Name: _________________________________
Mrs. Denson
English 8, Period ____________
Date: __________________________________
8th GRADE TERM 2 READING GOAL
Genre: Historical Fiction
I, ____________________________________________, propose to read the following
novels this term. I understand I do NOT have to read all the novels listed. I also
agree I will not read or report on books not on this list.
NOTE:
Book reports MAY NOT be written on any book which has been made into a
movie (EX: Diary of Anne Frank, Night, etc.).
TITLE
AUTHOR
# OF PAGES
(minimum of 200 pages)
Detailed Book Report formats will be given and followed in order to receive full
credit for reading.
Reading points will not be figured into your grade until the last week of the term.
Any form of cheating or deception with your term reading will result in the loss of
all reading points for the term and a “U” citizenship grade.
The last day to turn in a Book Report for 2nd term is:
TUESDAY, JANUARY 10, 2012!!!
Student Signature: ____________________________ Date: ______________________
Parents: Please sign below to indicate that you have seen your student’s
reading goal and approve of your student’s choice of book(s) for the term.
Parent Signature: _____________________________ Date: ______________________
8th Grade Book Report Requirements
150 points possible
SECOND TERM: HISTORICAL FICTION
NOTE:
Book reports MAY NOT be written on any book which has been made into a
movie (EX: Diary of Anne Frank, Night, etc.).
Please follow instructions completely and carefully. Points will be reduced if guidelines are not
followed.
1. Read a book that is at least 200 pages in length.
2. Write a Report with the following guidelines: Report must be typed in ARIAL 12 point
font. It must have a complete MLA Heading (first/last name, teacher’s name, subject,
period, date).
3. BE SURE TO INCLUDE ALL INFORMATION INCLUDING SECTION HEADINGS TO
RECEIVE FULL POINTS!
4. Refer to the attached sample for formatting guidelines:
Guideline
Explanation of
guideline
Requirements on
guideline
Must have Title, Author,
Number of Pages, Genre
Genre means fantasy,
science fiction, romance,
etc.
Different points of view:
first person-I, 3rd person
limited-zoomed in on one
character’s point of view not
I, Omniscient-all knowing
Setting means time and
place-where and when the
story takes places.
Describe what it’s like
there.
Personality, character traits
of the main character, and
a description of appearance
(how they look).
Remember these can be
found by direct or indirect
characterization (actions,
looks, things they say,
things others say about
them, etc.)
Conflict: Struggle between
opposing forces, i.e. man
vs. man, man vs. nature,
nature vs. nature, man vs.
self, etc.
How the conflict or problem
was solved (the
resolution)?
List the information
Tell the point of view of
the narrator
Describe the setting
Describe the personality
and appearance of the
main character
(protagonist) of the book.
What is the main
character’s main conflict
or problem
What did the characters do
to solve the problem and
how was it finally
1-2 sentences
1-2 paragraphs
2-3 paragraphs
1-2 paragraphs
1-2 paragraphs
resolved?
In a paragraph, explain
what motivates the
characters decisions and
actions.
150 word summary of the
story.
Motivation: why the
character behaves, thinks,
or feels, the way they do.
1-2 paragraphs
Brief telling of the main
idea/ideas or the story.
150 words, the words will
be counted
Pick one quote from this
book and explain why you
liked it.
Quote: One to two lines
from the story.
1-2 paragraphs
Find one example of
figurative language and
explain the meaning.
Figurative Language:
Comparison of two unlike
things. Simile (uses like or
as)—She is as cute as a
button. Metaphor (just states
the comparison)—He has a
heart of gold.
3-5 sentences
Tell about the theme and
what you learned from this
book
Theme: moral of the story,
what you’re supposed you
learn. Example: Love
conquers all, never quit,
etc.
Would you recommend this
book to a friend? Why?
Who (any specific group of
people)?
3-5 sentences
Would you recommend
this book to a friend?
Explain why or why not.
1-2 paragraphs
LAST DAY TO TURN IN COMPLETED BOOK REPORT IS:
TUESDAY, JANUARY 10, 2012
(EXAMPLE)
MLA Heading as you’ve been taught
Book Report
Book Title: Tom Sawyer
Author: Mark Twain
Publisher: Penguin Group
Copyright Date: 1986
Number of Pages: 230
Genre: Fiction/Classic Novel
Point of View: 1st person; 3rd person limited; 3rd person omniscient
The narrator’s point of view is third person omniscient; he can describe the feelings and
thoughts of many people in the story.
Setting: Where and when the story takes place
The story takes place in a small village, St. Petersburg, on the Mississippi River before
the Civil War. The village has access to the river, hills, an island, caves, and a haunted
house. Superstitions run high and children run barefoot. Some people in the village own
slaves. Everyone knows everyone else and their business. The main character often
plays hooky from school and was always getting in trouble.
Main Character: Personality, character traits of the main character, and a description of
appearance (how they look). Remember these can be found by direct and indirect
characterization (actions, looks, things they say, things others say about them, etc.)
