Church Hill Middle School

Church Hill Middle School

2016 Summer Reading Program

"There is more treasure in books than in all the pirate's loot on Treasure island" - Walt Disney

Dear Parent/Guardian:

We look forward to having your child as a seventh-grade student at Church Hill Middle School. It is our mission to enhance and develop skills necessary for lifelong success. In addition to setting high standards for our students, we have developed a Summer Reading Program. It is proven that a student’s reading level has a direct effect on his/her academic achievement. Therefore, it is essential that we continue our commitment to reading throughout the summer break. The purpose of the Summer Reading Program is to encourage all CHMS students to enjoy reading and to view it as a means to gain valuable knowledge.
Over the summer, your student will need to read at least one of the following books and keep a reading journal. The details of the reading journal are on the back of this letter. He or she may read additional books and keep journals for extra credit. Students will have the opportunity to check out one book from the list. Their book and journal will be due August 9th.If you have any questions, please don’t hesitate to contact us at or .

- Rising 7th Grade Reading List –

Rules by Cynthia Lord

No More Dead Dogs by GordanKorman

Crash by Jerry Spinelli

Stargirl by Jerry Spinelli

Hope was Here by Joan Bauer

Hatchet by Gary Paulsen

Have a great summer!

Ms. Richards and Ms. Kilbourne, 7th grade language arts teachers

Summer Reading Journal

You must make at least five entries for the one book from the list that you choose. Each entry should begin with the date, title of book, and pages read. Then write at least one paragraph (6-8 sentences) about the book. If you keep journals on additional books from the list, you will be awarded extra credit for a maximum of two extra 100’s. Your journal and your book (if you check one out from your teacher) will be due Tuesday, August 9th.

Here are some possible topics for your entries:

Why did you choose the book? What do you like or dislike about it so far?

Which character is most like you? Why?

Which character is least like you? How?

Describe the setting (time and place) and the main characters of the book.

What is the theme or message of the story? How did you know? Do you agree with it?

Make predictions about what is going to happen in the book. Explain why you think these things may happen.

What movie, book, television series, song, short story, or poem does this book remind you of? Why?

If you could change something about this book, what would it be? Why?

Would you like to read more books by this author? Why or why not?

Describe the climax of this book.

Describe something that was easy for you to visualize (see in your mind).

What type of people would you recommend this book to? Why?

Do you think that this book should be on next year’s reading list? Why or why not?

Are you confused about what happened (or didn’t happen) in the book? Why or why not? What events or characters do you not understand? Is there anything that the author could have done to make what happened (or didn’t happen) more clear?

What questions would you like to ask the author of the book? Are they questions that you may be able to answer by reading more about the author’s life and other books?

What are the problems the main character faces and how are they solved?

How realistic is the plot of your book? Explain.

How does the title relate to the story? Choose another title, tell how it would relate to the book, and why you chose it.

Grading:

The following rubric will be used to grade your journal.

4 / 3 / 2 / 1 / 0
Entries very neat / Entries are neat. / Entries are somewhat neat. / Entries are very messy. / Entries are unreadable.
Each entry is at least six to eight complete sentences with a mix of types (simple, compound, and complex) / Each entry is at least six to eight complete sentences. / May contain one fragment or run- on sentence or be five sentences. / Many fragments or run-on sentences or fewer than five sentences. / All fragments or run-on sentences .
Entries show evidence that student comprehended the text. Student answers each question with very specific details. / Entries show evidence that student comprehended the text. Student answers each question with specific details. / Entries show that student comprehended most of the text. Some answers may not contain specific details. / Entries show little evidence of comprehension. Student gives vague answers or repeats the same idea over and over. May be missing one entry. / Entries missing or plagiarized.

Number of points_____divided by 3 =______

A=4.0-3.7 B= 3.6-3.1 C= 3.0-2.4 D= 2.3-2.0

F= 1.9 and below

Summer Reading Journal Examples

July 29, 2016

Slake’s Limbo by Felice Holman pages 1-25

Describe the setting (time and place) and the main characters of the book.

This book takes place in New York City in the subway. The subway is a dirty, dark place with graffiti on the walls. I also inferred that it was a dangerous place because Slake talks about hearing angry shouts and fighting during the night. Although the book does not say when it takes place, it seems to be in the past because the boy is able to get a sandwich and soup for $1.05 plus tax. Also, people use tokens for the subway and now they use cards. Slake, a thirteen-year-old boy, is the main character in the book. His parents died when he was young, and he was sent to live with his aunt who hits him. He seems depressed because he runs away from home and lives in the subway.

July 31, 2016

Slake’s Limbo by Felice Holman pages 25-51

How does the title relate to the story? Choose another title. Tell how it would relate to the book, and why you chose it.

I know that Slake is the main character in the book. I looked up limbo and found out that it can mean “a place of confinement” or “a state of uncertainty.” Slake has run away from home and is living in a small space in the wall in a New York subway tunnel, so that fits the definition of confinement. Slake doesn’t seem to have any plans for his future and worries about getting caught. Therefore, he lives in uncertainty. I think the title of this book fits well, but if I had to choose another title it would be Living for 121 Days in the Subway. On the back of the book, it says that Slake lived for 121 days in the subway. This fact got me interested in the book, so it might interest other readers.