Incoming 8th Grade 2015 Summer Reading List
Each student is required to read 1 book from the student choice list. In
addition to the student choice selection, all students are required to read
the teacher choice selection listed first in the list below.
Even though I have only required a total of 2 books to be read by the
beginning of the year, I HIGHLY encourage students to read at least 20
minutes each day from a variety of literature genres. Studies show that
students who read 20 minutes a day score higher on standardized tests
such as the ACT and SAT.
As always, I encourage parents to check out reviews on the books listed
below. A great website is www.commonsensemedia.org. Information
found on this and other sites can be fabulous in helping facilitate
discussions with your son/daughter about what they are reading.
Teacher Choice: Required
We will be starting the year off in literature with a novel study of The Cay. I recommend that
students read this novel closer to the start of school so that they will be ready to jump in feet first
to our study of such a literary classic. Students are to complete the attached Novel Study after
completing his/her reading.
The Cay
–
by Theodore Taylor
The Cay is the suspenseful story of a young boy, handicapped by blindness and thrust into an
unfamiliar environment, who is forced to grow up quickly. Young readers can identify with Phillip's
struggle for independence and his frustration in coping with situations over which he has virtually
no control.
Student Choice List: Choose One
Choose one book from the list and complete the attached summer reading book review. Be sure
to use your best handwriting. I have read all of these books, and I look forward to talking about
your opinion about the book you chose.
Pay it Forward
by Catherine Ryan Hyde
When his teacher sets a challenge to his class to come up with a plan to change the world for the better,
twelve-year-old Trevor McKinney’s idea is simple: Do a good deed for three people and ask each of them to
“pay it forward” to three others who need help. Something amazing starts to happen: a vast movement of
kindness and goodwill spreading beyond Trevor’s small California town and across the world.
The Invention of Hugo Cabret
by Brian Selznick
Orphan, clock keeper, and thief, Hugo lives in the walls of a busy Paris train station, where his survival
depends on secrets and anonymity, but when his world suddenly interlocks with an eccentric, bookish
girl and a bitter old man who runs a toy booth in the station, Hugo's undercover life, and his most
precious secret, are put in jeopardy. A cryptic drawing, a treasured notebook, a stolen key, a
mechanical man, and a hidden message from Hugo's dead father form the backbone of this intricate,
tender, and spellbinding mystery.
Heat
by Mike Lupica
When Michael Arroyo is on the baseball diamond, everything feels right. He's a terrific pitcher who
dreams of leading his South Bronx All-Stars to the Little League World Series in Williamsport, PA. It's a
dream he shared with his father, one they brought with them as they fled Cuba and wound up living in
the shadow of Yankee Stadium. Michael's ultimate dream is to play in the major leagues like his hero,
El Grande, Yankee star and fellow Cuban refugee. Tragically, Papi died of a heart attack a few months
back, leaving Michael and his older brother, Carlos, to struggle along on their own. Afraid of being
separated, they hide the news of their father's death from everyone but a kindly neighbor, Mrs. Cora,
and Michael's best friend, Manny Cabrera. When a bitter rival spreads rumors that Michael is older than
he appears, the league demands that he be benched until he can produce a birth certificate.
Things Not Seen
by Andrew Clements
Fifteen-year-old Bobby thinks he knows what it's like to be invisible; he's used to being ignored by the
popular kids at school (especially the girls). Even his parents hardly seem to notice whether he's home
or not. Then one morning, Bobby wakes up to find that he IS invisible. He can't stop wondering if he'll
ever reappear, especially when his parents wreck their car and wind up in the hospital. Now Bobby is
all alone. How can he survive in a world where he can't be seen? One thing's for sure: Bobby's not
going to just wait around to see if his body will decide to show up again on its own. He's got to take
action.
Prisoner B-3087
(Based on a true story)
by Alan Gratz
As a Jewish boy in 1930s Poland, Yanek is at the mercy of the Nazis who have taken over. Everything
he has, and everyone he loves, have been snatched brutally from him. And then Yanek himself is taken
prisoner his arm tattooed with the words PRISONER B-3087. He is forced from one nightmarish
concentration camp to another, as World War II rages all around him. He encounters evil he could have
never imagined, but also sees surprising glimpses of hope amid the horror. He just barely escapes
death, only to confront it again seconds later. Can Yanek make it through the terror without losing his
hope, his will -- and, most of all, his sense of who he really is inside?
***The 8th graders take part in a study of The Holocaust during 2 nd semester. My hope in presenting
this book to them is that they will come into the year with more background knowledge of the
inhumanity suffered by many during this time in our history.***
The Boy Who Dared
by Susan Campbell Bartoletti
A Newbery Honor Book author has written a powerful and gripping novel about a youth in Nazi Germany who
tells the truth about Hitler Bartoletti has taken one episode from her Newbery Honor Book, HITLER YOUTH,
and fleshed it out into thought-provoking novel. When 16-year-old Helmut Hubner listens to the BBC news
on an illegal short-wave radio, he quickly discovers Germany is lying to the people. But when he tries to
expose the truth with leaflets, he's tried for treason. Sentenced to death and waiting in a jail cell, Helmut's
story emerges in a series of flashbacks that show his growth from a naive child caught up in the patriotism
of the times , to a sensitive and mature young man who thinks for himself.
