CENTER MORICHES MIDDLE SCHOOL
ENGLISH DEPARTMENT
311 Frowein Road
Center Moriches, New York 11934
June 24, 2016
Dear 8th Grade Student:
During the summer months it is very important to continue reading and keep
your mind active and ready for school in September. Attached you will find
your summer reading assignment. Your completed assignment is due on
MONDAY, SEPTEMBER 12.
Also, please be sure to visit the Center Moriches Public Library over the summer.
They have a wonderful Teen Summer Reading Program called “Get in the Game:
Read!” Participation will earn you great prizes and you will be reading! It’s a
“win-win” opportunity.
Please email me ([email protected]) if you have any questions. You
can also join Remind by texting @fee6h to 81010. You will receive important
announcements and you can also text me any questions that you have through
Remind.
Happy reading and have a great summer!
Sincerely,
l’4 r Thre’scu H crciavsIw
Grade 8 English Teacher
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Summer Reading Project
2016/2017
Task: Create a Mini-Book based about the novel that you chose to
read.
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Mini-Book Assignment
The mini book is on paper, cardboard, poster board etc. and should
have 8 pages (including the front and back covers). The typical size of a
mini-book_is_roughly 4.5”_x_6”._(10_points)
Front Cover (pg. 1): illustrated with creative and interesting cover art
for your book. Title and author must be included on the front cover. (10
points)
Inside Front Cover (pg. 2): bibliographic information for your book:
publisher, where your book was published, and the copyright date.
Write_your name_on_this_page._(5_points)
Vocabulary Page (pg. 3): Create a dictionary of challenging words
from your book. Include the page number from where the word was
found, definition and a sentence for each word. (10 points)
Favorite Part (pgs. 4 & 5): These pages (two facing pages) should
contain a colorful illustration of your favorite part of the novel, along
with an explanation telling why it is your favorite part. You MAY NOT
print out pictures from the internet. You are not being graded on your
artistic ability, but, rather your effort and work ethic. (20 points)
Quotes (pg. 6): Choose 5 quotes from the novel that you think are
important. Analyze and interpret each quote. Explain why the quote is
significant_to_the_novel._(20_points)
Author’s Information (pg. 7): Write an “about the author” paragraph.
Include a picture of the author (you may print this off the internet).
This information should be about the author of the book you read (not
about the author of the mini-book©). You must correctly cite your
source(s) for the author’s information page. (10 points)
Back Cover (pg. 8): Write a teaser for the book that would entice other
people to read it. Think of this part as if you were frying to “sell” the
novel to other (
a fascinating tale of romance, chivalry, and
intrigue”. ..etc). (5 points)
Grammar, Spe1Iing Punctuation: Review, edit, and revise your minibook.
0-5 errors = 10 points max
6-10 errors = 5 points max
11 or more errors = 0 points
Points
Earned
Recommended Summer Reading List******
These titles are recommended only. You are free to choose another book that is not on the list
but appropriate for your reading level. PLEASE REFRAIN FROM CHOOSING BOOKS THAT
YOU HAVE ALREADY READ. Please email me ([email protected]) the title and
author of the book for approval.
Check the link below for other recommended titles.
htty://dme.comflOO-best-young-adult-books/
Let the Circle Be Unbroken, by Mildred Taylor
In this sequel to Roll of Thunder, Hear My Cry, Cassie continues to learn the importance of family
loyalty in a world full of hazards to her and her brothers.
The Left Hand of Darkness, by Ursula LeGuin
An envoy from the hunrnn galaxy has a mission to “re-civilize” the planet Winter. To accomplish
this he must reconcile his own culture with the strange (to him and to the reader) one that he
encounters. This award winning novel is a science fiction classic.
The Secret Life of Bees, by Sue Kidd
Set in South Carolina in 1964, the novel tells the story of Lily Owens, whose life has been shaped
around the blurred memory of the afternoon her mother was killed. In the search for her mother,
she finds herself and a mother that she never expected.
Treasure Island, by Robert Louis Stevenson
An adventure story set mainly on an island in the 18th century, Treasure Island features treachery,
pirates and a young man, Jim Hawkins, who learns about responsibility, courage, and his own
resourcefulness.
A Tree Grows in Brooklyn, Betty Smith
Francie Nolan grows up with a brother who is the favorite. Like the free in the title, Francie finds
a way to survive despite the obstacles found in a Brooklyn tenement at the turn of the century.
This novel is a child’s eye view into the early days of New York City.
Zach’s Lie, Roland Smith
Because his father was involved with the criminal underworld, Zach and his family must enter
the witness protection program. The story revolves around the broken lies and fear of discovery
that such a situation would naturally provoke.
The Thief Lord, Cornelia Funke
This is a radiant novel that should capture the imaginations of students who’ve enjoyed the
Harry Potter series. Remarkable for its zany plot and well-defined characters, the novel takes the
reader on an adventure marked by magic and intrigue.
A Wrinkle in Time, Madeleine L’Engle
This is the story of a brother and sister who, with the help of three witch-like sisters, travel
through space and time to rescue their scientist father from “if.” Students may wish to read a
later book in the series.
The Roadfrom Coorain, Jill Ker Conway
Conway and her mother leave the arduous life on the family sheep farm in the Australian
outback for school in wartime Sydney. This is the autobiography of a woman whose curiosity
and adaptability led her to public achievement as president of Smith College
The Moorclnld, Eloise McGraw
Saaski discovers that she is a changeling who was cast out by the “Folk” because of her human
father. Perceived as “different” by the villagers, she sets out to rescue the human child for whom
she was exchanged at birth. This is an unforgettable trip into the invisible world of the fairies and
English folklore.
New Found Land: Lewis and Clark’s Voyage of Discovery, Allan Wolf
This novel recounts the amazing adventures of two explorers as witnessed through the eyes of
the participants. Even the dog, Oolum, contributes a point of view. The reader will appreciate the
mind boggling reality of what these men went through to explore and expand this nation.
Holhs Woods, Patricia Reilly Giff
Artistically talented Hollis Woods has made a habit of running away from foster homes. She
finds a place with Josie, her new guardian, a slightly eccentric, retired art teacher. Hollis
preserves many pictures of the Regans in her sketchbook. Readers will wonder at the mystery
surrounding her past experiences with the Regans, the family who still loves her.
Flipped, Wendelin Van Draanen
With a charming leading lady, this compelling dynamic between two narrators centers on a “hesaid, she-said” romance. The first time Juli Baker saw Broyce Loski she flipped. The first time he
saw her, he ran. Not much changes until eighth grade when Juli’s infatuation wanes and Bryce’s
begins.
Habibi, Nye
This is the story of an American fourteen-year-old who moves to Jerusalem. It is interesting to
read this book along with Broken Bridge to gain a sense of the many ways occurrences in the strifefilled land can be perceived.
Broken Bridge, Lynne Reid Banks
This novel recounts the murder of a teenager in Jerusalem from the viewpoints of Israelis with
varying perspectives on the relationship between them and the Palestinians. It is interesting to
read this book along with Habibi to gain a sense of the many ways occurrences in the strife-filled
land can be perceived.
The Book The if by Markus Zusak
Trying to make sense of the horrors of World War II, Death relates the story of Liesel a young
German girl whose book-stealing and storytelling talents help sustain her family and the Jewish
man they are hiding, as well as their neighbors.
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