Grade 7 Summer Reading
Holbrook Junior Senior High School
2015
Students are assigned the novel Crash by Jerry Spinelli. In addition to the novel
Crash, students are to read one additional novel from the list provided. Students are
required to complete the attached assignments for each novel. The assignments
connected to the novels read will count for 5% of the student’s first term grade in
their English class. Students will be required to complete additional assignments
related to Spinelli’s Crash when they return to school.
Summer Reading Assignments are due during the first week of school.
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Grade 7 Summer Reading Assignment
Purpose:
The purpose of Summer Reading for students in grade 7 is to expose them to novels in
order to increase fluency and promote good reading habits. Additionally, it is the goal of the
English Department to help students develop strong writing skills in preparation for the
English Long Composition session of the MCAS exam and to make our students more
effective readers and writers.
Overview:
Students should read the assigned novel as well as one novel from the list provided.
Students should consult their teacher and their parents/guardian about which book they
would be interested in reading.
Once finished with reading the two novels, each student will complete the attached
assignments for each novel. These assignments will be submitted to the student’s English
teacher during the first week of school.
Criteria:
Read two novels
1. Crash by Jerry Spinelli (assigned novel)
2. Choose one novel from the list provided
Complete a five paragraph essay answering the prompt for Assignment #1: Crash by
Jerry Spinelli
Complete the attached worksheet for the “Second Novel”
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Grade 7 Assigned Novel
Crash by Jerry Spinelli
Meet Crash Coogan - Crash seems to be all brawn and no brains, but he will need more than mere
muscles to face the upcoming challenges in his life. Will Crash ever grow up?
Grade 7 Second Novel (Choose One)
Black Water by Eve Bunting
Thirteen-year-old Brodie Lynch was ready for the perfect summer of adventure along the awesome
Blackwater River. That was before everything changed forever. When a harmless prank goes too
far, the unthinkable happens. Brodie's lies make him a hero, but inside, his guilt tears at him like the
treacherous current of the Blackwater itself, which has become a horrifying reminder of his part in
the tragedy. In this gripping new coming-of-age novel, a young boy is faced with a choice between
right and wrong and ultimately learns that truth can offer hope in even the darkest moments.
Maniac McGee by Jerry Spinelli
Jeffrey Lionel "Maniac" Magee might have lived a normal life if a freak accident hadn't made him an
orphan. After living with his unhappy and uptight aunt and uncle for eight years, he decides to
run—and not just run away, but run. This is where the myth of Maniac Magee begins, as he changes
the lives of a racially divided small town with his amazing and legendary feats. After his parents die,
Jeffrey Lionel Magee's life becomes legendary, as he accomplishes athletic and other feats which
awe his contemporaries.
Among the Hidden by Margaret Peterson Haddix
Luke has never been to school. He's never had a birthday party, or gone to a friend's house for an
overnight. In fact, Luke has never had a friend. Luke is one of the shadow children, a third child
forbidden by the Population Police. He's lived his entire life in hiding, and now, with a new housing
development replacing the woods next to his family's farm, he is no longer even allowed to go
outside. Then, one day Luke sees a girl's face in the window of a house where he knows two other
children already live. Finally, he's met a shadow child like himself. Jen is willing to risk everything
to come out of the shadows — does Luke dare to become involved in her dangerous plan? Can he
afford not to?
The Revealers by Doug Wilhelm
Parkland Middle School is a place the students call Darkland, because no one in it does much to stop
the daily harassment of kids by other kids. Three bullied seventh graders use their smarts to get the
better of their tormentors by starting an unofficial e-mail forum at school in which they publicize
their experiences. Unexpectedly, lots of other kids come forward to confess their similar troubles,
and it becomes clear that the problem at their school is bigger than anyone knew. The school
principal wants to clamp down on the operation, which she does when the trio, in their zealousness
for revenge, libel a fellow student in what turns out to have been a setup. Now a new plan of attack
is needed . . .
The War to End All Wars: World War I by Russell Freedman
This is a highly readable account of World War I—from the broad causes and consequences to the
heartbreaking personal details of trench warfare. The technology, the battles, the leaders, and the
soldiers are all included in a fascinating narrative that is accompanied by arresting photographs
and helpful maps.
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Wonder Show by Hannah Barnaby
Ladies and gentlemen, boys and girls, step inside Mosco’s Traveling Wonder Show, a menagerie of
human curiosities and misfits guaranteed to astound and amaze! Perhaps the strangest act of
Mosco’s display is Portia Remini, a normal among the freaks, on the run from McGreavy’s Home for
Wayward Girls, where Mister watches and waits. He said he would always find Portia, that she
could never leave. Free at last, Portia begins a new life on the bally, seeking answers about her
father’s disappearance. Will she find him before Mister finds her? It’s a story for the ages, and like
everyone who enters the Wonder Show, Portia will never be the same.
Shooting Kabul by N. H. Senzai
In the summer of 2001, twelve year old Fadi’s parents make the difficult decision to illegally leave
Afghanistan and move the family to the United States. When their underground transport arrives at
the rendezvous point, chaos ensues, and Fadi is left dragging his younger sister Mariam through the
crush of people. But Mariam accidentally lets go of his hand and becomes lost in the crowd, just as
Fadi is snatched up into the truck. With Taliban soldiers closing in, the truck speeds away, leaving
Mariam behind. Adjusting to life in the United States isn’t easy for Fadi’s family and as the events of
September 11th unfold the prospects of locating Mariam in a war torn Afghanistan seem slim.
