CHRISTIAN ACADEMY MIDDLE SCHOOL SUMMER READING 2013
1) All students entering grades 6, 7, and 8 are required to read a minimum of 2 books this summer.
2) BOOK ONE is a book of choice. Students have expressed a desire to read a book “just for fun” or
one of a particular series they enjoy. For this reason, for the first book of summer reading students
may choose to read any book they wish, provided they have parental approval, so long as it falls within
generally accepted guidelines of what is appropriate for Christian students to read and is on grade
level. If there is any question about a book, please contact me prior to the reading the book.
3) BOOK TWO is to be selected from the ATTACHED BOOK LIST.
4) Following are the minimum reading requirements for each grade level:
~ 1 book of choice (as outlined above)
~ 1 book from book list
5) EXTRA CREDIT OPPORTUNITIES:
At Christian Academy we understand the importance of reading for enjoyment and want to
encourage it. Because of this, we want the students to take advantage of the chance to earn extra
credit. Students may choose to read (and do the written response) on more books than those that
are required. The extra credit book(s) must come from the BOOK LIST. Students may earn up
to a 100 as a quiz grade for each additional book read. However, they must complete the
personal response completely and thoroughly for each extra credit book to receive full credit.
Please note, however, that ONLY BOOKS FROM THE LIST MAY BE READ FOR EXTRA
CREDIT.
6) Written requirements for each book:
Prepare a PERSONAL RESPONSE to the book, following all guidelines provided on the
following PERSONAL RESPONSE GUIDELINES.
7) Due dates for summer reading/writing:
a) ALL reading and written assignments are to be completed and handed in NOT LATER
THAN MONDAY, AUGUST 26, 2013.
b) A completed, signed (by student and parent) Student/Parent Acknowledgement Form must
be submitted with the written assignments.
c) Written assignments will not be accepted unless they are accompanied by
Student/Parent Acknowledgement Form.
d) Each day that the assignment is late, the student grade will be reduced by 5 points.
8) Each student is expected to:
~ completely read (cover to cover) the selected books—in their original, full version
(no abridged or “junior” editions)
~ do his/her own work, entirely,
~ use NO OUTSIDE SOURCES in the written portion of this project.
STUDENT/PARENT ACKNOWLEDGEMENT OF SUMMER READING
The signatures below indicate the following:
I understand the requirements of summer reading for my student who is in the Christian
Academy Middle School Language Arts Program. My student will turn in this form and the
personal response written assignment required for each book to his/her teacher by MONDAY,
AUGUST 26, 2013
I approve of my student’s novel choices for participation in the Summer Reading Program.
STUDENT’S NAME (please print):__________________________________________
1) Book of Choice:________________________________________________________
Number of Pages in Book:______________Number of Pages Read:___________
2) Selected book from reading list:__________________________________________
Number of Pages in Book:______________Number of Pages Read:___________
3) Extra Credit Book # 1(Optional)_________________________________________
Number of pages in Book:______________Number of Pages Read:___________
(If more books are read for extra credit, please continue list on the bottom of this page.)
My student has read (cover-to-cover, in their original, full versions--not “junior editions”) and
has completed the requirements for all books listed above. When I sign below, I know my
student has read the entire text of each book listed since June 6, 2013 (and he/she had not read
the book previously). I also know that he/she has completed the Personal Response, following the
guidelines enclosed with this form.
As a parent/guardian, I verify that this was done with my knowledge and approval.
Parent/Guardian Name (please print):_________________________________________
Parent/Guardian Signature:_________________________________________________
Parent/Guardian Phone Number:_______________Email_________________________
________________________________________________________________________________
Student’s Name:__________________________________________________________
Student’s Signature:_______________________________________________________
PERSONAL RESPONSE TO SUMMER READING BOOKS
For each of the books you read this summer, you are to prepare a personal response, which is YOUR
OWN response to the book after you have finished reading it. There are a variety of things you may
discuss in this response, but only one of these is required. It is the Biblical Integration portion of
the response. It is outlined below and is starred so that you will know that it is the only required
portion. Make sure you include this section. All other responses are just suggestions and are not
required but are there to help you with your response. The paper is to be your own reflections about
the book.
1) The way you feel about a particular character: Could you identify with the character? with
some of his/her problems/struggles? Do you know anyone who is like this person? who has similar
“issues”? How did you see the character change throughout the course of the novel? Does his/her
character seem “believable” to you? Why or why not? Give some specific details.
2) The way you feel about the development of the plot: Is it believable? Is there suspense? Give
specifics. Are there unexpected “twists”? Explain. Is there foreshadowing? Explain. Did the ending
of the book surprise you? Explain why you do or do not think this was a good ending. How might you
have ended it differently?
3) The way you feel about the language of the book: Was it easy to read? challenging? If
challenging, did it become more “readable” as you progressed through the book? Was there a
particular dialect used? Were some sections of the book particularly descriptive? Give examples. Did
the author sometimes make you feel as if you were “right there” with the characters?
4) The way you feel about the setting: Was the specific setting (time/ place/ etc.) necessary for the
story to be effective/believable? Why is this so? Could the same story have taken place in a different
part of the country/world? What might have been the effect if it had? Explain.
5) The way you feel about any main ideas/themes presented in the book: What message is the
author trying to get across? How does he/she do this? Do you agree with his/her message? Do you
think he/she does a good job of causing the reader to think about specific issues/problems, etc.? Does
the book cause you to “think”? What about? Does your view on any subject(s) change at all as a
result of reading the book? Explain.
