HARDING MIDDLE SCHOOL Summer Reading List Grades 6 - 8  2009	Lakewood City Schools Lakewood Public Library Harding Middle School
2009 Summer Reading List

 

HARDING MIDDLE SCHOOL

Important Information from Next Year’s 
Harding Middle School Language Arts Teachers

Tuesday, May 26, 2009

Dear Parent or Guardian:

We believe that reading is a valuable skill that must be practiced over time in order to show improvement. Reading is also an enjoyable experience that can easily be treasured over the summer months. Therefore, all future sixth, seventh, and eighth grade students will be required to read at least two books this summer. After reading each book, students will be able to choose between two assignment options. Students should complete the two assignments (one for each book) before school starts in the fall. Students are required to bring their assignments with them to school and turn them in to their language arts teacher no later than Friday, September 11, 2009. Teachers will NOT accept late assignments after this date.

Grading Procedures:

Students need to read two books and complete two assignments. Any combination of the assignments listed below (options A, B, or C) will be accepted. For example, a student could complete option A for one book and option B for the other book OR complete option C for two different books. Students will be graded on the assignments based upon following the instructions listed in this packet. This grade will count for up to ten percent of your student’s first marking period grade in language arts. Students should select books to read that they have not already read for previous assignments. If your student transfers from one district middle school to another during the summer, his or her summer reading assignment will be accepted at either building.

Assignment Option A:

• For this option, students can select any book they would like to read. Current middle school students may find their Scholastic Reading Inventory Recommended Reading Report list or a book that falls within their Lexile Level a helpful place to start selecting a book. This Scholastic Reading Inventory list is only a suggestion and students may choose any book they like. It’s important that the student and parent choose the summer reading books together, keeping in mind the reading and maturity levels of the student along with his/her interests.
  
  
• While reading, students will complete three journal responses for each book. Students should choose three of the journal response starters listed below for each book and respond to each one in a well-developed paragraph
  (5-10 sentences per paragraph). Students should respond in writing (either hand-written or typed) three times during the reading of each book and proofread their writing for content, spelling, punctuation, and grammar.
  
  
• Journal Response Starters (choose three different starters for each book):

I was surprised when…/angry about…/satisfied with…/moved by…
I liked the way the author …
I don’t understand why the author …
If I were the author, I would have …
I’d compare this author to …
This book reminds me of …
I’d say the theme of this book is …
I wish that …
I didn’t agree with …
I understood …
I didn’t understand…
Why did…

Assignment Option B:

Read a book (or books) from the list below and participate in a book discussion. All book discussions will be held from 7:30 p.m. – 8:30 p.m. on the dates listed below in the Multipurpose Room at Lakewood Public Library’s Main Library (15425 Detroit Ave). All students must arrive on time. Space is limited, so please register by stopping in or calling the Children’s and Youth Services Department of Lakewood Public Library: (216) 226-8275, ext. 140. Students must register for the program, thoroughly read the book, and actively participate in the book discussion to receive credit for this assignment. Students and parents should choose the summer reading books together, keeping in mind the reading and maturity levels of the student along with his/her interests.

Going on a vacation? Take a book on tape/CD with you to listen to while you follow along with the book. The symbol (indicates that the title is available on CD or cassette at the Lakewood Public Library.

Assignment Option B Book Summaries:

The Akhenaten Adventure (by Philip Kerr — Tuesday, July 7 or Thursday, July 30
When twelve-year-old twins Philippa and John discover that they are descended from a long line of djinn, their mother sends them away to their Uncle Nimrod, who takes them to Cairo where he starts to teach them about their extraordinary powers.

Pieces of Georgia by Jennifer Bryant — Thursday, July 9 or Monday, August 3
In journal entries to her mother, a gifted artist who died suddenly, thirteen-year-old Georgia McCoy reveals how her life changes after she receives an anonymous gift membership to a nearby art museum.

