Sarasota School of Arts and Sciences
Summer Reading Program
Dear Students, Parents and Guardians,
Welcome to your new 8th grade Language Arts classroom! Attached is a list of novels
from which you are to choose your summer reading books. Every future eighth grader
must read at least two novels from the below list. You may choose any two books that
appeal to you.
Our program is designed to promote the skills for effective reading and learning. A
reading list and corresponding assignments can be found on the school’s website,
www.ssas.org. The intent of this list is to give you assistance in directing your child to
some quality literature. Some novels listed contain mature themes, situations, and
language. We included these novels because we believe that they make a valuable
contribution to literature and should be available to young adult readers. If you have any
questions about the appropriateness of a novel for your student, you are encouraged to
visit http://www.commonsensemedia.org/book-reviews. You can search books by title to
determine if the content is appropriate for your child.
Books will be available at Barnes and Noble and Books-A-Million in Sarasota. In
addition, there is an Amazon.com link on the school website that allows SSA+S to earn
money back on all Amazon purchases!
Upon returning from summer vacation, each child will be required to hand in a project on
their free choice books. This project will be due the on the first Friday of the school
year. Students will have a writing assessment on chosen novels during the first week of
school; therefore, it is suggested that students take notes on important literary elements.
Sincerely,
The Language Arts Department
Project Requirements:
You are required to create a poster board collage for each of your chosen books (use the front for
one book and the back for the second) to show the following literary elements of each book: main
idea, plot, characterization (antagonist and protagonist, if applicable), setting, conflict, theme, and
author’s tone This project will be collected and presented on the first Friday of the school
year. List each item that you put on each collage and explain why you chose each item. You
can make the list of items with your explanations along the border of the poster board, on
a separate piece of paper, or you can write your explanation next to each item.
For example:
Nothing but the Truth by Avi
Conflict = a picture of the American flag
I put an American flag on my collage because the main conflict in Nothing
but the Truth was about The Star Spangled Banner.
Summer Reading Rubric
CATEGORY
1
0
Literary Elements
10
The collage includes 9 literary The collage includes 5-8
elements which are main idea, different items.
plot, antagonist (bad thing),
protagonist (good main
character) setting, conflict,
theme, mood, and author\'s
tone
5
The collage includes 1-4
different items.
The collage includes 0 items.
Creativity
Several of the graphics or
objects used in the collage
reflect an exceptional degree
of student creativity in their
creation and/or display
One or two of the graphics or
objects used in the collage
reflect student creativity in
their creation and/or display.
One or two graphics or
The student did not make or
objects were made or
customize any of the items on
customized by the student, but the collage.
the ideas were typical rather
than creative (.e.g, apply the
emboss filter to a drawing in
Photoshop).
Quality of Construction
The collage shows
considerable attention to
construction. The items are
neatly trimmed. All items are
carefully and securely
attached to the backing. There
are no stray marks, smudges
or glue stains. Nothing is
hanging over the edges.
The collage shows attention
to construction. The items are
neatly trimmed. All items are
carefully and securely
attached to the backing. A
few barely noticeable stray
marks, smudges or glue stains
are present. Nothing is
hanging over the edges.
The collage shows some
attention to construction.
Most items are neatly
trimmed. All items are
securely attached to the
backing. A few barely
noticeable stray marks,
smudges or glue stains are
present. Nothing is hanging
over the edges.
The collage was put together
sloppily. Items appear to be
just \"slapped on\". Pieces
may be loose or hanging over
the edges. Smudges, stains,
rips, uneven edges, and/or
stray marks are evident.
Explain
Explanation on why you
picked the 9 items on your
poster.
Explanation on why you
picked the 5-8 items on your
poster.
Explanation on why you
picked 1-4 items on your
poster.
The collage does not have
explanation on the poster.
Time and Effort
Much time and effort went
into the planning and design
of the collage.
Student could have put in
Student put little time and
more time and effort at home. effort in the poster
Poster is missing more than
90% of needs to be on the
poster
Alexie, Sherman - The Absolutely True Story of a Part-Time Indian (Realistic Fiction)
Arnold Spirit, aka Junior, was born with water on the brain, is regularly the target of
bullies, and loves to draw. Junior grapples with questions about what constitutes one's
community, identity, and tribe. This book contains mature themes.
Alvarez, Julia - Once Upon A Quinceañera
(Non-Fiction)
The quinceañera, a celebration of a Latina girl’s fifteenth birthday, has become a
uniquely American trend. Alvarez presents a thoughtful and entertaining portrait of a
rapidly growing multicultural phenomenon, and passionately emphasizes the importance
of celebrating Latina womanhood.
Anderson, Laurie Halse – The Impossible Knife of Memory (Realistic Fiction)
Hayley Kincaid and her father, Andy, have been on the road, never staying long in one
place as he struggles to escape the demons that have tortured him since his return from
Iraq. Now they are back in the town where he grew up so, for the first time, Hayley can
have a normal life, put aside her own painful memories, even have a relationship with
Finn, the hot guy who obviously likes her but is hiding secrets of his own. This book
contains mature themes.
Austen, Jane - Pride and Prejudice
(Classic)
When Elizabeth Bennet first meets eligible bachelor Fitzwilliam Darcy, she thinks him
arrogant and conceited. In the sparkling comedy of manners that follows, Jane Austen
shows the folly of judging by first impressions and superbly evokes the friendships,
gossip and snobberies of provincial middle-class life.
Avi - Nothing but the Truth
(Realistic Fiction)
Philip Malloy discovers that humming in school during the recitation of the Pledge of
Allegiance can be the catalyst for action by family, friends, strangers, and teachers.
