St. George’s Episcopal School
2016 Summer Reading List for Students Entering Seventh Grade
Welcome to summer! You are required to read three books for your summer reading: one selected
by me, and two from a list of choices. Select books that you have NOT previously read.
Please have your parents approve your book choices.
PARENTS PLEASE NOTE: Sometimes parents are caught off guard by questions summer reading
books might draw out of their children. In an effort to lessen the chance of surprises, I have made a
note of books that are reviewed by a website called Common Sense Media. This site features an age
rating that reflects the site’s recommendation for the earliest age that the content of the book is
appropriate. This rating is based on CONTENT ONLY, not on reading level.
Because each child and family are different, and because some of the books may contain
strong language, violence, or mature content or themes, I encourage you to check the site
before choosing your books for the summer; it offers detail about material you may want to be
aware of before your kids read. Please visit their website at www.commonsensemedia.org.
All summer reading responses are due on THURSDAY, AUGUST 18, 2016.
1. Required: The Giver by Lois Lowry.
Assessment: As you read The Giver, keep a reader’s journal. Your journal may be handwritten or
typed.
 After every chapter, write a summary of no more than 75 words per chapter.
 Identify examples of passages that establish or show development of Jonas’ character—
what he looks like, what he is afraid of, how he changes, what other’s think or say about
him, etc. Quote and record the page number of each passage you identify. Include 5-7
examples.
 Identify and define 20 unfamiliar vocabulary words from the novel.
2. Please select TWO books from the following list that you have not previously read. (If you
select a book that counts as two, you only need to select one.)
Little Women, Book 1 Alcott, Louisa May
BL: 7.4
CSM Reviewed
This classic story chronicles the joys and troubles of the four March sisters -- Meg, Jo,
Amy, and Beth -- as they grow into young ladies. Counts as two books.
The Port Chicago 50
Sheinkin, Steve BL: 6.7
CSM Reviewed
In July 1944, an explosion at a California navy base killed hundreds of sailors loading munitions.
Fifty black seamen, refusing to resume work in unsafe conditions, were charged with mutiny.
The Boy in Striped Pajamas
Boyne, John
BL 5.8
CSM Reviewed
Bored and lonely after his family moves from Berlin to a place called "Out-With" in 1942, Bruno, the
son of a Nazi officer, befriends a boy in striped pajamas who lives behind a wire fence.
White Fang (Unabridged)
London, Jack
BL: 7.4
This classic tale tells of a savage dog's transformation through love.
Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland (Unabridged) Carroll, Lewis BL: 7.4
CSM Reviewed
Alice lives an ordinary life, until the day she finds herself in the wonderful world of mad tea parties
and remarkable characters. This text is also published under the title ALICE IN WONDERLAND.
I Am Malala Yousafzai, Malala
BL 7.1
CSM Reviewed
Malala Yousafzai describes her fight for education for girls under Taliban rule, the support she
received from her parents to pursue an education, and how the Taliban retaliated against her by
trying to kill her.
Anne of Green Gables Montgomery, L.M.
BL 7.3
CSM Reviewed
Anne, an eleven-year-old orphan, is sent by mistake to live with a lonely, middle-aged brother and
sister on a Prince Edward Island farm, and proceeds to make an indelible impression on everyone
around her. Counts as two books.
The Dark Is Rising
Cooper, Susan
BL 6.2
CSM Reviewed
On his eleventh birthday, Will Stanton discovers that he is the last of the Old Ones, destined to seek
the six magical Signs that will enable the Old Ones to triumph over the evil forces of the Dark. Book
#2
The Great Little Madison
Fritz, Jean
BL 7.7
This biography traces the life and contributions of the sickly child with the small voice who grew up
to become the fourth president of the United States.
The Member of the Wedding McCullers, Carson.
BL: 6.3
CSM Reviewed
Frankie Adams, a motherless twelve-year-old raised by her father and the father’s African American
cook, struggles with conflicting feelings about her brother’s wedding. Georgia author.
The Lord of the Rings Tolkien, J.R.R.
BL: 6.1-6.3
CSM Reviewed
Select one book from the trilogy that you have not already read and tested on. Each book counts as
two books.
Down the Mysterly River
Willingham, Bill
BL: 6.6
CSM Reviewed
Top notch Boy Scout Max "the Wolf" cannot remember how he came to be in a strange forest, but
soon he and three talking animals are on the run from the Blue Cutters, hunters who will alter the
foursome's very essence if they can catch them.
The Boys in the Boat
Brown, Daniel James BL 6.9
Complemented by photographs, this middle-grade adaptation of THE BOYS IN THE BOAT describes
the American rowing team's triumphant and unlikely win during the 1936 Olympics.
The Princess Bride
Goldman, William
BL 5.8
CSM Reviewed
Westley goes off to seek his fortune after declaring his love for Buttercup, the most beautiful girl in
the world, but their relationship is put to the test when his ship is captured by pirates and she is
summoned to become the bride of the prince.
RESPONSES TO SUMMER READING
REQUIRED RESPONSE: PRESENTATION
You will prepare a formal oral presentation for one of your books. You may choose which book you
want to present to the class; I recommend that you choose the one you liked better! Students will
turn in their notecards on August 18, 2016.
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Your presentation must be 4-5 minutes. You will need to practice your presentation at home
to ensure that it is not longer than 5 minutes.
