Ms. Marocchini
Summer Reading Assignment
~Grade 8~
Parish Hill: 2013-2014 Academic Year
Dear 8th Grade Class,
The English Department at Parish Hill strongly feels that reading and writing is an
integral part of your ongoing education. Therefore, you will be required to complete a
summer reading assignment that will incorporate both reading and writing. This
assignment will be due on the first day of school after summer break. You should also
be prepared to discuss the assigned novel upon your return.
Please email any questions about this assignment to: rmarocchini@parishhill.org. I look
forward to meeting you in the fall!
Required Reading: A Long Walk to Water by Linda Sue Park
Writing Activity: Interactive Reading Log
While you are reading this book, you must keep an interactive reading log. You
will be required to complete a minimum of ten logs for the entire novel, so you may
organize your logs by pages or chapters—this part is up to you. As you read, write a
brief Summary (no more than one paragraph) of significant events, character changes,
theme development, etc. Your summary should be written on the left side of your log.
Please record the date, chapter number/title, and pages read with each summary.
On the opposite side of the entry page, record your Interactive Response to the
text (also around one paragraph in length). You cannot be wrong in your responses, as
these reflect your personal reactions to the text. Make predictions about what might
happen later. What questions do you have? Do you find any situations to be morally
wrong? Have you ever encountered similar situations? Use your personal experiences to
make connections with the text.
Please use the Interactive Reading Log format that is outlined on the next page.
Interactive Reading Log Format
Date / Chapter /
Pages Read
Summary
Interactive Response
Sample Interactive Reading Log
“The Kite Runner” by Khalid Hosseini
Date / Chapter /
Pages Read
July 3, 2013
Chapters 3 & 4
Pages 20-42
Summary
Interactive Response
Amir loves books and
poetry, unlike his father who is
strong and athletic. Baba is
ashamed of his son because
the other kids at school push
him around. Baba cannot even
believe that Amir is his son.
Amir and Baba do not have
the best relationship because
they are very different people.
Baba does not understand
Amir’s love for writing, and will
not read the stories he has
written. Therefore, Amir reads
them to the illiterate Hassan.
Baba confuses me because
he does not seem to love his
own son. Just because Amir is
different from him, I don’t
think Baba should be ashamed
of Amir.
It is so terrible how Baba
will not even listen to Amir
read his wonderful stories.
That is Amir’s love and Baba
does not even appreciate it.
I do like how Amir shares
his stories with Hassan. It is
sad how Hassan cannot go to
school because he is a Hazara
and must tend to the house.