Summer Reading List
Entering Grade 6
During the long, hot summer you will need to find a cool, comfortable place to curl up with a good
book. You must read TWO books over the summer. Select ONE book from the 2015 Nutmeg Award
Teen Nominees. The second book that every student will read is Stargirl by Jerry Spinelli. These two
books need to be completely read before you return to school in August. During the first two weeks of
school you will be required to participate in class discussions about the books you have read. The
teachers have developed assignments for each book. Assignments were given to you during Step-Up
Day and additional copies are available in the Mabelle B. Avery Middle School Office, as well as, on
the sixth grade team website. The teachers will collect the assignments on the first day of school.
Stargirl by Jerry Spinelli
From the day she arrives at quiet Mica High in a burst of color and sound, hallways
hum “Stargirl.” She captures Leo Borlock’s heart with one smile. She sparks a
school-spirit revolution with one cheer. The students of Mica High are enchanted.
Until they are not. Leo urges her to become the very thing that can destroy her normal.
2015 NUTMEG BOOK AWARD
TEEN NOMINEES
See You at Harry’s by Jo Knowles
Twelve-year-old Fern feels invisible in her family, where grumpy older sister, Sarah, is working in
the family restaurant, her brother, Holden, is dealing with bullies at school, and adorable, three yearold Charlie is always the center of attention. When tragedy strikes, the fragile bond holding the
family together is stretched almost to the breaking point.
Don’t Turn Around by Michelle Gagnon
When computer genius, Noa, wakes up on a table in a warehouse with an IV in her arm and
no memory of how she got there, she starts to wish she had someone on her side. Enter Peter
Gregory, a rich kid and the leader of a hacker alliance, and he needs people with Noa’s talents
on his team. But what Noa and Peter don’t realize is that Noa holds the key to a terrible secret, and
there are those who’d stop at nothing to silence her for good.
One for the Murphy’s by Lynda Mullaly Hunt
Carley uses humor and street smarts to keep her emotional walls high and thick. But the day she
becomes a foster child, and moves in with the Murphys, she’s blindsided. This loving, bustling
family shows Carley the stable family life she never thought existed - until her mother wants her back
and Carley has to decide where and how to live.
The Last Dragonslayer by Jasper Fforde
Fifteen-year-old Jennifer Strange runs an agency for underemployed magicians in a world where
magic is fading away. It seems, though, that Big Magic is brewing in the world again when visions
of the death of the world’s last dragon begin. Stranger still, all signs point to Jennifer being the
newest and perhaps, final, Dragonslayer.
Eye of the Storm by Kate Messner
Jaden’s summer visit with her meteorologist father, who has just returned from spending four
years in Russia conducting weather experiments not permitted in the United States, fills her with
apprehension and fear as she finds living at her father’s planned community, Placid Meadows, is
anything but placid.
The Final Four by Paul Volponi
When the heavy favored Michigan Spartans and the underdog Troy Trojans meet in the first semifinal
game of March Madness, four players find their fates entwined. As the teams race to find
victory, the stories of how each player arrived there are revealed.
Guitar Notes by Mary Amato
When forced to share a practice room, and a guitar, perfect student, Lyla, and loner, Tripp, begin to
correspond through a series of heated notes. A friendship develops as they discover that they truly
“get” one another, but can they overcome the differences that others see in them to maybe become
more?
The Raft by S.A. Bodeen
When Robie’s plane crashes into the Pacific Ocean, she must depend on the plane’s co-pilot, Max,
and a life raft for survival. As their water disappears and the evidence of sharks in the water mounts,
Robie isn’t really sure that they’ll make it until a team can rescue them.
Insignia by S.J. Kincaid
An elite military academy recruits Tom Raines to train to become a soldier in outer space, and he
can’t believe his good fortune. As his training begins, though, Tom finds he might have to sacrifice
more than he’d ever thought in order to succeed.
The False Prince by Jennifer Nielsen
In a country threatened by civil war, four orphans get recruited to compete for the role of imposter.
The winner will play the King’s long-lost son, inherit the Kingdom, and become a puppet for one
noble who wants the crown for himself. Sage knows his life depends on winning this Princely role.
2
Name__________________________________
6th Grade Summer Reading
Book Talk
Select ONE book from the 2015 Nutmeg Award Teen Nominees list and prepare a “Book Talk” for
your arrival to the middle school. Please use the chart below to help create and present a successful
Book Talk.
Use the following chart and the Checklist for Success (on the back) to help you prepare for your
presentation. Select and circle at least two from each row for your presentation.
Brief synopsis of the
plot…
What the story was
about.
What was your
favorite part? Read a
short excerpt from the
text.
Was there anything in
the book that was
confusing or you
didn’t like?
Setting. Where does
the story take place?
When does the story
take place? Past,
present, or future?
Point of View.
How is the story
written? First person
point of view or third
person narrator?
Is it effective?
Did you have any
predictions that came
true?
Twists and surprises.
Explain some of the
unexpected twists in
the plot.
Author’s style. What
is it about the author’s
writing that sets
him/her apart from
other writers?
Personal
connections. Give
specific examples of
times you felt a deep
connection with the
story, the characters,
or the plot.
Book to book
connections. What
other books does this
remind you of? Is there
something in your book
that has happened in
another book you’ve
read?
Book to world
connections. Can you
make a connection with
something that is
happening in the world
today? In our country
or around the world.
Conflicts. How did the
main character
overcome the conflict?
What do you
characters WANT?
Follow the main and
supporting characters
in the story and share
what they WANT. Do
they ever get what they
desire?
Colorful language.
Share some examples
of similes, metaphors,
figurative language, or
alliteration.
Unanswered
questions. If you could
ask the author any
question, what would it
be?
Rate the book from 110. Explain why you
have given the score
you have selected.
3
Checklist for Success
_____ I have read one book from the 2015 Nutmeg Teen Nominee List.
_____ I have selected at least two of the suggested talking points from each row
(at least 8 of the 16 must be used).
_____ I have written my talking point notes on 4 x 6 inch index cards.
_____ I have practiced reading my Book Talk to myself in a mirror or to a friend
to help prepare for my oral presentation.
_____ I have timed my Book Talk, and it is approximately two and a half minutes long. (Between 2-3
minutes).
_____ Project your voice to the back of the room.
_____ Be expressive, use hand gestures.
_____ Have confidence in your abilities.
I have followed the Checklist for Success and shared my Book Talk with my parents. (Sign and return
on the first day of school.)
Student Signature
Parent Signature
4
WHAT MAKES YOU UNIQUE?
6TH GRADE SUMMER READING
Stargirl by Jerry Spinelli
As you read Stargirl, by Jerry Spinelli, think about what qualities make her a unique, one of a kind,
character. How does this relate to you? What makes you unique? What qualities and traits make you
a one of a kind person?
Using the attached STAR, create a colorful and unique representation of yourself. You can use words
and pictures. Use the following guidelines for each point of the star.
•
Center: Picture (photo) of you with your name
•
Point 1: What you want to be when you grow up
•
Point 2: Favorite Food
•
Point 3: Favorite Hobby
•
Point 4: Favorite Place
•
Point 5: Goal for this year
Cut out your star. STARS will be collected on the first day of school and will be displayed for others to
see. Remember: Quality work – make your star be a great first impression!
5
6