When a photography competition with a grand prize trip to India is announced, Fadi sees his
chance to return to Afghanistan and find his sister. But can one photo really bring Mariam home?
The Roar by Emma Clayton
Mika lives in future London, behind The Wall: Solid concrete topped with high-voltage razor wire
and guarded by a battalion of Ghengis Borgs, it was built to keep out the animals, because animals
carry the plague.Or so Mika's been told.But ever since Ellie vanished a year ago, Mika's suspected
his world may be built on secrets--and lies. When a mysterious organization starts recruiting
mutant kids to compete in violent virtual reality games, Mika takes the chance to search for his twin
sister--and the truth.
The Graveyard Book by Neil Gaiman
In this Newbery Medal-winning novel, Bod is an unusual boy who inhabits an unusual place—he's
the only living resident of a graveyard. Raised from infancy by the ghosts, werewolves, and other
cemetery denizens, Bod has learned the antiquated customs of his guardians' time as well as their
ghostly teachings—such as the ability to Fade so mere mortals cannot see him.
Can a boy raised by ghosts face the wonders and terrors of the worlds of both the living and the
dead? And then there are being such as ghouls that aren't really one thing or the other.
Amelia Lost: The Life and Disappearance of Amelia Earhart by Candace Fleming
This fascinating biography alternates between the story of Amelia Earhart’s life and the days
surrounding her disappearance. Through photos, sidebars, maps, and letters, the author gives
readers a compelling glimpse at the life of a legend.
We Were Liars by E. Lockhart
Each summer the wealthy, seemingly perfect, members of the Sinclair family gather on their private
island. We Were Liars is the story of those annual reunions; in particular what happened during a
summer that protagonist Cadence is unable to remember. Prejudice, greed, and shifting patriarchal
favoritism among the three adult sisters contrasts with the camaraderie and worldview of the
teenage cousins and their dear friend Gat. Lazy days of sticky lemonades on the roof and marathon
Scrabble games give way to twisty suspense, true love, and good intentions gone horribly
wrong. We Were Liars is a story that begs to be read in one sitting
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MCAS Long Composition Rubric
Scoring Guide for Topic/Idea Development
Score
Description
6
5
4
3
2
1
Rich topic/idea development
Careful and/or subtle organization
Effective/rich use of language
Full topic/idea development
Logical organization
Strong details
Appropriate use of language
Moderate topic/idea development and organization
Adequate, relevant details
Some variety in language
Rudimentary topic/idea development and/or organization
Basic supporting details
Simplistic language
Limited or weak topic/idea development, organization, and/or
details
Limited awareness of audience and/or task
Little topic/idea development, organization, and/or details
Little or no awareness of audience and/or task
Scoring Guide for Standard English Conventions
Score
Description
4
3
2
1
Control of sentence structure, grammar and usage, and
mechanics (length and complexity of essay provide opportunity
for student to show control of standard English conventions)
Errors do not interfere with communication and/or
Few errors relative to length of essay or complexity of sentence
structure, grammar and usage, and mechanics
Errors interfere somewhat with communication and/or
Too many errors relative to the length of the essay or complexity
of sentence structure, grammar and usage, and mechanics
Errors seriously interfere with communication AND
Little control of sentence structure, grammar and usage, and
mechanics
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Student Name:____________________________________
English
Grade 7
Assignment #1: Essay for Crash by Jerry Spinelli
Directions: On the lines below, write a five paragraph essay in response to the following
prompt. Include an introduction, three well-developed body paragraphs, and a conclusion.
You may include personal connections and examples from Crash. Essays will be graded
according to the attached MCAS Long Composition Rubric.
Prompt: An innocent bystander is someone who stands by and witnesses something, but
takes no action. Do you agree or disagree with the statement, “There is no such thing as an
innocent bystander when it comes to bullying”? Explain your opinion. You may include
your thoughts on bullying, as well as suggestions to help put an end to bullying. Include
personal connections and connections to the book.
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Student Name:__________________________________________________
Grade 7 English
Assignment #2: Choice Novel
Directions: Complete the following questions based on the novel you read from the
“Second Novel” list. This assignment is worth a total of 100 points. All questions must be
answered in complete sentences.
Title of CHOICE BOOK:_____________________________________________________________________________
Author:_______________________________________________________ Genre:______________________________
1. What I liked/enjoyed about this novel… (10 points)
2. What I would change about this novel… (10 points)
3. Favorite Quote from the novel (15 points): “
4. Page Number (5 points): _________
5. Reason why I chose this quote (10 points):
6. What this quote means to me (10 points):
7. In one sentence, tell your audience what this novel is about (10 points):
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8. Choose a character from this novel. Describe one of the qualities this character has
that you feel you possess (10 points).
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9. Choose a character from this novel. Describe one of the qualities this character has
that you hope you never portray (10 points).
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10. I (would / would not) recommend this novel to a classmate because… (10 points)
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