7 th Grade Summer Reading (2016-17)
Hatchet – Gary Paulson
ISBN: 978-1-4169-3647-3
Chapters 1- 5
Reading Focus:
Brian is very intentional about his observations as soon as the airplane begins its descent.
Pay close attention to the items Brian collects. Why are they important and what do you
think he will use them for in his quest for survival?
Vocabulary:
amphibious (adj) – able to function on both land and water
turbulence (n) – irregular air motion, especially as felt by airplane passengers
audible (adj) – able to be heard
altitude (n) - the height of an object or point in relation to sea level
rudder pedals (n) - vertically hinged plate of metal, fiberglass, or wood mounted structure
at the tail of an aircraft
abated (v) - of something perceived as hostile, threatening, or negative becoming less
intense or widespread
extensive (adj) - covering or affecting a large area
Discussion Questions:
Answer the following discussion questions. The length of your answers should be from
roughly three sentences to a short paragraph, including specific examples from the text.
1. Why is Brian going to Canada? How does he feel about the trip?
1
2. What was Brian’s plan to help him survive the plane crash? What were some lucky
occurrences that helped him survive?
3. Describe Brian’s first encounter with the insects and how did he respond?
4. What advice did Brian’s English teacher, Mr. Perpich, give him?
5. Why does Brian empty his pockets? What important item does he find?
2
Chapters 6-12
Reading Focus:
Brian is able to draw from school lessons, books, movies and television shows to aid his
survival. As Brian sets up camp and prepares to look for food and water, how does he use
this knowledge?
Vocabulary:
dormant (adj) – inactive
pulverize (v) - reduce to fine particles
ruefully (adv) – with regret
gratify (v) – to please; to satisfy
imbed (v) - fix (an object) firmly and deeply in a surrounding mass
convulsive (adj) - of the nature of or characterized by convulsions or spasms
king fisher (n) - an often brightly colored bird with a large head and long sharp beak,
typically diving for fish from a perch
Discussion Questions:
Answer the following discussion questions. The length of your answers should be from
roughly three sentences to a short paragraph, including specific examples from the text.
1. What solutions does Brian come up with as he is searching for food and water?
2. What does Brian find among the raspberry bushes? What does he learn from this
encounter?
3
3. What does Brian dream about? How does his dream help him solve a problem?
4. How does Brian light a fire? What material/skills does he use?
5. What clues helped Brian find eggs?
6. What is Brian’s plan for signaling the plane? What emotions does Brian experience
the first time he hears/sees a plane?
4
Chapters 13-19, epilogue
Reading Focus:
As the book comes to end, Brian discovers that he has changed drastically since he began
his trip. As you read these last chapters, focus on ways that Brian handles his
circumstances and challenges differently than at the books beginning.
Vocabulary:
corrosive (adj) – having the power to weaken or destroy gradually
fuselage (n) – the central body of an airplane
sear (v) – to burn
exult (v) - show or feel elation or jubilation, especially as the result of a success
stymie (v) - prevent or hinder the progress of
furor (n) - an outbreak of public anger or excitement
oblivious (adj) - not aware of or not concerned about what is happening around one
Discussion Questions:
Answer the following discussion questions. The length of your answers should be from
roughly three sentences to a short paragraph, including specific examples from the text.
1. In what two ways does Brian measure time? Which way is more important to him?
2. Describe two major disasters that occur doing this part of the book.
5
3. How does Brian find the survival pack? What challenges does he face?
4. When Brian uses the lighter to start the fire, he feels he has become separated from
nature. What does this mean?
5. After reading the epilogue, do you think Brian will have a difficult time being home
again in the city?
6
The Once and Future King
By T.H White
2016 Summer Reading Guide
The Once and Future King
By T.H. White
ISBN 978-0-441-02083-6
Hello 8th graders!
I am so pleased we will all be reading The Sword in the Stone from The Once
and Future King together this summer. OAFK is a collection of four books,
and while you are only required to read the first one, I highly recommend
reading the following three. These books are interpretations of King Arthurs
Tales – many of you may already be familiar with figures like the Dashing
Lancelot, Noble Arthur, Beautiful Guinevere, Marvelous Merlin or
Mysterious Morgan – and I encourage you to look for and appreciate the
humor T.H. White sprinkles throughout his text. These books are magical,
quirky, entertaining, and deeply allegorical. As you dive into the enchanting
world of King Arthur, I encourage you to use your smart minds to look
beneath the surface of the story for Truth, Beauty, and Goodness.
Happy Summer Reading,
Miss Shaw
Part 1: Plot
 Give each chapter a title
 Summarize the main event of the chapter in 1-3 sentences
Chapter 1 Title:
Chapter 1 Summary (main event):
Chapter 2 Title:
Chapter 2 Summary (main event):
Chapter 3 Title:
Chapter 3 Summary (main event):
Chapter 4 Title:
Chapter 4 Summary (main event):
Chapter 5 Title:
Chapter 5 Summary (main event):
Chapter 6 Title:
Chapter 6 Summary (main event):
Chapter 7 Title:
Chapter 7 Summary (main event):
Chapter 8 Title:
Chapter 8 Summary (main event):
Chapter 9 Title:
Chapter 9 Summary (main event):
Chapter 10 Title:
Chapter 10 Summary (main event):
Chapter 11 Title:
Chapter 11 Summary (main event):
Chapter 12 Title:
Chapter 12 Summary (main event):
Chapter 13 Title:
Chapter 13 Summary (main event):
Chapter 14 Title:
Chapter 14 Summary (main event):
Chapter 15 Title:
Chapter 16 Summary (main event):
Chapter 16 Title:
Chapter 16 Summary (main event):
Chapter 17 Title:
Chapter 17 Summary (main event):
Chapter 18 Title:
Chapter 18 Summary (main event):
Chapter 19 Title:
Chapter 19 Summary (main event):
Chapter 20 Title:
Chapter 20 Summary (main event):
Chapter 21 Title:
Chapter 21 Summary (main event):
Chapter 22 Title:
Chapter 22 Summary (main event):
Chapter 23 Title:
Chapter 23 Summary (main event):
Chapter 24 Title:
Chapter 24 Summary (main event):
Part 3: Arthur’s Transformations
 Describe each encounter Arthur (The Wart) has during his transformations; use as much
detail as possible
 What does Arthur learn from the animals he meets?
 The Fish
 The Hawks
 The Ants
 The Wild Geese
 The Badger