O’Connor, 2013
Hancock Day School 8th Grade Summer Reading Assignment
In order to prepare you for Eighth Grade English Language Arts, this summer you are responsible for reading three novels.
1. Animal Farm by George Orwell
2. Wonder by R. J. Palacio
3. A book of your choice from the list on the back of this page
Additionally you are also required to complete the attached study guide for Animal Farm AND write a four paragraph
character essay on a character from Wonder. I will collect the guide and essay on our first day of school and count these
assignments as our first grade of the quarter. Please see the attached pages for further detail on each of these assignments.
If you have questions or concerns over the summer, I am available via email at [email protected]
I hope that you enjoy the reading assignment, and I look forward to seeing you in August!
Mrs. O’Connor
O’Connor, 2013
Choice Novels
Outcasts United: A Refugee Team, an American Town by Warren St. John
The Omnivore’s Dilemma for Kids: The Secrets Behind What You Eat by Michael Pollan
The Mysterious Benedict Society by Trenton Lee Stewart
Fill Tilt by Neal Shusterman
Feed by MT Anderson
The Great Wide Sea by M H Hurlong
O’Connor, 2013
Study Guide for Animal Farm
When school begins in August, you will be tested over this summer reading book. I will also
collect this study guide and use it as one of our first grades of the first quarter. In addition to being an
important graded assignment, the purpose of this guide is to help you focus your reading of the book
and prepare you for the test. This becomes your study guide; it will not be reviewed or discussed
before the summer reading test. Be sure that you answer these items in such a way that you can study
from them. You may type your answers or write on another sheet of paper so that you have additional
space. Please DO NOT write your responses on this document. Remember that this is a pledged
assignment, and you are responsible for completing your own work. Working with
another student on this assignment is not allowed. Copying information from online
sources or study guides is not allowed. You are responsible for completing your own
work by yourself.
Part One: Character Identification
Identify each character below (To identify means to tell things about the character that will keep him
or her from being confused with anyone else in the story. This can be physical description or
something he/she does. Avoid general terms like “caring” or “good.”)
Napolean
Snowball
Boxer
Squealer
Old Major
Clover
Mollie
Moses
Benjamin
Muriel
Mr. Jones
O’Connor, 2013
Part Two: Extended Response Questions
Answer each question below in several complete sentences. Be sure to answer all portions of all
questions and fully explain your response.
1. What does Old Major say is the problem with the animals’ lives? What do they need to make life
better?
2. What causes the animals to rebel when they do? What is the result of the rebellion?
3. What is the general message of the Seven Commandments, and what is their purpose? How is
each Commandment later changed?
4. Moses the raven speaks of a strange place called Sugar Candy Mountain. What does this place
represent? (HINT- This is an example of symbolism. Remember, symbolism is when a physical
object or character stands for a bigger idea or purpose). Who does Moses the raven represent?
Why do the pigs discourage the animals from believing in Sugar Candy Mountain?
5. How does Napoleon gain control of Animal Farm? What does this suggest about him a ruler?
How does the character Napoleon have a historical connection?
6. What are some of the similarities and differences between Snowball and Napoleon? Which is
better suited to be the leader? If you would like, you can use a venn diagram to answer the first
part of this question.
7. The pigs become the leaders, and the other animals accept them because the pigs are the
cleverest. Should intelligence be the primary qualification for leadership in our society? What
other qualities are important for a leader to have?
8. One of the themes of the novel is that people’s ignorance can contribute to their political and
social oppression. How does the animals’ behavior in the novel support this theme?
9. How does Boxer die? What are the animals told happens to Boxer?
10. What is happening in the last scene of Animal Farm? What do Clover and the other animals
notice? How does this novel represent a “complete return”?
11. What does Napoleon insist so strongly that Snowball is the cause of all the bad things that
happen? Why do you think Napoleon forces the animals to keep working on the windmill, even
after the storm blows it down?
12. Why does Squealer speak of the “readjustment” of rations rather than a “reduction”? Is he lying
to the animals? This technique is considered propaganda. Define that term. How is propaganda
half-false and half-true?
13. What events in this section of the novel suggest that the pigs no longer believe the Seventh
Commandment, “All animals are equal”? How does the change from the beginning of the novel to
the end illustrate the theme that individuals are not treated equally?
O’Connor, 2013
14. After the confessions and executions, Boxer says, “It must be due to some fault in ourselves.”
Do you agree that the animals are somehow to blame for the terrible way the Rebellion has turned
out? Why or why not?
15. Orwell’s style in Animal Farm is usually marked by long paragraphs. In the last chapter,
however, there are two narrative paragraphs that are each only one sentence long. What are these
paragraphs? What is the dramatic effect of their shortness?
O’Connor, 2013
August Pullman Character Analysis Essay – Wonder
In a four paragraph essay, you are responsible for answering the following questions:
Is August Pullman a static or dynamic character? Is he round or flat? What events in the book
lead you to your conclusions?
You should use specific textual support (direct quotes from the novel) in order to support your
response.
Be sure to structure your paper so that you have a clear introductory paragraph with a thesis
statement, two body paragraphs, and a conclusion. Your work will be graded according to the
rubric on the following page.
O’Connor, 2013
Character Essay Rubric
20%-- IDEAS: The degree to which the writer identifies and supports specific character details from the novel.
Each body paragraph should contain at least one direct reference to the novel (can be a direct quote, summary,
or paraphrase). COMPONENTS: Controlling idea/focus, supporting details, detail of relevance, and sense of
completeness
No Command
Sufficient Control
Full Command
0
5
10
15
20
20%-- ORGANIZATION: The degree to which the writer’s ideas are arranged in a clear order that follows
the thesis statement established in the introductory paragraph. COMPONENTS: introductory paragraph with
thesis statement, first point, second point, third point, and conclusion
No Command
Sufficient Control
Full Command
0
5
10
15
20
20%-- STYLE: The degree to which the writer controls his/her language to engage the reader.
COMPONENTS: Word choice, audience awareness, sentence variety, voice
No Command
Sufficient Control
Full Command
0
5
10
15
20
20%-- CONVENTIONS: The degree to which the writer demonstrates control of sentence formation, usage
and mechanics.
No Command
Sufficient Control
Full Command
0
5
10
15
20
20%-- WRITING PROCESS: The degree to which the writer demonstrates mastery of the writing process.
Components—Prewrite, rough draft (with evidence of revision), final draft
No Command
Sufficient Control
Full Command
0
5
10
15
20
TOTAL SCORE:______________
O’Connor, 2013