Sparrows Point Middle School
Summer Reading Project 2014
James Kim and Thomas White of Harvard University conducted an experiment to see whether summer
reading helps improve test scores …Based on their experiment's results, Kim and White concluded that
support from teachers and books assigned to students that align with interests and reading levels can help
improve student test scores and reading comprehension. –from ASCD SmartBrief
Read any two award-winning books from the lists attached. Then, complete one of the activities
below, including details from both of the books you read. NOTE: You may only use one graphic
novel.
Option A:
Shoebox Diorama
Option B:
Yearbook Page
Option C:
Photo Collage
GROUP OPTION!
Imagine that the main characters
of the books you read ended up as
college roommates. Design their
dorm room. Make a shoebox
diorama that shows how these
two characters would decorate a
room they share. Attach a
paragraph explaining the decor.
Create a yearbook page for the
characters of the books you read.
Your yearbook page must include
at least two characters from each
book. Under each character’s
picture, list his/her interests, most
memorable moment, and personal
motto. (A motto is a saying like
“Live every day like it’s your
last.”) Your yearbook page should
be neat, colorful, and appealing to
the eye. You may use PowerPoint
or Prezi to complete this project
electronically if you so choose.
Imagine that the characters from
one of your books mysteriously
and suddenly showed up in the
world of the other book you read.
What would they think of their
new environment? How would
the characters of the two books
interact?
Make sure there are no spelling or
grammatical mistakes.
NONFICTION OPTION:
Imagine that the physical worlds
of the two books you read
collided. Create a shoebox
diorama of one room that
contains elements from both
books. Attach a paragraph
explaining the decor.
Make sure there are no spelling or
grammatical mistakes.
NONFICTION OPTION:
Create a yearbook page for four
people mentioned in your books
OR create five people who might
have lived in the time and place
described in your books.
After reading the same books,
work with friends to stage at least
five scenes showing what would
happen when two book worlds
collide.
Costumes/outfits should suit the
characters. The setting should be
as accurate as possible. Take
photos and create a photo collage.
You may use PowerPoint or Prezi
to create a photo collage with
captions explaining what is
happening in each scene, or you
may paste the photos and
captions on poster board.
Make sure there are no spelling or
grammatical mistakes.
The summer reading project is due Friday, August 29th. No late projects will be accepted!
Do not forget to write your name and grade on your project! Turn in projects to your
language arts teacher. You may email electronic projects to Ms. Bonning at
kbonning@bcps.org. Make sure your name and grade is on the PowerPoint or Prezi!
Maryland Black-Eyed Susan
Book Awards Program
Grades 4-6 Nominees
Cavanaugh, Nancy J. - This journal belongs to Ratchet
Clark, Henry - What we found in the sofa and how it saved the world
Grabenstein, Chris - Escape from Mr. Lemoncello's library
Herlong, M.H. - Buddy
Patterson, James and Chris Grabenstein - I funny: a middle school story
Pflugfelder, Bob and Steve Hockensmith - Nick and Tesla's high-voltage danger lab: a mystery
with electromagnets, burglar alarms, and other gadgets you can build yourself
Rhodes, Jewell Parker - Sugar
Velde, Vivian Vande - Frogged
Watts, Jeri - Kizzy Ann Stamps
Weston, Robert Paul - Prince Puggly of Spud and the Kingdom of Spiff
Graphic Novels, Grades 4-6 Nominees
Bolton, Chris A. - Smash. Book one, Trial by fire
Guibert, Emmanuel - Ariol. Volume 1: Just a donkey like you and me
Hale, Nathan - Big bad ironclad! : a Civil War steamship showdown
Harrell, Rob - Monster on the hill
Kibuishi, Kazu, ed - Explorer: the mystery boxes: seven graphic stories
McCranie, Stephen - Mal and Chad: the biggest, bestest time ever
Parker, Jake - Missile Mouse: rescue on Tankium3
Phelan, Matt - Bluffton: my summers with Buster
Rioux, Jo - Cat's cradle. Book 1: The golden twine
Roman, Dave - Astronaut Academy: zero gravity
Grades 6-9 Nominees
Farrant, Natasha - After Iris
Fleming, Candace - On the day I died: stories from the grave
Holyoke, Polly - The Neptune Project
Hopkinson, Deborah - Titanic: voices from the disaster
McNeal, Tom - Far far away
Saller, Carol Fisher - Eddie's war
Sloan, Holly Goldberg - Counting by 7s
Thompson, J.E. - The girl from Felony Bay
Willey, Margaret - Four secrets
Zinn, Bridget - Poison
High School Nominees
Brown, Jennifer - Thousand words
de la Pena, Matt - The living
Garcia, Kami - Unbreakable
Gleason, Colleen - The clockwork scarab
McGinnis, Mindy - Not a drop to drink
Padian, Maria - Out of nowhere
Rowell, Rainbow - Eleanor & Park
Schneider, Robyn - The beginning of everything
Other Award Winners
Book Title
Flora and Ulysses
Doll Bones
One Came Home
Paperboy
Year of Billy Miller
Mad Potter
P.S. Be Eleven
Darius and Twig
March
Words with Wings
Lightening Dreamer
Living
Fat Angie
Better Nate Than Ever
Handbook for Dragon Slayers
Rose Under Fire
Charm and Strange
Mister Orange
War Within These Walls
Midwinterblood
Eleanor and Park
Kingdom of Little Wounds
Maggot Moon
Navigating Early
Nazi Hunters
Courage Has No Color
Go
Imprisoned
"The President Has Been Shot”
All the Truth That's in Me
Criminal (McVoy)
Far, Far Away
Ketchup Clouds
How to Lead a Life of Crime
Award
Newbery Medal
Newbery Honor
Newberry Honor
Newbery Honor
Newberry Honor
Sibert Honor Books
Coretta Scott King
Coretta Scott King Honor
Coretta Scott King Honor
Coretta Scott King Honor
Belpre Honor
Belpre Honor
Stonewall Book Award
Stonewall Honor Book
Schneider Family Book Award
Schneider Family Book Award
William C. Morris Book Award
Mildred Bachelder Award
Bachelder Honor Books
Michael L. Printz Award
Printz Honor Book
Printz Honor Book
Printz Honor Book
Printz Honor Book
YALSA Award for Excellence in Nonfiction
YALSA Nonfiction Honor
YALSA Nonfiction Honor
YALSA Nonfiction Honor
YALSA Nonfiction Honor
Edgar Award Nominee
Edgar Award Nominee
Edgar Award Nominee
Edgar Award Nominee
Edgar Award Nominee
Age Range
8-12
10-14
9-13
10-14
8-12
8-12
9-12
13-17
10-16
8-12
12-16
12-16
14-18
9-13
8-12
14-18
14-18
9-13
14-18
12-17
12-17
14-18
12-16
10-14
11-15
10-14
10-14
10-14
12-16
12-17
14-17
12-17
12-17
14-17