Mr. Coles
8th Grade Literature
Mastery Charter Lenfest Campus
Mastery Charter Lenfest Campus
Entering 8th Grade Literature
Summer Reading Assignment
Mr. Coles
Room 404
Justin.Coles@masterycharter.org
Mr. Coles
8th Grade Literature
Mastery Charter Lenfest Campus
Summer Reading for 2013
Students entering 8th Grade
Do not think about:
Procrastinating! Commit yourself to reading a pre-determined amount of chapters per day so that you're
not overloaded with work the last few weeks of the summer. Also, set aside a specific time during the day
for reading and make sure your friends and family know that you are not to be disturbed during this time.
Don't expect to get much reading done late at night while lying in bed; choose a time early in the day.
Complete the written portion of the assignment while you’re reading each book.
Not reading! If you need to order the book online, order early. You have plenty of internet book
stores*** from which to choose AND both books are quite popular; so don't think about claiming that no
books were available to purchase.
Cheating! If any part of the written assignment is plagiarized to any extent, the entire assignment will be
given a “zero” grade. The assignment questions are geared so that YOU have to answer them; the answers
cannot be found on any internet website.
***Half.com is the best place to buy books. The shipping fee is usually $3.50, but most books are less
than $1.00. Books can also be purchased in person at most bookstores.
Assignment
-All incoming 8th Graders MUST read FADE, by Robert Cormier over the summer. Students also MUST
purchase The Giver by Lois Lowry, but do not have to have it read.
-Read and annotate FADE.You must make annotations and complete the additional assignments detailed
here.
Making Annotations (Homework Grade)
-As you read, please take notes in your book. You may write directly on the page and add comments in
the margin, or you may add sticky-notes to the pages. Your annotations are a reflection of your reading
process and will help you find relationships within the text and make connections to other books you have
read or films you have watched.
Annotation Tips
-Write questions or comments in the margin or on sticky notes
-Make brief notes in the margin or on sticky notes to identify important events, character changes, or
personal connections you make
-Use (!) to mark important passages
-Use (+) or (-) for positive and negative reactions
-Circle AND look up unfamiliar words
-Indicate literary devices and figurative language
-Underline important ideas and memorable images
-Use (?) to mark confusing parts.
Mr. Coles
8th Grade Literature
Mastery Charter Lenfest Campus
Assignment:
 Complete the “Skeleton Body Biography” for a major character for FADE.
 Complete the following questions for the summer novel.
 Handwrite your responses using blue or black ink and compile in a single notebook or folder.
All responses MUST be in complete sentences.
1. What were your feelings after finishing the book? Why?
2. Did the book make you laugh? cry? Explain your reaction.
3. What connections are there between the book and your own life? Explain.
4. What parts in the book seem most believable? What parts seem unbelievable? Why?
5. Do you like the way the book ended? Why or why not? Do you think there is more to tell? What do
you think might happen next?
6. Finish the sentence: "I love (hate) the way the author (or a character) . . ."
7. List five conflicts (both internal and external) in the book.
8. Explain the changes that have taken place in the main character’s life. Describe the character's quest or
journey. Consider what goals and dreams drive the character's actions, what obstacles the character faces
in seeking his/her goal, and the outcomes of the quest or journey. Describe their characterization
(appearance, motivations, and important actions). Explain how these dynamic characters change as the
story progresses.
9. What questions (more than one) would you ask the characters about themselves or their actions? Which
character(s) could you relate to the most and why?
10. Describe the diction and syntax of the protagonist (i.e., the way he or she talks). How do his/her
speech patterns affect his characterization or the way he or she "seems" to the reader?
11. What is the setting of the story: When and where? How does the setting influence the characters and
reveal the main ideas of the book?
12. What point of view is used to tell the story? If it is first person, name the narrator or narrators. How
does this influence the impact of the story?
13. Titles always add meaning to writing. What is the significance of the title of this selection? What is
the main idea, or theme, the author wants you to "get" from reading this book?
14. Explain and give specific examples of the literary devices the author uses to tell his story. Include
irony, foreshadowing, imagery, and symbolism if present in the story.
15. Compose a minimum of 2 paragraphs to describe something that you learned from the book. In other
words, how did the author make you think; what ideas, themes issues did you consider? Did the novel
teach you anything? Would you recommend the book to a friend? Why? Completely explain your
answers.
FADE must be finished with annotations and notebook complete by the FIRST day of school. The
questions are NOT to be typed. The responses must be legible and neat. You may only use pencil or blue
or black ink in your notebook! You HAVE to bring FADE ANNOTATIONS to class on the first day. The
Giver must also be brought, but it should not be read prior to the first day.
If you have any questions or problems during the summer,
email me at Justin.Coles@masterycharter.org.
Mr. Coles
8th Grade Literature
Mastery Charter Lenfest Campus
Instructions for “Fleshing Out a Character” Skeleton Biography:
1. Choose a major character for FADE (must be either the PROTAGONIST or ANTAGONIST)
2. Keep the Skeleton Categories in mind as you read your novel and list them in your reading notebook
AS YOU READ each day (a great way to do this is to start from the back page of your notebook and
work in reverse for ONLY this portion of the summer reading assignment—have a page devoted to each
of the categories.
3. When you are finished with the novel, look through your lists and choose THREE major events,
actions, thoughts, characteristics, or qualities with which to label the skeleton.
4. Make certain you keep your categories organized (be sure to differentiate between things a character
SAYS, things a character DOES, and things a character THINKS, for instance. Similarly, be certain to
separate a character’s STRENGTHS and WEAKNESSES, as well as what the character TRIES TO DO
versus what the character actually DOES. Be sure that you separate THOUGHTS from FEELINGS—
Feelings are emotions, so look for words related to emotions.
5. Label the skeleton with the BEST three examples from each of those categories. Keep in mind that
these qualities, actions, events, thoughts, etc., should exemplify this character—they should show
someone unfamiliar with the novel what this character you have chosen is like.