June 2008

Dear incoming 8^th Grader:

Congratulations – you’ve made it through English 7! As the summer progresses I look forward to meeting you in English 8!

This year, as part of your summer reading program, you are to read two books you have not read before: one selected from the attached list and the one other you choose.

In brief, you should:

• Read for the first time one book from the attached list,
• Read for the first time one book of your choice,
• Be prepared to write about the reading in class the first week of school, and
• Create a mind map for ONE of your books. You will present your mind map to your class.

Mind Map Directions:

1. Create a central image that represents the main idea of your topic and presentation. This symbolic image will be the center point of the map, along with the title of the text.

2. Artistic ability is not as important as creating an image that represents the ideas

3. Create at least five branches detailing the various literary elements in your book. Choose from:

a. Central character: physical description, relationships with others, values and attitudes, dreams and fears, internal conflicts, etc. Select quotations to support characterization

b. Setting: Physical description, significance, imagery

c. Plot: main events, impact upon characters,

d. Theme: author’s message, universal idea, links to human nature

e. Figurative language: symbolism, imagery, metaphor…

f. Conflict and Resolution: What is the main conflict in the book? How is this conflict resolved?

g. Climax: What is the turning point in the book, when does everything change?

4. Clearly label each the branching lines that connect to the central image. You can also add descriptive words and other ideas.

5. You should further refine your thinking by adding smaller branching lines, containing supporting facts, ideas and quotations to the main points.

6. All writing and drawing must be the student’s own!

Below is a Sample Mind Map: (The lines that say clarity, use, etc. are to be replaced with literary terms)

I look forward to meeting you in September. Have a wonderful summer and………

READ, READ, READ!!

Sincerely,

Mrs. Rapant

English 8

Summer Reading List

GENRE: TITLE: AUTHOR:

Fantasy: Dragon's Blood*I Jane Yolen

In the Forest of the Night*I Amelia Atwater-Rhodes

Silverwing*I Kenneth Oppel

Song Quest* Katherine Roberts

Eye of the Dragon Stephen King

Blood & Chocolate Annette Klause

The Golden Compass* Phillip Pullman

Science Fiction: The Transall Saga Gary Paulsen

Doomsday*I John Peel

Among the Hidden * Margaret Haddix

The House of the Scorpion Nancy Farmer

Realistic Fiction: The Car I Gary Paulsen

Joey Pigza Swallowed the Key*I Jack Gantos

Homecoming* Cynthia Voight

The Chocolate War* Robert Cormier

Leaving Fishers Margaret Haddix

A Walk to Remember Nicholas Sparks

Stargirl*I Jerry Spinelli

Poetry: Who Killed Mr. Chippendale Mel Glenn

Witness Karen Hesse

Historical fiction: Bud Not Buddy Christopher Paul Curtis

The Ransom of Mercy Carter Caroline Cooney

Jip (companion to Lyddie) Katherine Paterson

Petey Ben Mikaelson

Non - fiction: Anne Frank, (The Diary of a Young Girl) Anne Frank

I Have Lived a Thousand Years Livia Bitton-Jackson

* Indicates a book that is part (usually the 1^st) of a series

I Indicates a book that is light reading