8th Grade Summer Reading List 2013
All incoming eighth grade students are required to read three books over the summer.
ñ Required: The Giver by Lois Lowry
ñ Student's choice: Two additional titles from either list below
Nonfiction Titles:
Ø The Notorious Benedict Arnold: A True Story of Adventure, Heroism & Treachery by Steve Sheinkin
Ø Chew on This: Everything You Don't Want to Know About Fast Food by Eric Schlosser
Ø The Revenge of the Whale: The True Story of the Whale Ship Essex by Nathaniel Philbrick
Fiction Titles:
Ø Staying Fat for Sarah Byrnes by Chris Crutcher
Ø Code Talker: A Novel About the Navajo Marines of World War II by Joseph Bruchac
Ø Trash by Andy Mulligan
Ø Cardturner by Lois Sachar
Ø Crossing Stones by Helen Frost
** Since there are a wide variety of choices on the reading list this year, we strongly encourage parents to read the attached book summaries or look at reviews online to help guide students in choosing the most suitable books.
Annotated Book List
Nonfiction
The Notorious Benedict Arnold: A True Story of Adventure, Heroism & Treachery by Steve Sheinkin
In this story of one of America's most complex historical figures, the author sheds light on how Benedict Arnold went from being a daring, patriotic hero to our nation’s most famous traitor. This well-researched story reads like a gripping novel.
Chew on This: Everything You Don't Want to Know About Fast Food by Eric Schlosser
A young adult version of the author's bestseller Fast Food Nation, this book reveals interesting facts about the food we eat and how it is marketed to children. This expose of the food industry helps young readers make more informed decisions about what they eat.
The Revenge of the Whale: The True Story of the Whale Ship Essex by Nathaniel Philbrick *
This is Philbrick's adaptation for younger readers of his National Book Award-winning bestseller, In the Heart of the Sea. It is the story of the Nantucket whaling ship the Essex that was attacked and disabled by a sperm whale, leaving its crew members to survive in three open boats two-thousand miles from their intended destination. Information from the writings of two of the survivors of the disaster is included in the book. This event inspired Herman Melville's famous story Moby Dick.
*Students and parents should be warned that this is a true story of survival under extreme conditions and there are details of human cannibalism that may upset some young readers.
Fiction
Staying Fat for Sarah Byrnes by Chris Crutcher
This realistic teen drama hits on many serious issues that teens face: fitting in, relationships, popularity, abuse, and religion. The main characters, Eric, a so-called fat-kid, and Sarah, a burn victim, are both social outcasts who have a true friendship that is tested in many ways. Subplots involve other classmates, members of the swim team, an inspiring teacher who intervenes in the lives of her students, and the mystery that reveals the truth of Sarah's childhood accident that left her scarred for life.
Code Talker: A Novel About the Navajo Marines of World War II by Joseph Bruchac
In this story, a grandfather recounts for his children the history of the Code Talker’s role in the war as the creators of an unbreakable code which helped the allies in WWII. He tells the story of how his Navajo culture was stripped from him in the American school system, yet how he became a Code Talker using his forbidden language during World War II to serve and save his homeland. Classified as historical fiction, Bruchac's story is a realistic memoir of his fictitious code talker, Ned Begay. This well-researched novel addresses the cruelty of a government that stripped the Navajos of their cultural identity and America's hypocritical treatment of these hidden heroes, without whom the war
would probably not have been won.
Cardturner by Lois Sachar
Another wonderful story by the author of Holes! Seventeen-year-old Alton somehow gets roped into driving his cranky, blind uncle, Lester, to his bridge games as a summer job. Although he wasn't looking forward to this, Alton learns how to play the complex game of bridge and begins see his uncle in a whole new light.
Crossing Stones by Helen Frost
This is a novel written as a sequence of beautiful poems told by four teenagers from two interconnected families that live across the creek from each other. The main character, Muriel Jorgenson, is a strong-minded young woman who is beginning to question the social and political world around her. The voices of the four characters describe their reactions to World War I, both at home and on the front lines. Living in a time when women could not vote for their leaders and yet suffering as a result of the choices made by the government, Muriel struggles to speak out and voice her opinions at a time when young women were not encouraged to do so.
Trash by Andy Mulligan
Set in Behala, a fictionalized city in an unnamed country, this exciting thriller is the story of three young boys who literally live in and survive on a city built of trash. The trio stumbles upon a mystery that could help them escape their desperate existence, so it becomes an adventure and a quest for their freedom. Although the story is fiction, there are places like Behala that do exist in some developing countries, places that most of us could not even imagine. The narrator continually shifts from the varying perspectives of the three young protagonists. Although it is not difficult reading, the story can be gritty and uncomfortable to read because of the extreme poverty. The story raises questions about issues such as poverty, bribery, corruption, thievery, lying and trust.
Additional Information For Students and Families
Although three books are required, we strongly encourage students to read throughout the summer. Our hope is that students will supplement the required readings by independently choosing books about topics that interest them. Summer reading is a great way to increase reading skill, expand vocabulary, learn about new subjects and keep our minds active during the time away from the classroom. The Hamilton-Wenham Public Library is a great place to visit during the summer. Our young adult librarian, Kim Claire, has many great reading suggestions in all genres on her website: http://informedteenshwlibrary.blogspot.com/
***Challenge: Extra credit will be given to students who read four or more books from the list. Students who really enjoy the required read, The Giver, may want to consider the sequels that Lois Lowry wrote to this book (The Messenger, Gathering Blue, or Son)
In September, students will be held accountable for their summer reading – not on the first day, but within the first few days of school. To ensure recall of characters, events, themes, and responses to books, we recommend the following procedure:
While reading summer reading books, students should keep an annotated list of major characters, places, events, and motifs (recurring ideas and themes). In addition, students should try free-writing one or two pages for each book. Free-writing might take the form of reflecting, commenting, interpreting, or analyzing. Students may choose to record their spontaneous reactions to the characters, situations, and themes. For example, students may choose to write about the growth of a certain character throughout the novel. The purpose of note-taking is to aid students in remembering and discussing the reading, not to be handed in for an assignment. Teachers will let students know when the school year begins which day they should bring their notes and how they will be assessed on their reading.
Students may request these books from the local public library or purchase them at local bookstores.
HAPPY READING! Eighth Grade Language Arts Teachers