The Book ThiefSummer Reading PacketThis packet is for students taking Regular or Honors Survey Literature in the 2014-15 school year.

Our brains are complex, but simply put they are divided into two hemispheres: the left hemisphere and the right hemisphere. The left hemisphere is where we develop our reasoning, speech, writing, and number skills. The right hemisphere is our creative side where we develop our appreciation for talent in art, music, and other creative outlets. It is important to nurture both sides of our brains so we can grow and develop in many ways. SO, this summer in your Summer Reading Packet, you will exercise BOTH parts of your brain.

Pick ONE project for the left side of the brain and ONE for the right side of the brain. You will turn in a TOTAL of TWO assignments on Monday September 8, 2014. All written material is subject to being submitted to turnitin.com. Please make sure you have an electronic copy available for submission to this website. Further instructions for this will come from your English teacher.

RIGHT SIDE OF THE BRAIN (Choose one from this section)1. Art Journal: Art journaling combines the written language and visual language to give a

greater breadth of expression and understanding. In essence art journaling is the combination of art making and journaling with the intention of creating greater insight and understanding of the self and others. In this case you will be art journaling on The Book Thief. There are a lot of ideas and techniques at www.artistsjournals.com. You are encouraged to view examples. In considering The Book Thief, you might want to use Liesel’s books as your anchors for the art journal’s pages: The Gravedigger’s Handbook, Mien Kampf, The Shoulder Shrug, The Word Shaker, The Last Human Stranger or The Whistler to name a few. You may also chose to consider the 13 presents she gives Max as a place to start. These are only ideas….be creative. You should have 5 completed pages of an art journal to submit as your project. The journals should be no larger than 8.5 x 11 and no smaller than 5” x 7”. For each page you need a one paragraph typed summary of what is being represented on the page. Pages should represent plot, theme, characters, symbols, conflict, or motifs in the story.

2. Think of other protagonists who might be Liesel and Rudy’s age. Some authors to consider, but not limited to, are Suzanne Collins, Ranson Riggs, Rick Riordan, Anne Frank, Harper Lee, or J.K. Rowling, Using GoogleMaps, research either Liesel’s hometown or your other character’s hometown. Pretend one is hosting the other in their hometown in 2012. Create a weekend itinerary visiting the sites (museums or other notable sightseeing destinations) and sampling regional food fare. Create a scrapbook of the weekend complete with maps, pictures, menus, and any other notable items. The scrapbook should be at least 5 pages with a typed paragraph included in the design of the page or on a separate page that describes the relevance of the site, a conversation between the two protagonists, or other pertinent information that ties in the characters, plot, setting, or themes in the represented books.

3. Pick three important people in the book with whom Liesel has a relationship. Create three separate illustrations that depict the relationships. Please be thoughtful in picking the scenarios. The drawings should be quite detailed and give insights into the nature of the relationships. The three original illustrations should each be no larger than 8.5 x 11. Additionally for every illustration, there should be one typed paragraph summary of the significance of the relationship and within the paragraph you should have at least three quotes embedded that help prove the importance of it.

LEFT SIDE OF THE BRAIN (Choose one from this section.) These are essays and should be typed, 12 font, Times New Roman. When you quote The Book Thief, please use parenthetical references. Here are three examples that show how to do this:

Writing Option 1: Continue the Story

Near the end of The Book Thief there is a big gap in time between Liesel and Max’s reuniting and Liesel’s death in Sydney.

Write a narrative scene (1-2 pages) from the point of view of any survivor (Liesel, Max, or Death etc.) of the events of the novel. The scene should illustrate an event in their lives after the war. Use at least one flashback or reference from the novel to reflect your knowledge of it.

This could be: Just after she and Max reunite An event that can make them stay or leave Germany Who he/she married and how they met Anything else of your choice

Writing Option 2: Personal Narrative Essay

Think about the relationships between Liesel and one of the other characters in the novel. In a narrative essay (1-2 pages) write how one of these relationships is similar to relationship you have with a significant person in your life. Use evidence from the novel and anecdotes from your relationship to create a narrative that expresses both your knowledge of the novel as well as reflects your connection to it. Writing Option 3: Diary Entry Imagine that Liesel did return to Germany for a visit as an adult. Write either one diary entry (1-2 pages) or a series of diary entries from the time that Liesel made the decision to return to her homeland, the trip itself, and her return to her home in Australia. Use at least one flashback or reference from the novel to reflect your knowledge of it.You may like to consider: What events and decisions lead her to return to Germany? Did she travel alone or with her family? Who and where did she visit? What feelings, emotions and memories were evoked before, during and after her visit?

Common Core Standards: Reading for Literature: 1,2,3,7; Writing: 1,2,4,6,7,8; Language Standards: 1,2,3,4,5