June 2016
Dear Seventh Grader,
I am looking forward to your August arrival! In the meantime, please enjoy your summer break AND your
summer reading. You will be making one selection for fiction and the other for non-fiction. Please continue
reading for choices, AR requirements, and assignments.
Please choose one of the following two fiction titles to read:
Zane and the Hurricane by Rodman Philbrick
Newbery Honor author Rodman Philbrick presents a gripping yet poignant novel about a 12-year-old boy and his dog
who become trapped in New Orleans during the horrors of Hurricane Katrina.
Zane Dupree is a charismatic 12-year-old boy of mixed race visiting a relative in New Orleans when Hurricane Katrina
hits. Unexpectedly separated from all family, Zane and his dog experience the terror of Katrina's wind, rain, and horrific
flooding. Facing death, they are rescued from an attic air vent by a kind, elderly musician and a scrappy young girl--both
African American. The chaos that ensues as storm water drowns the city, shelter and food vanish, and police contribute
to a dangerous, frightening atmosphere, creates a page-turning tale that completely engrosses the reader. Based on the
facts of the worst hurricane disaster in U.S. history, Philbrick includes the lawlessness and lack of government support
during the disaster as well as the generosity and courage of those who risked their lives and safety to help others. Here
is an unforgettable novel of heroism in the face of truly challenging circumstances. (Barnes and Noble)
Buddy by M.H. Herlong
A classic boy-and-dog tale in the tradition of Old Yeller
Tyrone "Li'l T" Roberts meets Buddy when his family's car accidentally hits the stray dog on their way to church. Buddy
turns out to be the dog Li'l T's always wished for—until Hurricane Katrina comes to New Orleans and he must leave
Buddy behind. After the storm, Li'l T and his father return home to find a community struggling to rebuild their lives—
and Buddy gone. But Li'l T refuses to give up his quest to find his best friend. From the author of the BBYA Top Ten
selection The Great Wide Sea comes a powerful story of hope, courage, and knowing when to let go. (Barnes and
Noble)
__________________________________________________________________________________________________
Please choose one of the following two NON fiction titles to read:
What was Hurricane Katrina – Robin Koontz
On August 25th, 2005, one of the deadliest and most destructive hurricanes in history hit the Gulf of Mexico. High winds
and rain pummeled coastal communities, including the City of New Orleans, which was left under 15 feet of water in
some areas after the levees burst. Track this powerful storm from start to finish, from rescue efforts large and small to
storm survivors’ tales of triumph. (Barnes and Noble)
Drowned City – Don Brown
On August 29, 2005, Hurricane Katrina's monstrous winds and surging water overwhelmed the protective levees around
low-lying New Orleans, Louisiana. Eighty percent of the city flooded, in some places under twenty feet of water.
Property damages across the Gulf Coast topped $100 billion. One thousand eight hundred and thirty-three people lost
their lives. The riveting tale of this historic storm and the drowning of an American city is one of selflessness, heroism,
and courage—and also of incompetence, racism, and criminality.
Don Brown’s kinetic art and as-it-happens narrative capture both the tragedy and triumph of one of the worst natural
disasters in American history. A portion of the proceeds from this book has been donated to Habitat for Humanity New
Orleans.
AR Requirements


An AR test must be taken for both your fiction choice and your non-fiction choice. The school will be
open over the summer from June 7th to July 28th on Tuesdays from 10am to 12pm and on Thursdays
from 4pm to 6pm ONLY. Please enter from 5th Street at the door on the side of the school closest to
classroom 8A and proceed to the Computer Lab from there.
You may also take the tests within the first week of school. They will count for grades to assess your
independent reading, but if you do not do well please do not stress. It is only the start of the year and
you will have plenty of opportunities to raise your average as long as the inclination is present.
Written Assignments:

Attached you will find two separate assignments – one for your fiction choice and one for your nonfiction choice. These will both be due on the second day of school. Please read and follow the
directions carefully.
I will check my email throughout the summer – [email protected] – so don’t hesitate to send me your
questions or concerns. I will also be working at Summer AR, so feel free to speak to me there too. This
information will also be posted on OptionC.
I am looking forward to meeting you!
Most sincerely,
Miss Thomas
Complete this assignment for your fiction book choice: Buddy or Zane and the Hurricane.
Assignment: Create this on 8.5 x 11 paper – any color. If you need a larger piece of paper or
small poster board, that is fine too. Please do not use a really large piece of poster board.
You may do it all by computer, all by hand (if you are a neat, legible writer and careful
worker) or cut and paste technologically or with actual scissors and a glue stick! Include the
following info in an engaging way that catches the eye using decoration, color, and
neatness:
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
7.
Author
Title of book
Genre
Illustration/printed image of your favorite scene from the book and explanation of why.
Brief summary of the plot. (3-5 sentences)
If this book was a color, what would it be and why? 1 complete sentence.
Provide two vivid (look this word up) adjectives to describe your novel’s main character or topic. Provide
text evidence of each by providing the page number and the excerpt straight from the story (put it in italics
to show these are not your words) to prove your point.
8. Who would you recommend this novel to and why? Explain your reasoning clearly and completely.
Example:
1. Yann Martel
2. Life of Pi
3. Fiction
4. (Illustration or image)
5. This book is about a young Indian boy named Pi whose family owns a zoo. The family moves with their zoo
to Canada by ship, but they tragically shipwreck at sea. The only ones who survive are the young boy and
the zoo’s prized possession: its Bengali tiger. Pi is forced to coexist with the ferocious tiger and limited
supplies aboard a life boat in the middle of the ocean. Pi’s unbelievable tale of survival is narrated by his
older self, reflecting on the life-altering experience.
6. If this book was a color it would be orange to represent the main character’s biggest conflict (the tiger) and
to also represent the main character’s courage that burns inside him and keeps him motivated to survive.
7. Pi is pious and dauntless. Add in page numbers and text evidence for each of your examples as proof.
8. I would recommend this novel to anyone who enjoys tales of adventure and survival. I would also
recommend this novel to anyone curious about various spiritualties, as Pi discusses his personal spiritual
journey and how religion has helped him throughout his rather tragic life.
Complete this assignment for your non-fiction book choice: What Was Hurricane Katrina or
Drowned City.
Assignment: Type your responses. Your non- fiction book touched upon many topics which
are included below. Choose three from the “encouraging” column and three from the
“disheartening” column. Find text evidence to demonstrate where this topic is covered in
your book. Provide page numbers, an explanation in your own words, and the actual
evidence from the book in italics or enclosed in quotation marks.
ENCOURAGING
DISHEARTENING
Courage
Racism/Prejudice
Hope
Tragedy
Rescue Efforts/Relief Help
Power
Volunteerism
Criminality/Lawlessness
Inspiration
Communication Failure
Heroism
Greed
Selflessness
Death/Destruction
Innovation
Poverty
Generosity
Homelessness
Opportunity
Money/Economy Problems
Faith
Helplessness