Portsmouth Christian English Department
Summer Reading and Assignments
Middle School
All students 6th – 8th grades will have one book to read and complete accompanying assignments.
This will be a test grade. Check due dates below.
Rising 6th graders: Choice from list
Rising 7th graders: Witch of Blackbird Pond by Elizabeth George Speare
Rising 8th graders: Nightmare Academy by Frank Peretti
Rising 6th graders: Due September 5, 2014
Choose one from the following list and complete the Summer Reading Report.
Hoot by Carl Hiassen,
Fever 1793 by Laurie Halse Anderson
Hatchet by Gary Paulsen
Black Beauty by Anna Sewell
Joni by Joni Eareckson Tada
Holes by Louis Sachar
Song of the Trees by Mildred Taylor
Thimble Summer by Elizabeth Enright
Shiloh Season by Phyllis Reynolds Naylor
Out of the Dust by Karen Hesse
A Gathering of Days by Joan W. Blos
Bridge to Terabithia by Katherine Patterson
Mrs. Frisby and the Rats of Nimh by Robert C. O’Brien
Dean Duffy by Randy Powell
Island of the Blue Dolphins by Scott O’Dell
The Last Battle by C.S. Lewis
Across Five Aprils by Irene Hunt
Tuck Everlasting by Natalie Babbitt
***See Report on following page
Rising 6th graders: Due September 8, 2015
While typing is preferred, it is not required at the middle school level. (Typing standards are
Times New Roman, 12 point font and double spacing with one inch margins.)
Please know that neatness, clarity and completeness are of utmost importance.
The students need to submit the assignment in a 3 pronged folder as follows:
1. Create a front cover with a hand-drawn, colored illustration that conveys a point of
interest in the book. It may be traced, but it may not be images found on-line, printed
from the computer and then pasted on the paper. Include the title and author of the book.
2. Page 1 should have the title of the book with the author. Include a statement of the overall
setting of the story to tell both when and where the story takes place. Your name and
class name (English 6) should be at the bottom right-hand corner of this page.
3. Page 2 should have a visual illustration that shows a particular scene from the story. Give
a brief description of the scene and include the page number or chapter for the idea.
4. Page 3 – choose 3 main characters to discuss.
a. For each character write two to three sentences giving a physical description of
the character and describing the character’s personality traits that include both the
positive and negative actions and attitudes of the character.
b. Identify the character with whom you most identify. Explain 1) why you identify
with this character and why they are most like you or 2) why their actions and/or
attitudes made an impact on you.
5. Page 4 – write a paragraph (four to five sentences) describing the conflict (the crisis/
most exciting part of the book) of the book.
6. Page 5 – write a paragraph (four to five sentences) about a specific part of the book you
enjoyed or disliked the most.
At the bottom of the page include a statement that you have read the entire book
and sign your name. Then write a statement saying that your parent knows you
have read the entire book and has proofed your completed assignment and have
them sign their name.
*** This project will be the first test grade of the year, and it will be graded for content,
neatness and creativity.
Rising 7th graders: Due September 8, 2015
The Witch of Blackbird Pond by Elizabeth George Speare
Complete the following assignments.
While typing is preferred it is not required at the Middle School level. (Typing standards are
Times New Roman, 12 font and using double spacing with one inch margins.) Please know that
neatness, clarity and completeness are of utmost importance.
The students will submit the assignment in a pocket folder as follows:
1. Create a picture collage that represents characters and scenes from the novel.
2. Type a list of the scenes and characters included in the collage with descriptions of each.
Be sure to give page numbers where this information can be found within the novel.
3. Type or write a complete paragraph explaining what people must feel like when they are
falsely accused.
Use Kit’s experience as well as the experience of the “witch” as examples to
support your ideas. Students may also include a personal example if they choose.
4. All four items are to placed in a pocket folder, and the student’s name is to be neatly
written on the front of the folder.
* This project
will be the first test grade of the year, and it will be graded for content, neatness, and
creativity.
Write a statement at the end of this paper that states you have read the entire novel.
Rising 7th graders: Due September 8, 2015
Rising 8th graders: Due September 8, 2015
Nightmare Academy by Frank Peretti
While typing is preferred, it is not required at the middle school level. (Typing standards are
Times New Roman, 12 point font and double spacing with one inch margins.)
Please know that neatness, clarity and completeness are of utmost importance.
The students need to submit the assignment in a 3 pronged folder as follows:
1. Create a front cover with a hand-drawn, colored illustration that conveys a point of
interest in the book. It may be traced, but it may not be images found on-line, printed
from the computer and then pasted on the paper. Include the title and author of the book.
2. Page 1 should have the title of the book with the author. Include a statement of the overall
setting of the story to tell both when and where the story takes place. Your name and
class name (English 8) should be at the bottom right-hand corner of this page.
3. Page 2 should have a visual illustration that shows a particular scene from the story. Give
a brief description of the scene and include the page number or chapter for the idea.
4. Page 3 – choose 3 main characters to discuss.
a. For each character write two to three sentences giving a physical description of
the character and describing the character’s personality traits that include both the
positive and negative actions and attitudes of the character.
b. Identify the character with whom you most identify. Explain 1) why you identify
with this character and why they are most like you or 2) why their actions and/or
attitudes made an impact on you.
5. Page 4 –Choose 3 quotations from the book that when read together, will demonstrate
the plot of the story. The quotations should come from the beginning, middle and end of
the book to show the continuous plot idea. Write each quote, give the page number where
it is found and tell who says it.
6. Page 5 – write a paragraph (four to five sentences) about a specific part of the book you
enjoyed or disliked the most.
At the bottom of the page include a statement that you have read the entire book
and sign your name. Then write a statement saying that your parent knows you
have read the entire book and has proofed your completed assignment and have
them sign their name.
*** This project will be the first test grade of the year, and it will be graded for content,
neatness and creativity.