th​
WHITE​
Summer Reading: Incoming 8​
Grade Language Arts Google Classroom Code: i5c67t6 The intention of summer reading is to keep your mind engaged over the months while you are not in school. Reading is a pleasurable activity, one that you can enjoy leisurely over the summer months. This summer’s reading program is built around choice. The goal is for you to be reading through the entire summer, so feel free to read as many off this list as you please! When selecting a book, take some time to be sure you have a book that is appropriate for you. Read the first page or two to see if the vocabulary seems to be at the right level. Although the assignment is not overly difficult, there is a lot of information and directions to be followed. Please do not lose any of these sheets. Grades for the summer reading will be applied to your first quarter grade. It’s not a good idea to start off in a hole – getting out of it won’t be easy. If you or your parents have questions or concerns, please contact one of the following 8th grade language arts teachers: ­ Mrs. Ball: [email protected] ­ Mrs. Richardson: [email protected] ­ Ms. Schultz: [email protected] These email addresses are for ​
QUESTIONS ONLY​
. Assignments are NOT to be sent to these email addresses. If you submit your assignment electronically, it will be through Google Classroom. Expectations: 1.) Read a book from the list that is provided. The list is organized by genre. Try to be adventurous! You are to read a book that is new to you – a book that you have not read in the past. 2.) Complete three (3) items from the list of questions (descriptions on following pages) for your book by August 8. a. Create a heading for the assignment on the document itself, whether you are typing or handwriting it: i. First and last name ii. Title (underlined) and Author of book iii. WHITE Summer Reading b. If typing your assignments, you are to follow these requirements: i. Font size 12 ii. Times New Roman iii. Double­spaced iv. One­inch margins c. If hand­writing your assignments, you are to follow these requirements: i. Write legibly. ii. Use blue or black ink or pencil. iii. Observe the margins. iv. Write on the front of the page only. SUBMITTING YOUR WORK Your assignment should be turned in by ​
Monday, August 8​
in ONE of the following ways. Do not submit your work more than once. ­ If you have access to the internet from home, you should submit your assignment through Google Classroom. Google Classroom The code you will use to join this classroom is i5c67t6 ­
If you are handwriting your assignment, you may submit your work through snail mail or by dropping it off in the office at the middle school. Snail Mail Fold the assignment neatly in an envelope, seal it, and put the appropriate postage on it. When you address the envelope, it is your responsibility to write it neatly and correctly. Include a return address. No blame will be put on the U.S. Postal Service for envelopes that don’t make it to the school. Address the envelope as follows: New Richmond Middle School Attn: Summer Reading 1135 Bethel­New Richmond Rd. New Richmond, OH 45157 ​
Drop Off If you are dropping off your assignment, you need to come to the building between the hours of 8:00 am and 3:00 pm. Put the assignment in the box labeled “Summer Reading” in the main office. If the office is locked, locate a custodian to help you. ●
Review all the choices prior to reading each book.​
Knowing what questions will be asked will help you keep an eye out for possible answers. You should take notes while you read to help you create your answers once you finish the book. If the book is yours, annotate in the margins like you’ve been practicing. If you are borrowing, you could use sticky notes or write on a separate sheet of paper. ●
On the following pages is a list of all the questions you might choose to answer about the book you read. Your response should be a well­developed ​
paragraph​
. That means it should have a topic sentence that is followed by multiple sentences that support and describe your ideas. Proofread your writing before submitting it. We have to be able to make meaning out of the words you write. ●
There are multiple questions listed for each item. You are not simply answering those questions in a listed fashion. You are to use those questions as a guide for creating a paragraph. Of the following choices, you MUST pick three (3) to respond to for your book. Remember that your response should be written as a paragraph with a topic sentence and supporting details and explanations. 1. Write a paragraph describing one of the main characters. Explain what the person is like, both physically and his/her personality. Give examples from the story of what the character says or does that shows what he/she is like. 2. Write a paragraph that discusses setting. Describe the setting of the story (remember that setting is both time and place). What clues were you given as to the setting? How was the setting important to the events of the story? 3. Write a paragraph that reviews the book. This is a paragraph that shows your ​
opinion ​
