The Hero’s Trail: A Guide for a Heroic Life
by: T. A. Barron
Summer Reading activity for upcoming 6th grade ELA

Directions: Over the summer, 6th grade students are to read the book The Hero’s Trail (newly revised and updated edition)and complete the front and back of this page. This completed page is due for a grade on Monday, August 10, 2015. Please write in your neatest handwriting.

***Students need to have their own copy of the book and bring it to class everyday for the first few weeks of school. The students will need their book to complete additional assignments in class after school begins.

Also, remember to read carefully and underline and/or highlight to annotate.

Preface
1.) Complete the following sentence quoting straight from the preface of the book. “Here then, ahead, is a map that ______.”

Introduction: The Power of Heroes

2.) On page 1, T.A. Barron states that a celebrity is defined by______.

3.) What character qualities aren’t visible at all, but show up through actions? ______, ______, ______, ______, and ______.

4.) What does it mean to be a hero? ______

5.) Who can be a hero? ______

6.) How do we reveal our inner qualities? ______

7.)Explain the quote, “Every great journey begins with a single step.” - Lao-Tzu

______.

8.) Who was the hero in T.A. Barron’s life?______

9.) T.A. Barron compares our choices to ______.

What does he mean by that simile? ______

______

******************************Complete the chart on the back of this page --- -- -- -- -- --

Complete the following chart based on chapters 1 – 5 in The Hero’s Trail.

Chapter 1: Heroes of Courage
1. According to chapter 1, define courage- ______
______
2. Which hero, described in the chapter, do you connect with the most? ______
3. Explain why you connect to this hero? ______
______
______
4. List 3 details about the hero from the chapter to support why this hero stands out to you? a.______
b. ______
c. ______
Chapter 2: Heroes of Perseverance
1. According to chapter 2, define perseverance______
______
2. Which hero, described in the chapter, do you connect with the most? ______
3. Explain why you connect to this hero? ______
______
______
4. List 3 details about the hero from the chapter to support why this hero stands out to you?
a. ______
b. ______
c. ______
Chapter 3: Heroes of Generosity
1. According to chapter 3, define generosity ______
______
2. Which hero, described in the chapter, do you connect with the most? ______
3. Explain why you connect to this hero? ______
______
______
4. List 3 details about the hero from the chapter to support why this hero stands out to you?
a. ______
b. ______
c. ______
Chapter 4: Heroes of Compassion
1. According to chapter 4, define compassion- ______
2. Which hero, described in the chapter, do you connect with the most? ______
3. Explain why you connect to this hero? ______
______
4. List 3 details about the hero from the chapter to support why this hero stands out to you?
a. ______
b. ______
c. ______
Chapter 5: Heroes of Hope
1. According to chapter 5, define hope- ______
______
2. Which hero, described in the chapter, do you connect with the most? ______
3. Explain why you connect to this hero? ______
______
4. List 3 details about the hero from the chapter to support why this hero stands out to you?
a. ______
b. ______
c. ______