8th Grade Pre-AP Lit/Comp Summer Assignment

The following books were chosen because they are recognized on the 2015-16 Sequoyah and for Intermediate Students, OR because they are highly recommended by teachers/staff. Summaries were accessed through Amazon.com and the book jackets. Choose one of the following books to read THIS SUMMER (choose a book you haven’t already read):

The President Has Been Shot! The Assassination of John F. Kennedy by James Swanson(NONFICTION)

James Swanson will transport readers back to one of the most shocking, sad, and terrifying events in American history – the assassination of John F. Kennedy in 1963. Swanson uses his signature "you are there" style -- a riveting, ticking-clock pace, with an unprecedented eye for dramatic details and impeccable historical accuracy -- to tell the story of the JFK assassination as it has never been told before.

Popular: Vintage Wisdom for a Modern Geek by Maya Van Wagenen(NONFICTION)

Stuck near the bottom of the social ladder at “pretty much the lowest level of people at school who aren’t paid to be here,” Maya has never been popular. But before starting eighth grade, she decides to begin a unique social experiment: spend the school year following a 1950s popularity guide, written by former teen model Betty Cornell. Told with humor and grace, Maya’s journey offers readers a thoroughly contemporary example of kindness and self-confidence, along with a better understanding of what it means to be popular.

Can’t Look Awayby Donna Cooner (REALISTIC FICTION)

Torrey Grey is famous. At least, on the Internet. Thousands of people watch her popular videos on fashion and beauty. But when Torrey's sister is killed in an accident -- maybe because of Torrey and her videos -- her perfect world implodes. Now, strangers online are bashing her, and at her new school, she doesn't know whom to trust. Is queen bee Blair only being sweet because of Torrey's Internet infamy? Is Luis, with his brooding dark eyes, whose family runs the local funeral home really there to help her? Can she learn to mourn her sister out of the public eye?

Golden Boy by Tara Sullivan(REALISTIC FICTION/ADVENTURE)

Born albino in a Tanzanian village, Habo suffers virulent prejudice for his pale skin, blue eyes, and yellow hair, even from his own family. At 13, he runs away to a place where he thinks he will find more acceptance. He finds a home as an apprentice to a blind sculptor who knows Habo is a smart boy with a good heart. But Habo is being pursued by a poacher who wants to kill him and sell his body parts on the black market to superstitious buyers in search of luck.

Far, Far Away by Tom McNeal (FANTASY)
Jeremy Johnson hears voices. Or, specifically, one voice: the ghost of Jacob Grimm, one half of The Brothers Grimm. Jacob watches over Jeremy, protecting him from an unknown dark evil whispered about in the space between this world and the next. However, Jacob can’t protect Jeremy from everything. When Ginger Boultinghouse takes a bite of a cake so delicious it’s rumored to be bewitched, she falls in love with the first person she sees: Jeremy.In any other place, this would be a turn for the better for Jeremy, but not in Never Better, where the Finder of Occasions—whose identity and evil intentions nobody knows—is watching and waiting.

Steelheart by Brandon Sanderson (FANTASY)

How far would you go for revenge if someone killed your father? If someone destroyed your city? If everything you ever loved was taken from you? David Charleston will go to any lengths to stop Steelheart, who is responsible for all this. But to exact revenge in Steelheart’s world, David will need the Reckoners—a shadowy group of rebels bent on maintaining justice and focused on assassinating the Epics who are trying to crush mankind. David needs the Reckoners to get his revenge, but it turns out that the Reckoners might just need David too.

Legend by Marie Lu (SCIENCE FICTION)

What was once the western United States is now home to the Republic, a nation perpetually at war with its neighbors. Born into an elite family in one of the Republic's wealthiest districts, June is a prodigy being groomed for success in the Republic's highest military circles. Born into the slums, Day is the country's most wanted criminal. From very different worlds, June and Day have no reason to cross paths until two tragedies occur. Caught in the ultimate game of cat and mouse, Day is in a race for his family's survival, while June seeks to avenge a family member’s death. But in a shocking turn of events, the two uncover the truth of what has really brought them together, and the sinister lengths their country will go to keep its secrets.

Unwind by Neal Shusterman(SCIENCE FICTION)

In America after the second Civil War, parents may choose to retroactively get rid of a child between the ages of 13 and 18 through a process called “unwinding.” Having become a common and accepted practice in society, troublesome or unwanted teens are able to easily be unwound. Three Unwinds battle the system and set out to change society: Connor, a rebel whose parents ordered his unwinding; Risa, a ward of the state who is to be unwound due to cost-cutting; and Lev, his parents’ tenth child whose unwinding has been planned since birth as a “tithe.” Unwind is the first in a suspense-filled, dystopian series.

Copper Sun by Sharon Draper (HISTORICAL FICTION)

Amari is a 15-year-old Ashanti girl who is happily anticipating her marriage to Besa. Then, slavers arrive in her village, slaughter her family, and shatter her world. Shackled, frightened, and despondent, she is led to the Cape Coast where she is branded and forced onto a boat of death for the infamous Carolinas. There, Percival Derby buys her as a gift for his son's 16th birthday. Trust and friendship develop between Amari and Polly, a white indentured servant, and eventually they must flee the plantation toward freedom.

Soldier X by Don Wulffson (HISTORICAL FICTION)

Sixteen-year-old Erik Brandt barely knows what Germany is fighting for when he is drafted into Hitler's army in 1944. Sent to the killing fields of the Eastern Front, he is surrounded by unimaginable sights, more horrific than he ever thought possible. It's kill or be killed, and it seems clear that Erik's days are numbered. Until, covered in blood and seriously injured, he conceives of another way to survive.

ASSIGNMENT:

Step 1:Type an analysis.After reading the book, you must type an analysis of the story. This response should be at least 5 paragraphs (intro, three body paragraphs and conclusion) with topic sentences and supporting detail. You should use correct punctuation, spelling and capitalization. Note: this is NOT a book report/summary; it is an analysis. For your three body paragraphs, you should choose three of the following literary elements on which to focus:

*characterization

*parts of plot

*theme

*conflict (internal and external)

*symbolism

You will also need to create a cover sheet on which you will include your name, the due date, and the title of the book and author’s name.

Step 2: Take the AR test on the book at the beginning of 8th grade. Think about the timing of reading the book. (Don’t read it too early in the summer and not remember details for the AR test, but don’t wait until the last minute.) The AR test grade will be your first grade in literature.

This assignment is due on the first day of school to your literature teacher.

Questions?? E-mail OR