****YOU HAVE TO INCLUDE THE FOLLOWING IN YOUR PERSONAL RESPONSE:
Identify at least one Christian ideal/biblical principle presented in the book. How was this
presented in the book? Discuss. FOR EXAMPLE:
(1) If a character lies to others and then gets caught and suffers consequences for his
actions, this would be an example of the biblical principle that teaches we are not to lie. In that
case, you would just need to explain the specific occurrences and then tell why/how this show a
biblical principle.
(2) If a character always obeys and honors his/her mother, no matter what the situation,
this would be an example of the biblical principle that teaches children are to honor/obey their
parents. In that case you would just need to explain why this character is seen as obedient
(giving specific examples) and indicate that the biblical principle being shown is that of honoring
one’s parents.
FOLLOWING ARE THE SPECIFIC FORMAT REQUIREMENTS FOR YOUR PERSONAL
RESPONSE:
1) Your response should be AT LEAST 1 FULL PAGE, typed double-spaced, in 12 point Arial, with
1 inch margins on top, bottom, and sides.
2) Your paper should demonstrate CORRECT WRITING FORMAT. This will include:
~introductory paragraph (at least 5-7 sentences in each paragraph)
~a body paragraph (although you will probably need more than one paragraph)
~concluding paragraph
(I strongly suggest that you prepare an outline for your paper before writing it.
This will help you to include all your main ideas and to organize them well before you begin to write.)
3) You should carefully edit your paper. Check for:
~Sound sentences (No run-on sentences or sentence fragments).
~Correct spelling
~Correct usage of commas and other forms of punctuation
~Paragraph length (5-7 sentences)
TO SUM IT UP-STUDENTS SHOULD HAVE THE FOLLOWING
ITEMS TO HAND IN ON MONDAY, AUGUST 26, 2013
1) Completed and signed (by both student and parent) Student/Parent Acknowledgement
2) Personal Response for Book of Choice
3) Personal Response for Book from List
Additionally: Personal Response(s) for any EXTRA CREDIT
reading if you have chosen to do so.
If there are questions or concerns about any part of this project, please feel free to contact me (Mrs.
Kathy Eckert) by email at [email protected]. I will be happy to answer any
questions or concerns that you or your student may have. You can also contact Mrs. Lea Ann Williams
at [email protected].
Have a wonderful, safe and blessed summer, read some good books, and I’ll look forward to seeing
you (and your responses ) NEXT (SCHOOL) YEAR!!!
MIDDLE SCHOOL REQUIRED BOOK LIST FOR SUMMER READING
(best read in order)
Adamson
Born Free
Alcorn, Randy
Safely Home
Alcott
Little Women
Anderson, Laurie
Halse
Fever
Asimov
The Fantastic Voyage
Avi
Nothing but the Truth
Crispin Series
Captain Grey
Babbitt
Tuck Everlasting
Brashares, Ann
The Sisterhood of the
Traveling Pants Series
Gray, Elizabeth
Adam of the Road
Haddix, Margaret P. Among the Hidden Series
Running out of Time
Double Identity
Just Ella
Hamilton, Bethany
Soul Surfer
Herlong , M.H.
The Great Wide Sea
Hesse
Out of the Dust
Howowitz, Anthony Alex Rider Series
Gatekeepers Series
Juster, Norton
The Phantom Tollbooth
Kessler, Liz
The Tail of Emily
Windsnap Series
Brink, Carol Ryrie
Caddie Woodlawn
Card, Orson Scott
Ender’s Game Series
Kipling, Rudyard
The Jungle Book
Clancy,Tom
Net Force Series
LaHaye, Tim
Left Behind Series
Clements, Andrew
Things Not Seen
Lewis
Conde, Ally
The Matched Series
The Chronicles
of Narnia Series
Craighead George
Other Side of the
Mountain
Lowry, Lois
A Summer to Die
Autumn Street
Ellison
Invisible Man
Lore, Pitticus
I am Number 4 Series
Forbes
Johnny Tremain
Marshall
Christy
Funke, Cornelia
Inkheart Series
McSwigan, Marie
Snow Treasure
Gibson, Althea
I Always Wanted
to be Somebody
Miller, Sarah
Miss Spitfire: Reaching
Helen Keller
Gibson, William
The Miracle Worker
Monk Kid
The Secret Life of Bees
Gilbreth
Cheaper by the Dozen
Meyer, Stephanie
The Host
**(only this book by this author)
Grant, Michael
Gone Series
Northrop, Michael
Trapped
(not the children’s version)
Paolin, Christopher The Eragon Series
Paterson
Jacob Have I Loved
Patterson, James
Maximum Ride Series
Pearson, Mary E
The Adoration
of Jenna Fox
Pfeffer, Susan
Life as We Knew It Series
Reid Banks
The Indian in the
Cupboard
Riordan, Rick
Percy Jackson Series
The Red Pyramid Series
Roth, Veronica
Divergent Series
Saraillier, Ian
Escape from Warsaw
Sheldon
In His Steps
Shusterman, Neal
Antsy Does Time
Smith, Sherri L
Flygirl
Smith
A Tree Grows in Brooklyn
Spinelli
Manic McGee
Star Girl
ten Boom
The Hiding Place
Verne
20,000 Leagues under
the Sea
Around the World in
Eighty Days
Journey to the Center
of the Earth
Wells
The Time Machine
War of the World
Wilkerson
The Cross and
the Switchblade