8TH GRADE LANGUAGE ARTS SUMMER READING
Dear Parents and Guardians of Incoming 8th grade students:
To provide an opportunity for continued reading growth and in preparation for the rigors
of 8th grade year Language Arts, students are expected to read two books and research
and read one nonfiction article over the summer and complete all required
assignments. Students are also required to track all their summer reading on the
attached reading log. Your support of the summer reading program is critical. Next year,
students will set a reading goal of 25 books. They might not think they can do it, but they
can! These two books will be the start of their 25 book goal list.
READING REQUIREMENTS (Must complete all):
Choose one book from the 2015 8th Grade Graduates’ Books We Love list. This
year I have even added staff favorite books to the list. This list can be found in the
binder at the Saxton B. Little Library and on my web site
http://teacherweb.com/CT/HoraceWPorterSchool/Munoz/photo1.aspx. If students
would like to read a book that is not on this list, they may contact Mrs. Muñoz at
cmunoz@hwporter.org.
 Choose one book from the 2016 Connecticut Nutmeg Award (Teen or High School
List). These lists can be found in the binder at the Saxton B. Little Library and on the
CT Nutmeg website http://www.nutmegaward.org/. Book previews are also
available on my web site under
 Research and read one non-fiction article or book that is related in some way to one
of the fiction books that was read.
ASSIGNMENT REQUIREMENTS (Must complete all):
 Students are required to read two books as indicated above but are encouraged to read
as many as they can! Students must track all books read on the enclosed tracking
sheet. Genre codes are on the back of the sheet. If students run out of room, they can
recreate the list in Word and print it out.
 Part One: Students must complete two Book Plugs. See assignment found on the
next page. One book plugs must be done on the book they read from the 2016 CT
Nutmeg list. The other book plug can be done on ANY other book they read over
the summer.
 Part Two: Students must complete the Nonfiction Connection assignment found
on the third page of the packet.
Summer Reading Assignment
Part One: Tracking of Books and Book Plug

Track all the books you read on the attached Books I Have Read list.

Complete two book plugs –
o One book plug must be a 2016 Nutmeg book – Teen or High
School
o The other book plug can be from the 8th Grade Graduates list
or any other book that was read over the summer
o It is preferable that your book plugs are typed, but if that is
not possible, they can be NEATLY hand written.
o Spelling always counts!
Assignment: In your book plug (s), please include the following:
1. Proper Header, including name and date
2. Include the title of the book, author, and genre.
3. Open strong; ask a question, give an opinion, or make
them laugh!
4. Include main characters and setting.
5. Grab their attention! Share an exciting part of the story.
6. Don’t give away too much – leave them wanting more!
7. Make a comparison: “If you liked Divergent,
you’ll love this book, too!”
ALTERNATE ASSIGNMENT FOR PART ONE:
If you would like, you are welcome to track the books you have read this
summer and write your book plugs online at www.Goodreads.com. You will
just need to find me, “Mrs. Munoz” and send me a request or send me an
email (cmunoz@hwporter.org) with your email and I will invite you to join
Goodreads. You will then need to join Goodreads. Then you can track your
books there and write your book plugs on there as well. You will know I
viewed them since I will comment on your book plugs  We will be using
Goodreads next year so remember your user name and password you create.
Summer Reading Assignment
Part Two: Connection to a Nonfiction Article
Find a nonfiction article that relates to the book you chose to read this
summer. You may use an article you find online (www.iconn.org) or from an
actual magazine or newspaper. Be sure you cite your source using MLA.
After reading the article and attaching it to this paper, complete this sheet
with thoughtfulness and attention to detail. Be sure to use evidence from
the texts (book and article) to support the connection. It may be better to
write or type on a separate piece of paper. Just be sure you have all the
information required. You must also have a parent/guardian sign it.
Author(s): _________________________________________________
Article Title: _______________________________________________
Magazine or Newspaper Title: __________________________________
Citation and Publication Date:___________________________________
This article connects with the book I read for summer reading because:
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My son/daughter completed the Summer Reading Requirement.
___________________________________ Date: ________________
Parent/Guardian Signature