Summer Reading for 8th Grade Students |
You are required to read a total of two (2) books this summer. You must read one book from the list below and are free to choose another book that does not appear on the list. In addition, you are required to complete one of the activities below for each book. Please choose a different activity for each novel. When you return to school in the fall, your English teacher will collect the activities, score them, and average them in as a part of your 1st quarter grade. Happy reading!
Choose book one from the titles below:
Parrot in the Oven by Martinez
Stranger With My Face by Duncan
Darkness Before Dawn by Draper
Slam! by Myers
The Contender by Lipsyte
Activity #1: The theme of the novel is the message that the author is trying to send to the reader about life. It is usually a universal message (example: People who survive great adversity become stronger human beings). In two (2) pages, include the title and author of your novel and write at least three (3) themes or life lessons you learned after completing the book. Give supporting evidence for each theme you list.
Activity #2: Titles usually give the reader insight into a particular character, setting, plot, or theme of the story. After reading your novel, explain how the title supports the events in the story. Next, change the title to one you feel is more suited to the book and explain why. This should be two (2) pages in length.
Activity #3: Choose a major character in your novel that you can relate to. In two (2) pages, explain who the character is and what qualities or traits made the character memorable. Also, include experiences this character lived through in the book that are similar to those you’ve had in your own life. Explain in 1-2 pages.
Gilbert Stuart English Department (2006/2007) |
