Summer is here again! Congratulations on reaching the end of another school year and, hopefully, gaining more knowledge about the world, your community, and even yourself. Although summer is undoubtedly a time to rest, relax and recuperate, it’s also a great time to enjoy a good book. After all, learning never stops and our ability to read and enjoy literature is a skill that we constantly need to nurture. How does that happen? Quite simply, by reading!

With that in mind, over the summer you are required to read two books and complete two “Book Analysis Activity Sheets”; for extra credit you can also create one “Alternative Activity Project”. All assignments are described in detail in this packet. Additional information can also be found linked to Peekskill Middle School’s website. Also, in September students will write an in-class, on-demand essay.

We have prepared a list of recommended texts, at a variety of ability levels, to help you choose books. When choosing what to read, keep in mind your current reading level, as determined by the recent Scholastic Reading Inventory (SRI). Additionally, students can choose books not on any list, on another grade’s list, or on the supplemental “Short Books for Tall People” list. Regardless of the list, choose texts that are appropriate for your grade level and individual reading ability. Ultimately, your task is to design your own summer reading adventure, based on your individual interests and ability level; the lists provided are highly recommended resources in mapping out the journey.

Starting next year off right begins with this assignment, as it will count as your first project grade for English. We’re looking forward to getting to know you for another exciting year of reading, writing and learning in the fall!

-Mrs. G. Blackman and Mr. F. Cancro, 6th grade teachers - Ms. N.A. Bolden and Ms. S. Wallach, 7th grade teachers- Mr. B. Bloom and Ms. L. Viola, 8th grade teachers

Your task: Read TWO books during the summer (recommended reading lists attached). Complete TWO Book Analysis Activity Sheets (one per book). Extra Credit: Complete ONE (1) Alternative Activity Project in response to one book (your choice).

Due Dates: TWO Book Analysis Activity Sheets (required) and Alternative Activity Project (extra credit) due on

Friday, September 12. An IN-CLASS essay will be given during the month of September.

Peekskill Middle School

Summer Reading Assignment

Peekskill Middle School, 212 Ringgold Street, Peekskill, New York 10566

Summer Reading Assignment -- INCOMING 6TH GRADERS

Be prepared to respond to the following prompt for the in-class essay in September:

Describe one conflict (problem) the main character faces in the book. Discuss how the conflict (problem)

was or was not solved. Explain what the main character or you, the reader, learned from the character’s

conflict (problem). Use specific details from the book to support your answers.

* You will be allowed to use your Book Analysis Activity Sheets to complete the essay.

Suggested Reading List -- INCOMING 6TH GRADERS

Author Title GenreAnthony Horowitz Alex Rider Adventures Realistic (spy) Fic L630

Beverly Naidoo Journey to Jo’borg Realistic Fic (So. Africa Apartheid) L760

Carolyn Coman What Jamie Saw Realistic Fic L1010

Doris Buchanan Smith A Taste of Blackberries Realistic Fic L640

Eleanor Estes The Hundred Dresses Historical Fic (Hiroshima) L630

Gary Paulsen The Winter Room Realisticl Fic L1170

Gary Soto The Skirt Realistic Fic L540

Gennifer Choldenko Al Capone Does My Shirts Historical Fic (Alcatraz Is. 1930’s) L600

Jeanne DuPrau City of Ember (series) Science Fic L680

Kate DiCamillo Because of Winn Dixie Realistic Fic L610

Katherine Paterson The Great Gilly Hopkins -or- The King’s Equal

Realistic Fic L800Folktale/Fairytale Fic L780

Lois Lowry Number the Stars Historical Fic (Holocaust) L670

Marguerite Henry Misty of Chincoteague, others Realistic Fic L750

Marion Dane Bauer On My Honor Realistic Fic L750

Michelle Paver Wolf Brother (series) Historical Fic (Stone Age adventure) L660

Paula Fox The Slave Dancer Historical Fic (1840’s slave ship) L970

Phyllis Reynolds Naylor Shiloh Realistic Fic L890

Suzanne Collins Gregor the Overlander (series) Fantasy Fic L630

Tamora Pierce First Test (series) Fantasy Fic L760

Walter Dean Myers Me, Mop, and the Moondance Kid

Realistic Fic L640

Note: Lexile numbers (provided on the right) are a helpful indicator of the difficulty level. Lower lexile numbers indicate less challenging texts; higher lexile numbers indicate more challenging texts.