of the novel as a whole. Did you like it or not? Support with specific examples from the story. Focus on WHY you feel the way you do about the story. 4. Write a paragraph that discusses conflict. What are the major conflicts in the story? Which characters are involved? How do the conflicts help the story move forward? 5. Write a paragraph that discusses the climax. Describe what happens during the climax. How do you know that is the climax? (Use the events that lead to and that happen after to prove you have identified the climax.) 6. Write a paragraph that discusses the resolution. How does the author resolve the book? Were you satisfied with how it was resolved? Why or why not? What would you have liked to see instead if you were unhappy? 7. Write a paragraph about the title. Authors spend a lot of time deciding on their titles. What is the significance of the title? Discuss why the author chose this title instead of something different. How did your ideas about the title change as you got further into the story? 8. Write a paragraph about one major event. Pick one of the major events that occurs during the rising action. Describe the event in detail. Explain what its importance is to the whole story. How might the story have been different if this event had been different? As you create your answers to the questions, be sure you are being thoughtful and thorough. As long as you are doing this, and being sure to focus on the questions being asked, you will be on the right track. Also remember to proofread your answers.​
Be sure what you wrote is what you meant, that your sentences are constructed in such a way that meaning can easily be made out of your ideas. Check for editing issues as well: capitalization, spelling, punctuation, etc. POSSIBLE BOOKS TO READ You will not need to bring the books to class when school begins. Therefore, you have some choice in how you read. If you have a tablet for reading you are welcome to acquire the books that way. You can order the books from an online source like amazon.com if you wish. You can purchase them from a store, but we would recommend calling first to find out if titles are available (if they aren’t, they might be able to order them for you). You can also check with the local library. Even if your branch doesn’t have the title you are looking for, they can transfer books between branches. ​
However you choose to get your books, be proactive. Don’t wait until the last minute. HISTORICAL FICTION HORROR/SUSPENSE Island of the Blue Dolphins​
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by Scott O'Dell The Mystery of Rascal Pratt​
by Robbie Scott and Gary Cianciarulo On the Wings of Heroes​
by Richard Peck The Earth Dragon Awakes​
by Laurence Yep Keeping Score​
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by Linda Sue Park Al Capone Does My Shirts ​
by Gennifer Choldenko
Kit’s Wilderness ​
by David Almond The Chronicles of Vladimir Tod: Eighth Grade Bites​
by Heather Brewer HUMOR The Canning​
Season​
by Polly Horvath The Pepins and Their Problems​
by Polly Horvath Circle of Doom​
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by Tim Kennemore The Not­Just­Anybody Family​
by Betsy Byars FANTASY/SCIENCE FICTION The Emerald Wand of Oz​
by Sherwood Smith The Five Ancestors: Snake​
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by Jeff Stone The Scarecrow and His Servant​
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by Philip Pullman Skellig​
by David Almond The Winter Room​
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by Gary Paulsen NONFICTION Gorilla Doctors: Saving Endangered Great Apes by Pamela S. Turner Babe Didrikson Zaharias: The Making of a Champion​
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by Russell Freedman A Hot Planet Needs Cool Kids: Understanding Climate Change and What You Can Do About It​
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by Julie Hall Hurricane Force: In the Path of America’s Deadliest Storms​
by Joseph B. Treaster MYSTERY From the Mixed­Up Files of Mrs. Basil E. Frankweiler​
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by E.L. Konigsburg The Homework Machine ​
by Dan Gutman Spy Force Mission: In Search of the Time and Space Machine​
by Deborah Abela Edgar & Ellen Under Town ​
by Charles Ogden ​
The Missing ‘Gator of Gumbo Limbo: An Eco Mystery​
by Jean Craighead George The Westing Game b
​y Ellen Raskin Theodore Boone: Kid Lawyer ​
by John Grisham Zach’s Lie ​
by Roland Smith Found ​
by Margaret Peterson Haddix (This is part of a series) REALISTIC FICTION Homeless Bird ​
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by Gloria Whelan The Liberation of Gabriel King ​
by K.L. Goingsburg No Talking ​
by Andrew Clements ​
The View From Saturday​
by E.L. Konigsburg Sadako and the Thousand Paper Cranes ​
by Eleanor Coerr Do the Funky Pickle ​
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by Jerry Spinelli Sahara Special ​
by Esme Codell Guitar Boy​
by MJ Auch Changes in Latitudes ​
by Will Hobbs Absolutely Normal Chaos ​
by Sharon Creech ACTION/ADVENTURE SPORTS I Am the Ice Worm ​
by MaryAnn Easley The Contest: Everest #1​
by Gordon Korman Booked b
​y Kwame Alexander The Crossover ​
by Kwame Alexander Pop ​
by Gordon Korman QB 1​
by Mike Lupica