The novel’s protagonist, Tom, lives with his aunt in St. Petersburg, Missouri. Tom has a
penchant for adventure and “showing off.” Constantly getting into mischief, he plays
hooky from school and would rather go swimming than tend to his Sunday School
lessons. Despite his mischief, Tom has a good heart and a strong moral conscience.
Blessed with an active imagination, Tom dreams to be a noble robber such as Robin
Hood or a pirate. Hungry for attention, Tom is obsessed with appearing noble and
obtaining the envy of his peers. However, Tom is extremely clever and possesses an
incredible insight on human nature. Throughout the novel, Tom must learn to listen to
his conscience and become accountable for his actions. As the novel progresses, he
begins to take more seriously the responsibilities of his role as a leader among his
schoolfellows.
Conflict or Problem: A struggle between opposing forces, man vs. man, man vs.
nature, nature vs. nature.
Tom and Huck perceive their biggest struggle to be between themselves and Injun Joe,
whose gold they want and whom they believe is out to kill them. Tom and Huck
accidentally see Injun Joe murder Dr. Robinson, Tom testifies at Potter’s trial that Potter
is being wrongly accused and that it was really Injun Joe. Injun Joe escapes out the
window at the trial. Later, Huck overhears Injun Joe’s plan to kill Widow Douglas, and
Tom encounters Injun Joe when he and Becky are stranded in the cave. Conflict also
exists between Tom and his imaginative world and the expectations and rules of adult
society.
Solution: How was the conflict or problem solved (the resolution)?
Huck gets help from the Welshman and drives Injun Joe away from Widow Douglas.
Tom avoids Injun Joe and navigates himself and Becky out of the cave. Judge Thatcher
seals off the cave, causing Injun Joe to starve to death. Tom and Huck find Injun Joe’s
treasure. Huck is adopted and civilized by Widow Douglas.
Motivation: Why the characters behave, think, or feel the way they do.
Tom’s actions are directly related to the setting. His behavior is just as laid back as the
village. Superstition sets Tom on his adventure. If Tom hadn’t been where he shouldn’t
be (because of superstition), he would never have seen the murder, which resulted in all
the other actions he took. He was also motivated by fear, friendship, courage, and a
desire to do the right thing. Tom reacts to whatever situation he finds himself according
to his understanding of the situation.
Summary: Brief telling of the main idea/ideas of the story.
This story has murder, romance, and a treasure hunt to contribute to the story line. Tom
Sawyer and his friend, Huck Finn, witnessed Injun Joe killing the village doctor. The
town’s people arrested the wrong man. As time passed, Tom and Huck ended up
testifying against Injun Joe, and saving an innocent man’s life, but Injun Joe escaped.
Tom and Huck hunt for treasure, Tom falls in love with Becky Thatcher, and Injun Joe is
still out for treasure, Tom falls in love with Becky Thatcher, and Injun Joe is still out
there. When Tom and his friend Becky get trapped in a cave they find Injun Joe and his
treasure. Becky, Tom, and the treasure are rescued, but not Injun Joe, and Tom
becomes a hero who shares his treasure with his friend Huck.
Quote: Pick one quote from this book and explain why you liked it.
Chapter 22: “To promise not to do a thing is the surest way in the world to make a body
want to go and do that very thing.” I really like this quote from the book because it
makes me think of me and my problem with sweets. Anytime I tell myself that I’m going
to not have as many, and then I just want them more. I usually end up eating more than
I would have in the first place. I crave them more than I would think.
Figurative Language: Use of metaphor, simile, personification or idioms.
This is an example of the type of figurative language the author used (personification,
idioms): “Every stump that started up in their path seemed a man and an enemy, and
made them catch their breath; and as they sped by some outlying cottages that lay near
the village, the barking of the aroused watch-dogs seemed to give wings to their feet” (p
69-70). Their feet didn’t really have wings; it means they were running really fast. This is
personification.
“It was conscience. They began to feel a vague fear that they had been doing wrong to
run away… They tried to argue it away by reminding conscience that they had purloined
sweetmeats and apples scores of times; but conscience was not to be appeased…” (p
94). This is an example of personification.
“Jealousy ran red-hot through Tom’s veins” (p 127). Jealousy can’t really run through
your veins like you run on a track. This is an idiom, which means that he was feeling
extremely jealous. It was a very strong emotion.
Theme: Life lesson or moral.
The theme of the story has to do with being courageous, generous, and honest. Tom
told lies but he felt bad about it and ended up telling the truth. Even though Tom was
afraid, he still testified and helped free an innocent man from jail. And when he found a
treasure, he shared it with his friend who had nothing. When it came down to it, Tom
always did the right thing. We should always strive to do the right thing no matter how
difficult it is.
Recommendation: Would you recommend this book to a friend? Why? Who (any
specific group of people)?
I thought that this was a really great book. I would definitely recommend it to a friend. I
think that anybody would enjoy this book, but to be able to read it themselves and truly
understand it, they would probably have to be at least 12 years old.