Grade 9 Summer Reading 2014
All Blake students entering Grade 9 in Fall 2014 are expected to have read at least ONE book which IS:
 NOT an assigned MIDDLE SCHOOL text (e.g., The Giver, Animal Farm, The Hobbit, etc.)
 NOT on the ninth grade reading list (below)
 at least 150 pages
 appropriate for classroom discussion
 approved by a parent or guardian
 suitable to the student’s individual reading level
For this assignment, students MAY NOT read a title which is on Montgomery County’s list of anchor texts
for Grade 9. Therefore, the following titles may NOT be used for the summer reading assignment:
A Farewell to Arms
A Raisin in the Sun
A Separate Peace
Antigone
Children of the River
Ender’s Game
Flowers for Algernon
Having Our Say
House on Mango Street
Of Mice and Men
Our Town
The Princess Bride
Romeo and Juliet
Spoon River Anthology
To Kill a Mockingbird
The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Nighttime
ASSIGNMENTS
Information and Signature – Fill out the following information on the top of the worksheet:
 your complete name
 the author’s complete name
 underlined title of book
 your parent’s legible signature, verifying that you completed the book, and a daytime
phone number where that parent may be reached
Quotations – Find three important quotations in the novel, following the guidelines below:
 These quotations should demonstrate something important about a theme, a message,
or a character in the book.
 The quotations must come from the beginning, middle, and end of your book. For
example, if your book is 150 pages long, quote #1 will be from pages 1-50, quote #2 from
51-100, quote #3 from 101-150.
 Write the quotation AND THE PAGE NUMBER on the left side of the worksheet.
 On the right side of the worksheet, write a 3-5 sentence explanation of the importance
of the quotation to the book.
Narrative – Write a story that starts with the last line of your book.
 This must be 500+ words, typed!
 More details are on the back of the quote worksheet.
MCPS Summer Reading Rationale
Since 1998, Montgomery County Public Schools has required summer reading in middle and
high schools and encouraged summer reading in elementary schools.
Reading is a life-long skill that is necessary for everyone who wishes to be successful as a
student, a worker, and a citizen. Perhaps even more importantly, reading opens the world
through periodicals, references, essays, and literature. Through reading, individuals have
the opportunity to learn about people, times, regions, and ideas that they may never
actually encounter in life. Reading can also bring a lifetime of pleasure and mental acuity.
Research strongly suggests that reading, like most skills, improves when practiced and
decreases when neglected. Therefore, consistent with a commitment to prepare all
students for success during school and after graduation, MCPS expects all students to read
during the summer.
Note to Parents and Students:
Students should have parental approval and guidance in selecting books. The National
Endowment for the Humanities has collected reading lists from across the nation and
compiled a list of what NEH refers to as “summertime favorites” which highlight classic
literature for young people. This list can be found at:
http://www.neh.gov/projects/summertimefavorites.html
The American Library Association publishes recommended reading lists, including many lists
of award winners that appeal to students. These lists can be found at:
http://www.ala.org/ala/mgrps/divs/yalsa/booklistsawards/booklistsbook.cfm#booklists
If you need additional assistance in choosing titles, please contact your local public librarian
or Blake’s English Resource Teacher, Media Specialist, Resource Teacher for Special
Education, or ESOL teacher.
The MCPS Summer Reading List page can be found at:
http://www.montgomeryschoolsmd.org/curriculum/readinglists/
For more information, contact:
Ms. Christine Di Monte, English Resource Teacher
301 879-1351 [email protected]
Grade 9 Summer Reading 2014
Your Name
Author of book
Full Title of Book (underlined)
Parent Signature & daytime phone number
Quotation 1
Page number
What is the importance of this quotation to the book? (3-5
sentences)
(first third of book)
Quotation 2
Page number
What is the importance of this quotation to the book? (3-5
sentences)
(middle third of book)
Quotation 3
Page number
What is the importance of this quotation to the book? (3-5
sentences)
(final third of book)
FOR INSTRUCTIONS ON THE STORY ASSIGNMENT, TURN TO THE BACK OF THIS PAGE
Story Assignment
The first unit of Grade 9 English is focused on narrative writing. To begin practicing the skills
involved in writing a story, you will write a story that BEGINS with the last sentence of the
book you read.
This story may be a completely new story, with new characters and setting, or it may be a
sequel to the book you read, with the same characters encountering new obstacles and
challenges.
The story must be TYPED, in Times New Roman 12 point font, and double-spaced. It must be
AT LEAST 500 words long (about 2 pages long if it is correctly double-spaced).
Sample Story
The last sentence from The Giver – “But perhaps it was only an echo.”
But perhaps it was only an echo. Bobby turned his head and listened carefully. He
thought he had heard a zombie outside of the pharmacy scrabbling around, but now he figured
his mind was just playing tricks on him.
“Are we going to do this thing, or what?” asked Daysha, as she nervously paced back and
forth.
“Quiet!” hissed Bobby. He still wasn’t sure that something wasn’t out there, waiting to
attack.
Darnell didn’t say a word. He continued to polish and clean his pistol, like always.
Bobby was worried about Darnell’s sanity. Ever since Darnell’s sister had died, torn apart
by those mindless creatures, Darnell had been quiet as a ghost. With a little coaxing, Bobby
could get Darnell to eat a bit, or to drink some tepid water. But otherwise, Darnell engaged in
only two activities: polishing his gun, and staring at the wall. He might be a problem…
(150 out of 500 words)