Entering 6Th Gradesummer Reading 2016-2017

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ELASummer Reading

Entering 6th GradeSummer Reading 2016-2017

During the summer all students are expected to read 3 books. We have selected 6 titles for students to choose from. Students will be required to place a refundable deposit in order to borrow these books for the summer vacation. Books that are returned in useable condition will receive a full refund.

Summer reading constitutes a significant portion of each student’s first quarter English Grade and no excuses for failure to complete this assignment will be accepted.

Directions:

1) Check-off the three books that you have selected to read over the summer.

☐City of Ember / ☐Bird in a Box
☐Forge / ☐Wringer
☐Serafina’s Promise / ☐Kick
☐The Book of Elsewhere / ☐Cartwheeling in Thunderstorms

2) For each book you will respond in writing. You may choose to respond to the narrative prompt, the essay prompt, or the book report questions. You must choose a different type of response for each book you read. Therefore you must submit one narrative and one essay and one book report.

4) Each writing assignment is required to be between 2-3 pages in length.

4) You may handwrite, or more preferably, type your responses. You will also be sent the assignments via your NHCS Tech Google Drive account.

5) Upon returning to the school you will take a book quiz on all three of the selected books. To receive credit you must pass each quiz with a 70% or higher.

6) Your parents will receive their book deposit back when your books are returnedin the condition that you received them.

Happy reading and writing!

Mr. Elliser

Check boxes to indicate the work you have completed.

