1
Jay M. Robinson Middle School
2015 Eighth Grade Summer Reading Project
Reading is a very important part of the experience at Robinson Middle School. Research shows that
the frequency and continuity of reading a variety of texts increases fluency, builds vocabulary, and
helps readers become better writers. Most importantly, we hope that each and every student will
become a life-long pleasure reader. Summer is a time for recreational reading, for exploring new
books, and for reading those that you never had time for during the busy school year. So go ahead, read
voraciously this summer!
We have selected four novels that will be challenging, yet will pique student interest. You can check
out a copy of one of the novels at any branch of the Charlotte-Mecklenburg County Public Library,
purchase it at most book stores or order online, or buy/download an electronic copy. However when
you begin reading the novel, it is very important that you use active reading strategies such as,
sticky notes for the library copy, writing notations and/or highlighting in personal copies, or
electronically highlighting and taking notes on eBooks.
All rising eighth graders will choose one of the following novels:
Graveyard Book, Gaimen
Downriver, Hobbs
Out of my Mind, Draper
Dead End in Norvelt, Gantos
Students must complete the following assignment, to be turned in to their Language Arts teacher, by
the due date--- September 4, 2015. A copy of the assignment is also available on our website at
http://pages.cms.k12.nc.us/jayrobinson/ and in the main office throughout the summer.
Name: _______________________________________ Block: _____________ Date: ____________
Rubric for 8th grade Language Arts Summer Reading Project
Part I: Characterization Annotations (2 points for each annotation)
/30 points
Part II: Changes in the Main Character-- Paragraph
/28 points
Part III: Conflict Chart (4pts each conflict, 4 pts each explanation)
/32 points
Final Product (typed or neatly written, free of grammatical errors, and
spelling mistakes)
/10 points
TOTAL
/100 points
2
Project Instructions
Part I. Character Annotations: As you encounter the main character and 4 other characters in
your novel (total of 5), record three descriptive annotations. A descriptive annotation is a quotation
from the text along with a written explanation which reveals something important about the
character. Follow the attached template.


Each annotation should be cited correctly in MLA format-- author’s last name and the page
number-- where the annotation/quote is located.
Each of the three annotations for the five characters should reflect a different point of view to showo the narrator’s comments,
o the character’s actions, speech, or thoughts,
o other characters’ comments about the character or symbol.
Part II. Changes in the main character: When you have finished reading the novel, write a
paragraph explaining how the main character changes over the course of the novel. Give textual
evidence to support your claims. This should be at least 15-20 sentences. Your paragraph should
include:
Topic Sentence: Must include the title of the novel, author, and name of the main character, as well
as a listing of the three ways that the character changes throughout the novel.
Change #1 – In your own words, explain how the character changes, and include a quotation
that exemplifies this change—Make sure to cite the quote! (author pg).
Change #2 – In your own words, explain how the character changes, and include a quotation
that exemplifies this change—Make sure to cite the quote! (author pg).
Change #3 – In your own words, explain how the character changes, and include a quotation
that exemplifies this change—Make sure to cite the quote! (author pg).
Closing Sentence: Reword the topic sentence
Your paragraph should be written in the present tense—NOT past tense!!!!!
Part III. Conflict: Characters in literature face conflicts in many different forms. As you read the
novel, identify the problems the characters face and reference the text—using specific quotes or
passages that show the various types of conflict endured. For each of the four types of conflict, select
one quotation AND explain it. Make sure the quotation you cite clearly exemplifies the specific type
of conflict, and then briefly explain why that quotation is a good example. Follow the attached
template. As a review, the conflict types are defined as:
MAN vs. MAN: An external conflict where one character in the story has a problem with one or more
of the other characters.
MAN vs. NATURE: An external conflict where a character has a problem with some natural
happening: a snowstorm, an avalanche, the bitter cold, or any of the other elements common to nature.
MAN vs. SOCIETY: An external conflict where a character has a conflict or problem with some
element of society--the school, the law, the accepted way of doing things, etc.
MAN vs. HIMSELF: An internal conflict where a character has trouble deciding what to do in a
particular situation.
3
Part I: Character Annotations
Template: Use this chart to assist you with formatting. One example, from The Alchemist, has been
provided. You must have 3 quotes and 3 explanations for each character.
Character
Baker
(example)
#1
Descriptive Annotation
Narrator’s comments:
“[Santiago] went over to the bakery and bought
a loaf of bread, thinking whether or not he
should tell the baker what the old man had said
about him (Coelho 25).
Character’s actions, speech, or thoughts:
“[A] baker standing in his shop window at one
corner of the plaza” (Coelho22).
Other character’s comments:
“‘When he was a child, that man wanted to
travel, too’” (Coelho 24).
Narrator’s comments:
Character’s actions, speech, or thoughts:
Other character’s comments:
#2
Narrator’s comments:
Character’s actions, speech, or thoughts:
Other character’s comments:
#3
Narrator’s comments:
Character’s actions, speech, or thoughts:
Other character’s comments:
#4
Narrator’s comments:
Character’s actions, speech, or thoughts:
Other character’s comments:
#5
Narrator’s comments:
Character’s actions, speech, or thoughts:
Other character’s comments:
Explanation of the Annotation
Santiago is careful not to call into question the Baker’s life
choices. This implies that the Baker is possibly a character
with regrets about his traditional life choices.
In this scene, the Baker’s action (standing at the window)
again suggests his longing for the life he might have had.
The window symbolizes the fact that though he might be
outward-looking, his desires are ultimately contained by the
structures of his society.
The King of Salem explains to Santiago that the Baker
always had a dream of travelling, and yet never followed
his dreams.
4
Part II: Changes in the Main Character (Paragraph)
Topic Sentence: Must include the title of the novel, author, and name of the main character, as well
as a listing of the three ways that the character changes throughout the novel.
Three examples of how the character changes: In your own words, explain how the character
changes, and include a quotation that exemplifies this change. (Cite the quote properly.)
Closing sentence: Rephrase the topic sentence.
Your paragraph should be written in the present tense—NOT past tense!!!!!
5
Part II: Changes in the Main Character (Paragraph)
Part III: Conflict
Conflict Chart
Man vs. Nature
(example)
Harry vs. the cold
Man vs. Man
Man vs. Nature
Man vs. Society
Man vs. Himself
Provide a quotation as evidence
“The cold was agony: It attacked him like
fire. His brain itself seemed to have frozen
as he pushed through the dark water to the
bottom and reached out, groping for the
sword. His fingers closed around the hilt;
and he pulled it upward” (Rowling 370).
Explain how this conflict represents the
conflict type, including textual evidence
to support your reasoning
Obviously, outside temperature is an example
of Man vs. Nature. The freezing pond is a
great obstacle for Harry when he attempts to
retrieve the sword of Gryffindor. It requires
him to build courage and endure extreme pain
to accomplish his goal.
6