SUMMER READING
Entering Grade 3
Fantastic Mr. Fox by Roald Dahl and The Lemonade War by Jacqueline Davies
After reading your books, choose either to write a summary about your book or do a character analysis. You may choose to do summaries for both books, character analysis for both books or one of eacc for both books. When writing this summary, be careful to include only the most important events! Use the summary frame to help you with your writing.
Introduction
The book _______________, by __________________ tells _________________________________________________
This paragraph should broadly tell what the book is about and include the theme.
Body
Tell of the most important events from the book. Include limited detail. Make sure the turning point is included in your summary. Use transition words such as: First, next, then, finally, In the beginning, then, after that, finally
Conclusion
Your conclusion will reveal the author’s message. Use concluding words such as:
In conclusion, All in all, As you can see, I am thinking, I predict
Download page here. (PDF)
Entering Grade 4: Choose 1
The One and Only Ivan by Katherine Applegate
The Magician’s Elephant by Kate DiCamillo
George's Marvelous Medicine by Roald Dahl
Assignment:
After reading your chosen book write a summary about your book. When writing this summary, be careful to include only the most important events! Use the summary frame to help you with your writing.
Introduction
The book _______________, by __________________ tells _________________________________________________
This paragraph should broadly tell what the book is about and include the theme.
Body
Tell of the most important events from the book. Include limited detail. Make sure the turning point is included in your summary. Use transition words such as: First, next, then, finally, In the beginning, then, after that, finally
Conclusion
Your conclusion will reveal the author’s message. Use concluding words such as:
In conclusion, All in all, As you can see, I am thinking, I predict
Entering Grade 5: Choose 1
Number the Stars by Lois Lowry
Holes by Louis Sachar
The Tale of Despereaux by Kate DiCamillo
Assignment:
After reading your chosen book write a summary about your book. When writing this summary, be careful to include only the most important events! Use the summary frame to help you with your writing.
Introduction
The book _______________, by __________________ tells _________________________________________________
This paragraph should broadly tell what the book is about and include the theme.
Body
Tell of the most important events from the book. Include limited detail. Make sure the turning point is included in your summary. Use transition words such as: First, next, then, finally, In the beginning, then, after that, finally
Conclusion
Your conclusion will reveal the author’s message. Use concluding words such as:
In conclusion, All in all, As you can see, I am thinking, I predict
Entering Grade 6
Required: A Horse and His Boy by C. S. Lewis
Find the novel online. READ!
Assignments:
Written Component:
• List Events, which are important things that happen to the characters.
• Write paragraphs about these events that put them into categories:
o Coincidence: Things happen at the same time but are not related
o Mystery: Things happen that you are not able to explain how the happen.
o Magic: Things happen that can only be explained by Magic
o Miracle: Things happen that are clearly caused by God.
• This means you need to write four paragraphs.
Visual Component:
• Draw a map of the areas where the protagonist, Shasta, travels. Include the countries and their cities/towns:
o Narnia
o Archenland
o Calormen
o The Desert
• On the map, show the route Shasta takes as well as the route Aravis takes.
o HINT: They start out separately, travel together part of the way, then are separate again.
• On the map, show where they encounter creatures and important people and significant places.
Additional Optional Reading Suggestions: Charlie and the Chocolate Factory by Roald Dahl, James and the Giant Peach by Roald Dahl
ENTERING GRADE 7
Required: Belle Prater’s Boy by Ruth White
Assignment:
Page 1:
1. Characters: Write a one sentence description of each character:
a. Gypsy
b. Woodrow
c. Gypsy’s Mother, Love
d. Gypsy’s Aunt, Belle
e. Gypsy’s father, Amos Leemaster
2. Draw one of the characters you described above.
3. There are mysteries in this story which are not solved until the end:
a. What has happened to Aunt Belle?
b. What happened to Gypsy’s father, Amos Leemaster?
Page 2:
4. Setting: Draw a picture of Gypsy’s treehouse (p. 53)
5. Theme: Identify a theme/message of this story.
Additional Optional Reading Suggestions: Snow Treasure by Marie McSwigan
ENTERING GRADE 8
Required: A Night Divided by Jennifer Nielsen + ASSIGNMENT
Assignment:
Page 1:
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Characters: Write a short answer to these questions:
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Who is the protagonist? How do you know?
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Who is the antagonist? (Is there only one?) How do you know?
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Theme: Identify a theme/message of this story.
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Symbol: Find a concrete object that symbolizes an abstract concept that relates to the theme. Discuss its significance.
