8th Grade Summer Reading Assignment
All 8th grade students are required to read two novels this summer. The first novel is
The Outsiders by S.E. Hinton and the second is a book of the student’s choice from
the attached recommended list. In addition to reading the novels, the students must
complete the following assignments. All assignments are due Friday,
September 11, 2015.
Summer Reading Assignment for The Outsiders.
Part 1: Read : The Outsiders by S.E. Hinton (ISBN: 9780142407332) Genre: Young Adult
Fiction The Outsiders is a coming-of-age novel by S.E. Hinton. It follows the rivalry between
the Greasers, a group of young boys from a poorer community, and the rich, high class Socs
from the West part of town. The plot is driven by the intensifying conflicts between the two
groups.
Part 2: Complete Writing Assignment (50pts.): Choose to respond to two out of the five
questions below. Provide a ½-1 page response for each question. Write or type the
question at the top of the page. Answer the question thoroughly and completely with topic
sentences, examples and evidence from the novel, and any personal reflections or
connections related to the question.
1) What is the main conflict, or problem in the story? Evaluate the ending. Do you think the
ending adequately resolved the conflict?
2) From whose point of view is the story told? How does this impact or make a difference
to what readers hear or see?
3) Describe the setting of the story. How do the time, place, and economic status of the
characters impact the events of the novel?
4) One of the themes of the novel centers on the social problems of an economically divided
society. Cite specific quotes or events from the novel that show this theme and explain how
this theme may be true of the community or country you live in.
5) Choose a sentence or phrase that you feel is very important to the development of the
story. Explain how and why this quote is crucial to the plot, theme, characters, setting, etc.
Part 3: Complete Creative Thinking Project (50pts.): Choose one of the assignments
below. Create a presentation piece that is engaging, colorful, and creative. Be sure to refer
to the novel as much as possible.
Choice #1: The Outsiders Theme Quilt -Your “quilt” should be made up of individual
squares dedicated to important characters, events, symbols, or images in the novel that
relate to the theme of the novel. Each square should contain a visual representation and a
relevant quotation from the text. On the back of each square, you should explain your
reasoning for selecting the event and why it is important. The size of the quilt should be at
least 3x3 (9 total squares). You may choose any material to make for your quilt.
Choice #2: The Outsiders Board Game -Your board game should represent life in The
Outsiders’ community, including the places, people, and events that happen there. Your
game should include a decorative board, player pieces, a set of rules, and 15-20 questions
that relate to the book. Important quotations should somehow be woven in, either on board
spaces, playing cards, etc. Note: The game should actually be playable.
Choice #3: A Different Ending -Write an alternate ending for the book. Think about how
you would have ended the book if you were the author. Make sure that you use the author’s
style and stay true to the characters. Your alternate ending must be at least three
paragraphs.
Choice #4: The Outsiders Movie -Choose an important scene or chapter to the book and
create a 3-10 minute movie. You should have multiple actors in your movie and a script to
turn in. The movie can be shown in class by placing it on a USB drive, DVD, or by e-mailing
it to the teacher during the first week of school.
Choice #5: Newspaper Cover Page -Choose an event from the novel that would make the
front page of a newspaper. Include the following:  Name and date of the newspaper (Make
it relevant to the setting of the novel)  Drawing of the event (Use details from the book and
fill in with creativity. No stick figures)  A half-page reporting of the event that answers the
who, what, when, where, why, and how. Include details from the novel and relevant quotes
or imaginative quotes from the characters involved.
Summer Reading Assignment for Book of Choice.
Students will be required to give a “Book Talk” about the second novel that they
choose. Students must be prepared to give their oral presentation on Friday,
September 11, 2015.
A book talk is a short spoken presentation that offers the audience enough information to
make them want to read a book. Students should select books that they enjoyed and let
their audience learn enough about the story or topic to decide if they would also like to
read book. Basically, it is an enthusiastic presentation of a book for an audience. A book talk
is a performance, designed to entice people to read a chosen book. It is like a movie trailer,
in that it never contains spoilers, and always leaves the audience interested and hoping for
more. A book talk is not a book report, it is not a book review and it is not an analysis of the
book.
A book talk will provide a glimpse of:
• Setting • Characters • Major or general storyline • It should inspire others to want to read
the book.
A book talk can be anywhere from three to five minutes long and should never provide
information about the climax, the resolution or any other details that would spoil the
experience for a reader if they chose to read the book. Book talks give students the
opportunity to present and hear recommendations from peers.
Giving a Good Book Talk:
● Plan to speak for about 3-5 minutes
● Briefly summarize the plot of the book and identify the genre, but do not give away the
ending. Think about what you would and would not have wanted to know before reading.
● Prepare what you are going to say about the book. You don't need to memorize, but you
need to know the points you are going to make. Practice until you are comfortable with
your material
. ● Optional topics to focus on
○ The theme of the book
○ The major conflict
○ A brief description of the main characters and their relationships
○ Setting and how it relates to the plot and characters ○
Mention if the book reminds you of another book you have read or a movie you have seen
○ Identify what you think the author would have wanted readers to take from the
experience of reading the book
○ Tell the audience if you recommend the book and why or why not. Remember, that just
because you didn't enjoy the book, it doesn't mean that someone else won't.
○ If you come across a significant or powerful passage, you may read it aloud. This should
be short and leave the listener wanting more.
Choose one of the following books for your “Book Talk”.
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The Wave- by Todd Strasser
The Pigman- By Paul Zindell
The Little Prince By Antoine de Saint-Exupery
The Pearl – By John Steinbeck
Little Women – Louisa May Alcott
Treasure Island- By Robert Lewis Stevenson
In addition to the above books, you may select a book that is listed on your Terra
Nova Results Home Report as recommended reading for your level.