☐City of Ember-Jeanne DuPrau

Choose one prompt to respond to:
☐Narrative
You have been asked to write the sequel to the City of Ember. You may write from Doon, Lina, or Torren’s point of view. Write a detailed narrative about the next few days.
☐Essay
The City of Ember has many problems. It is running low on resources, has occasional epidemics and an unreliable power supply. There is also corruption in the governmental leadership and the educational system does not encourage creativity or intellectual growth. Select one of these problems, or one of your own choosing, and write an essay describing the problem in detail, the impact the problem has on the community, any potential solutions the citizens of Ember have tried as well as two solutions you would suggest if you lived in Ember.
☐Book Report
1. What was this book’s greatest strength and what was its most serious flaw?
2. What is the significance of the title? Would you have given the book a different title? If yes, what would it be?If no, why would you keep it the same?
3. Analyze one choice the character made in the story that impacted the plot. What choice did the character make? Why did he/she make it? What was the result of that choice?
4. Choose one event from the story that is similar to something that has happened to you. Describe in detail the event from the book and then describe in detail the event from your life.
5. What is one question that you would ask the author about this book? Why would you ask it?
☐Forge–Laurie Halse Anderson
Choose one prompt to respond to:
☐Narrative
The fifers of the Continental Army played "Yankee Doodle Dandy" as an insult to the British army. Write new lyrics for this song that explain the mood of the Continental soldiers after their win at Saratoga.
☐Essay
Curzon is brutalized by Bellingham. He deals with it by remembering a mythology story that Benny Edwards told about a guy who stole fire from the gods. He was chained to a rock and an eagle was sent in to peck away at his liver. Curzon says, "Now I knew. I would fight the eagle and the chains and that mountain as long as I had breath." (p. 199) Who is the eagle? What are the chains? What is the mountain that he must fight?
☐Book Report
1. What was this book’s greatest strength and what was its most serious flaw?
2. What is the significance of the title? Would you have given the book a different title? If yes, what would it be?If no, why would you keep it the same?
3. Analyze one choice the character made in the story that impacted the plot. What choice did the character make? Why did he/she make it? What was the result of that choice?
4. Choose one event from the story that is similar to something that has happened to you. Describe in detail the event from the book and then describe in detail the event from your life.
5. What is one question that you would ask the author about this book? Why would you ask it?
☐Serafina’s Promise–Ann E Burg
Choose one prompt to respond to:
☐Narrative
Throughout the book Seraphina shares her world with the reader. You learn about her community, responsibilities, feelings, and more. Choose one of the topics that Seraphina shares and write your won poem in verse describing this topic in your world.
☐Essay
Throughout the novel, as Serafina goes about her daily chores and meets the challenges of her daily existence, an overall theme of hope emerges. Write an essay that explains how the author develops this theme throughout the book.
☐Book Report
1. What was this book’s greatest strength and what was its most serious flaw?
2. What is the significance of the title? Would you have given the book a different title? If yes, what would it be?If no, why would you keep it the same?
3. Analyze one choice the character made in the story that impacted the plot. What choice did the character make? Why did he/she make it? What was the result of that choice?
4. Choose one event from the story that is similar to something that has happened to you. Describe in detail the event from the book and then describe in detail the event from your life.
5. What is one question that you would ask the author about this book? Why would you ask it?
☐The Book of Elsewhere(The Shadows)–Jacqueline West
Choose one prompt to respond to:
☐Narrative
Choose a short section of the novel and rewrite it from Morton’s point of view.
☐Essay
Identify the tone of the novel. In a well-developed essay describe how the author creates this tone and its impact on the plot.
☐Book Report
1. What was this book’s greatest strength and what was its most serious flaw?
2. What is the significance of the title? Would you have given the book a different title? If yes, what would it be?If no, why would you keep it the same?
3. Analyze one choice the character made in the story that impacted the plot. What choice did the character make? Why did he/she make it? What was the result of that choice?
4. Choose one event from the story that is similar to something that has happened to you. Describe in detail the event from the book and then describe in detail the event from your life.
5. What is one question that you would ask the author about this book? Why would you ask it?
☐Bird in a Box–Andrea Davis Pinkney
Choose one prompt to respond to:
☐Narrative
Choose one of the main characters from the novel. Write a journal entry from his/her perspective set 5 years after the book ends. In the entry explain what the character’s life is like now based on the experiences he/she encountered in the novel.
☐Essay
Select one of the three main characters- Willie, Hibernia, or Otis- and write an essay describing how the character you chose changed over the course of the novel. Include details from throughout the story to support your claims.
☐Book Report
1. What was this book’s greatest strength and what was its most serious flaw?
2. What is the significance of the title? Would you have given the book a different title? If yes, what would it be?If no, why would you keep it the same?
3. Analyze one choice the character made in the story that impacted the plot. What choice did the character make? Why did he/she make it? What was the result of that choice?
4. Choose one event from the story that is similar to something that has happened to you. Describe in detail the event from the book and then describe in detail the event from your life.
5. What is one question that you would ask the author about this book? Why would you ask it?
☐Wringer–Jerry Spinelli
Choose one prompt to respond to:
☐Narrative
Pretend you are Palmer or Beans. Acting as one of these characters, write an editorial for the town newspaper from his point of view about becoming a wringer.
☐Essay
There are two traditions in Palmer's town that frighten him, and yet he is drawn toward them both. What are these traditions? Why do they both frighten and interest Palmer? How are these two traditions similar/different? What does Palmer ultimately decide?
☐Book Report
1. What was this book’s greatest strength and what was its most serious flaw?
2. What is the significance of the title? Would you have given the book a different title? If yes, what would it be?If no, why would you keep it the same?
3. Analyze one choice the character made in the story that impacted the plot. What choice did the character make? Why did he/she make it? What was the result of that choice?
4. Choose one event from the story that is similar to something that has happened to you. Describe in detail the event from the book and then describe in detail the event from your life.
5. What is one question that you would ask the author about this book? Why would you ask it?
☐Kick – Walter Dean Myers and Ross Workman
Choose one prompt to respond to:
☐Narrative
In a detailed narrative, rewrite the ending of the book with the opposite outcome. Describe what happens, why, and what was the result?
☐Essay
This novel is told from 2 different perspectives. In a well-developed essay describe the differences and similarities in language, tone, and perspective that are revealed through the two different perspectives.
☐Book Report
1. What was this book’s greatest strength and what was its most serious flaw?
2. What is the significance of the title? Would you have given the book a different title? If yes, what would it be?If no, why would you keep it the same?
3. Analyze one choice the character made in the story that impacted the plot. What choice did the character make? Why did he/she make it? What was the result of that choice?
4. Choose one event from the story that is similar to something that has happened to you. Describe in detail the event from the book and then describe in detail the event from your life.
5. What is one question that you would ask the author about this book? Why would you ask it?
☐Cartwheeling in Thunderstorms –Katherine Rundell
Choose one prompt to respond to:
☐Narrative
Will has completed her first year at boarding school when she receives a ticket in the mail to return to Africa. Write the next chapter of her story.
☐Essay
In the novel setting plays a significant role.Write an essay that describes the role of the setting and how it affects the development of the main character, Will.
☐Book Report
1. What was this book’s greatest strength and what was its most serious flaw?
2. What is the significance of the title? Would you have given the book a different title? If yes, what would it be?If no, why would you keep it the same?
3. Analyze one choice the character made in the story that impacted the plot. What choice did the character make? Why did he/she make it? What was the result of that choice?
4. Choose one event from the story that is similar to something that has happened to you. Describe in detail the event from the book and then describe in detail the event from your life.
5. What is one question that you would ask the author about this book? Why would you ask it?