You may use index cards with notes for reference, but you should not read your
presentation from the cards. You may not use a fully-written speech. You will turn in
whatever notes you use.
This is a formal presentation. You should practice standing still, making eye contact with
your audience, speaking clearly, avoiding distracting mannerisms and filler (um, ah, etc.),
and knowing what you are going to say BEFORE you say it.
Your presentation must include:
o The title and author of your book
o A spoiler-free summary of the plot. You should give an idea of what the book is
about, but you should NOT detail all of its events. The best presentations will make
your classmates interested in reading the book themselves. Make sure you don’t
give away the ending.
o A description of the character you found most interesting and an explanation of why
that character captured your attention. This character may be a major or minor, a
hero or a villain—just make sure (s)he worth hearing about!
o A recommendation. Would you encourage your classmates to read the book? Why?
Even if you didn’t particularly like your book, consider who might. Include at least
one quality of the book that you liked and one that you didn’t.
OPTIONAL RESPONSE: CHOOSE ONE of the following projects to complete in response to your
second student-choice book. This project is due August 18, 2016.
OPTION ONE: CEREAL BOX
Cover an empty cereal box with paper and fill in the following information:
 Front of Box (20 points):
1. Cereal Name—something fun that has to do with the story. As an example, a box about
Click Clack Moo (a picture book about farm animals) might have the name “Clucky
Charms.”
2. Illustration, drawn with color or printed off the computer that represents the book.
 Side Panel 1 (20 points): Title, author, list of 3 interesting characters with brief descriptions
 Side panel 2 (20 points): 2-3 significant quotes from the book, cited with the page number.
These quotes should relate to the larger message (theme) of the book.
 Back of Box (20 points):
1. Crossword puzzle, maze, word search, or other game related to your book. This is your
chance to be creative.
2. Brief, spoiler-free summary of the book. Give an idea of what the book is about without
giving away all of the details. *If you read only one book, you do not have to write a
separate plot summary for both assignments.
 Top of Box (20 points): Review from you, the expert critic, with the number of stars you
would give it out of 5. Your critique should include a reason for your rating.
 Bonus (5 points): Include a prize related to your book.
OPTION TWO: CHARACTER INTERVIEW
Assume the role of a news interviewer, and choose one major character from your book to
interview about their experience in the story.
 Write 10 questions to ask the character. Include the following and label each type (P for
plot, C for character reaction, D for decision, L for learning).
o 3 questions about the plot of the story.
o 5 questions about the character’s thoughts, feelings, and reactions to the events of
the story.
o 1 question about the hardest choice the character had to make.
o 1 question about what the character learned in the course of the story.
 Write the character’s responses to your questions. Ensure that the answers you give are
appropriate for the character you are interviewing, and do not answer with just yes or no.
Using specific examples from the events of the book will make your answers stronger.
OPTION THREE: SKETCHBOOK
You will create a collection of drawings to represent your chosen book.
 Front Cover (15 points): Create a cover for your sketchbook. Include the title and author of
the book and an illustration that represents the book.
 Sketches (15 points each): Choose 5 key scenes from your book. Each scene needs to have a
significant impact on the story. Draw a picture (in color) of each of the scenes. Write 1-2
sentences explaining why each scene is significant.
 Back Cover (10 points): Write a review of the book. Include (1) whether you recommend
the book or not, (2) your reasons for your recommendation, and (3) your ranking out of 5
stars. *If you read only one book, you do not need to compose two separate
recommendations for the project and the presentation.
OPTION FOUR: BOOK JACKET
A book jacket is the paper cover on a hard-back book. Its purpose is to entice a reader to pick up the
book and read it. You will design your own book jacket for your chosen book.
 Cover image
o Create or choose an image that suits the mood/atmosphere of the book and
provides insight into primary purpose of the book’s content. The strongest cover
image will convey what the reader can expect from the book and may include
symbolic images.
 Front Flap: Character Summaries
o In the front flap, write brief descriptions of the protagonist and at least 2 other
primary characters. Descriptions should include both physical details and
personality traits. The strongest character descriptions will also demonstrate an
understanding of the relationships between characters. (50-100 WORDS EACH)
 Back Cover: Criticism (recommendation); plot synopsis
o The back cover will include a synopsis of the plot that does not spoil the plot.
Instead, it should entice a potential reader to find out more. It should demonstrate
an understanding of the central conflict in the story and should include enough
detail to draw a reader in. (250 word max)
o Also on the back cover, you should include criticism of the book, much like a
publisher would include. You may give positive or negative reviews, but you must
say why you give the recommendation that you do. Note at least one positive and
one negative, and clarify what audience would enjoy the book.
 Back flap: Key quotes (continued on next page)
o
In the back flap, choose 3-5 significant quotes from the book. These quotes may
support what you’ve said about the characters, or they may give insight into the
overall theme of the book. They should NOT be randomly chosen.
OPTION FIVE: BROWN BAG SUMMARY
Find or create 7 items that represent your book. For each item, write 3-5 sentences explaining how
the object appropriately represents the plot, character, conflict, or theme within your chosen book.
Why have you chosen that object? How does it relate to your book? You will want to use examples
from the book to explain your objects. Make sure that you have:
o At least two items to represent the plot
o At least two items to represent key characters
o At least one item that represents a major idea or lesson in the book.