Dyker Heights Intermediate School 201
Robert Ciulla, Principal
Grade 7 Summer Reading Assignment (2015)
“The more you read, the more things you will know. The more you learn, the more places you’ll go.”
--Dr. Seuss
Dear Parents and Students,
This summer, the 7th Grade ELA teachers are asking incoming 7th grade students to read 1 Fictional
novel. Students are also being asked to read either 1 Nonfiction book
OR complete 1 Reading
Selection from Achieve3000.com per week = 8 Reading Selections in total.
Students need to write a five paragraph response (a paragraph is at least 5-8 sentences). If
the response is typed, please double space and use 14 Font/ Times New Roman, or it may be neatly
handwritten. This Summer’s Reading Assignment will be collected during the first week of school
in September.
NOTE: The Summer reading assignment will also be posted on the school’s website.
7th Grade Fiction Titles
1. The Thief Lord, By Cornelia Funke (Lexile level 730).
Book Summary: Welcome to the magical underworld of Venice, Italy, where hidden canals and
crumbing rooftops shelter runaways and children with incredible secrets…Prosper and Bo are orphans
on the run from their cruel aunt and uncle. The brothers decide to hide out in Venice, where they meet
a mysterious thirteen-year-old boy who calls himself the “thief Lord.” Brilliant and charismatic, the Thief
Lord leads a ring of street children who dabble in petty crimes. Prosper and Bo delight in being part of
this colorful new family. But the Thief Lord has secrets of his own. And soon the boys are thrust into
circumstances that will lead them, and readers, to a fantastic, spellbinding conclusion.
2. Red Badge of Courage, By Stephen Crane
(Lexile level 775).
Book Summary: Young Henry Fleming had always dreamt of performing heroic deeds in battle.
But the reality, as a new recruit in the Civil War, is a mental and physical torment. And as Henry fights
inner battles with fear, self-doubt, and trauma throughout his first harrowing battle, he has no idea
whether war will make him a coward, a hero -- or a man.
3. The Good Earth, By Pearl S. Buck (Lexile level 1100)
Book Summary: In The Good Earth Pearl S. Buck paints an incredible portrait of China in the
1920s, when the last emperor reigned and the vast political and social upheavals of the twentieth
century were but distant rumblings. This moving, classic story of the honest farmer Wang Lung and his
selfless wife O-Lan is must reading for those who would fully appreciate the sweeping changes that have
occurred in the lives of the Chinese people during the last century.
7th Grade Nonfiction Titles
1. Nonfiction: Choose a biography / book on one of the following events / historical figures for your
incoming 7th Grade Social Studies curriculum: Lewis & Clark, Columbus, Henry Hudson, Sacajawea, War
of 1812, Manifest Destiny, Louisiana Purchase, Colonial America.
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7th Grade Writing Response Tasks
Directions: After reading 1 fiction and 1 nonfiction book from the list above, complete the following
writing tasks. Responses should be typed or neatly written. Responses should be in essay format (at least
5 paragraphs).

Fiction Writing Task: A Conflict is a problem the main character faces in a story. There are two
types of conflict:
1. (Internal Conflict) Person vs. Self: An internal conflict takes place inside of the body/mind. The
main character is trying to overcome a fear or some serious issue.
2. (External Conflict): Is a conflict the main character has with other characters. There are 3 types
of external conflict:
A. Person vs. Person: Main character is fighting against one or more characters.
B. Person vs. Nature: Main character battles a natural force such as a flood, wild animal, or
disease.
C. Person vs. Society: Main character is fighting against the ideas or practices of a group of
people / government / society.
Provide 3- 5 examples of conflict throughout one of the novels and discuss how the main character
solves them in a 5-paragraph essay

Nonfiction Writing Task: What is the main/central idea discussed in this book/biography? Cite
3-5 details that support the main idea in a 5-paragraph essay. Be sure to explain the details you
cite.
OR

Nonfiction Task--Achieve3000.com: Writing Task: As well as completing the Activity (multiple choice
component), students are asked to complete the Thought Question.