Easton Public Schools

English Department

100 Lothrop Street and Columbus Avenue

North Easton, MA02356

OliverAmesHigh School EastonMiddle School

Joanne Coffman, Chair (508) 230-3222

English Office (508) 230-3210, ext. 1433

Summer Reading List 2011 - Entering Grade Seven: Honors

*Honors students must read 3 books.

1.) Esperanza Rising by Pam Munoz Ryan

If you purchase a copy of this book, please bring it to class for the first day of school. During the first week of school, we will review the book together, analyzing it in terms of the elements of fiction (characters, setting, plot, and theme). Within the first two weeks of school, the students will take a test on this book, with multiple choice questions, short answer questions, and an open response question (similar to the English Language Arts Reading Comprehension Assessment MCAS).

*Please keep in mind: The summer reading test is not a test of whether or not you read the book.

The summer reading test IS a test which assesses students’ ability to read, think, and write critically. Students should be able to:

  • readfollow directions.
  • recallinterpret important details from the novels.
  • use important terms related to the study of literature. (For example, character, setting, plot, theme, etc.)
  • write about literature. Students should use proper grammar and spelling, answer the essay question(s) completely, and include important supporting details. They are not merely summarizing or re-telling the story.

2.) Read one bookfrom the list below.

Within the first two weeks of school, students will complete an assessment involving the elements of fiction for the book they chose from the list below.

* Parents: Please help your child choose a book. Some of these titles contain mature and sensitive subject matter.

AuthorTitle

AviThe Man Who Was Poe

Birdsall, Jeanneany of The Penderwicks books

Korman, GordonNo More Dead Dogs

Mikaelsen, BenTouching Spirit Bear OR Ghost of Spirit Bear

Montgomery, L. M.Anne of Green Gables

Peck, RichardA Long Way from Chicago

Ryan, Pam MunozPaint the Wind

Stead, RebeccaWhen You Reach Me

Taylor, MildredRoll of Thunder, Hear My Cry

Taylor, TheodoreThe Cay

3.) Read any book of your choice, as long as your parents and/or guardians approve of the content. This book can be fiction or nonfiction as long as it is at least 150 pages in length.

Within the first two weeks of school, students will complete an assessment involving the elements of fiction for their “choice” book.