University School Middle School
Summer Reading Assignment 2013-2014
Incoming 6th Grade
Students must complete ALL the assignments listed below:
Mandatory Reading Assignment

Read Tuck Everlasting, by Natalie Babbitt. Students will be required to demonstrate their
knowledge and understanding of the literature at the beginning of the school year.

Complete the attached guided reading questions for Tuck Everlasting.

Complete the graphic organizer, listing the internal & external character traits for one of the main
characters from Tuck Everlasting.
Selected Summer Reading Assignment

Read one of the novels listed below and complete the attached graphic organizer.
Al Capone Does My Shirts
A Wrinkle in Time
Flush
Holes
Number the Stars
Old Yeller
Shiloh
The City of Ember
The Evolution of Calpurnia Tate
Gennifer Choldenko
Madeleine L’Engle
Carl Hiaasen
Louis Sachar
Lois Lowry
Fred Gipson
Phyllis Reynolds Naylor
Jeanne DuPrau
Jacqueline Kelly
Frequently Asked Questions

Is the assignment being graded?
Yes. This assignment will be collected and graded. Students will take an objective assessment during
the first week of school. Completing the guided reading questions will prepare students.

Is this a group project?
No. This is an individual assignment. Students are expected to submit original work.

What happens if I haven’t read the books before the first day of school?
As a member of the University School community, you are expected to complete the reading over
the summer. You will be assessed on the assignment from day one, and the grades will be entered
in MyBackpack.

When is the assignment due?
The due dates for the assignments will be posted on Blackboard once the school year has begun.
Expect to turn in both assignments on the first day of school.
University School Middle School
Summer Reading Assignment 2013-2014
Incoming 6th Grade
Guided Reading Questions
Directions: On a separate piece of paper, answer the following questions in complete sentences. You may
type or handwrite your responses.
CHAPTER 1-10
1. What is strange about the wood?
What effect does it have on the cows?
2. Explain why the reader is a little uneasy about the stranger.
3. What does Mae take with her on her way to visit her sons? Why?
4. What surprise does the reader learn at the end of chapter 2?
5. Why are the pebbles piled upon the spurt of water?
6. Guess why Jesse won’t let Winnie have any of the water. What do you think he means when he says,
“I knew this would happen sooner or later”?
7. How does Tuck prove beyond doubt about his immortality?
8. Describe the way the Tucks make Winnie feel.
9. Mae says that Jesse and Miles are somewhat different and, therefore, don’t always get along. Provide
some examples of those differences.
CHAPTER 11 - 20
10. What causes Winnie’s happiness to go away?
11. What do you think would happen if word got out about the powers of the spring?
12. What do you think the man in the yellow suit wants?
Predict what will happen if he gets it.
13. Who is “the dearest of them all” to Winnie? Why do you suppose she feels this way?
14. How might the story have changed if Mae hadn’t brought the music box with her when she went to
meet her sons?
University School Middle School
Summer Reading Assignment 2013-2014
Incoming 6th Grade
Guided Reading Questions (cont.)
Directions: On a separate piece of paper, answer the following questions in complete sentences. You may
type or handwrite your responses.
Chapter 21 - 25
15. Why does Winnie’s family feel as though “some part of her had slipped away”? How has Winnie
changed?
16. Why is the news about the man dying both good and bad?
17. What does Jesse give to Winnie? Predict whether or not Winnie will use the gift when she turns
seventeen. Explain.
18. How does Winnie offer to help rescue Mae?
19. How does Winnie explain her involvement in the escape plan? Have you ever used this excuse to do
something you knew you shouldn’t do?
20. In your opinion, is Winnie a criminal?
Explain.
21. How did you feel when Winnie poured the water on the toad? Do you agree with her decision?
EPILOGUE
22. Mae and Tuck are accustomed to change; nevertheless, these latest changes upset them.
Why?
WRITING PROMPT
Directions: On a separate piece of paper, answer the following question in a 1-paragraph response.
Would you drink a potion that makes you live forever? Why or why
not? What would be the positive effects of drinking the potion?
What would be the negative effects of drinking the potion?
University School Middle School
Summer Reading Assignment 2013-2014
Incoming 6th Grade
Directions: Complete the following graphic organizer for Tuck Everlasting by filling out the boxes with one
of the main character’s internal and external traits.
Feelings
Appearance
1.
1.
2.
2.
3.
3.
4.
4.
5.
5.
Internal Traits
Character
External Traits
1.
1.
2.
2.
3.
3.
4.
4.
5.
5.
Personality
Behavior
University School Middle School
Summer Reading Assignment 2013-2014
Incoming 6th Grade
Directions: Complete the following graphic organizer for your other summer reading novel by filling out
the boxes with one of the main character’s internal and external traits.
Feelings
Appearance
1.
1.
2.
2.
3.
3.
4.
4.
5.
5.
Internal Traits
Character
External Traits
1.
1.
2.
2.
3.
3.
4.
4.
5.
5.
Personality
Behavior