Peekskill Middle School, 212 Ringgold Street, Peekskill, New York 10566

Summer Reading Assignment -- INCOMING 7TH GRADERS

Be prepared to respond to the following prompt for the in-class essay in September:

Describe, in detail, the protagonist (main character) of one of the novels you read this summer. Discuss

how the character changed from the beginning to the end of the book. The change could be emotional,

physical, or in personality. Be sure to explain how the change occurred. Did the change bring about a life

lesson for the character? Use specific details from the book to support your answers.

* You will be allowed to use your Book Analysis Activity Sheets to complete the essay.

Suggested Reading List -- INCOMING 7TH GRADERS

Author Title GenreAndrew Clements Things Not Seen Realistic Fic/Fantasy L690Ann Martin A Dog’s Life Realistic Fic L870Arvella Whitmore Trapped between the Lash and

the GunRealistic Fic L630

Chris Crowe Mississippi Trial 1955 Hist.Fic (Civil rights- Emmett Till) L870Gail Giles Shattering Glass Realistic Fic L590Gary Paulsen Mr. Tucket Historical Fic (1840’s Oregon Trail) L830Gordon Korman The Juvie Three Realistic Fic L730Iain Lawrence The Wreckers Hist.Fic (1799shipwreck) L870Jerry Spinelli Crash/Loser/Wringer/Library

CardRealistic Fic L560-690

Julian Houston New Boy Hist. Fic (Integration 1950’s) L990Karen Hesse Letters from Rifka Hist. Fic (escape from Russia 1919) L830Margaret Peterson Haddix Running Out of Time -or-

Among the Hidden (series)Sci Fi/Time travel (1840’s) L730Science Fiction L650-800

Mike Lupica Summer Ball -or-Million Dollar Throw

Realistic Fic L910 up

Natasha Friend Perfect -or- Lush -or- Bounce Realistic Fic L550upRebecca Stead When You Reach Me Realistic Fic L750Rick Riordan The Lightening Thief (Percy

Jackson & the Olympians series)Fantasy L590-740

Sharon M. Draper Tears of a Tiger Realistic Fic L700Sherri Smith Flygirl Hist.Fic ( (WWII: Afr. Amer. pilot) L680Suzanne Weyn Bar Code Tattoo -or- Rebellion Science Fic L880Walter Dean Myers Scorpions -or- Slam! Realistic Fic L601-750

Note: Lexile numbers (provided on the right) are a helpful indicator of the difficulty level. Lower lexile numbers indicate less challenging texts; higher lexile numbers indicate more challenging texts.

Peekskill Middle School, 212 Ringgold Street, Peekskill, New York 10566

Summer Reading Assignment -- INCOMING 8TH GRADERS

Be prepared to respond to the following prompt for the in-class essay in September:

Describe, in detail, the main conflict of a novel you read this summer. Discuss whether the conflict was

internal (a struggle within a character), external (a struggle or problem between characters or with an

outside force), or a combination of both. Be sure to explain how the conflict was or was not resolved.

Use specific details from the book to support your answers.

* You will be allowed to use your Book Analysis Activity Sheets to complete the essay.

Suggested Reading List -- INCOMING 8TH GRADERS

Author Title GenreAnn Turner Hard Hit Realistic Fic L750Clarion Brooks The Wednesday Wars Realistic Fic L990Gretchen Olson Call Me Hope Realistic Fic L780Jerry Spinelli Stargirl Realistic Fic L590John Boyne The Boy in the Striped Pajamas Historical Fic (WWII friendship) L1080Julia Alvarez Return to Sender Realistic Fic L890Kekla Magoon The Rock and the River Historical Fic (civil rights/family) L550Laurie Halse Anderson Rules Realistic Fic L780M. T. Anderson Feed Science Fic L770Margaret Peterson Haddix Found (series) Science Fic L730 upMike Lupica Travel Team or Bat Boy Realistic Fic L930Neil Gaiman The Graveyard Book Supernatural L820Nicholas Sparks The Last Song Realistic Fic L790Patricia Reilly Giff Pictures of Hollis Woods Realistic Fic L650Robin Wasserman Chasing Yesterday (series) Fantasy Fic L670S.E. Hinton That was Then, This is Now -or-

Tex -or- RumblefishRealistic Fic L680-780

Sarah Weeks So B. It Realistic Fic L860Sarah Weeks Uglies (series) Science Fic L770Sharon Creech Absolutely Normal Chaos

Love That DogRealistic Fic L900Realistic Fic L1010

Sharon G. Flake The Skin I’m In Realistic Fic L670Suzanne Collins Hunger Games (series) Science Fic L740Walter Dean Myers Hoops, Monster, Sunrise Over

Fallujah, Fallen Angels, othersRealistic Fic L650 up

Will Hobbs Far North Realistic adventure Fic L820

Note: Lexile numbers (provided on the right) are a helpful indicator of the difficulty level. Lower lexile numbers indicate less challenging texts; higher lexile numbers indicate more challenging texts.

