. Cite page numbers in the left column.
OR
1b. See the attached list of recommended books; choose one of these recommended
books and complete the attached questions.
REQUIRED:
Read The Outsiders and answer the attached questions.
Please bring your responses to me during the first week of school; these summer assignments
will constitute your first official grade in my class. We will dive right into discussing these books
and writing about them.
I welcome your questions or ideas this summer as I design our course for next year. Please
feel free to write to me! My e-mail address is: [email protected], and my snail mail
address is:
Mrs. Montgomery
651 W. Ridge Run
Columbia, MO 65203.
May your summer be full of curiosity, beauty, play, rest, and reading! While you’re at it, create
some memories and write about them. I dare you to keep a journal. (There might be a
reward...:))
Eager to know each and every one of you,
Mrs. Montgomery
7th Grade Summer Reading
1. *REQUIRED TEXT: Hinton, S.E. The Outsiders
2. RECOMMENDED TEXTS (Choose One):
Alexie, Sherman. The Absolutely True Diary of a Part-Time Indian
Balliett, Blue. The Calder Game, The Wright III, Chasing Vermeer, or The Danger Box
Christie, Agatha. Murder on the Orient Express
Defoe, Daniel. Robinson Crusoe
Draper, Sharon. Out of My Mind
L’Engle, Madeleine. A Wrinkle in Time
Rawls, Wilson. Where the Red Fern Grows
Weeks, Sarah. So B. It
OR
FREE CHOICE (with reading journal)
Name:
English 7
Mrs. Montgomery
Date:
7th Grade Summer Reading: Free Choice Book / Reading Journal
Title: ________________________________
My Noteworthy Item from Text
(Quote, scene, character, new word,
or other interesting and noteworthy
information and page number)
1.
p. #____
2.
p. #____
3.
p. #____
4.
p. #____
5.
p. #____
6.
p. #____
Author: ___________________________
My Response (Why I find this interesting, troubling,
confusing, important...What I have to say in response
to this, etc.)
My Noteworthy Item from Text
7.
p. #____
8.
p. #____
9.
p. #____
10.
p. #____
11.
p. #____
12.
p. #____
13.
p. #____
14.
p. #____
15.
p. #____
My Response
Name:
English 7
Mrs. Montgomery
Date:
Summer Reading: Recommended Texts
Title of Book, Chosen from List of Recommendations: ____________________________
Author: _________________________
1. What do you think are the main ideas (themes) of the book? What does it try to teach us?
Try to come up with at least three possibilities. (Example: You shouldn’t judge a book by its
cover)
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2. Did you enjoy this book? Why or why not?
____________________________________________________________________________
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3. What is one of your favorite quotes from the book, and why? Record the quote below,
noting who said it and on what page.
____________________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________________
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4. What do you like about this quote? Why is it important?
____________________________________________________________________________
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Name: ___________________
Mrs. Montgomery
English 7
Date: ____________________
Seventh Grade Summer Reading: Written Responses to The Outsiders
After you have read the novel, please write a short paragraph in answer to each of the following
questions. The purpose of this assignment is to give me a snapshot of your current reading and
writing skills in order to help me assess where to start, what skills to develop, and how to best
serve you in 7th grade.
1. What does it mean to “stay gold”?
2. Why would Johnny, of all people, give Ponyboy this advice?
3. Was Johnny “gold”? Explain why or why not.
4. Why did Ponyboy need this advice from Johnny? Be specific.
5. What might “staying gold” look like in Ponyboy’s world?
(more questions on reverse)
6. Why might following Johnny’s advice (“staying gold”) be difficult or risky? Be specific.
7. Why is “staying gold” necessary for Ponyboy’s survival?
8. What is your favorite quote from the book?
9. Did you enjoy this book? Why or why not? Be specific.
Name:
English 7
Mrs. Montgomery
Date:
Bonus Question: What is your favorite book, and why?
Title:
Author:
Why This Book is My Favorite:
____________________________________________________________________________
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