Anne Frank: The Diary of a Young Girl
(Autobiography)
This timeless classic of a girl growing up while hiding from the Nazis during the
Holocaust reminds us all of how fragile and amazing life is. Anne's unyielding optimism
and insight into human relationships have universal appeal to people of all ages. This
book contains mature themes.
Flake, Sharon - Who Am I Without Him?
(Realistic Fiction)
Written in the vernacular of urban African-American teens, these 10 stories have
universal themes and situations. Addressing issues and situations that many girls face in
today's often complex society, this book is provocative and thought-provoking. This
book contains mature themes.
Grant, Michael - Gone
(Science Fiction/Horror)
It’s a scenario that every kid has dreamed about: adults suddenly disappear, and kids have
free reign. In this case, though, it’s everyone 14 and older who disappears, and the harsh
reality of such unreal circumstances isn’t a joyride after all. This book is part of a
series!
Higson, Charlie – The Enemy
(Science Fiction)
In the wake of a devastating disease, everyone sixteen and older is a zombie. Teens have
barricaded themselves in buildings throughout London and venture outside only when
they need to scavenge for food. When traveler arrives and offers them safe haven at
Buckingham Palace, they begin a harrowing journey across London. But their fight is far
from over—the threat from within the palace is as real as the one outside it. This book is
part of a series!
Orwell, George - 1984
(Classic)
1984 presents a "negative utopia," that is at once a startling and haunting vision of the
world—so powerful that it is completely convincing from start to finish.
Park, Linda Sue – A Long Walk to Water
(Non-Fiction)
Nya goes to the pond to fetch water for her family. She walks eight hours every day.
Salva walks away from his war-torn village. He is a “lost boy” refugee, destined to cover
Africa on foot, searching for his family and safety. Two young people . . . two stories.
One country: Sudan.
Pollan, Michael – The Omnivores Dilemma: Young Reader’s Edition (Non-Fiction)
From fast food and big organic to small farms and old-fashioned hunting and gathering,
this young readers’ adaptation of Pollan’s famous food-chain exploration encourages kids
to consider the personal and global health implications of their food choices. In a smart,
compelling format with updated facts, plenty of photos, graphs, and visuals, The
Omnivore’s Dilemma serves up a bold message to the generation that needs it most: It’s
time to take charge of our national eating habits—and it starts with you.
Riggs, Ransom - Miss Peregrine’s Home for Peculiar Children (Science Fiction)
A horrific family tragedy sets sixteen-year-old Jacob journeying to a remote island off the
coast of Wales, where he discovers the crumbling ruins of Miss Peregrine’s Home for
Peculiar Children. They may have been quarantined on a desolate island for good reason.
And somehow—impossible though it seems—they may still be alive.
Schlosser, Eric - Chew on This
(Non-Fiction)
Eric Schlosser and Charles Wilson unwrap the fast-food industry to bring you a behindthe-scenes look at a business that both feeds and feeds off the young. Find out what really
goes on at your favorite restaurants—and what lurks between those sesame seed buns.
Chew On This shows that we can change the world by changing what they eat.
Sepetys, Ruta - Between Shades of Gray
(Historical Fiction)
Fifteen-year-old Lina is a Lithuanian girl living an ordinary life--until Soviet officers
invade her home and tear her family apart. Will strength, love, and hope be enough for
Lina and her family to survive? This book contains mature themes.
Sheinkin, Steve – Most Dangerous: Daniel Ellsberg and the Secret History of the Vietnam
War (Nonfiction)
On June 13, 1971, the front page of the New York Times announced the existence of a
7,000-page collection of documents containing a secret history of the Vietnam War.
Known as The Pentagon Papers, these files had been commissioned by Secretary of
Defense Robert McNamara. The investigation that resulted--as well as the attempted
government cover-ups and vilification of the whistleblower--has timely relevance to more
recent conspiracy leaks. This book contains mature themes.
Shield, Charles J. - I Am Scout: The Biography of Harper Lee (Non-Fiction)
An exploration of the life and achievements of Harper Lee that discusses her Southern
upbringing, education, family, writing of To Kill a Mockingbird, association with Truman
Capote, and personality.
Toten, Teresa - The Unlikely Hero of Room 13B
(Realistic Fiction)
ADAM’S GOALS: Grow immediately. Find courage. Keep courage. Get normal. Marry
Robyn Plummer. The instant Adam Spencer Ross meets Robyn Plummer in his Young
Adult OCD Support Group, he is hopelessly, desperately drawn to her. Adam
immediately knows that he has to save Robyn, must save Robyn, or die trying. But is it
really Robyn who needs rescuing? And is it possible to have a normal relationship when
your life is anything but? This book contain mature themes.
Wasdin, Howard E. – I Am Seal Team 6
(Non-Fiction)
When the Navy sends their elite, they send the SEALs. When the SEALs send their elite,
they send SEAL Team Six—a secret unit made up of the finest soldiers in the country, if
not the world. I Am a SEAL Team Six Warrior is the dramatic tale of how Howard
Wasdin overcame a tough childhood to live his dream and enter the exciting and
dangerous world of U.S. Navy SEALS and Special Forces snipers. This book contains
mature themes.
Wein, Elizabeth – Code Name Verity
(Historical Fiction)
Oct. 11th, 1943-A British spy plane crashes in Nazi-occupied France. Its pilot and
passenger are best friends. One of the girls has a chance at survival. The other has lost the
game before it's barely begun. When "Verity" is arrested by the Gestapo, she's sure she
doesn't stand a chance. As a secret agent captured in enemy territory, she's living a spy's
worst nightmare. Her Nazi interrogators give her a simple choice: reveal her mission or
face a grisly execution. This book contains some mature themes.