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. Students are STRONGLY encouraged to submit these
materials on Google Classroom, but I will accept them on paper. 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 2016 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 their 8th Grade Summer Reading Google
Classroom. 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 or 2017 CT Nutmeg Award list (Teen or High
School). The lists are in the binder at the Saxton Library, on the Nutmeg website
http://www.nutmegaward.org/, and on the Google Classroom for summer reading.
Book previews are available on the Google Classroom site.
 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 3):
 Book List: Students must read two books as indicated above but are encouraged to
read as many as they can! Students must track all books read on the tracking sheet.
Preferably this is typed and submitted via Google Classroom, but I will take a paper
copy if students do not have a computer. Genre codes are on the back of the sheet. If
students run out of room, they can recreate the list in Google Docs and print it out.
 Part One: Students must complete two Book Plugs. See the assignment found
on the next page. One book plug must be done on the book they read from the
2016 or 2017 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 Books I Have Read List (Google
Classroom or paper copy).

Complete two book plugs –
o One book plug must be a 2016 or 2017 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 and submitted
via Google Classroom, 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 write your book plugs online at
www.Goodreads.com. All students will be signed up for Goodreads at the end
of the 7th grade year using their Porter Google log in. You will know I viewed
them since I will comment on your book plugs  Hint – When you go to sign
into Goodreads, first sign into your Porter Google log in and then click “sign
in with Google”. Email me with problems or questions.
Name: ___________________
Part Two: Connection to a Nonfiction Article
Find a nonfiction article that relates to a book you chose to read this
summer. You may use any book you 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, complete this questions below with
thoughtfulness and attention to detail. Your connection (Question 7) should
have a minimum of 4-5 sentences and MUST use specific evidence from the
texts (book and nonfiction article) to support the connection. It would be
helpful to bring a copy of the article to class on the first day of school.
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------1) The book I am connecting to is:
2) The author of the book I am connecting to is:
3) Article Author(s):
4) Article Title:
5) Magazine or Newspaper Title:
6) Citation and Publication Date:
7) This article connects with the book I read for summer reading
because:
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