Page 2:
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Setting: Draw two views of the settings:
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A general view – a map of the country
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A specific view – a location (woods, town, farm, boat, station…)
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Additional Optional Reading Suggestions: Soldier Dog by Sam Angus
ENTERING GRADE 9
Required: The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Nighttime by Mark Haddon + ASSIGNMENT
Assignment:
Find the novel online. READ!
Written Components:
Comment: What is the relationship between mystery and deception? These have roles in this novel. In the novel: What is the mystery? What is the Deception? Who creates the mystery? Who deceives?About 3 paragraphs
Comment: Research and describe the Autism Spectrum. Does Christopher land on this Spectrum?
If ‘Yes’ Where on the Spectrum? How do you know? Describe the traits that support your diagnosis.
If ‘No’ how do you account for his unusual behaviors. About 4 paragraphs
Visual Component
Draw a realistic map of the area where the protagonist, Christopher Boone, travels. On the map, show his route.
Due: First week back in class
Additional Optional Reading Suggestions: Ender’s Game by Orson Scott Card
ENTERING GRADE 10
Required: The Five People You Meet in Heaven by Mitch Albom + ASSIGNMENT
Assignment:
Summer Reading Assignment for Future Grade 10: The Five People You Meet In Heaven by Mitch Albom
Page 1:
1. What causes Eddie to die? What is Eddie’s emotional state? Why?
2. Briefly Describe the first person Eddie meets in heaven. What was the connection to Eddie? What is the lesson connected to the person?
3. Briefly Describe the second person Eddie meets in heaven. What was the connection to Eddie? What is the lesson connected to the person?
4. Briefly Describe the third person Eddie meets in heaven. What was the connection to Eddie? What is the lesson connected to the person?
5. Briefly Describe the fourth person Eddie meets in heaven. What was the connection to Eddie? What is the lesson connected to the person?
6. Briefly Describe the fifth person Eddie meets in heaven. What was the connection to Eddie? What is the lesson connected to the person?
Page 2:
7. Theme: Identify a theme/message of the story as a whole.
8. Name one person you believe you will meet in heaven? Why? What will the Lesson be?
9. Find a quotation from the book that has meaning to you and explain its significance.
Additional Optional Reading Suggestions: Mansfield Park by Jane Austen
ENTERING GRADE 11
Required: Tuesdays With Morrie by Mitch Albom + ASSIGNMENT
Assignment
Page 1:
1. Characters: Write a short answer to these questions:
a. Who is the protagonist? How do you know?
b. Who is the narrator?
c. Who is the antagonist?
d. Research ALS (aka Lou Gehrig disease)
2. Theme: Identify a theme/lesson of this story.
3. Symbol: Find a concrete object that symbolizes an abstract concept. Discuss its significance.
Page 2:
4. Write a descriptive poem that reflects in an abstract way the impact of this story (It needs to have at least two quatrains).
Additional Optional Reading Suggestions: The Elegance of the Hedgehog, The Old Man and the Sea by Ernest Hemingway
ENTERING GRADE 12
Required: Brave New World by Aldous Huxley + ASSIGNMENT
Assignment
Research: dystopias
Write a brief descriptive paragraph (or two) on the nature or philosophy of dystopias. This needs to be done before reading the novel. This description should answer the questions: what is a dystopia and what causes a person to have a dystopian view of society?
Next read Brave New World by Aldous Huxley.
If you are not able to buy a hard copy, either buy an e-book or find a free version online: If you input Brave New World pdf www.idph.com.br has a free version.
1. As you read, note that the different social strata are very clearly defined. Create a chart of the various levels of society and place the main characters where they belong. Example of a chart:
Social Level Characteristics of the Level Characters at this level Work connected to this level
2. After reading the novel, write a Commentary in response to this prompt:
• What is lost to society in this Brave New World? What is gained? Was the price paid (that which was sacrificed or lost) worth the reward (that which was gained)?
Hint: A strong commentary will use quotations from the novel as support. Remember to cite your quotations in-text and include in a Works Cited page any research you use. Research is not necessary; thinking is required. You could meet expectations with 1000 words.
To summarize: The first week of class, three written assignments are due:
• your description of what makes a society a dystopia,
• your chart of social levels in Brave New World, and
• your Commentary on Brave New World.
Additional Optional Reading Suggestions: All Quiet on the Western Front by Erich Maria Remarque, All Passion Spent by Vita Sackville West, Jane Eyre by Charlotte Bronte, A Gentleman in Moscow by Amor Towles