6 - 8th Grade Summer Reading Assignment 2014-2015
OPTION 4: The book was better
DIRECTIONS: Select a novel that has been adapted for film, answer the reflection questions, and
complete the attached graphic organizer. PREVIEW THE QUESTIONS IN STEP 3 AND ON THE CHART
BEFORE YOU BEGIN READING OR WATCH THE FILM.
DUE ON THE 1ST DAY OF SCHOOL: Bring your annotated summer reading book, your typed response,
and the completed chart.
STEP 1: Read one of the novels listed below:
Bridge to Terabithia
Charlie and the Chocolate Factory
Chronicles of Narnia
Divergent
Divine Secrets of the Ya-Ya Sisterhood
Dune
Ender’s Game
Harry Potter
Holes
I, Robot
Marley & Me
Eat, Pray, Love
Paterson
Dahl
Lewis
Roth
Wells
Herbert
Card
Rowling
Sachar
Asimov
Grogan
Gilbert
Percy Jackson Series
The Secret Life of Bees
Shoeless Joe (Field of Dreams)
Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants
The Book Thief
The City of Ember
The Golden Compass
The Hunger Games
The Life of Pi
The Maze Runner
The Notebook
Tuck Everlasting
Riordan
Kidd
Kinsella
Brashares
Zusak
DuPrau
Pullman
Collins
Martel
Dashner
Sparks
Babbit
* This is just a partial list of some options you might choose. If you select one that is not from this list, please make sure that it is school
appropriate. You may NOT select the same books you read this year for summer reading in subsequent years.
STEP 2:
While reading, keep track of the following elements in the story by writing notes in your book. If you
can, use a four-color pen to identify them.
∆
= Change
GREEN Characters: Who are the important characters in the story?
=
= Equals
What words does the author use to describe them?
≈
= Similar
How do the characters grow or change? (draw a ∆ in the margins)
BLACK
Setting:
Where does the story take place?
Plot:
What important events take place?
Vocabulary: Whenever you see a word you don’t know, draw a box around it.
BLUE
Connection: Does anything remind you of an event from another story, historic
event, or one from your own life?
RED
Reaction:
STEP 3:
How do you feel about the story while reading? Use the symbols
in the box to record your reaction in the page margins.


♥
OMG
LOL
?
!
=
=
=
=
=
=
=
Happy
Sad
Love
Shock
Funny
Confused
Angry
Briefly answer the following questions in typed or handwritten complete sentences.
THIS IS NOT THE ESSAY, nor do you have to write lengthy paragraph responses.
1. Who is the main character of your novel? What traits does this character have? Why are these qualities
important to the story? How do these traits change throughout the story?
2. How does the setting affect the story?
3. What is the main character’s goal or desire? Does he or she achieve it? What obstacles stand in the way?
STEP 4:
Complete the graphic organizer on the following page: provide examples and page numbers from
both the beginning and the end of the novel.
BOOK
MOVIE
How are
characters
portrayed?
Who are the main characters? What are their
traits and roles?
Does the movie have the same characters? Do
they have similar traits and roles? Why the
differences? How does the casting of some
actors add or detract from the story?
How is setting
established?
How does the novel portray the time and
place of the story? What words does the
author use to establish an atmosphere?
What visual elements does the director use to
establish time and setting? Why does the
movie add elements or why are some missing?
How is conflict
created?
What obstacles do the characters encounter?
How much time passes between minor
conflicts? How do the characters overcome
obstacles?
What obstacles does the movie focus on?
What obstacles exist in the movie that did not
exist in the book? How does this change the
story?
What elements
add to the
suspense ?
How does the author make you want to keep
What can the movie do to create suspense
reading? What elements capture your interest that a book cannot? How does the director
and make you curious for more?
use images and sounds to enhance the mood?