English Language ArtsBook Analysis Activity Sheet

Student’s Name: ___________________________________________________________

Book Title & Author: _______________________________________________________

A. Describe the book’s setting (time & place):

_____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

B. In the graphic organizer below, identify the main characters and describe them. You must use details from the text to prove the character traits (evidence and page number is required).

Character’s Name Character Traits Evidence from the book (include page numbers)

On pg ____, the character shows this trait by…

On pg ____, the character shows this trait by…

On pg ____, the character shows this trait by…

On pg ____, the character shows this trait by…

C. Describe the conflict (problem) that exists in the novel:

______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

D. What happens in the end? How is the conflict resolved?

_______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

E. What is the theme (message) of the story? What did the character (or you) learn from what happened? How do you know?

_______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

F. What is your overall evaluation of the book? Identify your overall rating (excellent, very good, average, not good) and discuss two specific reasons as support.

_______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

English Language ArtsBook Analysis Activity Sheet

Student’s Name: ___________________________________________________________

Book Title & Author: _______________________________________________________

A. Describe the book’s setting (time & place):

_____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

B. In the graphic organizer below, identify the main characters and describe them. You must use details from the text to prove the character traits (evidence and page number is required).

Character’s Name Character Traits Evidence from the book (include page numbers)

On pg ____, the character shows this trait by…

On pg ____, the character shows this trait by…

On pg ____, the character shows this trait by…

On pg ____, the character shows this trait by…

A. Describe the conflict (problem) that exists in the novel:

______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

B. What happens in the end? How is the conflict resolved?

_______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

C. What is the theme (message) of the story? What did the character (or you) learn from what happened? How do you know?

_______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

D. What is your overall evaluation of the book? Identify your overall rating (excellent, very good, average, not good) and discuss two specific reasons as support.

_______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

Contract Activity Package (CAP)Summer Reading 2014: Peekskill Middle School

Mandated Expectations:o Read Book One (1) and complete a Book Analysis Activity Sheet.o Read Book Two (2) and complete a Book Analysis Activity Sheet.o Complete one (1) Alternative Activity in response to one book (extra credit)

Objective: Choose one (1) Alternative Activity as a creative response to one (1) summer reading book. Include each of the required components: Title and Author, Setting (time and place), Characters,Character Traits with Supporting Evidence, Conflict (problem), Theme (message), and Opinion.

Activity Alternatives***All responses MUST include ALL elements listed in the objective above/ Book Analysis Activity Sheet.***

Reporting Alternative

Design a Power-Point presentation (minimum of twelve (12) slides) that provides an overview of one book.

1. During the summer, share your Power-Point with a peer and parent.2. In September, be prepared to share in school.

Create a video responding to one book. The video can be designed as an interview or a re-enactment of one book.

1. During the summer, share your video with a peer and parent.2. In September, be prepared to share in school.

Create a Tactual Resource, such as an electroboard, task card, learning wheel, pic and answer, flip chute, floor game, etc.). Include at least 20 questions and answers.

1. During the summer, share and play with your tactual response with a peer and parent.2. In September, be prepared to share in school.

Create an exam including twenty (20) multiple-choice questions based on one book. Provide four answers for each question (three fake answers; one real answer).

1. During the summer, give your exam to a peer and parent.2. In September, be prepared to share in school.

Create a podcast, wiki, or blog responding to one book. 1. During the summer, post and share your podcast, wiki, or blog with a peer and parent.2. In September, be prepared to share in school.

Write a song, rap, or poem in response to one book. 1. During the summer, sing/ read your song, rap, or poem to a peer and parent.2. In September, be prepared to share in school.

Design a Comic Strip, Poster Board or Picture Book responding to one book.

1. During the summer, share your Comic Strip, Poster Board, or Picture Book with a peer and parent.2. In September, be prepared to share in school.

TWO Book Analysis Activity Sheets (required) and ONE Alternative Activity Project (extra credit) are due on Friday, September 12, 2014.