KRCS Summer Reading 2016-17
Sixth Grade
Required English Title: The Boy in the Striped Pajamas, by John Boyne ISBN # 978-0385751537
Choice Novel (choose one):
Little Women, Louisa May Alcott
Sounder, William H. Armstrong
Peter Pan, JM Barrie
The Hound of the Baskervilles, Sir Arthur Conan Doyle
My Side of the Mountain, Jean George
The Phantom Tollbooth, Norton Juster
A Wrinkle in Time, Madeleine L’Engle
Any Chronicles of Narnia series, CS Lewis
Any Space Trilogy series, CS Lewis
Any Anne of Green Gables series, LM Montgomery
Mrs. Frisby and the Rats of Nimh, Robert O’Brien
Any Lightning Thief series, Rick Riordan
Lizzy Bright and the Buckminster Boy, Gary Schmidt
The sixth grade reading requirement has a two-fold purpose. The selected novels are intended not only to
introduce students to literary classics but also to encourage life-long reading. In order to prepare for class
discussion, students are encouraged to think critically as they read. Active readers should jot down notes and
highlight text while reading. Keep in mind that a well-read book looks like a well-read book! For each of the
required novels, a directed reading guide has been provided. These questions not only highlight significant
content, but they also encourage higher-level thinking skills. By using the guides, students will read with more
purpose, have a deeper understanding of the novels, engage more meaningfully in class discussions, and be
more prepared for writing assignments. Students should bring to class any notes they take over the novels.
Following each required title is an ISBN number that will be located above the barcode on the book.
Purchasing this edition will facilitate class discussion of specific passages and ensure that everyone has the
same pagination. If the specific edition listed below is not available, please use any unabridged version of
the title. Should you have further questions about editions, please contact the English Department Chair, Stacy
Volz, [email protected] .
Students who are enrolled by July 5th are expected to read the required and the optional novels. Students who
enroll after July 5th but before July 25th should read the required selection, The Boy in the Striped Pajamas.
Students who enroll after July 25th are strongly encouraged to read the required selection and can contact
Stacy Volz, English Department Chair, to make individual arrangements.
Have an enjoyable and restful summer – and enjoy your reading! We look forward to seeing you in August.
KRCS English Department
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KRCS Summer Reading 2016-17
Sixth Grade
Directed Reading
Required Novel:
The Boy in the Striped Pajamas, by John Boyne
ISBN # 978-0385751537
1. This book is set during WW2 in Germany, when Nazism was strong and “undesirable” people were sent
away to work camps. Readers experience this time period from Bruno’s perspective. Describe Bruno’s
perspective on what’s happening in his country and what influences it throughout the book.
2. Bruno calls people and places by “nicknames” according to how he hears them pronounced. Why do
you think the author uses these “nicknames”? What are the historical names these “nicknames” are
substituting?
3. Many people have opinions about the Commandant’s job and the family’s move to Out-With. What are
the opinions of these characters?
a. Bruno
b. Bruno’s grandmother
c. Maria
d. Bruno’s mother
e. The Fury
4. What are some differences between Bruno and Gretel’s homes and lives in Berlin and in Out-With?
5. Bruno has a unique relationship with Maria. Describe his relationship with her and compare it to how
others interact with her.
6. What is surprising to Bruno about his interactions with Pavel? Why does his mother respond to Pavel’s
help the way she does?
7. Describe Lieutenant Kotler. What are his positive character traits and what are his negative ones?
8. What is similar about Bruno and Shmuel’s circumstances in moving to Out-With? What is different?
What about their living situations?
9. Describe what happens between Shmuel and Bruno when Shmuel is at Bruno’s house. What changes
their relationship? How is their relationship altered?
“You wear the right outfit and you feel like the person you’re pretending to be.” Who said this, and what did
he or she mean by it? How does this idea play into the theme or main message of the book?
Choice Novel
Strong characters are the driving force behind novels; their personality, choices, and interactions with one
another shape the course of the story. For your choice novel, select two characters from your book and
complete the following questions. (Note** Be sure to select major characters in order to be able to describe
them in detail!)
1. What are your character’s positive traits (things that you admire or like about them)?
2. What are your character’s negative traits (things that you don’t like or that hold them back)?
3. Describe in detail a time when your character had to make a choice. What was the situation, what
were the possible choices they could have made, and what did they finally decide? Did you agree with
their decision?
4. Describe a different time in the story when your character influenced another character (made a
difference in the way they saw the world). Did their influence help or harm?
5. Describe a positive or strong relationship your character has. What makes it a good relationship?
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6. Describe a negative or weak relationship your character has. What makes it a bad relationship?
7. If you could change one trait of your character’s, what would it be? If you could borrow one trait from
them, what would it be? Why?
8. Sixth grade is an exciting and challenging year! Describe a lesson you learned from this character that
might help you navigate the sixth grade.
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