Summer Reading Junior High 6 – 8
This summer, and every summer, students should be reading to stay in practice for the
academic, as well as, entertainment reading they will do throughout the rest of the year.
“Taking time off” is not advantageous to your attainment of or your retention of
knowledge. It is a researched fact that students begin to lose the knowledge they acquired
in the nine months previously after approximately 42 days “off.” Therefore, it is essential that all students should be
refreshing their brains through reading as well as the other stimuli which will encourage the flow of ideas and knowledge.
This summer, you have a number of novels to choose from. I have included nonfiction books as well. It is important to
learn about our world through factual information. This will be the majority of the reading you will do in high school and
beyond. Therefore, taking the time to read about topics that impact or impacted our lives or our history is important.
Have a great summer.
READING FOR SUMMER AND THE 2014 - 2015 YEAR
Junior High students are encouraged to read any (or all) of the appropriate grade level books this summer. Students are
encouraged to complete one of the suggested projects or evaluation form for extra credit in the first nine weeks. These
projects will be due to Mrs. Dale on September 12, 2014.
Sixth Grade Reading: Encouraged: Orphan Train Ride: One Boy’s True Story by Andrea Warren
Suggested:
The Breadwinner by Deborah Ellis
Number the Stars by Lois Lowry
Flipped by Wendelin Van Draanen
All Summer In a Day by Ray Bradbury
Required Novels during the Year: Where the Red Fern Grows by Wilson Rawls Spring 2015
The Odyssey – Puffin Edition by Geraldine McCaughrean Fall 2014
Seventh Grade Reading: Ecnouraged: The Outsiders by S. E. Hinton
Suggested: Middle School Get Me Out of Here by James Patterson
Roll of Thunder, Hear My Cry by Mildred Taylor
Sugar Changed the World: A Story of Magic, Spice, Slavery, Freedom, and Science
by Marc Aronson and Marina Budhos
Required Novels during the Year: A Midsummmer Night’s Dream by William Shakespeare (Signet
Edition) Fall 2014
To Kill A Mockingbird by Harper Lee Spring 2015
Eighth Grade Reading: Encouraged: The Circuit by Francisco Jimenez
Suggeted: Somebody Please Tell Me Who I Am by Harry Mazer
The Pigman by Paul Zindel
Lincoln’s Last Days: The Shocking Assassination That Changed America Forever by
Billy O’Reily and Dwight Jon Zimmerman
The Notorious Benedict Arnold by Steve Sheinkin
Novel during the Year: On Devil’s Court by Carl Deuker Spring 2015
Dr. Faustus by Christopher Marlowe Spring 2015
Code Orange by Caroline Cooney Fall 2014
P.S. You might check with previous junior high students to see if they have a copy of these books, especially the Puffin
edition of The Odyssey. It tends to require ordering ahead of time at the bookstores.
Suggested Reading Projects – you are free to create a project of your own or use and adapt any one of the
following for extra credit in reading the summer novels.
Comic book/story board: Create a comic book or story board covering the major plot of the book. Be sure to include
scenes to help someone who has not read the novel understand the novel.
3-D Model: Create a 3-dimensional model of major scenes in your novel (at least 4) be sure to include a brief explanation
of each scene and some quotes from that scene. You may also choose to create a 3-D model of a major setting.
Reading letter: Write a letter giving a summary of the novel, and a convincing argument as to why someone should read
the novel. The goal is to persuade another reader to choose this book.
Treasure Chest: Create a treasure chest with items that were mentioned in the book. Pick items that were important or
significant for some reason. Your treasure chest should include at least 10 items, and a written description of each item.
A Brush with Hollywood: Design an interesting movie poster that includes at least 5 facts (Hint: The five elements of
fiction) you have learned from the book. Include information about the setting, characters, and problems faced in the
book. Be sure to list the title, author, and any actors/actresses that you would cast in the major roles; add colorful
illustrations and pictures to help you get your point across. If your book has already been made into a movie, do your best
to be creative and see if you can do a better job than Hollywood!
Scrapbook: Create a unique scrapbook that represents events or characters that are in your book. Use pictures that would
represent ten occurrences in your book. For each occurrence, be sure to add a brief description, but don’t give the story
away.
Read All About It: You will create a one page, 4-5 story newspaper. All the stories in your newspaper will be directly
related to your outside reading book. Decide what articles to include in the newspaper. Ideas for articles include: Crime:
Write about a plot complication as if was a crime or news event. Include interviews with eyewitnesses, police reports, and
so on. Personal Interest: Interview a character in the story about his or her life, hopes, dreams, concerns, and so
on. Sports/Weather/International Events: Write about other newsworthy people and/or events in the story. The title of the
newspaper should be something appropriate to the book.
Rap Song: You can adapt ideas and themes from your readings to create a rap song that you style to your own or adapted
melody.
Create a collage of quotes, thoughts, ideas, and pictures related to the book. Along with your collage, include a 1
paragraph explanation of each item’s significance to the novel. Your collage should be completed on either construction
paper or unlined paper (NO NOTEBOOK PAPER!) Your collage may include pictures and words that you cut out from
magazines or found on the internet. Be sure to put the title and author of your book on your collage.
Feel free to come up with an idea of your own – these are just suggestions. Be creative! There is a book evaluation form
attached that may also be used for your reading project.
Name ____________________________________
Date_________________________
Book Evaluation for Novel - Junior High Summer Reading
Book and Author: _____________________________________________________________
Please answer the questions below by a brief response.
1. Describe the Setting: (Date, place, and any descriptors you believe are important to
know about the setting) _______________________________________________________
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2. Describe the Characters: (Briefly) _______________________________________________
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3. Author’s voice and point of view: (literary merit of the words, i.e. engaging, factual, realistic,
dull or boring, use of figurative language; and is it in first person, second person, third
person, omniscient narrator, or an unreliable narrator). _______________________________
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4. What was the best part of the book? ______________________________________________
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5. Who was your favorite character and why? _________________________________________
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6. List any criticism you have of the book ___________________________________________
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