Books:
1) A Lesson Before Dying by Ernest J. Gaines
2) Choice Read (See options below)
Read both novels and annotate as you read.
Annotate- Make notes in the margins of new words, interesting moments, or events that remind
you of something from your life. Make connections~ (text to self, text to world, text to text)
Summer Reading Journal
In a spiral notebook or composition notebook, complete the following assignments.
1. As you are reading the story, think about the changes that Jefferson undergoes. You are
Jefferson; write 10 journal entries depicting how you would feel at that point in the story.
Your last entry should be titled; my death was not in vain. This entry should be you
explaining why your dying is a lesson for those around you.
2. An injustice is the violation of the rights of others; unfair or unjust treatment. Jefferson
was a victim of injustice. Locate 3 current events that have happened within in the last 5
years. One of those events should be international or something that may have happened
in another country. Print the current events. Write a response to literature summarizing
the event and how it is in an injustice.
3. Read the following quote:
Experience is a hard teacher because she gives the test first, the lesson afterward. –
Vernon Law
Think carefully about the following statement: “Life experiences and the lessons that you
learn from them are more relevant than those lessons that the elders warn you of.”
Write an essay stating your position on which is more important, lessons taught or
lessons learned.
Be sure to  State your position clearly
 Use appropriate organization
 Provide specific support for your argument
 Choose your words carefully

Edit your writing for punctuation, grammar, and sentence structure
Choose ONE of the following novels for your 2nd required reading- (Any edition will suffice)
The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn- Mark Twain
o Synopsis: Mark Twain’s classic novel tells the story of a teenaged misfit who find himself
floating on a raft down the Mississippi River with an escaping slave, Jim. In the course of their
journey, Huck and Jim meet adventure, danger, and a cast of characters who are sometimes
menacing, and often very funny
Roll of Thunder, Hear my Cry- Mildred D. Taylor
o Synopsis: An African-American family living in Mississippi during the depression of the
1930’s is faced with prejudice and discrimination which its children do not understand. This
novel is a powerful contemporary classic.
The Summer of my German Solider – Bette Greene
o Synopsis: When her small hometown in Arkansas becomes the site of a camp housing German
prisoners during World War II, 12-year-old Patty Bergen learns what it means to open her heart.
Although she's Jewish, she begins to see a prison escapee, Anton, not as a Nazi--but as a lonely,
frightened young man with feelings not unlike her own, who understands
and appreciates her in a way her parents never will.
Anne Frank: The Diary of a Young Girl- Anne Frank
o Synopsis: In July 1942 Anne Frank and her family, fleeing the horrors of Nazi occupation, hid
in the back of an Amsterdam warehouse. Anne was thirteen when the family went into the Secret
Annexe and, over the next two years, she vividly describes in her diary the frustrations of living
in such confined quarters, the constant threat of discovery, the hunger and fear.
Directions: Choose one character from your book of choice (The Adventures of Huckleberry
Finn, The Summer of My German Solider, Roll of Thunder, Hear my Cry, The Diary of a Young
Girl) and create a collage of pictures and words that represent them. Using magazines,
newspapers, stickers, printouts, or other means, create a collage for your character. The
character’s name should NOT be on the collage. The collage should be completed on a piece of
9in. x 12in. construction paper of any color, and be neat/tidy and visually appealing.
Remember, “a collage (From the French: coller, to glue) is a work of formal art, primarily in the
visual arts, made from an assemblage of different forms, thus creating a new whole. Use of this
technique made its dramatic appearance among oil paintings in the early 20th century as an art
form of groundbreaking novelty. An artistic collage work may include newspaper clippings,
ribbons, bits of colored or hand-made papers, portions of other artwork, photographs, and such,
glued to a piece of paper or canvas.” (Wikipedia)
For example, the character Ponyboy, from The Outsiders, may contain words or pictures that
represent knowledge, being different, innocence, love, family, etc.… Again, the character’s name
should not be on the collage, and I should be able to guess which character you chose based on
the words and pictures used to represent them.
Every single bit of paper space should be covered! You must have at least 5 words or phrases
scattered throughout the piece, and as many pictures as it takes to complete the collage. Pictures
used should show elements of characterization and symbolism.
Note: You can also utilize technology and create the collage. If you choose this option the design
needs to be one that symbolizes your comprehension of the story selected.
For example, if you had chosen The Outsiders, a symbol that I can use to depict my
understanding could be a Mustang or a church.
The summer reading project is due on the first day of school, August 6, 2013.