***The 8th graders take part in a study of The Holocaust during 2 nd semester. My hope in presenting
this book to them is that they will come into the year with more background knowledge of the
inhumanity suffered by many during this time in our history.***
Drums, Girls, and Dangerous Pie
by Jordan Sonnenblick
Thirteen-year-old Steven has a totally normal life: he plays the drums in the All -Star Jazz band, has a
crush on the hottest girl in the school, and is constantly annoyed by his five -year-old brother, Jeffrey.
When Jeffery is diagnosed with leukemia, Steven’s world is turned upside down. He is forced to deal
with his brother’s illness and his parents’ attempts to keep the family in one piece. Salted with humor
and peppered with devastating realities, this is a heartwarming journey through a year in the life of a
family.
Pictures of Hollis Woods
by Patricia Reilly Giff
Hollis Woods was an infant when she was abandoned and for 12 years she has been transferred from one
foster home to another. To the social agency, she is a "mountain of trouble" because she skips school and
runs away, even from the Regans, a family willing to give her a real home. When she is placed with Josie, an
elderly artist who is becoming very forgetful, Hollis begins to feel needed and doesn't ever want to leave this
eccentric old woman who knows a lot about friendship and love. Fearful that the social agency will take her
from Josie, Hollis plans a winter escape. This time she takes Josie with her and returns to Branches, the
summer home that belongs to the Regans. All along, Hollis longs for her life with the Regans, and records
every special moment with them in a gallery of pictures.
From the Mixed-up Files of Mrs. Basil E. Frankweiler
by E.L. Konigsburg
When suburban Claudia Kincaid decides to run away, she knows she doesn’t just want to run from
somewhere, she wants to run to somewhere — to a place that is comfortable, beautiful, and, preferably,
elegant. She chooses the Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York City. Knowing her younger brother Jamie
has money and thus can help her with a serious cash-flow problem, she invites him along. Once settled into
the museum, Claudia and Jamie find themselves caught up in the mystery of an angel statue that the
museum purchased at auction for a bargain price of $225. The statue is possibly an early work of the
Renaissance master, Michelangelo, and therefore worth millions. Is it? Or isn’t it? Claudia is determined to
find out. Her quest leads her to Mrs. Basil E. Frankweiler, the remarkable old woman who sold the statue,
and to some equally remarkable discoveries about herself
Esperanza Rising
by Pam Munoz Ryan
Esperanza thought she'd always live with her family on their ranch in Mexico--she'd always have
fancy dresses, a beautiful home, and servants. But a sudden tragedy forces Esperanza and Mama
to flee to California during the Great Depression, and to settle in a camp for Mexican farm
workers. Esperanza isn't ready for the hard labor, financial struggles, or lack of acceptance she
now faces. When their new life is threatened, Esperanza must find a way to rise above her
difficult circumstances--Mama's life, and her own, depend on it
Freak the Mighty
by Rodman Philbrick
Two boys – a slow learner stuck in the body of a teenage giant and a tiny Einstein in leg braces –
forge a unique friendship when they pair up to create one formidable human force. A wonderful
story of triumph over imperfection, shame, and loss.
***This is one of Mrs. Besch’s favorite books about overcoming obstacles, optimism, friendship,
and seeing the good in everyone.***
Wrinkle in Time
by Madeleine L'Engle
It was a dark and stormy night; Meg Murry, her small brother Charles Wallace, and her mother
had come down to the kitchen for a midnight snack when they were upset by the arrival of a most
disturbing stranger. Meg's father had been experimenting with this fifth dimension of time travel
when he mysteriously disappeared. Now the time has come for Meg, her friend Calvin, and
Charles Wallace to rescue him. But can they outwit the forces of evil they will encounter on their
heart-stopping journey through space?
Story Map: The Cay
Answer the following questions as you read, or at the end of the novel. This story map will be used to help you
with the novel study of The Cay during the first few weeks of school. You will also turn this sheet in along with
your student choice book review sheet as part of your first grade in 8th grade literature. Use your best
handwriting…you are setting the stage for your 8th grade year.
The story begins (Place) _____________________________________________________________
(Time Period) _______________________________________________________
The main character/protagonist is _____________________________________________________
Describe this character (Physical and character traits):
*
*
*
Name three other characters, and in one sentence for each character, explain how they are important to
the plot.
1.
2.
3.
In one or two complete sentences, explain how the main character ends up on an island.
Using complete sentences, describe at least 3 things that the protagonist and his friend must do to
survive on the island.
Go on to the next page
Describe what the main character/protagonist learns about himself and others while on the island.
How do his views of Timothy change? Give evidence from the story that supports your answer.
(Minimum of 6 QUALITY sentences)
If you could give one piece of advice to the following characters, what would it be and why?
Philip:
Timothy:
Using complete sentences, tell me about your opinion of this novel. Did you like it? Why or why not?
Would you recommend this novel to next year’s incoming 8th graders? Why or why not?