7th Summer Reading
Dear Parents & Students,
This year incoming 7th graders, now in Upper School, will have a choice in their summer
reading assignment. Below you will find a list of five books. Each 7th grader should choose one
novel to read over the summer. As you read, highlight and make notes in the margin. To help
guide you in doing this, we have provided a list of questions for you to highlight the answers
within the book. Some questions may require a short written response as well. For those, record
your response in the margins of the book. DO NOT record your answers on a separate piece of paper
to be turned in. Grades will only be given to reading assignments completed within the pages of the
novel. Feel free to highlight more!
On the first day of school you need to bring your highlighted and annotated copy of the novel
you have chosen. THIS IS A REQUIREMENT. Activities in class will be dependent upon your
participation in this summer assignment and bringing the book to class.
If you have any questions about this assignment, please feel free to email the Curriculum
Coordinator, Carol Cash, at ccash@fbauc.com.
Have a great summer,
The FBA English Department
*****
Island of the Blue Dolphins by Scott O’Dell
Throughout the novel:
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Hi-light passages that relate to physical and emotional survival. In the margins, explain how
those passages refer to either physical survival or emotional survival of the character
mentioned.
Hi-light instances of loneliness.
Chapters 1-9
1. What do the Aleuts want to do on the island? Why do the Aleuts and the people of Ghalas-at
fight?
2. Why and how do Karana’s people leave the island a year later?
3. What does Karana promise to do after Ramo’s death?
4. What hints suggest that something bad will happen to Karana’s people before the Aleuts
leave?
5. What hints suggest that something bad will happen to Karana’s people before the Aleuts
leave?
Chapters 10-19
6. How does Rontu help keep Karana safe?
7. Why does Karana feel that she must be prepared to flee from the island?
8. What resourceful steps does she take to be ready to flee?
Chapters 20-29
9. What conflicting feelings does Karana have about Tutok?
10. When the ship returns, what does Karana learn about her people?
Hatchet by Gary Paulson
Throughout the novel:
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
Hi-light passages that show Brian using patience and observation in order to survive.
Hi-light each time the narration includes the phrase, “There were these things to do.”
How do these instances show Brian’s growing sense of responsibility and strength?
Chapters 1-5
1. Why is Brian visiting his father in Canada? How does Brian feel about his mother?
2. What lesson does Brian recall from Mr. Perpich, his English teacher? How does that lesson
help Brian as he sits beside the lake?
3. How does Brian react to the death of the pilot? Are his reactions realistic?
Chapters 6-12
For what variety of purposes does Brian use his hatchet? Hi-light and define each task.
Where does Brian find shelter? Why does he consider the find lucky?
What does Brian see among the raspberry bushes? What does he learn from this experience?
What wild visitor helps Brian figure out how to build a fire? How? What does the fire mean to
Brian?
8. What does Brian mean when he tells himself that self-pity doesn’t work?
4.
5.
6.
7.
Chapters 13-19 and Epilogue
9. In what two ways does Brian measure time? Which way has the most meaning for him? Why?
10. What causes Brian to have to rebuild his shelter twice? Why does Brian spend so much time
on rebuilding?
***
The Witch of Blackbird Pond by Elizabeth George Speare
Throughout the novel:
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
Kit faces many situations where she experiences a conflict in loyalty. Hi-light the passages
where we see Kit forced to make a choice between her loyalty to the colony, and her loyalty to
friends and family. In the margins, explain the conflict each situation creates.
Hi-light passages in the novel in which we see Kit and other characters acting with
compassion.
Chapters 1-8
1. Explain how and why Kit Tyler comes to be in Wethersfield, Connecticut. What is her reaction
to Connecticut and the community she joins?
2. What warnings do Nat Eaton and John Holbrook give Kit? What events suggest that Kit may
not fit in at Wethersfield?
3. How do Matthew Wood, Reverend Gershom, and William Ashby feel about King James? What
do the men’s views suggest about the Wethersfield community?
2015/16 Summer Reading
Incoming 7th graders
(Witch of Blackbird Pond, continued)
Chapters 9-16
4. What methods does Kit use as a teacher—in the schoolroom and with Prudence? How do
various people in the community react to her methods? What do these reactions reveal about
people’s attitudes?
5. Why don’t the people of Wethersfield like Hannah Tupper? How does Hannah help Kit find a
place in Wethersfield?
6. What happens when Governor Andros arrives to take the charter? How do these events
change Kit’s understanding of both Matthew and William?
7. Why is Nat punished in the stocks? How does this incident show the many feelings Nat and Kit
have for one another?
8. In her attempt to help both Prudence and Hannah, how does Kit sometimes disobeys
community and family rules.
Chapters 17-21
9. After John Holbrook leaves to fight a group of Native Americans, what happens to Judith, Kit,
and Mercy? How does the community respond?
10. What happens to Kit after she helps Hanna to reach Nat’s ship? What is revealed in these
events about the Wethersfield citizens? What is revealed about Matthew and the other leaders
of the community?
***
Call of the Wild by Jack London
Throughout the novel:
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
What is “the call of the wild?” Hi-light and explain how it affects Buck’s behavior
throughout the novel.
Hi-light passages where Buck seems almost human; Hi-light passages where Buck is
undeniably an animal. Identify and explain each instance in the margins.
Chapters 1-3
1. What is Buck’s life like at Judge Miller’s place? Why does Buck assume he is simply out for a
stroll with Manuel?
2. What does the man in the red sweater teach Buck? Why was this an important lesson for Buck
to learn?
3. What do Francois and Perrault expect of their dogs? Why do they admire Buck?
Chapters 4 and 5
4. How do Francois and Perrault respond when they discover that Buck has killed Spitz? Why
had the dog team become unruly?
5. How are the dogs treated by Scotch the half-breed? How does this become important to
Buck’s future?
6. What does Mercedes do to “help” the dogs that only ends up harming them? What do her
actions lead you to conclude about her, Hal, and Charles?
2015/16 Summer Reading
Incoming 7th graders
(Call of the Wild, continued)
Chapters 6 and 7
7. Why was Thornton camping alone? Why was he the ideal master?
8. What do Thornton and his partners find after a long search? Why does this cause Buck to
move toward the call of the wild?
9. What does Buck find when he returns to camp after killing the moose? Why do the Yeehats
consider Buck and Evil Spirit?
10. How does the author create suspense in the scene in which Buck pulls the thousand-pound
load?
***
A Wrinkle in Time by Madeleine L’Engle
Throughout the novel:
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
Hi-light instances in the book where there is a clear battle between good and evil.
Hi-light places in the book where Meg must overcome the frustration of not knowing
everything.
Chapters 1-4
1. Why is Meg Murry unhappy at school?
2. How and why does Calvin fit in with the Murry family?
3. Where and why do Calvin, Charles Wallace, and Meg go with Mrs. Whatsit, Mrs. Who and
Mrs. Which?
Chapters 5-8
4. What is the Thing and which historical figures have opposed it?
5. What is life like for the residents of Camazotz?
6. What has happened to Meg’s father?
7. Who are some of the well-known figures from our civilization who have fought against the
darkness?
Chapters 9-12
8. After Meg releases her father, why is she so disappointed in him?
9. Who is Aunt Beast, and how does she help Meg?
10. How is Charles Wallace finally freed?
11. Why must Meg go alone to Camazotz? How is her relationship with Charles Wallace
important to her ability to free him?
2015/16 Summer Reading
Incoming 7th graders