Goose Girl (by Shannon Hale — Monday, July 13 or Tuesday, August 4
On her way to marry a prince she's never met, Princess Anidori is betrayed by her guards and her lady-in-waiting and must become a goose girl to survive until she can reveal her true identity and reclaim the crown that is rightfully hers.

Death and the Arrow by Chris Priestley — Tuesday, July 14 or Thursday, August 6
After his friend Will, a pickpocket in London in 1715, is murdered as part of a series of mysterious deaths, fifteen-year-old Tom Marlowe asks his friend Dr. Harker to help find the killer.

Fablehaven (by Brandon Mull — Thursday, July 16 or Monday, August 10
When Kendra and Seth go to stay at their grandparents' estate, they discover that it is a sanctuary for magical creatures and that a battle between good and evil is looming.

Zach’s Lie by Roland Smith — Monday, July 20 or Tuesday, August 11
When Jack Osborne is befriended by his school's custodian and a Basque girl, he begins to adjust to his family's sudden move to Elko, Nevada, after entering the Witness Security Program, but the drug cartel against which his father will testify is determined to track them down.

Bound by Donna Jo Napoli — Tuesday, July 21 or Thursday, August 13
In a novel based on Chinese Cinderella tales, fourteen-year-old stepchild Xing-Xing endures a life of neglect and servitude, as her stepmother cruelly mutilates her own child's feet so that she alone might marry well.

So B. It: A Novel (by Sarah Weeks — Thursday, July 23 or Monday, August 17
After spending her life with her mentally retarded mother and agoraphobic neighbor, twelve-year-old Heidi sets out from Reno, Nevada, to New York to find out who she is.

Travel Team (by Mike Lupica — Monday, July 27 or Tuesday, August 18
After he is cut from his travel basketball team--the very same team that his father once led to national prominence--twelve-year-old Danny Walker forms his own team of cast-offs that might have a shot at victory.

Tanglewreck by Jeanette Winterson — Tuesday, July 28 or Thursday, August 20
Eleven-year-old Silver sets out to find the Timekeeper--a clock that controls time--and to protect it from falling into the hands of two people who want to use the device for their own nefarious ends.

All summaries provided by Novelist K-8. Site accessed May 5th, 2009.

Obtaining the Books for Assignment Option B:

• The Lakewood Public Library and other local libraries should have copies of the books on hand.
  
  
• Three bookstores: Books-A-Million (216-706-5018) in Westgate, Rocky River; Barnes & Noble (440-250-9233) in Crocker Park, Westlake; and Borders (440-892-7667) in the Promenade Shopping Center, Westlake have been notified of the required reading assignments and should have copies of the books to purchase.
  
  
• Students should begin their summer reading assignment early. Locating books may be more challenging later in the summer.

Assignment Option C:

This option provides students with the opportunity to plan a movie of the book(s) they read. Students should select a book(s) of their choice to read. Please do not combine two books when completing this project. Option C will require completion of the four exciting steps listed below. Students will:

• Select the perfect actors and actresses for the major characters in the book. Please limit this to the four most important characters in the book. The selected actors and actresses should match what students think the characters look like from the book. Include a picture(s) of each actor or actress along with a short description of how each one would fit the character in the book.
  
  
• Where would this story take place? What city or neighborhood would work for this story? Students should include a picture of the perfect setting and then explain why they think this city or neighborhood would work best.
  
  
• Select a theme song for the beginning of the film. What song would be best and why? Students should explain their choice of this theme song.
  
  
• Select a second song to place at the end of the movie? Students should explain why they chose this song for the ending.
  
  
• The above project pieces should be given to the language arts teacher in the fall for assignment credit. Please note that there are four parts to this creative assignment.
  
  Everyone in our district believes that reading is an enjoyable and educational activity that is beneficial if continued during the summer. We would hope that families make time for reading, visiting the library and/ or bookstore so that this important skill continues to be practiced. The skill of reading makes a difference in every academic area! We hope that you have a great summer and that your student enjoys his/her reading activities. Thank you for your help and cooperation!

Sincerely,

Harding Middle School Language Arts Teachers