You will need to have FOUR books for Pre-AP English 8
The Outsiders by S. E. Hinton
*Summer Reading
ISBN 014240733X
One Free Choice
*Summer Reading
Night by Elie Wiesel
ISBN 0374500010
This is the only version that has all of the needed
text.
Fahrenheit 451 by Ray Bradbury
ISBN 1451673310
This is the only version that has all of the needed
text.
Midway Middle School
8th Pre-AP Summer Reading Guidelines
This summer you will read two novels for use in the early weeks of your 8th grade English class.
When you return to school in the fall, you will complete a series of individual assignments as
well as group discussions and projects relating to the books.
Group Selection
The Pre-AP English students will read The Outsiders by S.E. Hinton. In The Outsiders,
Hinton tells the story of Ponyboy, a “Greaser,” who struggles to grow up in 1950’s Tulsa
where the “Socials” or “Socs” can get away with anything, including beating up greasers.
The two sides live in an uneasy balance until someone goes too far.
Students will read the book to review their understanding of how writers develop
character, plot, and setting as well as how the setting of the book affects the theme of
the novel. Because students will learn how to annotate their text, students must have
their own, unmarked copy of the book. E-books are not allowed.
Individual Selection
For your second novel, choose a book that will be challenging to you. It may come from
any genre — as long as the book and its contents are approved by your parents.
Assignments
1. Group Selection: The Outsiders
As you read, you should annotate (write on the page and margins) The Outsiders from
beginning to end (See page 2). Your annotations will be checked and graded during the
first week of school and will be entered as your first grade of the year. Use the
guidelines below as you take notes on your reading. Annotations will be due on
September 2/3.
2. Individual Selection
During the first week of school, you will give a book talk on your individual selection
novel. The book talk should consist of a very brief summary, analysis of characters and
author’s style, a review, and a recommendation of the book. You should select a brief
passage that you feel exemplifies some element of the book to share during your book
talk. Your English teacher will provide more information about the book talk when you
return to school.
Annotation Guidance
When you annotate a text, underline words, phrases or passages that seem significant to you
and comment about them in the margins. Be sure that for each item of which you make note
you write a few of your own words to explain why you feel that it is important. Simply
underlining without commentary or discussion is not enough.
[If you are using a borrowed book for your Individual Selection, keep a journal or log after each
section. Write a simple summary (Somebody Wanted, But… So) of what you read. Write down
any particularly interesting quotes, and at least three thoughts or questions you have about
that quote.]
Write at least one of the following:




I wonder…
I am confused by…
I think/predict that …
This reminds me of…
What to Look for when Annotating
Authors pay close attention to all of the following ideas when they write, so you should
be on the lookout for them as you read. Your annotations are not limited to these
concepts, but they should definitely be considered.
Diction (word choice): the denotative and connotative meanings of words
• different words for the same thing often suggest different attitudes (e.g., happy vs.
content)
• denotative vs. connotative (e.g., dead vs. passed away)
• concrete vs. abstract (e.g., able to perceive with 5 senses, tangible, vs. an idea or
concept that exists in one’s mind, intangible)
• cacophonous vs. euphonious (e.g., harsh sounding, e.g., raucous, croak or pleasant
sounding, e.g. languid, murmur)
Images: vivid appeals to understanding through the five senses
Details: facts that are included or those that are omitted
Language: the overall use of language such as formal, clinical, informal, slang, syntactical
structure
Sentence Structure: how the author’s use of sentence structure affects the reader
Remember! Underlining is not annotating. Your written thoughts and ideas about the text are
annotations. Put careful consideration into each note you make.