Gr. 7 & 8 Summer Reading
The Linda S. Maloof Media Center
Nathan Hale School
Northvale, NJ

Northvale Public Schools
Nathan Hale School
Grades 7 & 8
Required Summer Reading - 2009
Over the summer, all children should be reading regularly for pleasure and to enhance their reading skills.  The Northvale School District has a required summer-reading program that provides many choices of titles and authors and a follow-up activity to be completed and brought to school in September. The books are available through the Bergen County Public Library System and may be purchased online or at bookstores. The Northvale Public Library has the K - 8 summer reading lists with assignments and attempts to accommodate book requests.
Grade 7 & 8 Assignment:  After reading one book from the list, complete the assignment using a computer or it may be handwritten.  Be sure to label and answer all parts, using complete sentences and paragraphs for parts 2 - 6.  Include a heading with your name, homeroom and date.

1.      Book Information – (not in sentences)
                
        Title
        Author
        Genre (Type of Fiction)
        Number of Pages

2.      Setting(s) – (1 paragraph)
                
        Describe the place(s) and time period(s) in which the story occurred.  
        (3 maximum)

3.      Characters – (2 – 3 paragraphs)
                
        Identify and describe major and minor characters in the story.    
        (Include up to three of the most important characters.)

4.      Conflicts/Resolutions – (1 - 2 paragraphs)

        What were some of the problems or challenges that the character(s) faced in the story?
        Explain the resolutions to the problems.
                                        
5.      Theme – (1 paragraph)

        Tell about the lesson(s) learned or the idea(s) carried throughout the story.

6.      Critique – (1 paragraph)
        Describe several things you liked about the book or author’s writing style.  
         If you were writing this story, identify what you would change or add to the story.   
         Would you or would you not recommend this book?  Give three supporting reasons for your decision.

 Grades 7 & 8 Summer Reading Selections:  Read one book and complete the assignment.

Author                                                  Title           

Adams, Richard                                 Watership Down
                                     
Ahmedi, Farah                                   The Story of My Life:
                                                            An Afghan Girl on the Other Side of the Sky

Asimov, Isaac                                    Fantastic Voyage
        
Cleaver, Vera                                     Where the Lilies Bloom

Colfer, Eoin                                        Artemus Fowl series
                             
Cooney, Caroline                               Flight #116 Is Down;  Voice on the Radio;
                                                           The Face on the Milk Carton

Crane, Stephen                                 The Red Badge of Courage

Creech, Sharon                                 Walk Two Moons

Cushman, Karen                                Catherine Called Birdy

DeMaurier, Daphne                             Rebecca

Frank, Anne                                         Anne Frank, Diary of a Young Girl

George, Jean Craighead                   Julie of the Wolves series;  
                                                             My Side of the Mountain

Greene, Bette                                    Summer of My German Soldier

Hobbs, Will                                       Jason's Gold

Horowitz, Anthony                             Alex Rider series

Korman, Gordon                               Dive series; Everest series; Island series;  
                                                           No More Dead Dogs

Lupica, Mike                                     Heat;   Travel Team

Park, Linda Sue                                A Single Shard

Paulsen, Gary                                  My Life in Dog Years

Peck, Richard                                  A Long Way From Chicago

Raskin, Ellen                                   The Westing Game

Steinbeck, John                               Of Mice and Men

Taylor, Mildred D.                            Roll of Thunder, Hear My Cry

Whelan, Gloria                                Homeless Bird

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